Need a complete new wardrobe

[way2serious]

So unhappy with 95% of my clothes and just want to empty my wardrobe and start again but I don’t know where to start. Any suggestions of some possible steps? Please don’t say Pinterest, Instagram etc as I see things on there but they are either From shops in other countries or there are no links or they are items from 3 years ago.

Why did you buy them ? What in particular don't you like ?

Wanting to throw everything out sounds a bit like a life crisis not a critical review of your clothes ?

Ok I'm in exactly the same position.

I started by spending half an hour today writing a list with sections (work clothes/smart casual/ etc etc) and wrote a list.

That's my only idea sorry

Are there items that you like wearing, that make you feel good? Is it worth asking a friend to help you do a wardrobe audit, trying on items and being honest about what does work, what definitely doesn't, what gaps you have, what items are tired and need retiring. Then looking at clothing that fits with your work / home / life. So not chucking everything out, as sometimes we have a gem of an item in our wardrobe, we've just forgotten how to wear it or its time was not when purchased, but could well be ready for its moment in the sun now. I have a subscription to Readily, so get to read far too many magazines and some of those have great ideas for styling, or will feature an item from a high street range. I did something similar last year and took everything out of the cupboards, wardrobes and tried the lot on, underwear included (as good foundations change the look of an outfit too) mixing it, playing with shoes, items that I'd never put together, using accessories that had sat for far too long not being used, and also being honest with myself and the mirror as to what was never going to do me any favours! Some surprising hits came out of the process, a few gaps that I then purchased for, a great many bonus outfits that I'd no idea would work that came out of just playing with the clothing. Anything else has been moved on. Maybe just give yourself time to play with what you've got and see if you can fall in love with it again.

i haven’t bought many clothes over the last few years and my life has changed - job etc and I don’t seem to have found my new ‘style’ for my new lifestyle. I am not happy with my weight either so that probably doesn’t help.

feeling sad and grumpy and boring

This is an approach I found helpful when I was in your situation. If you save lots of pictures of outfits you like without giving it too much thought, rather than looking at individual clothing items you quickly start to see themes emerge which give you ideas as to your sense of style. Eg I saved loads of pics from a variety of sources to Pinterest of clothing outfits I liked. If I liked a look within a few seconds, I saved it. They all seemed very random but I quickly realised I liked oversize grandad style cardigans which was quite a surprise. As I narrowed down my choices I then worked out how to ‘style the cardigans’ by looking at range of photos. As themes emerged, I then drilled down to look at specific photos to analyse what I particularly liked about the cardigan and how it was worn. I worked out I liked cardigans that were neutral in colour, not too slouchy but a little bit tailored, like a casual jacket layered over a white shirt. This meant I could start ‘hunting’ for a cardigan which fitted the aesthetic and a white shirt of a certain length and fabric instead of idly browsing and getting confused and overwhelmed with all the choices that come with online shopping. You may also find useful items that match your brief in your own wardrobe. This approach led me to realise I like a classic but contemporary style of clothing with a masculine edge. I now hunt for clothing and rarely impulse buy. This is just one approach and example that helped me pin down my sense of style. I used and saved onto Pinterest as a way to collect ideas but you could use your notes app on a phone to save your outfit inspiration. It does take work but it gets easier and easier. I started with good quality basics and built up slowly from there, adding smaller more quirky pieces to stamp my personality. Everything needs to suit my lifestyle .

I also started with a wardrobe edit and only kept clothes I loved and which I felt good in. I used these pieces to build outfits from. Clothes I wasn’t sure about I stored out of sight so they didn’t clutter my wardrobe. I didn’t donate/get rid of anything I wasn’t sure about. So far, this approach has worked. I don’t have any regrets about anything I’ve decided to part company with (with the exception of one dress perhaps).

Go to John Lewis and use their free personal styling service. I did on returning to work after maternity leave and they gave me a great working wardrobe for £500. Still wearing it 5 years later

Two things.
first you must love some of uout wardrobe. What is it? Jeans? Hats? Pjs? Can buy clothes so you wear what you love more?

second how do you spend your life? Wfh? Smart city job? Only fans account? With the kids? Work out what % of your life is in each clothing category you have for example 5% formal evening events 70% smart casual as wfh and meeting friends for lunch etc. 15% loungewear. 10% active wear/dog walking/gym etc. your wardrobe should match your lifestyle.

good luck! X

I meant to say that my approach is based on the book The Curated Closet by Anuschka Rees. I really was starting from scratch. Good luck !

What's your shape, lifestyle and personality?

@way2serious @Bubbleohseven I cannot recommend Melissa Murrell on YouTube highly enough. She has various videos about dressing for your body shape and building a capsule wardrobe, learning what looks good on YOU, and appropriate to YOUR lifestyle, rather than buying a specific (on trend) item seen on an influencer and finding out it looks rubbish on you.
I turn 40 this year and had the exact same feeling as you - wanted to ditch my entire wardrobe! All felt too young/dated/inappropriate for the occasion. I've watched loads of Melissa's videos to educate myself, and now have far fewer pieces, but know what to put together, and feel so much better about my style.

I agree with the curated closet. Read it about 10 times. She's so helpful and really detailed. Just a warning though. It's typical for people to get rid of their clothes and then miss specific items. I'd do it slowly and surely vs an overnight blitz because it's actually hard to buy good quality products right now and rare that any one season will have everything you need.