If you had £2,000 to completely revamp your wardrobe, what would you buy?

[LittleRedRidingSnood]

That's it really! Looking for inspiration...

Hi OP!

Are you looking for general suggestions (i.e. a capsule wardrobe in your colours) or very specific items, like particular items from particular shops?

Ah, thanks for answering. I have no idea! I generally just wear jeans, t-shirts and converse. I'm a size 8-10, late 40s, with kind of a love of retro and casual. Just feel at times that I need to grow up a bit and have some smarter outfits. I also don't have any 'going out' clothes. Don't wear heels... tend to wear navy and green.

I don't have time to shop so I would use it to pay for Lookieroo for a year.

Ah, I'll look that up. Have looked in to what a capsule wardrobe is; that sounds interesting. They all seem to require a cropped trouser or jean. I don't tend to wear anything cropped, although I do like the style on others. I like to stay warm. But, I'm willing to try!

I’d there is a colour you think particularly suits you, I would definitely get a cashmere sweater. It will last you for years.

Good idea; thank you!

A good jacket that can be worn with jeans, or with smarter clothes. This really helps smarten an outfit - a longline blazer, or a cropped military/masculine style both work with jeans.

Make sure you have enough basics to make outfits with - boring but essential: vest tops to layer under things, long sleeve T-shirts, a decent white shirt.

if you wear jeans a lot, one way to make an instant upgrade is to buy a pair of trousers and wear them in place of the jeans. Cropped wool trousers are everywhere and can be dressed up with heels/boots or down with trainers.

Get a couple of new jumpers. Look for decent fabric so they last - avoid acrylic like the plague as it bobbles terribly. Cotton-mix jumpers are good and wash well (and work well going into spring). Or merino wool. A cream loose roll neck is nice - with jeans and boots, with your new wool trousers and trainers, or with a skirt.

There was a really good thread on here by an Australian woman who worked out what she would need to wear over the next year and bought items a few at a time. She had a spreadsheet. Can anyone remember the name of the thread? It was very inspirational

i’m going to revamp my wardrobe, i’ve put on a lot of weight due to medical issue, so i’m thinking classic pieces with some long interesting cardigan /cover ups too .

It’s on Mumsnet Classics and is called something like ‘the pursuit of elegance’. I don’t know how to link to it, sorry! Agree it’s a really inspiring thread

A session with a personal stylist that matches my style and lifestyle.

I'd look at some decent brands like Cos, Arket, Hobbs to name a few.

What do you want to achieve with a wardrobe refresh?

Look at Pinterest for outfit ideas.

Enjoy your spending!

Is this it? https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/mumsnet_classics/3797652-thanks-to-s-b-i-m-finally-winning-in-the-pursuit-of-elegance

I'm just reading through it now, it seems really interesting.

Yes that’s the one!! It really changed how I shop and my wardrobe is so much better for it these days.

I'd book an appointment with a personal stylist at John Lewis. It's free and you tell them what you like and your size etc beforehand and they have a whole rack of stuff ready for you when you arrive. I did it when going back to work after maternity leave and it was well worth it. I wear everything I got that day

The capsule wardrobe you’re referring to, OP, is that typical one which always includes a striped top and a beige trench coat! However, a capsule wardrobe can contain anything you want it to and I think it’s important that the items are flattering and suit both your style and your lifestyle. It’s less about what’s fashionable (I think) and more about choosing pieces that will last, will go together and that you will actually wear.

I’m only in the beginning stages of curating a capsule wardrobe, but I’m targeting 30-40 pieces (excluding shoes and accessories). Rather than throwing out all my existing clothes, I’m aiming to sell/donate up to five items per month and replace with one good quality item.

If you’re a jeans and Converse kinda gal (I am too!), you could just make small tweaks if you want a smarter option… ie add a nice pair of ankle boots and a blazer or peacoat. Little changes like that can make a difference. My plan is to go fairly neutral with the clothes and liven things up with my shoes and handbags.

You could easily spend £2k on several high quality items and leather shoes/boots. I would personally try not to deviate too far from your current style or you run the risk of feeling uncomfortable and not wearing any of it.

Would love to see any purchases!! Do come back to share with us!

Best advice I ever had - and it may even have been on the pursuit of elegance thread - is to start with occasions and work out what's missing. So list out the big chunks of time you spend eg walking in park/dog walk, going to work, dinner out, lunch with friends, lazy sunday. What would make you feel great or well dressed on those occasions? And which ones do you have too many or not enough clothes for. I had loads of going out stuff but very little good looking casual outfits so I focused there. There's no point buying a new coat if you've already got enough but always feel scruffy on weekends so would get more use from some grown up/nice loungewear or going for a personal shopper now if you're ok for winter but struggle in summer.

I am in the same boat as needing to refresh my look as I really look like a scruff with clothes from 15 hrs ago. Recently came across this account on insta and really love how she puts simple items together. I've then gone on Vinted to lol for similar looks

www.instagram.com/by_ninaj?igsh=MTQ4eWt2aTQwNDBrZw==

I think I would paint it green and decorate it with silver trim.

No idea why you would want to though.

I would do a budget first.

Split it out in to what I need and how much it might cost.

Eg new underwear - £100 (I only wear cheap underwear!)
Boots- £150
Trainers- £100
New Winter Coat - £150
Etc

Then I'd know how much I could afford.

Thanks all for your comments and link to the other thread. I've been prompted to think about my style and that's been really useful. Have then added a few items to a list, which I would love/have previously loved but no longer own. So, it's a start!

An item I reach for a lot is my midnight blue fitted velvet jacket.
Can be dressy or casual, very versatile.

Ooh
Veja trainers
Arket and toast jumpers
Dilling merino/silk thermals/PJ set
A Hobbs fitted coat or jacket in a neutral colour (I have a lovely one I got in a sale ages ago, buts it’s a bright colour and not as useful)
A proper ladylike bag, maybe a leather Orla Kiely one
And I’d probably have a browse at places like Plumo, American Vintage, Anthropologie and Whistles - shops I like but generally don’t shop at because of the prices. And just see what grabbed me.

I’ve run through that 2K in no time! I’m not a capsule wardrobe person really. It’s more about what really feels like “me” and things like like wearing, plus natural fabrics and made to last things if possible.

Late 40s, casual and retro makes me think you might like the sort of things on the Wears My Money blog www.wearsmymoney.com

£2000 isn't all that much.

When we went on holiday last year, DH didn't want to take out travel insurance for luggage. He was astounded when I told him my underwear and swimwear alone came to £500.

It sounds like you have a really good style already. We are the same age and I would kill to be your size. I have far too many clothes because nothing looks good on me. It's my own fault for not keeping my bloody weight down.

Shoes
They are the bane of my life
Really good bras and shapewear