Please tell me your clothing habits!

[RGPargy]

I'm not sure if this is a bit of an odd request, but i want to know your clothing habits please!

Basically, i never buy new clothes unless i NEED them, and i mean really NEED them (i.e. there are holes in stuff that just cant be repaired etc).

I work in a London office and compared to everyone else, i think i look scruffy/frumpy etc.

When i went back to work after being on Mat Leave, i bought two new work tops and a pair of trousers. That was in July. Since then i have bought two more work tops (but i cant wear them as they have shrunk in the wash) and one pair of casual trousers.

My "new" stuff is now starting to look scruffy as i wear it so often, even out of work and my wardrobe in general is looking absolutely pitiful. I have nothing smart or dressy. Everything is either stained, has holes or generally just worn out.

So how often do you buy new clothes? Do you buy them as when you see something in a shop or do you buy them to replace pathetically overworn garments?

DP and I dont have a lot of money to spare each month but with the Xmas season looming and me having absolutely zero to wear to any party whatsoever, it's made me realise that i dont think i can go on like this!

Do you have clothing allowances etc?? I always feel guilty when i say to DP that my clothes are like rags because he always replies "so are mine, i haven't bought anything new for months and months" (which is true).

Sorry, for the ranty-type post, am sounding off a little too i think!

honest - thanx. I AM serious about the weight loss so i dont really intend to go out and blow the budget, so to speak. For the moment, am deffo after just a few basics that i can perk up a bit with different tops or jewellery etc.

Oh excellent!

I've just ordered this dress in purple for my firm's xmas party and these shoes to go with it. All i need now is a shrug and i'll be ok. What do you think?

Very nice!

Thanx notyummy! Of course, the proof will be when i try it on. chances are i could look like a sack of spuds and end up sending it back and not going to the party (likely)!.

Ruby - I think we should hit the sales in January. What do you reckon?

Can I suggest this dress as an office staple. I have it in a size 22 and it's both wearable and gives you the illusion of a shape. I wear it with flat black boots.

I'm an apple shape, and a large munter with it, so I sympathise with the difficulty in finding cheap work clothes. To my surprise I found this skirt actually looked good. I wear it with cheap tops like this. Something like this is a useful wardrobe staple as well. For cheap and well made tops, I find the uniqlo tops are fantastic value for money. The XL size fits me OK.

One thing I always do when buying, is pause and think "how many things does this go with/what else can I wear it with". Never buy something you can only wear with one other thing - go for plainer clothes that you can dress up, rather than lots of patterny things, I've a snazzy pink & black skirt which I was given but can only wear occasionally as it stands out, but also have a black/grey cord skirt which I can wear loads of times with different jumpers/skirts. Also, do you look at your colleagues and go "oh, they're wearing that again...." I don't actually notice what my colleagues wear half the time, and as long as you're clean and smart, it's unlikely you'll need heaps of clothes. Also, clean/tidy/polished shoes and boots go along way....Have fun!

Thanx slug, there are some lovely clothes in your post - some brilliant ideas.

I will deffo be following alot of the advice in this post. You lot have been really really helpful and i'm very grateful, thank you so much!

Keep the advice coming tho, i feel like a sponge!!

frosty - funny you should say that about noticing what people wear, because i only seem to notice things that are really nice or things that are really awful. The girls i sit with however are very fashion conscious so perhaps this is why i am feeling quite inadequate in the wardrobe department recently......

I work 3 days a week and have my own rules atm - one day trousers (usually Tues in winter because I take DD swimming straight from work and tights in changing room too much faff), one day skirt and one day dress. also different boots/shoes and tops each day. I realise this is ridiculously OTT.

I have a budget of £100 to spend on myself a month. It has to inclde hair cuts, meals out with friends etc. I bought a coat last month that cost £85 and put it on the credit card and paid off £30 immediately. This month I spent £20 on my hair, £30 paying for my coat, £7.99 on a belt from H&M to wear over jumpers, blouses etc so quite a good investment as it updates the look of them, £22,50 on some costume jewellry - a necklace and bracelet. and have £19.50 left.

That's a good idea bozza. you are very good at self restraint if you dont spend any more than that!

Well it doesn't include family and couple outings and I am thinking that next month I might see if I can find a bit more space in the budget for DH and I to have some extra personal spending, it being Christmas and all. I don't think we have any big payments to make other than swimming lessons for both DC which will be £100. I have managed on £100 for the last 3 months but am heading towards a slight splurge. Anyway this is from the person who doesn't spend anything on clothes.

I think when my one and only (pain in the arse) debt is paid off, i will demand request that DP let me do this too.

DH has the same amount of money. He spends very little of it on clothes - always on bike accessories or a new golf glove or whatever - and then moans that he has nothing to wear.

typical man!! haha!

Way ahead of you Ruby. I've bought a "secrets" type slip thing that goes underneath it. Failing that, i have some great magic pants from M&S to squeeze into.

Need to find a nice little shrug thing now (i'm not going without something covering my arms!) and some pretty jewellery to set if off.

They had some nice shrugs and pashminas etc in TKmaxx when I was in there this lunchtime.

Ruby - I'm getting my hair cut next Saturday so it'll be done in time for the party. I wont be able to have a professional manicure, but i'm sure i can find the time file my nails and put some clear polish on them or something (they're short so i dont want to draw too much attention to them). not sure where we're going for the do yet as they haven't sent us the official invitations yet. They're leaving it a bit late tho, aren't they!

Bozza - oh right, cheers for that! I'll have a look at my local one on Saturday!

Ooh, love the purple dress - has it arrived yet?
I also like Slug's recommendations - I am a big fan of dresses for the office. My top tips are use colour and wear accessories/jewellery with your outfits.

Do you blow dry your hair and wear make up?

RG you are near Bluewater? My friend is similar size to you and she always looks stunning. She also has tons of really nice clothes. She gets a lot of them from M&S in Gravesend-they have silly sales where things are reduced to a pound! My M&S doesn't seem to have the same sales but she always gets loads, could be worth a look?

Pod - thanx! It hasn't arrived yet. I thought delivery was 2 working days but as it turns out, that was for priority delivery so it should be here within 5-7 working days. Should give me enough time to send it back if i dont like it and order something else.

So it seems one of my staples will have to be a dress then! I'm wondering if it'll make my calfs look big tho . Maybe a nice pair of dark tights could sort that out. I love wearing jewellery too, but most of the time i dont bother because DD has a habit of trying to rip it off my neck when i carry her around lol.

I do blow dry my hair because it's short and needs that bit extra to make it look better than if i weren't to blow dry it. Make up is minimal, i.e. black lid liner and black mascara. I haven't worn "full" make up for years and years and i think the most i'd wear these days is a bit of eyeshadow and lippy on top of my usual black eye make up. Do you think that would do for the party? I hope my make up isn't going to be old fashioned?? I think i will have to invest in a new eyeshadow tho - the only ones i've got are white shimmery thing, darkish brown and light purple (!).

Clairey - yes i'm about 30 mins away up the A2 from bluewater. How does she manage to look stunning all the time?! I think you'll have to get her to tell me when those M&S sales are on in G'end!! I'll be there like a flash!