£500 budget for new wardrobe

[NoClothesNoStyle]

Hi all

Bit nervous to post but here goes.
I have been very generously given £500 for Xmas to spend on a new wardrobe. This sounds excessive, however, I currently have pretty much no clothes, aside from 2 lots of thermals, a few pairs of leggings, 2 pairs of 7 year old jeans, 3 tops which were my husbands, and 3 charity shop jumpers. I have underwear but this is also about 5 years old. This has happened due to a series of life events but we are getting there, and we prioritised other things over clothes.

Anyway. I'm early 30's, 5'8ish and size 10. I'm broad on top and narrow at the hips. Long body short legs and big arms. I suit warm colours.

My day to day is spent with 2 large dogs and a baby, I'm a SAHM.

I'm looking for a new wardrobe with peices that are practical but still look good! I need clothes that will allow me to play with my daughter and walk the dogs but don't make me look dishevelled. I also desperately need new underwear but always seem to get the wrong size bra and I hate underwire but I have a really low set chest.

Any help will be appreciated. Feel like I've lost myself and have put myself so low on the list of priorities that i dont know what to do. I'm going to sleep now and I'll check in the morning because for some reason I feel embarrassed for putting myself out there. Thanks again.

Look up the Irish shop Dunnes Stores. You can get an entire makeover for £500 from there.

That's not a bad idea. Dunne's isn't the most exciting shop but if you're starting from almost nothing you could get a lot of basics from them.

That will get her about 5 items for £500. Not convinced of the value for someone who wants warm clothes and with dogs all day.

Is focus on quality basics for home with Dogs & kids, Go to Primark for basics or try M&M direct for branded hoodies, fleeces, joggers, underwear etc
If you want smart casual try Next, Debenhams online for good fashionable deals. And maybe hold some money back for Spring/Summer attire.

Thank you. I was beginning to wonder if it were just me. "A John Lewis personal stylist" seems to be the answer to everything- it's not the answer here.

Depending on where OP lives, a trawl round charity shops might be a good idea.

You won’t get a whole new wardrobe for that, but you can certainly make a start. Do you have a coat and boots? If not, I’d start with those. And maybe a scarf,

Then two pairs of jeans and two jumpers, one neutral and one coloured. Plus two long or three quarter sleeved tops

Then trainers.

Then a skirt that goes with both jumpers.

Then a dress - either a short jumper dress or some sort of cord one, maybe.

Harsh 😢

You're absolutely correct, someone recommended £65 adidas trainers 😬 as if that's a priority.
There's a lot of snobbery around supermarket clothes but you will get fashionable stuff at decent at George Asda, Tu, Next and M&S are a bit pricier and Debenhams online still has brands like Wallis, Dotty Ps at good prices. Also buy out of season, great for summer t-shirts, maxi dresses now and buy Autumn/Winter gear like boots and coats in summer.

Jeans at Marks usually pretty decent. Have a look at their merino jumpers too, if there’s any still in stock.
Look at the Clarks sale for boots, maybe.
No point buying lots of cheap supermarket stuff that’s likely to need replacing really quickly.

Hmm - I’d disagree with the charity shop suggestion in this instance. If the OP has been living with nothing for several years she really needs the mental fillip of brand new clothes from an actual shop (or online store).

Beyond that it really depends on context. Someone bringing up a baby on a remote farm in Northumberland is going to need a different wardrobe to a person in the centre of Brighton maintaining an active social life, even though they might both be SAHMs. Does the OP need gym or active wear? Is she likely to be returning to work in the foreseeable future? Etc. All of that would make a difference as to whether the best bet is to spend all the money at once, or hold onto a portion of it for evolving wardrobe plans.

Struggling with insomnia, so will post some links. I make no claims whatsoever to being a style icon or knowing what's best, just some things that I think I personally would find useful if I was starting from scratch snd needing not to be naked for the next few months.

Clarks boots not going to set the world on fire, but should be practical and comfortable and Clarks are usually decent quality. £50

Jeans £32.50

Aghhh - why aren't my links working????!!!

Merino jumper £35 maybe size up - also available in V neck

mini skirt £22

I like the boots. They come in brown too, which I prefer.

I also agree that I am not sure a personal shopper is going to work for the OP.

Are you able to get to the shops and physically try on items? I think ordering online and then when it arrives doesn't work or fit correctly and then needs to be returned, could be quite overwhelming.

Do you have someone you could take with you and then make a day of it?

I think the first stop would be a fitting for a bra, then buy two. Next underwear, cotton packs in a style you prefer. Socks depending on the shoes you wear.

Then perhaps some elasticated loose trousers, as these can be casual and comfy or if you are off out, will also work with a jumper or smarter t-shirt in the summer.

Do you wear jeans? One pair would be sufficient but try on different styles to see which suit your shape.

Then a few long sleeve tees, some jumpers, vest tops are always handy for underneath and layering. And some t-shirts again try them on as v neck and round neck fit differently.

Shoes. Some boots or basic trainers but try them on with the jeans / trousers.

Don't feel you have to get everything all at once, unless this is what you planned to do. You could start with underwear and while you are out and about, see what other people are wearing and make a mental note if you like it and it would suit you.

I always think seeing things on people while out, gives a much better idea of what will work for you, as opposed to a modelled photo.

You can make the money stretch further by looking for known brands on Vinted, OP.

-I recommend Gap Merino crew neck jumpers. Look for new/good condition on Vinted
(Approx £15 on Vinted x 2 colours = £30). These are absolute work horses in my wardrobe.

-With Uniqlo heat-tech long sleeve tops for underneath. https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E457949-000/00?colorDisplayCode=08&sizeDisplayCode=003
(£14.90 x 2 different colours= £30)

-Agree with bra fitting. (x 2 bras = £40?)

-Socks from TK Maxx, I like padded sports socks as they tend to last longer ( £15)

-Black cotton knickers from supermarket (£15)

-You could buy a couple of nice everyday dresses from anywhere you fancy, look for ones that can be styled up or down. (£100)

-Pair of tights (£15)

-A couple of smart joggers (got mine from Next for about £25 (x 2 = £50)

-Pair of jeans (£45)

-Black waterproof boots. I got some chunky black Timberland boots brand new from Vinted, so much discounted. (£30)

-For summer pick up some supermarket plimsols (£15)

-A pair of gold sandals from M&S (mine have lasted 4 years and still going strong). Gold will go with anything and look smart for nicer days out. ) (£40)

-Earrings from Fatface or Oliver Bonas, lovely designs and looks more expensive than they are (£20)

-2-3 cotton t-shirts that flatter your shape, in different colours (£40)

-One or two smart chunky jumpers or fleeces for colder days then that would be a bonus.

All this comes to about £500 but a bit more including jumpers.

I am struck by how you currently have no clothes and how you think £500 is excessive. I get that it sounds like you have had some stuff going on where you haven't prioritised clothes but most people would still have some clothes even if they didn't buy any new ones for a few years. You clearly didn't have any clothes to start with even before the issues in your life began so I suspect the problem is more deep rooted than you are admitting to. I am also struck by how you are embarrassed about asking for help. I would seriously consider why you value yourself so little that you feel you don't deserve nice clothes. £500 is not excessive it will move you from having no clothes to having a few basics. I am wondering who gave you the money. Was it a concerned family member? What does your husband say about you having no clothes? I have to say I found reading your post quite upsetting and I hope everything is ok.

Are you on Instagram? If so, have a look at Mark Heyes stylist page as he has some nice affordable ideas you could consider. I think a little while ago he did some styling where he used the same basic dress/trousers etc and adapted them for different seasons/occasions so you could get more for your money's worth. He does this quite often if you look back through his posts. Also recommend Tesco F&F although varies quite a lot.

£500 isn't excessive for a new wardrobe.
I would try a Shapermint bra, they are very comfortable and give as a good a shape as you are going to get without underwire.
Do you need some sort of coat? TKMaxx is a good place to start, you can find decent quality there at quite low prices if you are prepared to rummage. I found a nice Bench sweatshirt in there the other day- sweatshirts can be more practical than jumpers in terms of washability. I'd think about getting a couple of nice sweatshirts/hoodies from TKM for £20 each and then a merino or cashmere jumper for smarter times. John Lewis have cashmere jumpers in the sale for £50 , but you'd have to be quick!
Uniqlo does good merino jumpers and cardigans at reasonable prices.
I'd spend a large part of the budget on decent boots ( Birkenstocks for me) and then maybe a pair of trainers M&M do discounted major brands eg New Balance.
I'd get a pair of wide legged trousers in a slightly stretchy fabric , and some joggers or leggings for dog walking/ casual .

I would probably get a decent waterproof warm coat and some decent boots in the sales for a start, you need to buy for the life you lead not the life you would like to lead. I bought a few items of branded clothing and some boots in the Next sale, there is still a lot on there. Probably some nice cords, there are a lot of those around this year.

I know there isn't a Uniqlo in every town, but if you can get to one, I'd definitely recommend them for basics/knitwear/warm jackets.

You'll have loads of choice in decent colours. There heat tech tops and merino sweaters wash well and last.

And maybe M&S would be a cheaper option for undies/jeans. I particularly like their 'mom' fit atm, but they've got different fits/lengths.

For £500 and a new wardrobe, it seems important to try things on to check the fit is what you want, and get items that work together.

It sort of depends on where you live. Are there clothes shops nearby that you can visit? I would start by going and trying on a whole pile of stuff, even stuff you can't afford. Then, if you find something you like, take a good long look at it and try to memorise the shape and cut. Take pictures. Make notes.

I say this because Vinted, while full of fabulous bargains, can be a trap for the unwary. If you haven't shopped for clothes in a while, it's hard to judge just by sight what will look good on you. (In fact this is true of all online shopping, especially since the models are often 5'11 and size 8)

Definitely avoid Vinted until you know the brands, shapes and sizes that work best on you.

Boots could be brown or black according to your preference. Jeans could be blue, black or grey according to preference.

Undies, coat and boots should definitely be your first purchases. You’ll be in a coat for several months yet and one decent coat with a couple of scarves could cover up a lot or make very basic clothes look like they’ve been considered.

I have had to completely rebuild my wardrobe due to weightloss (5.5stone) including work wardrobe.

I absolutely love Vinted, and have bought a joules winter coat for £30 and nice jumpers for £12.

My biggest tip is decide what brands you want, and try on the sizes in the shops to figure out what size you are in different styles and then filter by brand, and condition in Vinted.

If you buy something that's wrong, just list it back on Vinted straight away.

I have had to buy absolutely everything including pants and bras, tights. I try to buy good quality new like underwear from M&S and some new items like leggings. But pretty much everything else in Vinted

Good example of Vinted, just a quick search and found a similar dress in black

Thanks all for the input!

I did look into the personal shopper thing after your suggestions but it's so far removed from where I am right now I couldn't face it - maybe in the future when I've got something to work with.

I think I'll take a mix of advice and

1. Decide what i need
2. Go around some shops and try different things on
3. Buy from supermarkets/vinted
4. Look into layering

Honestly feels like a mountain to climb which sounds silly because it's just clothes but I've neglected it for so long i need to just bite the bullet.

OP, I suggest a nice raincoat and a good comfy stylish pair of waterproof boots. Then add 2 pairs of jeans/trousers, (or 2 skirts if you prefer skirts) and 2 nice jumpers. Make sure they all go together. Since you suit warm colours, maybe a nice green for the raincoat and deep pink for one of the jumpers and a khaki or camel or darker warm neutral for the other jumper.

You can add more later when you have spare cash. I prefer non wired bras as wired ones hurt me, you can get a good selection in M and S but also Primark.

I would avoid Vinted until you know what suits you.