To get rid of all my clothes and start again..

[sunintheeast]

Dramatic title but thats how i feel.. am late 50s but i WFH mostly with the odd trip to the office. My life is casual but i caught sight of myself in a mirror in tkmax and i just thought i can do better than this !!! After 30 years on a corporate job I have lost my way and just can't get it right. Ive been following the minilalist posts and just want a dozen or so things i actalluly love, which last and make me feel good rather than a heap of rsndom meh... ideas ??? ..5 foot 8 size 14 mostly !!

Vinted. I've bought a couple of really nice cashmere jumpers over the summer from there.

For this winter the best high street stuff I found was John Lewis.

I have done this over the last 12 months. I am in my late 50s too.

First, I worked on losing weight, and during that phase I retired clothes that got too big but didn't buy new ones or change my style. I was still working, mainly from home and managed to get through the phase without needing to buy clothes in an interim size. I also dragged some clothes in smaller sizes from the depths of my wardrobe; they weren't fashionable, but they did.

Then, when I reached a weight that was going to stick and decided to quit my job, I was ready to start choosing a style that would suit my new lifestyle.

The office-style trousers, blouses and smart shoes are gone, as are the black and corporate colours. I now have a soft, muted wardrobe of blues, teals and pinks which really suit me and my life. The only thing left from my previous wardrobe is my funeral outfit, which could double up if I ever needed a formal meeting outfit.

I found the brands that I liked, then used Vinted and eBay to buy at reasonable prices, mainly new with tags at at least 50% below retail. I have more than a capsule wardrobe, but it is all mix-and-match.

I am still selling my old wardrobe via Vinted, it is a slow process, but will help to pay for my new items.

These are all really good tips.

I also use Vestaire which is for second hand designer gear - if buying any really spenny stuff like handbags it’s a good shout as they authenticate stuff and check for quality before then sending it onward.

Lots of posh ladies sell on there stuff they have barely worn.

I think the critical thing with buying on Vinted/eBay/Vestiaire is that, in order to avoid mistakes, it's really best to stick with brands that you know fit with your shape & style best. And to always get measurements & check it against something you already own & that fits well.

I take risks sometimes but I'm not trying to have a whittled-down capsule wardrobe like the OP. So if she's going to buy on these platforms it needs to be done really really selectively.

I am always an advocate for not buying new - but in this instance the OP wants a capsule wardrobe of a dozen pieces - that is seriously pared down!! So each one should be the perfect fabric, cut, style, colour etc - to fulfil as many functions (& pairings with other items) as possible in her new wardrobe & minimalist life!!

I quite like the bland Instagram look 😁 I think for a capsule wardrobe needs to be more bland, so everything matches with everything.

The website you linked is the other end of the extreme.

OP I think we need to know what kind of style/whose style you like so we can suggest accordingly. I'm definitely a beige instagrammer, my best friend is definitely a quirky fan and would gravitate to the things the previous poster has linked.

I am so with you. I am really good at choosing what suits me and I love everything I own (style and colour consultation as a retirement gift was great) But a summer away from anything more than vests and shorts has shown me everything I own is too loved and now ancient and tatty. Off shopping right now and will have to make some sacrifices when I get home.

Ok then.

Agreed on the bland.

For me it's more about aging gracefully - I feel like the bright colors and look at me clothes are for the youngsters, and that's fine by me!

Though many fabulous women would disagree with me and that's OK too.

Also a capsule wardrobe kind of inevitably does need to be a bit simple as everything needs to go with everything else no?

Have to admit I really don’t understand the capsule wardrobe thing. The OP lives at home, not out of a suitcase, with the odd trip to an office. She lives a mostly casually dressed lifestyle. Surely this would be a time to enjoy experimenting with new stuff and taking a few risks rather than shopping as if for a two week business trip?

And a new wardrobe doesn’t need purchasing all at once, tomorrow. It’s a lifelong quest.

For me it's more about aging gracefully

Fuck that. I’m not going to grow old in beige.

Your post has reminded me that I ordered this dark red wool dress from Cos. I can’t wait to wear it with my brogues, maybe my yellow ones!

OP what is your style? Any public figures whose style you admire? What’s your favourite current outfit that makes you feel good? I am 55 and still like to experiment!

I am 55 and I have never had a capsule wardrobe and have no intention of having one! My style is still changing and evolving and I love new ideas.

I actually ordered a not-dissimilar shirt-sleeved wool one from COS last year. But realised when I tried it on that, nice though it looked, I would overheat massively in it!! Burgundy & yellow look good together - enjoy your new outfit!!

Thanks. I am always cold. I didn’t even get hot flushes! So hopefully I will be ok ;-)🤞

Luckily it is that time of year, when you can start tucking away summer stuff and working out what you have to wear over the colder wetter months.

Try everything on:
Does it fit? If not it goes.
Do you like it? If not why not, best to avoid making the same mistakes.
Do you like it but not wear it? This one is a bugger but often the key issue.

Don't go and buy a new wardrobe - if the current one is that bad the new one isn't likely to be an improvement. The current wardrobe is probably just fine.
Try and identify why you're unhappy with what you've got. Then go on a targeted shop to get what you need. Comfortable but stylish everyday shoes are often a key item.
Random link to some out there comfy shoes for people to be horrified by: https://www.fitflop.com/uk/en/shop/gen-ff-ester-manas-back-strap-mules-p-ACJ#080

That’s a bold opening recommendation 😂

Im your age (52) and I just did this and it felt AMAZING! I have just dropped two dress sizes, and likely to go down another, so it was a little premature. But I had a look at my stuff and its too big but also its all over the place style wise. I sent the lot to the charity shop (im too lazy for vinted). And I did lots and lots of looking at shops, and influencers and thought about what I really like. You kind of get in a rut, and also I go through phases, but for me what has really stood the test of time is really what I was wearing at uni. I just always gravitate back to that look, and now Im a size 8 again - like I was then - I feel it looks even better (on me before anyone jumps on me).

Because im still dabbling, and also might loose another 6-7kg, I have just started buying Disturbia pieces on Vinted, or things of that vibe. Im loving it! Once I feel im the right weight and I know I really like my new look, Im gonna kit myself out with a whole new wardrobe of alt/slightly goth clothes in that vain. Ive managed to get some lovely pieces off vinted already - tartan trousers, barrel leg cropped trousers (that I can wear with my docs), Karen Millen and Wallis military style coats in red and in leopard print.

Maybe have a big research sesh to discover what you really do like, dabble a bit with Vinted before you get an entirely new wardrobe, and then have fun with it.

I even had all my hair cut off into a bixie. Feels very therapeutic and freeing.

Love those shoes @MrsPernicious.

@sunintheeast Rather than chuck it all out at a time of year when the weather is unpredictable could you split your clothes into seasons?
Then chuck out any summer stuff you have not worn or hate, but keep the odd bit as there will not be much around to shop for this time of year now. Unless you see something in the sales. (if you throw it all away and go on holiday somewhere warm you would be screwed)
Then get out your autumn stuff/ early winter. If you try it on and hate it put it to one side (if you really hate it or it does not fit chuck it out) and make a note- eg I want a lightweight cream jumper to wear with jeans, or I want a blazer. Look at what you have left and see what you 1. like or 2. will do for now and what items would make it all work better for you.
When you have your list of items, look at shops that do quality versions of those items

@MrsPernicious , those shoes are OK.

@sunintheeast , I have a sort of WFH uniform. I wear the tops that I don't like enough to wear otherwise for zoom meetings.

@BarSohope - is that dress lined? I love it but can’t wear wool without lining.

Sorry to derail slightly, but can I ask how you’ve lost this weight? Same age as you and I seem to have gained weight for no apparent reason. I don’t seem to be able to shake it either (& still normal bmi so not eligible for weight loss med). Would like to get back to what I was!

A "fierce sensual energy" from a pair of shoes is quite the promise! I don't think they quite deliver on that on their own - but the model certainly does! She looks fabulous!

No, neither do I. I'm too much of a maximalist, love clothes too much, & don't have a single look as it depends on my mood a lot. Sometimes I like head-to-toe black, sometimes I want colour & pattern.

But I do actually enjoy the restrictions imposed by a long weekend trip or a week's holiday. I used to just pack what I felt like, & always overpacked. I now always base it on a preferred colour palette of around three toning colours (one of which will be black or navy, as I'm not a beige person - it doesn't suit me), maybe with one or two clashing accessories to keep things interesting. I really like the planning of it all! That's as close as I ever get to a capsule wardrobe ...

I don’t think it is lined though I haven’t received it yet. I have a strange tolerance for itchy wool. I think it’s because I’m always cold, and being itchy is a bit like being warm! Though I tend to wear heatgen tops the entire winter, which would be like a lining anyway.