Sick of being scruffy.......

FairyShazza

Leeds lass I am sure that you probably get a copy of the Trinny and Susannah books or the Gok Wan books from your local library. They should give you a few pointers on how to build a capsule wardrobe and ideas on how to accessorise an outfit to change the look of it without spending much money. They are next on my list of library books to get out as I think they could teach me a thing or two.

When it comes to personal grooming again you don’t have to spend a fortune. A lot of colleges offer hairdressing and beauty services at really low prices and they are well worth trying. Some of the best cuts I have ever had have been courtesy of the local college students. I would suggest trying to put some money aside for a cut and possibly an eyebrow shape as it is amazing how much that can make you look more groomed – once you have had it done once into a good shape you can keep the stragglers tidy yourself.

I know you can’t afford to replace everything at once – who can?! If you work at replacing each thing bit by bit eventually you will have a much more coordinated looking wardrobe to use as a base which you can build on as and when you see things.

I have to say I am amazed at how generous people have been on here with regards to offering their old clothes. If anyone has any size 16 – 18 items they are thinking of trading in I would be more than happy to take them off your hands!

Katie-Kat-Kins

Hi Leedslass,

I don't post on here often but your post really made want to help. You are right it does sound silly when you say that a lack of clothes is getting you down but it has a huge effect. I'm not really in a bad place financially at the moment but have been a penniless student in the past and sometimes can't take my student hat off when I'm shopping so I know what it is like trying to shop for clothes on a budget.

What you need to do first is go through your wardrobe and work out what you have got that is ok. By ok I mean still in good condition, you might be bored of it but if it has no holes and isn't misshapen or stained list it because there is lots to do to liven things up.

Then take the stuff that is in a bad way and have a serious look at it. Could it be mended? Could you cover a hole or stain in an attractive way, with a broacch or embellishment? Could you customise it so as to minimise the flaw, for example a shirt with frayed cuffs could be made into a short sleeved shirt. Invest in a couple of needles and reels of thread from wilkos and get going on mending and altering things that are damaged or don't fit. That will with a little work help you out a lot. It is also really green to mend rather than replace. If you can't sew ask the ladies on the old school board for help.

In the meantime do all you can to free up a few quid to go shopping, the other boards have advice for reducing your spending and saving money, put what you save into a shopping fund.

Get a book like trinny and susannah or Gok Wan from the library for hints and tips on what to wear, how to combine clothes and so on. Don't live by what they say, take it all with a pinch of salt but it is a helpful bit of inspiration.

Then make a list of what you need to buy to get yourself a basic capsule wardrobe based on the current season, use as much of your existing clothes as possible. Think about work clothes first since this seems to be what is getting you down, add casual items later as funds allow. If you work in a smart casual enviroment i'd suggest something like this:
1 pair trousers
1 skirt get them in the same colour and in a neutral like black, grey or beige for flexibility.
3 tops, shirts, t-shirts etc in colours and styles that go with the skirt and trousers.
1 cardigan or jacket that complements the six combinations you get by mixing and matching the tops with the skirt and trousers (as it is summer this could wait a few weeks)
1 pair of shoes (for now you can add others soon) black
1 bag also black

Only buy new underwear if it doesn't fit or is really falling apart, no one sees it. You will need a coat soon but not for a few weeks but start keeping a watch.

Go out shopping but first time don't buy, just look and plan. Go back a day or two later to buy when you have thought about it, this helps avoid mistakes.

Go to Primark, you really can't beat it, they have very cheap basics in decent fabrics and some quite fashionable bits.

When you are shopping keep in mind that everything you buy has to go with everything else. There is no point buying anything that doesn't fit, it is a waste of money (with the exceptions of minor alterations you can do yourself).

Buy low cost but don't buy cheap, if it is bad quality it isn't worth it.

Look out for natural fibres. Buy cotton, wool, linen and silk whenever possible. If you are buying knitwear avoid acrylic, it will go bobbly in no time whereas cotton knitwear will last years. Added lycra will help your clothes keep their shape.

Never buy plastic shoes, save a bit longer and buy leather. Shoes are ok from primark if you check the labels, i had some lovely cream sandals from them in leather and they were leather lined too. Asda are good for shoes too. I'd advise getting a leather handbag in future too but you might not find one you can afford just yet so look out for canvas, pvc tends to wearout quickly. A handbag is worth looking for at bootsales or on ebay but check the label to make sure it is leather before you buy, you might also get a good one cheaply on holiday.

A few accessories will brighten things up too, once you have the basic clothes look for a string of beads or a scarf to vary the look.

Once you get started it is easy to add to a capsule wardrobe, a pair of jeans for the weekend, a warm jumper for winter, a pair of boots etc. Just never buy anything that doesn't make at least two outfits when added to existing items.

To give you an idea, you can get trousers and skirts in primark for less than £10, nice t-shirts for £2, leather shoes for £10, a cotton knit long cardigan for £8, and knickers and socks for less than a pound a pair in multipacks and bras for less than £5.

Best of luck and do report back!

K x x

Katie-Kat-Kins

Oh and I'd second what the other ladies said about hair and beauty.

Filing and buffing your nails is free, so is plucking your eyebrows, if you are careful there is no need to pay to get them done, just err on the side of caution and only do a tiny bit at a time.

If you can't afford hair cuts, keep it one length so you don't need to worry about regular expensive trims quite so much and just practice doing neat styles, learn how to french plait or do a great up do. Try u-tube for a tutorial or post on here if you aren't sure. It will look so much more individual than the latest cut and highlights.

katieclampet

Hi, have just been reading through, and would just say that I pretty much agree with what all the other posters have to say. How you look can really affect your confidence and self image, so I hope you are able to put some of these great ideas into practice, and feel better about yourself.

katiex

Katie-Kat-Kins

How are you getting on Leedslass? Have you made any progress or identified any savings you can make to put towards a clothing budget?

You don't need much, just £2 for a new T-shirt from Primark.

How about you post a few details of what you have got and its condition and we can suggest some combinations and things you can do to get more wear out of what you have already.

Maybe dyeing a faded top or turning a pair of frayed trousers into cropped trousers.

glowgirl_2

Maybe dyeing a faded top or turning a pair of frayed trousers into cropped trousers

Good idea, dying is great for reviving stuff, I use black a lot when things have faded and dye white stuff, when that new look has gone, whatever colour I fancy.

Floss

KatP wrote: »

......How about you post a few details of what you have got and its condition and we can suggest some combinations and things you can do to get more wear out of what you have already.

Maybe dyeing a faded top or turning a pair of frayed trousers into cropped trousers.

Oooh, fab idea, it's like a virtual T & S or Gok!

LeedsLass_2

Hi peeps, ive had quite a few generous offers from some amazing people on here, will have some parcels from Mr.Postie next week me thinks!!! :T

Ive said it before but i still cant get over how kind you all are, didnt think people like you lot existed!!! :A

LeeSouthEast

LeedsLass wrote: »

Ive said it before but i still cant get over how kind you all are, didnt think people like you lot existed!!! :A

An amazing bunch on here to be sure.

Magnolia

Fab thread from fab MSE'ers - you guys are wonderful:T

I am not a perv but am I the only one who would love to see piccies of the new outfits :rolleyes: