Can I throw out all of my clothes and buy some new ones please?

[fruitstick]

I have heaps of clothes that I never wear and am really tempted to give them all to the charity shop at start again.

I'm not very fashion conscious and I would say I tend to go for classic clothes but actually that translates as really boring and (I suspect) too old for my age (33).

Before I had children I mainly shopped at Jigsaw and Boden and I still have a few things that I'm reluctant to throw out but probably should as they are over 5 years old and don't go with anything in my wardrobe.

Before I get flamed for buying things from Boden, I do steer clear of the wacky prints and shop there mainly because I hate shopping in person and the clothes always fit my shape (I'm a 16 with ample bottom).

I have a habit of always buying the exact same scoop neck t shirts and jumpers which I wear with boring trousers or skirts.

Occasionally I buy something I think is fashionable but I end up never wearing it as I think I look silly and it doesn't go with anything else.

I've just had my second baby and am moving to a new area so want to ditch the wardrobe before we move out and buy a 'capsule school run' wardrobe for my new life.

Help me please. Should I give all my old stuff away and what should I buy? how many clothes does one SAHM actually need?

Oh, and I have absolutely no accessories (necklaces, scarves etc) because I never think to buy them but would like to.

So if you lovely ladies could point me in the right direction ......

I second the ebay clearout and you might raise a bit of spare cash to spend on accessories etc.

I'm not a fashionable person, I'm so not into tulip skirts, half length sleeves and big buttons. I wear what suits me and what I like, regardless of whether it's trendy or not but I suppose my taste is a bit wacky when it comes to shoes. You can wear plain-ish stuff and dress it up with nice accessories, bright colours and shoes though.

You should go to the shops with an honest friend and try on LOADS of stuff that is outside your comfort zone to see if you actually suit it?

Looking at them now I think they are just boring. I am sick of the sight of them. It's only when I get all my clothes out that I realise I always buy exactly the same thing - just from a different shop.

I realised today that I have 3 almost identical v neck jumpers!

What's your body shape like and what kind of stuff do you like? Are you very girly or do you love jeans, t-shirts, trainers, or something else?

I'm a size 16 and pear shaped. Used to have a small waist until I had children and DS2 is only 6 weeks old so my middle is saggy!

I do like girly things but nothing too fussy. In a twisted fantasy world I would like to look like Bree Van Der Kamp but am actually far too scruffy.

I wear jeans and t shirts a lot, would just like to be able to layer or accessorize properly so I don't look so dull.

OK, Bree is stunning, great choice!

Here are some pics of her looking casual, ie, not wearing ballgowns and cocktail dresses, unless of course you are planning on hitting the supermarket in showstopping dresses

THIS

THIS

THIS

THIS

THIS

THIS

AND THIS

Sorry, that is a lot of links So there's definitely a twin set thing going on with pearls or beaded necklaces and soft, pastel colours. Polished skin, great eyebrows and fab hair.

So what about some nice loose legged linen trousers in a few neutral colours and twinset style tops that you can mix and match or wear separately or together? Then you can add in accessories like scarfs, brooches and necklaces which can also be mixed and matched, sunglasses for the hair?

love all those. My concern is that as I'm a bit more (ahem) generous in size, I just end up looking a little frumpy and like my mother!

Ballgowns in Tesco could work though!

Well, maybe so but you don't know till you try

Get your ass down the shops and in the changing rooms

If you're thinking of changing your style, what about an appointment with a personal shopper? Especially if you have already have an idea of how you want to look.

It's free, you get to sit down and drink coffee while they traipse around for you, you don't have to endlessly keep getting dressed and undressed in different shops and you get advice on dressing for your shape / colouring

Great if you're pushed for time too.

i'm a strong believer in wearing things that suit you, rather than trying for fashionable, (although i have been accused of having frumpy taste on mnet before!)here are some basics-tell me what you like and don't so we get a better idea of the style you are looking for: bravissimo dress, perfect for post-baby can be dressed up or down, and very classy, cheap linen trousers look nice with tshirts or cardigans

That dress is perfect! Like the trousers and the boden top. Cardigan a bit too fussy. But along the right lines

That bravissimo dress is gorgeous!

i love the idea of throwing out my wardrobe and starting over. go for it!

two things occurred to me in reading your post:

• you just had a baby 6 weeks ago so buying lots of clothes at the moment might be difficult because your shape will surely change so maybe wait or just be a bit careful

• and try and buy outfits rather than separates. i'm so guilty of this. i have lovely tops and shoes but am nearly incapable of putting them together.

also agree about trying on loads of clothes. try and go on a monday morning when it's not too crowded and don't take the kids!

good luck.

Would suggest when you see an outfit you like, buy the whole schbang, including accessories and shoes, as it's often accessories that bring the whole look together.

Bravissimo dress is lovely!!

wahey! lovely plain in the sale cardigans
very brie! can be dressed down with jeans,
www.marksandspencer.com/gp/product/B001P4V0FO/sr=1-27/qid=1238140635/ref=sr_1_27/275-240505 4-0093961?ie=UTF8&node=&m=A2BO0OYVBKIQJM&keywords=&mnSBrand=core&size=63&rh=n%3A208002031%2Cp_91%3A1 6&page= would be cute over short sleeved white shirt or tshirt]] with denim skirt or jeans, and this tshirt would go nicely with the linen trousers, jeans or a pretty skirt for summer

Think the problem is that you may find yourself buying identical clothes all over again unless you address the issue of what is boring you about your current look.
Sometimes it can just be wearing a flamboyant necklace or scarf, new shoes that makes difference.
The real issue can be deciding that you want to shine be noticed rather than just blending in, and looking merely clean and tidy. Often I subconsciously dress down, wear boring clothes because it feels much less like hard work to be that person.