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 really love the combination of your skirt & boots @CortieTat. No apologies for wearing my snow boots around the house today. More snow forecast near week so I'm wearing them in ☺️

@Cantonet I wholeheartedly support wearing new boots around the house, I have done it myself. This is the Way!

It’s cold today over here and the wind makes it feel like -20 🥶 I’ve done my 5 km round with the pram with the speed of light, I had frost on my scarf on the way back.

Several things with donegal-style neps today. Anything with these little flecks of colour makes me happy.

Please could I join you despite having the world's most boring outfit to share? I'm working from home today and dressed for pure comfort although I do have to say I also love the fit of these and the fact they bring back happy memories of skiing (somewhere less posh than St Moritz).

Tomorrow I should be able to post something more interesting as I'm going out for lunch in town with a friend.

Welcome @Whowhatwerewolf! I think fit and comfort are super important, I reach more often for things that are comfy to wear.

Hi all, I’ve been in office the last couple of days. I decided to use whereing to identify something relatively expensive that I’ve never worn and came up with this cream waistcoat.

Googled some outfit ideas and went for the not very groundbreaking wearing over a shirt 😂. Unearthed reallllly old cream shirt possibly last worn for a job interview 10yrs ago. +brown bootcut cords and love of my life leather brogue boots, topshop early 2010s

anyway while it looks ok on paper I didn’t like the waistcoat. The shirt was lumpy underneath and the v neck of the waistcoat just doesn’t look right - too low. So at least I’ve identified that I’ll prob never wear it and it can go on Vinted/charity.

what was a nice surprise is how much I loved the shirt! It just seems to suit really well and easy to throw on with various things. I don’t know why I never wore it. Sadly it’s also 100% polyester and a bit static-y. I’ll continue to wear it, but will keep an eye out for the same type in silk I think it’ll have to be (cotton will be too stiff). In the same very cream colour (not bright white!)

loving the outfits, I’m envious of the fab accessories! I also have some sorrel snow boots they’ve lasted years - and counting- and I’m always very happy with my warm dry feet when the weather is horrible.

Today’s outfit was this although I won’t lie, I’m off work today and got back home at lunchtime and immediately changed into pyjama bottoms.

the skirt is actually a touch too tight round waist, so while it looks fine it’s slightly uncomfortable so that too will go on Vinted. Shame because I like it a lot.

next weeks challenge is to wear something not beige!!!

This outfit is totally my vibe and I love the jumper (but I won't ask you where it's from because we're supposed to be shopping our wardrobe)!

I really like your outfits today, the waistcoat looks great. I like tanks and waistcoats, have not worn mine for over a year, same as short pinafore dresses - they are not practical with a breastfeeding baby.

Can you alter the skirt if you like it, @FirstDayonthePlanet ? It’s not difficult if there’s some spare fabric along the seams.

It’s windy today, again. I’m testing the slouchy look, with a long jumper tucked into the trousers on one side.

Two amazing jumpers @CortieTat & @FirstDayonthePlanet❤️Another day of wearing my boots & taking them out for a little walk with the spaniel.
And yet another dog walking outfit.

There is so much gorgeous knitwear on this thread that I think I'm actually going to miss winter when it ends... although there's not much chance of that happening anytime soon. Apparently it's supposed to get colder next week And I love your animal print belt, @Cantonet , and the way it goes with your boots.

Here is today's outfit when I went for lunch with a friend. Worn with a big green puffer coat and wooly cream coloured hat (not pictured). The friend then came round after lunch and I changed back into my comfy sweats to hang out for a few more hours.

I'm transitioning to natural fibers too. @FirstDayonthePlanet (my jumper is a wool and cashmere blend). I got a cream silk blouse from Autograph on Vinted for a bargain price a couple of weeks ago but I think there are some lovely ones still in Marks and Spencers at the moment also

This one @FirstDayonthePlanet although I've just remembered we're not supposed to be shopping!
https://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-silk-collared-shirt/p/clp60719610?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

Could I ask where these jeans are from please?

Yes, they are Levi’s 505 from 1990s.

Just posting to say that I like your outfits @CortieTat . I'm doing a no spend 6 months. This is more to regain ground I lost last year and to get new back into a way of shopping that I enjoy. Ages ago I managed to get to that place, but then I started selling on vinted, which led to buying on vinted, which reignited a daily scrolling habit. The ground I'm trying to regain is only shopping from 1 store during the winter and summer sales with no thing in between. I've done it before and really liked it. The hardest thing though is I like selling in vinted and have to retrain my brain to not shop vinted, but it's my only temptation.

Thank you very much! I’m trying to do the same, one step at a time. This thread helps me a lot!

I’m lucky with vinted showing me completely irrelevant things. Many of my clothes are from British brands and they are rarely popping up on the Scandinavian vinted, especially the Swedish part is plastic knitwear and plastic bags. So I’m not temped :-)

I had a slow day today, I usually make an effort to look put together even if I wft or don’t work - I really need that to feel good 😊, but today I dyed my hair and went for a run. It’s snowing and it was so peaceful (and cold 🥶)

My Shock Absorber is from 2012. It doesn’t look as good as the photo anymore, but still does the job.

Today's outfit was just for running to the shops as I've got a bad cold so mostly lounging at home.

Running in the snow sounds lovely @CortieTat - as long as there was no ice to slip on.

I sell on Vinted too @dudsville and the temptation to buy is very real (and I very often succumb 😓). I'm thinking of changing the algorithm so it thinks I wear a different size and am looking for neon pink fluffy trousers or something that I would never want. I must admit I've been browsing Vinted for fair isle knits in part due to this thread - haven't bought one yet at least.

Thanking God I've never got into Vinted. Otherwise my wardrobe would be even more cluttered. I sell on eBay, but only buy very specific things from there. New Cashmere & Brora thermals mainly with the occasional bit of Free People.
Love the colours on your bag @Whowhatwerewolf.
Do you need special grippy soles to run in the snow @CortieTat? Can you tell i'm grippy sole obsessed !
The forecast snow here has now vanished, so I will sadly not be needing my Sorrel boots any time soon.@FirstDayonthePlanet it's good that your boots have lasted well. I love mine & think they look cool. My kids might disagree though. Plus with the chunky heel they give me a bit of height.
Wearing these clothes today for a Sunday lunch.

Love your bag @Whowhatwerewolf , can you tell I like patterns! It fits really well with the rest!
Your outfit looks sophisticated @Cantonet the colours fit together perfectly. Hope you had a nice time 🙂. I don’t have special shoes for running on the snow, I run in fell running shoes and offroad (mostly in the forest) so they have enough grip. The soles are made of sticky rubber, you can feel how they stick to the ground when hiking. When it’s really icy I just skip running altogether.

I have my warmest jumper today and a pair of barrel leg jeans. It’s quite a shock but they really suit me. DC were full of praise and they have extremely sensitive cringe radar so I reckon it’s a good sign.

My vinted today showed me approximately 50 burgundy fake leather bags. My latest purchase was a book and my latest sale was a merino sweater. I have searched for wool socks…

Funnily enough- I had seen this and ended up ordering it 😬

Stand by for justification:

It’s replacing something I already have but for better quality!

Having tried on the shirt with various things it does add a new dimension to eg jeans, skirts and under v-necks, elevates things a bit. So helps the rest of the wardrobe get worn more.

My aim is not particularly linked to spending but more reducing unworn items from the wardrobe and wearing those things that I do have.

Is anyone convinced?!?

Anyway, today’s outfit below. tall slender figure not my own.

Wearing a dress because I have a smear test this afternoon (sorry if tmi for style & beauty!) and want something I can just hoick up!

Yesterday was gym gear all day but I did (eventually) go to the gym to primarily sit in the hot tub with my friend.

I do feel that blouse is very lovely and useful but I'm cringing at my faux pas of linking to it on a buy nothing thread. Glad you had already picked it up independently of my recommendation @FirstDayonthePlanet and apologies again everyone!

My outfit today was just tried on to lift my spirits but wasn't worn anywhere as I'm home sick with this virus that's been going around. I suspect it's an adenovirus but whatever it is it just isn't shifting.

I really like those barrel leg jeans, @CortieTat It takes me a while to get used to new trousers styles but I'm coming around to barrels (still not sure about wide leg though - as a shorty with a long torso they don't seem to suit me).

Your leather look trousers are superb @Cantonet and I love the way you've combined them with animal print yet the whole look of your outfit somehow remains refined and understated. I think you have a good eye.

@Whowhatwerewolf I really like the warm tones of your outfit too. The contrasting warm red is a really unexpected touch but looks great.
I'm also sick today.
How come someone always arrives to do work on the house when I'm in my dressing gown 😳
@FirstDayonthePlanet the blouse is an excellent purchase if you'll get a lot of wear out of it and I love your justifying ....
Thank you @CortieTat for saying my outfit looks sophisticated. Sometimes I feel they're very monochrome & boring, but I don't really suit much pattern or bright colours. My 3 styling words are classic, comfy & boho, with the boho coming more to the fore in summer. I would love to know what your style is. Because I love your touches of quirkiness with the contrasting patterns, colours & textures you wear.

@FirstDayonthePlanet I’m really envious about your dress, it’s still well below zero here. I think a silk shirt is always good to have. I like the combination of high boots and the dress, something you inspired me to try!

@Whowhatwerewolf beautiful scarf! I agree, the warm tones in your outfit look great together.

@Cantonet, I have no idea what my style is, I’ve always liked patterns. Thethree styling words, is that some kind of method to categorise your style?

I was in town today and had a different skirt in the morning - a navy vintage Jaeger skirt. I need to take a photo of it because the one I found online doesn’t show the real colours.

Worked today and I regret I didn’t wear a jumper or a cardigan because my base layer (it’s an old Uniqlo mock neck found on vinted) was a bit too thin.The only good thing about it it’s that it’s a sort of dark marl grey and works with basically everything.

Thank you for the compliments on my scarf yesterday - it was a Christmas gift from my lovely mum. She has great taste - I just need to figure out how to tie it neatly which is a trick I have never quite mastered.

I love your vest @CortieTat - those snails are very charming. And Uniqlo turtlenecks are so versatile. My cardigan today is from Uniqlo and it's very cosy.

Today I have been home sick again so my outfit was again just a try on. I did so to distract myself from any new purchases by trying to prove to myself I have enough nice clothes for all my needs. This outfit will be for lunch and a movie with a friend this weekend.

The items I'm currently trying to resist buying are an eribe fair isle short cardigan in Braemer and some Ugg slippers in rocky oak. I don't need either but have decided if I still want them for next winter I can get them in the black Friday sales. That gives me plenty of time to try to talk myself out of them!