Shopping my wardrobe in 2026

[CortieTat]

I have committed to a buying break (no clothes in 2026) and feel miserable already 🤦‍♀️.
I’m starting this thread to cheer myself up and rediscover the clothes I already own. I have been tracking CPW for all my clothes for several years but recently it has become automatic and boring.

I would like to rediscover the joy of putting outfits together, instead of buying new things first and then figuring out how they fit together! Also being more mindful about what I wear and how I feel about it.

I use an app called Stylebook to organise my clothes, it helps but I don’t think it’s necessary. If anyone wants to join me, great 😊.

This is what I wore today:

I use Stylebook (not sure if it's iOS only or iOS/Android). It's not free but it was very cheap (one-time payment of 69 Swedish crowns) and family sharing is included.

@CortieTatyour fab accessories are making me notice my lack of! I just wear the same earrings/necklace 24/7.
But going out and buying things would defeat the ‘shop your wardrobe’ mission !
I might keep an eye out though, for something that really grabs me but also goes with existing clothing.

looking forward to the belt outfit!

I use Whereing which is free, I love it, but not sure how well it compares to stylebook.

if you do get an app, I started off just adding things as I wore them it’s a bit overwhelming trying to do your whole wardrobe at once. I find using screenshots of items from the retailer look better if you can find them, also saves faffing about taking photos.

I’ve had it about 6months now so I’m now going to filter to ‘least worn’ and either start wearing the unworn stuff or Vinted/charity shop it.
Haven’t yet actually done this at all yet though!

I love this post, thank you.
On a shopping detox and trying to shop within my own wardrobe.
How do you find time to photograph all your clothes?

Is Whereing very glitchy?

I also use Whering.
I actually think it's brilliant & have been on it for the last 2.5 years. I really would be happy to pay, as it has so many useful features. I tend to add on clothes as I buy them. Also store pictures used look a lot more polished. For older garments I Google and pick a picture thats closest to my actual garment. I think Vinted/eBay pics can look a bit shoddy, but I do occasionally use them if necessary. Yes, it's a major task to add all the garments you have in your possession to begin with. Some of mine are 20 years old. But start off with your current 'uniform' - for example mine's jeans, cashmere, brora thermals, wool socks, boots, wool coat/down coat etc.
@CortieTat the boots are over 10 years old from Duo.

This is my outfit for today.
It’s difficult because I immediately noticed that I ”need” a beige scarf to go with my beanie and fingerless gloves. I am not going to buy anything, I’ll just wait till the impulse goes away.

On the positive note, my jeans are from early 1990. They’ve always been too big and DC complimented that they looked very y2k ( = antique for them)

I was just thinking to update my (abandoned) virtual wardrobe on the whering app when I saw this thread - what great timing! And the outfits posted here have all been fab 😍
When I have an item that doesn't get enough wear I use Pinterest to get inspiration for using it in different outifts. Now if only I can get a move on with updating my virtual wardrobe I don't have to keep physically trying on pieces that look terrible together!

@DBD1975 , just like @Cantonet I started slowly, taking pictures of my things over a couple of weeks. I also downloaded many packshots of things I already own and I usually shop from places that provide them. This went as far as completely weaning myself off some brands that don’t provide flat shots. It took a while to build the database but once it’s there it’s fast and easy.

My app has a packing function which saved me a lot of time, I just add stuff to a packing list and then tick off everything as I pack my bags. It has also helped me buy less and avoid getting carried away during sales, because I have an idea of what I already own, how much I use everything and how different things can be combined.

I don’t/didnt photograph them, far too much effort! I mainly found online images (same as @Cantonet does) and did it bit by bit while slobbing on couch!

A good starting point is, if you buy online to look in the ‘my orders’ section of whatever retailers you use and if they have an image screenshot it.
Some stuff if it was old or quite generic I’ll find a very similar image online and just use that.

The camel jumper in the outfit I posted above isn’t actually my jumper or same brand, but it looks exactly the same; the online image was just better. Obviously if something is very ‘vintage’ and/or distinctive it takes a bit more searching.
I’ve only had to ‘resort’ to actually photographing a couple of items!

also you can bulk upload items which is much quicker.
It’s worth filling in the prices if known because the ‘cost per wear’ is interesting and you can make it into a personal challenge to get cpw below £X (if, like me, you like to gamify everything!)

“My app has a packing function which saved me a lot of time, I just add stuff to a packing list and then tick off everything as I pack my bags”.

YES! The packing function - you create a ‘trip’ and add your planned outfit(s) for each day then it just creates a list of all the items and makes it into a tick list. Wonderful.

I also love the CPW game 💪

This thread is one massive, weird advert!

Wait - do you photograph everything you own - and then it creates outfits for you??

Thank you so much for joining this thread! You saved me from buying a scarf 🧣 I didn’t need, I revisited my stuff and found a scarf that is mainly beige and goes with everything I wear today. Win 💪💪

Huh?
What are we all advertising ?
Pray tell me?

Me too @FirstDayonthePlanet I'm also in neutrals today.
Sometimes it's just an easy option.

@Cantonet love your neutrals. The bag is beautiful 😍

Wore the jumper I knitted for the first time today. It’s huge and warm so no jacket or scarf needed for my daily walk with the pram. It feels good to wear something I made myself 🧶 💪

In the afternoon I had to collect a book that was waiting for me at the library so took a jacket instead. I bought this jacket last year when I was pregnant, impulse buy and I couldn’t even try it on. The cut is weird, it’s oversized with fitted sleeves, a cross between a jacket and an overshirt. It fits my shape and it gets a lot of use, I was skeptical at first but it’s become my favourite outerwear with time.

Such a beautiful jumper @CortieTat.
I love your tweed & fair isle touches.
I've only left the house today for dog walking & a chat/gossip with the neighbours.
Dog walking chic or country bumpkin?

I’m learning…but after uploading photos of items, does the app suggest the outfit, using what you have, or do you have to make the choice's of items and put an outfit together yourself.

Your outfits look so stylish @CortieTat.

your knitted jumper is fantastic, I’m so impressed. And it looks so warm.

In office day today, this thread motivated me to add the belt and shirt collar (one of those fake ones!) to add a bit of interest.
i had planned to wear a smarter wool coat that matched a bit better, but it was absolutely freezing leaving the house at 7:30am today and I wanted a wearable duvet instead!

the tonal greens definitely make it ‘chic’ as opposed to bumpkin!

@MorningFocus you can make up your own outfits once you've added your clothes to the app. Or you can take a selfie which is new I think.
Or you can ask for suggestions. Personally that doesn't really work for me as well, often due to structure & shape. And pictures are not always terribly accurate in showing the size & shape of an item of clothing.
@FirstDayonthePlanet your jacket & trousers are beautiful. Nothing beats the comfort of a duvet coat....

This is my kind of thread!!!
I have to go zero spend on clothes in 2026. I feel like my outfits will start to get repetitive but let's see.

Definite work from home vibes today.