Clothes Old Style

BWZN93

I dont have a system as such - I pretty much wear dance trousers or pyjama bottoms with vests at home, if im going shopping etc, I have about 6 pairs of jeans (which range from those with holes and bleach marks on, smart, going out, comfy doesnt matter if they get ruined), all which match my various tops (ranging from smart, surfer style battered tops, a few casual shirts and a few 'smart' vests), 1 casual blazer type jacket, biker jacket, variety of shoes, and a few smart suits, and assorted trousers and tops for work.

I wouldnt say my wardrobe is over flowing, but ive had most stuff for years, and probably needs replacing!! My sister however, she co-ordinates everything (from belts, shoes and bags, right down to jeans with pink thread seams that match pink top and handbag!!! Absolutely crazy - although I kind of envy her!)

I intend to streamline when I move house next month, everything I never wear will be binned or charity donated, then separated into two lots, winter stuff, and summer stuff, and things that I simply dont need will dissapear. I will then attempt to have some kind of co-ordination - brighter and cooler will be summer, and darker warmer things for winter. I do need to get a good winter coat though.

This is exhausting just thinking about it!

Jo xx

pavlovs_dog

jw1096 wrote:

I do need to get a good winter coat though.

i've been saying that for years, and every year i buy something that i later decide doesnt really suit me/ i dont really like. so this year, i am not buying a thing until i am certain it will last me.

although, strangely, i bought a big warm plain black coat to see me through my last years in school (went to sixth form that was part of a school and had to wear uniform). £20 from H&M, filled with down so its like the lagging on a water boiler went off it after i had bought it, but enjoy wearing it now, and its lovely and warm. want something in a birghter colour too though, whihc is my aim for this winter. a ski/snowboard/outdoor active style coat, which im hoping to pick up cheap in the states

sarahmelita

Ebay all the way for clothes - I bought loads of strappy tops for my holiday for the price of two or three in the shops. Have also bought jeans that retail at £36 for £9 including postage. Can't remember the last time I paid full price for something in a shop!

djenks_2

djenks wrote:

Hi, we all seem to make shopping lists to organize our kitchens and meals, but how about our wardrobes??

I want to create a good collection of clothes, shoes, coats and accessories that will cover all occasions but not by skimping too much on quality and style. I am thinking more along the lines of having less clothes but getting more use out of them!

How do you all control your wardrobes? - or not(!) Dose anyone have a basic clothing inventory? If so how do you use it? Do you replace things a few times a year or as necessary. Any thoughts, suggestions (and lists!) would be appreciated.

Dawn

Right here we go, I have made a list that I think covers everything that I will ever need! Now all I need to do is tidy my wardrobe and see what I'm missing. I have some piles of old clothes already taht are going to the charity shop so I am doing OK. I just seem to have trouble getting rid of some things just in case I need them again. My plan now is to get everything colour coordinated as I need to buy new things!

What do you all think of my list - have I forgotten anything(!)

Work - Winter 7 Tops
3 Trousers
Long Skirt
Dress
Boots
Shoes
Work Bag
Cardigan
Winter Coat
Work - Summer 7 Tops
Long Skirt
Crop Trousers
Linen Trousers
Short Skirt
Dress
Jacket
Sandals
Cardigan
Work Bag
Home Winter 2 Jeans
Cords
Skirt
4 Tops
2 Jumpers
Hoody
Trainers
Boots
Jacket
Bag
Home/Holiday Summer 3 Skirts
2 Crop Trousers
1 Shorts
6 Tops
Hoody
short Dress
denim Jacket
Pumps
Flat Sandals
Bag
Beach Bag
3 Swim wear
Sarong
Flip Flops
Smart Wear Jeans
Trousers
Skirt
Shoes
Smart Outifit
Bag
2 Tops
Gym Trainers
2 Bottoms
2 Tops
Socks
Gym Bag
Bed/underwear 3 Summer PJ's
3 Winter PJ's
summer dressing gown
winter Dressing Gown
10 Socks
10 Underwear Sets
Weekend Bag
2 Gloves

Queenie

You may like to have a read of these online articles ... (they are in PDF format)

"Wardrobe Clusters" and "Wardrobe Strategies"


I've been searching my desk to locate those since this thread first went up but couldn't find them anywhere! Yesterday, when I was cleaning the lounge, I found the print off in one of my files

HTH

Galtizz

pavlovs_dog wrote:

want something in a birghter colour too though, whihc is my aim for this winter. a ski/snowboard/outdoor active style coat, which im hoping to pick up cheap in the states

Sorry P-D, missed this post before. If you have a McArthur Glen discount village near you have a look in the sports shops. I bought a ski jacket from Tog24 this time last year for £20. It is a proper ski jacket so it's really warm. They were well over £50 for the exact same jacket in January this year :eek:

nabowla

What a fantastic thread! It fits in exactly with the resolution I made a couple of weeks ago to finally get my wardrobe into some sort of order. I 'd just read 'Elegance' (I LOVE that book!!!) and decided that I simply had to adopt a more sophisticated attitude to clothes before I hit the big 30. Up until now I've been throwing money at the problem from time to time, buying the odd one or two expensive things (non-sale) and then wearing them way beyond death. I didn't have a dry cleaning or shoe mending rota and didn't really look after my clothes properly. I didn't have a shopping strategy either and so nothing in the wardrobe went with anything else. All in all, I was a bit of hopeless case!

I'm now taking my first baby steps towards becoming an elegant woman (well, I can dream, can't I??!). The wardrobe's been reorganised and I now have a dry cleaning / mending rota. I also have a list of 'To Buys' in my diary so that I know exactly what I need to buy in the sales. If it's not on the list, I'm not buying it!

My major problem at the moment is where on earth am I going to find a pair of good black trousers to replace the pair that has literally fallen to pieces? I've got a very disproportionate figure (tiny waist, huge bum - and I'm not exaggerating. It's so out of proportion that I was teased mercilessly for years and still get the odd rude comment from strangers in pubs etc). I'd like to get a lined pair of trousers in a very wide legged, floaty style as this suits me very well. Anyone got any bright ideas?

Galtizz

nabowla wrote:

My major problem at the moment is where on earth am I going to find a pair of good black trousers to replace the pair that has literally fallen to pieces? I've got a very disproportionate figure (tiny waist, huge bum - and I'm not exaggerating. It's so out of proportion that I was teased mercilessly for years and still get the odd rude comment from strangers in pubs etc). I'd like to get a lined pair of trousers in a very wide legged, floaty style as this suits me very well. Anyone got any bright ideas?

How about making your own? If you had an old pair that you loved and that fitted really well carefully unpick them and lay out all of the pieces onto newspaper or a roll of lining wallpaper, draw around the trousers leaving about 1/2 an inch all around for seams and hems then you have a pattern you can use to make as many pairs of well fitting trousers as you need in whatever colour you want them in.

I must admit, I've never made my own trousers in this way, only skirts so someone on here might be able to give more advise.

nabowla

Now there's a good idea. Trouble is, I've never done any sewing in my life. I have a horrible feeling that my moneysaving efforts might actually end up being more expensive due to general incompetence! I wonder how expensive it might be to find a dressmaker who could run up a couple of pairs of trousers based on my favourite pair? How would I go about finding someone in London?

starlite_2

nabowla wrote:

I wonder how expensive it might be to find a dressmaker who could run up a couple of pairs of trousers based on my favourite pair? How would I go about finding someone in London?

in my experience it is very expensive in London,but try looking under dressmakers in the yellow pages and call around for quotes. If you live close to a college or university it may be worth browsing the noticeboards in the fashion and textiles department, as many students will offer dressmaking very cheaply as a means to practice, and earn all important beer money!