I am poor but

[BlastedPimples]

I still want to look lovely. I have lost my way in terms of style. I don't want to look poor.

I like simple, classic, stylish clothes. I am very tall so I don't like fuss, frills etc.

Where should I shop?

And, bearing in mind I have a limited budget, what items should I buy so that I can get maximum use in terms of mixing them up, making them look different etc.

M&S have some lovely, quality feel items right now.

I also recommend M&S. usually similar prices to Primark for things like striped tops & t shirts.

I have been collecting some nicer pieces from Vinted! I got some brand new M&S jeans for £3.50. I love them very much (tried them in store first!)

Download Pinterest and search for “Winter capsule wardrobe”

But I say start with…..

2 x striped tops (black, white and navy) M&S
2 x basic white or black t shirts (cotton) New Look, ASOS, Primark?
1 x nice jeans that fit you even on days where you’re bloated. Vinted

I am not sure about the rest, I get overwhelmed easily! 🙈

I go on vinted, only choose brand new (with or without tags) and look for ‘good’ brands. I’ve got some real bargains. People often comment on my outfits and I do that very British thing of pointing out that 3/4 of my outfit is either from Vinted or second hand shops.

I do this a lot too. I sell clothes I no longer wear and use the money to buy something else on Vinted.

Vinted!!!!

It’s not so much about finding a good shop, but finding a shop that has ranges that fit and suit you. Go and try some bits on and see what makes you look and feel nice.

Think what you need, a good starting point for me would be:-

well-fitting jeans and a pair of black trousers
some long-line black tight vest tops to go under tops.
A range of flattering tops-stripy Breton, roll-neck jumper, white shirt, a black smart top and couple of prettier ones
A jacket/cardigan-depending on what you need for work/smartness/warmth.
Tan bag
comfortable boots
2 good bras
black or navy coat/jacket

I like Hush, some M+S ranges, H+M, Tu, Zara, White Stuff (their more muted bits), Levi’s for jeans.

Also, if you find something you like, check out the persons full wardrobe as they'll likely have other pieces you'll like. Some people offer discounts for bundles and you'll save on shipping.

Yes agree with using Vinted. I usually buy M&S on there as the quality is good and I know the sizing is fine for me. Been using it for a year now and very happy.

I’ve spent half my life stretching a tiny budget to meet Vogue-ish aspirations - and the other half being recklessly profligate. So your thread definitely chimes with my turbulent, non-linear wardrobe journey.

One thing I know, it’s the details that matter. I knew someone who used to wear a tiny pearl brooch on the neck of her sweatshirt - it was indescribably chic.

If you can stand the ethical and environmental compromises you can look very well dressed from Uniqlo. That should become even more true since Claire Waight Keller has become Creative Director. A trench coat, a t shirt, a pair of jeans, or plain trousers - what could be better?

If you want to feel happier about your purchasing decisions I’d browse the Community Clothing site and then look for anything beyond your budget on Vinted. Some of their things - knitwear in particular - are of outstanding quality.

However - the things that truly underpin ‘not looking poor’ include a weekly veg box (if you don’t grow your own), minimal stress, comfortable sleep, fresh air, oily fish, good hangers and sufficient hanging space, a ban on fabric softener, somewhere to dry things flat, a decent iron and ironing board or at least a good steamer, shoe polish and large shoe brushes. And a willingness, where possible, to pounce on the one extravagant purchase that will elevate everything in your wardrobe for years to come.

Charity shop/ the second hand market. It might take some time but you can build your wardrobe as you go. You will also, in my experience, find better quality pieces this way for much cheaper than you can buy in the shops.

Reiss do some fantastic clothes.
Very pricey and way out of my budget, but not when they're on vinted.

I buy a lot of second hand but I don't think Vinted is a magic bullet. Even its biggest fans admit it can be addictive and when you're on a very tight budget even a small number of mistakes can either knock you off course or suck you into that endless cycle of buying and constantly reselling. Charity shops and dress agencies may feel a bit old school but you can see, feel, sniff and normally try on before you buy (or they'll accept returns).

Also building up a decent wardrobe the second hand route can take a long time, and meanwhile you still have to get dressed. So I'd still look at the high street and other people have already suggested brands at various price points. I agree with a previous poster that one good, if pricier, purchase can lift up your whole outfit so I'd think about which things to seek out as cheaply as possible and which you might want to spend a bit more money on. For example I rarely spend a lot of shoes because, however good they are, I still trash them. But other people prioritise them.

I also recommend learning a bit of basic sewing if you have the time. I'm not talking about making your own clothes (a fantastic hobby but, unless you're very skilled, time consuming and not particularly cheap). I mean learn (if you don't know already) how to do simple alterations and repairs. It'll help the clothes you buy last a lot longer.

I feel like you should write for a magazine

Actually, extending from basic sewing, some knowledge of how clothes are made is invaluable. As you’ve mentioned you like classic clothes, @BlastedPimples, you probably do know about fabrics, but it’s surprising how many people don’t now seem to grow up with an understanding that this garment will hang better and last longer that that one because it’s woven in pure wool rather than nylon.

It’s definitely the case that some interest in non-mulesing, French seams, double facing, employment practices outside the UK, double and triple welting, ideal laundry temperatures, freezing second hand wool purchases, starch, proper shoe polish, how to remove stains, amongst other things, will add to one’s confidence in buying clothes at any price. And keeping a tape measure beside you whilst browsing online makes it less likely you’ll be on S&B moaning about the cuts and faff if returns …

The other thing is an open mind. There are more ways to be well dressed than a navy blazer and a pencil skirt. Engaging with evolving styles (is not only fun but) makes you look intelligently alive and curious and ready to enjoy life. Don’t be afraid to experiment.

Oh, gosh. Hadn’t seen @genesis92 response when I vomited the next installment! (I’m always busy admiring @Floisme’s posts on S&B.)

I’ll shut up now.

Holland cooper have some lovely clothes and fairly priced

I'd be careful of Vinted, too many stories of crap being mis sold for me, and you're stuck with it if it's not right.

Are you up for a charity shop trawl? It's my idea of hell but if you've prepared to hunt you can probably find some great items at decent prices. Be wary of the over priced primal to/Shein items tho.

There are gems to be found in inexpensive shops too, you just need to be discerning. Expensive clothes aren't necessarily quality, especially with the amount of synthetic fibres creeping into everything.

Primark jeans are great quality for the price, and when they do 100% cotton stuff it's usually decent. Their tights and socks are great. Pep&Co (at Poundland no less) do the best 100% cotton t shirts I've found and they are £3.50!

I also love Uniqlo, but just a warning I'm short and find the clothes a good length, my tall friends find them far too short.

Also limit your expectations of how much clothing you can own, if you're strapped for cash realistically less is more. But - if you look in your wardrobe you probably wear 20% of the stuff most of the time, so you can have a small wardrobe and look great/stylish.

I recently bought a Holland Cooper jumper for £89 hoping it would be fabulous quality. It wasn’t great. Found one similar in M&S for £19.50 and it’s much better!

www.marksandspencer.com/ribbed-crew-neck-button-detail-jumper/p/clp60690440?color=BLACK

You say you've 'lost your way in terms of style', but there must surely be some items in your wardrobe that you think look good? Think about items that go with those and build up.

Try to stick to items that are versatile - e.g. a long-sleeve top or jumper that can go over most or even all short-sleeve tops you own (so either it works colour wise or covers the bottom layer completely).

What items in your wardrobe are most needed as additions or replacements? Try to make these versatile and well-made items in the hope that they would last long.

Charity shops, I've been out this morning and got some amazing clothes for next to nothing. I go a couple of times a week.

I bought a black wool coat for £1 in excellent condition

I got a silver faux fur coat that was priced at £15 but it had a large stain down the front, I asked if I could have it cheaper in case the stain didn't come out and they let me have it for £5 (found it listed at second hand price on Vinted for £40). I washed the mark out when I got home.

Also got a gorgeous floaty dress for £1

My mum bought a nice Damart beige raincoat unworn for my grandmother £1

Spotted a Reiss dress in there that was also just £1 (sadly not my size)

Recently bought a pair of Coast trousers, honestly the nicest trousers I've ever owned, priced at £10 but had slight staining (it's washed out) so got for £5

Had some gorgeous wide leg beige jeans last week for £3.50

I'm contemplating going back to the charity shop for two brown leather 1950s British made handbags (£8 and £10) that I couldn't decide on earlier. They're selling at about £50 online currently which is still cheap for vintage leather in that condition.

You have to go to charity shops consistently to find the best items but it's worth it to me because it means I can get really good quality items for the price I'd pay for cheap Primark or Shein stuff.

I create Pinterest boards of items or styles I love and would like to emulate, then I go to the charity shops with a bit more clarity about what I'm looking for. Obviously it will take longer to update your wardrobe doing it that way depending on how decent the charity shops are near you but it's worth persevering with if you're looking for quality on a budget.

Vinted, but be clever about it.

If you know your size in standard brands like M and S, you are unlikely to go terribly wrong. Ask for measurements, only buy things with comparable measurements to things you already own.

Buy only new or worn once shoes that have pictures of the soles, just someone forgot to take them back to the shop. No other shoes.

Buy things on there through the 'material' filter, I set mine to cotton, linen, leather, wool, merino, those things look far more expensive than they are, and fit with the vibe you want.

Buy winter coats on there, so many under-used or hardly worn older wool coats, some absolute bargains, I would be buying more if I wasn't on a coat buying ban. There's no way you can get that quality and linings in the shops currently on a cheap budget.

Create your list of brands you'd like to own, search those.

If you do make a mistake, resell it immediately with more information on there about size/why it didn't fit. I bought a stunning tweed coat recently but it was just too big for me, I resold it immediately for the same price including my postage and the person who got it loved it.

Mix in with some charity shop and the odd new purchase to vary your life and stop Vinted obsession.

My other tips are - go to a town which is wealthy and go in the charity shops there. Don't bother in most places, charity shops know what's valuable, filter it out and sell it online, so you are better off going online to their stores and buying stuff on there. Very few leather items to be had either shoes or bags in our charity shops in our town, I found one once in the past couple of years whereas it used to be a haven for great stuff.

Please don't shut up!

Have you tried charity shops op?

It’s definitely the case that some interest in non-mulesing, French seams, double facing, employment practices outside the UK, double and triple welting, ideal laundry temperatures, freezing second hand wool purchases, starch, proper shoe polish, how to remove stains, amongst other things, will add to one’s confidence in buying clothes at any price. And keeping a tape measure beside you whilst browsing online makes it less likely you’ll be on S&B moaning about the cuts and faff if returns …

Really good points from @TheOriginalFrench I'm financially better off than my parents and their siblings were, and I have a much bigger wardrobe, but I'm not sure I'm actually better dressed than they were, and that's because they knew all this stuff (well maybe not about international employment practices and we didn't have a freezer but you get my drift )

It's one reason I'm resistant to buying second hand online, because it doesn't matter how much I might rate a brand, if the owner hasn't taken care of it, then it's going to look like crap.