Investing in clothes?

[houseworkneverends]

Little bit about me, I’m 44 with 5 year old twins. I’ve never ever been able to style myself right. I find clothes shopping awful. I but cheap clothes that dont last and never look particularly good.

I’ve decided that this can no longer continue, I’m so sick of looking dreadful so I’ve booked an appointment with a stylist in Manchester. It’s definitely a splurge just for the appointment, but I can afford it.

when asked for budgets I’d put £400-£500 which to me seemed like a lot, but they’ve come back and, in a really lovely no pressure way, asked if it could be increased. For instance a pair of jeans could cost £130 but they’re an amazing fit and will last for years.

so my question is, when you’ve never before invested in clothes but are desperate to look better, and if you can afford it, would you go for the higher budget and try and build a capsular wardrobe with good quality items that can be mixed and matched?

I completely and respectfully disagree with this! For a lot of people jeans are the workhorses of their wardrobe, dull, boring and ubiquitous as they might be. I’d far rather spend big on a great pair that I wear often than eg a fancy frock for a wedding that would barely get worn after the occasion.

I also don’t think “jeans are jeans”, and think a cheap stretchy pair from the supermarket looks very different to a well cut pair of proper denim jeans which cost more. (Maybe less important if you are 17 and a size 6, granted.)

I disagree that jeans are boring and dull, but I am not sure that super expensive jeans look any better, maybe with the exception of Levi's which I always buy on sale.

I would invest most of the money in a really good coat, boots, silk shirt, and waterproof raincoat, which you will get the most wear out of. Good woolen coats are so expensive these days.

I disagree about supermarket jeans being inferior.
The jeans I had that got me most compliments were from Asda.
BBC Radio 4 - Sliced Bread, Sustainable Jeans

Agree re a good raincoat and a good coat.

With all die respect only a person who has only worn cheap jeans would think this. Real denim jeans last for decades and need minimal washing.

@Ozanj , I'm not sure what you mean by 'real jeans'. I have jeans from decades ago and many different brands including supetmarket and £££. Depending on the fit, cut and fabric there isn't much difference. If the denim is quite rigid and dark, they tend to last better. The blended fabric is more comfortable but less durable.

Jeans are absolutely not just jeans.

a good pair of well fitting jeans can be a thing of beauty, whereas cheap jeans can ruin a half decent outfit, no matter how good the rest of the outfit is.

I really would put more money into this appointment in order to get the maximum out of it. Not solely jeans but knitwear for example is expensive & with coats it's worth getting the very best quality you can afford.
I'm not sure that applies with jeans. I follow invest in style on Instagram & she tends to post a real mixture of prices & styles in jeans. They all look great to me. But then I haven't bought designer jeans since the days of Donna Karan & Vanderbilt 😂

Thank you for all your replies. I agree with all those who have said I need to make the most of this appointment. It’s not until November so I can put some more money aside. I think getting some key items such as coats, jackets, knitwear etc is the priority and then I can build on it.

Would someone kindly link to the Australian Mumsnetter, who did the spreadsheet? Even though she is in Australia, I think this is what OP needs in principal.
I think that learning to take care of the items is vitally important. The right laundering and storage for each piece.
Coats - if looking for a classic style, the summer is a good time to buy winter coats. Mine are waterproof and warm rather than stylish, and I had some excellent bargains buying in the summer.

I would do a pintarest/wishlist board of stuff I love, and work from there. As a mum of a 5-yo, I would also pay attention to the washability and maintainence of items. I don't have time for handwashing and dry cleaning, so I only buy things that can be chucked in the washing machine. When trying on clothes, I always to try to get a feel what they would be like sitting on the floor with or picking up toys.

And if you like jeans, get good ones! There is most certainly a difference in how they fit and last. There's a reason why people still but vintage Levis from 90s but m&s thin blended crap gets stretched out of shape and falls to bits after a season. Good pair of jeans can make you feel a million bucks.

Go, see what you like then buy second hand?

I'm tight when I shop, hate spending money and have no idea what brands are good or bad. But the last couple of years I have converted my work summer wardrobe from a mismatch of cheap clothes that always look a mess, to a selection of well fitting linen summer dresses from Hobbs that I get a load of compliments on. All my dresses are second hand and cost no more than £25 each with delivery.

If I understood brands and labels I would have a wider selection and would be happy to spend more, but finding a style that works, then buying second hand means I am happy to wear them rather than preserving them. With 5 year old twins you may be happier in those £120 jeans if someone else has treated them like gold dust and you can get them for £40 and wear them to paint in.

Jeans are my everyday setting, so I spend money on well-cut, nicely fitted jeans. Then shoes (Italian trainers from a sale site), then jumpers but these are mostly from Uniqlo/M&S, as are shirts and T shirts. And the haircut. I am retired so I have all the coats and jackets I need for life now.

Honestly I wish I had time to shop 2nd hand, but this is the whole point of this appointment, for someone else to take the stress of clothes away from me. With 5 year old twins, a dog, a management job and elderly parents I just don’t have to time or the energy to shop, but I also don’t want to continue wearing the clothes that I am. It doesn’t befit my position at work and I don’t feel great at all

Regardless of weight, or lack of, I would find some really good underwear, too. Clothes do not sit right without the right underwear.

Shopping second hand is a really tough ask if you are time poor and don’t know exactly what you want. Sometimes I use vestiare to supplement specific gaps or if I want a particular item but the idea of randomly trawling through charity shops or eBay leaves me cold.

I’m sure the stylist will get you on track. I’ve used one previously and it’s been such a great use of time and money. Good luck