£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.

£500 won’t get much in John Lewis 😬. I think it’s a case of looking online at what kind of styles you like, most of the links posted on the thread are things I would never wear, not my style but I’m slightly alternative whilst looking for comfort. I’m outdoors a lot (dog walking etc…) so I probably wouldn’t think of buying dresses although do have a few.

I think the important thing is getting a bra fitting and a couple good bras, also finding a style/fit of jeans that suit you. I’m loving wide leg jeans at the moment and the ones from Next fit me nicely as do their straight leg jeans (£28 a pair). I still like skinny and straight fit as I can pair them with boots for dog walking. I would also look at getting a nice coat/jacket.

I could easily spend £500 on a pair of boots and 3 items of clothing 😬 but for me shoes/boots make an outfit as does a nice coat/jacket, the rest doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

They don't need to buy anything just use the personal shopper to get an idea of style and labels then go and browse vinted

@NoClothesNoStyle you could easily sort yourself out from one place eg M and S . A couple of pairs of jeans, a wide leg jersey trouser, a pair of boots and trainers, some long sleeve tops and a jumper and cardigan. Aim for classic if you are unsure.

I really don't think Vinted is a good source for you - too much foraging needed through all the crap. John Lewis is too expensive.

Look at insta at whattowearfor_ for inspiration on " looks" .

Also

Also- whatever your colours are.

OP, I agree with suggestions to f building up your basics from places like Uniqlo and M&S. if you’re looking for something a bit more fashion, or for going out or anything, try Zara and Mango. I got armfuls of stuff from Zara recently for around £300. Not high end quality by any means, but it helped freshen up my wardrobe quite a bit when I needed a few things but didn’t have a huge budget. When you go for a try on session try lots of things - even stuff you think isn't you. And try and make sure anything you buy goes with at least 2 or 3 items - helps you build a bit of variety from fewer pieces. E.g I have a shirt that goes well with jeans and boots or trainers loosely tucked into n, can look smarter with high waist trousers for work, can wear it under a tank top style knit with a skirt. I have a jumper that works fine with jeans and trainers, but can create a different outfit with dark cropped smarter jeans and chunky loafers. That kind of thing.

most of all - buy things that you like, not things that ‘will do’.

I still wouldn't rule out a personal shopper. The one I went to asked about my lifestyle and what I wanted the clothes for. I was looking for smartish but not dressy. It was a shopping centre rather than a department store and she brought me stuff ranging from quite cheap (e.g. €30 jumper) to more expensive (e.g. blazer for €220). There was absolutely no pressure to buy from her so you could buy a couple of things and then look for cheaper versions of the more expensive items she suggested yourself afterwards.

I think the shopping centre shoppers are a better bet than an expensive store like JL.

How lovely that you're managing to spend a bit of time and money on this @NoClothesNoStyle . Totally understand it's overwhelming though.

In your situation, I would head to H&M. I would avoid anything particularly 'fashionable', and look at replenishing the basics of what you want to wear everyday. I'll tag a few bits that I have and wear regularly below. Yes, they're not pure cotton or whatever, but they are decent quality for the price. Everything I've had is at least a year old and still doing well. Join the members club, free delivery and regular offers
Tu is also a good shout, but is easy to fall into clothes that might be a bit old for you.

I have this top in several colours, great base layer in different colours
slightly cropped, I size up one size
size down one size
wide leg trousers
Handy basic sweatshirt
basic jumper
belt
gold chain
earrings

None of this is groundbreaking stuff, but these things in my wardrobe have probably come to £1-150 and create the basis of most of my outfits. The key things I've found is to add a belt, a pair of earrings or a necklace- it instantly adds a bit of something.

From there, you can add a bit more personality, i.e. what you actually like wearing.

www.regatta.com/womens-sabinka-ii-fur-trim-parka-jacket-dark-khaki/

For dog walking I have been happy with the quality for the price from regatta such as this one if you need a waterproof warm coat.

@NoClothesNoStyle , I’d second @anon2022anon ‘s H&M recommendations a couple of posts above. Hopefully you have an H&M near enough for you to go in and try some stuff on.

Take a look at Styled By Susie. You can join the Patreon group for £6 a month (no contract so can leave after a couple of months). Loads of ideas and inspo on a high street budget shared on Facebook from styling team and members.

They have just posted a Spring capsule wardrobe of 18 items from various supermarkets for £299.

Not sure if you have to buy a paid service to join the group as well as the monthly fee, but this would be less than £200 so you could get personalised advice on colours and styles, a whole new wardrobe and maybe a couple of months of Facebook group stuff for your budget.

Also if you've got a Lidl near you, they've got some warm basics in atm.
Padded gillets/thermal tops/jumper dresses.
Not going to win any style awards, but possibly a cheap way to get some basics bits for layering without eating into too much of your budget.

Ive bought 2 Regatta parkas from Vinted for £5 and £20, they are def good for dog walks (they size really small though so I had to size up twice!).

If it was me Id spend time and money getting some decent underwear, hop onto Vinted for some basics (you can usually find most of the supermarket brands either new or near new for peanuts).
Then treat myself to a couple of really nice new bits.

Why not go somewhere you can get some reasonable basics, then spend on some good quality stuff.
I appreciate it is not cool but Matalan has good quality underwear and you can try it on. Their sportswear is also pretty decent and you could get new leggings and stuff for dog walking as well as basic t shirts
Regatta Black Andreson VIII Hybrid Jacket - Matalan
They also do good outdoor brands like Regatta for the dog walking- jackets currently from £32
Then you can get some nice knitwear etc from Uniqlo and M+S in natural fibres.
And you will have enough left for some treat quality bits

Oh and I also bought some classic black leather chelsea boots from Matalan and am very pleased with the quality
Black Leather Cleated Chelsea Boots - Matalan

This stood out as very practical advice....knowing which colours to put together makes it so much easier when confronted with lots of (too much!) choice.

I tend to dislike bright clothing but have a few vintage silk crepe scarves which add a little splash of colour, and can dress up eg a navy jumper. Not very expensive, and can be hand washed easily.

I saw someone mentioned gilets...they are so useful for layering in Spring and Autumn, and very dog-walk friendly.

If it was me I would focus on a nice practical coat, jumper, jeans and pair of boots (winter wardrobe) and new bra/knickers/socks. I'd check out M&S sale for these mainly. I think you'd probably have £200 left then to buy a few bits in S/S too. Don't blow it all in one season!

I relate to the lack of clothing and starting from scratch OP. I would suggest looking online at some bloggers who blog about capsule wardrobes, and looking at Pinterest too for capsule wardrobes, or just type in your style and see what comes up for inspiration.
Think of your lifestyle, and generally the style you like. Double-duty clothes are great, such as straight-leg or wide-leg joggers that can be worn casually or that would equally look smart. Jeggings are a bit smarter than leggings but just as comfortable; smart joggers; and barrel-leg trousers are all good for comfort and style when looking after small kids.
I found going “free-size” (one size) gave me relief from stressing over sizes, and some shops are almost all free-size, the one I use the most is the Style Attic online, but there are several others, the prices are quality are excellent.
Focus on basics pieces, and being able to mix and match. Plan out what you want before you begin. Good luck OP!

I don’t agree John Lewis personal shopper suggestion ??
You’d not get much for £500.
I’d start with a good pair of boots from Clarks or depending on where you live a good independent shoe shop .
Some have linked to a lace up slightly chunky boot with a side zip and that’s a really versatile look .
I would choose tan but some prefer to have black as their base colour.
Next wouid be a good coat that’s both warm and waterproof, many sales right now Landsend or Seasalt , both of these have different colours to choose from .
Then I’d head to M&S for a bra fitting, I do like independent shops for this but I find them very pricey .
New knickers from M&S too and you will feel better instantly.
For jeans 👖 and other basics I’d try Uniqlo as you’re getting good basics at a very reasonable price.
They have good merino wool knits there .

I agree with the posters about a JL personal stylist not being the answer. I would look online at some of their sale clothes though. Mango do good jeans and jumpers etc so may be worth a try.

I get a lot of basics from H and M. The denim is great and they are good for cotton tops etc. I'd get a picture of summer and winter ones. Look for jumpers with some wool content. I wouldn't prioritise dresses as it sounds like you wouldn't get much wear from them.

Look for some boots and trainers in the sales. A coat too if you need one.