Clothes Old Style

fizzel81

ive just done away with over half my wardrobe, if it doesnt fit, i havent worn it or i just dont like it, it went

Penelope_Penguin

Hi there :beer: At the end of each season, I pack away clothes I won't need for a while, and get rid of the ones I no longer like. Getting last season's clothes from the loft is like a whole new wardrobe :j

I'll add this to the existing thread on OS clothes to keep ideas thgether.

Penny. x

skintscotslass

My wardrobe is a nightmare. Basically because my weight yo-yos so much. I have clothes from size 14 up to size 20. When I lost 2.5 stone a few years ago, I chucked out all the 18s and 20s. I've piled the weight back on, nothing to wear, bought more 18s and 20s and the 14s and 16s dont fit. Argh!!! I'm getting rid of nothing! I keep the 14s and 16s in the attic in hope

floss2

floss2 wrote: »

.....Maybe I could draw up some sort of matrix thing - clothes down one side & occasions on the other, and see what I come out with. Come to think of it, I can do that for tops & bottoms too....a multi-function top is harder working & more worthy of a place than one that does 1-outfit only! Ooh, think I may have cracked the theory.....will keep you posted on the actual practicalities! .....

Well I was trawling t'internet last night & found this: http://www.organizeit.co.uk/2007/10/03/audit-your-life-your-wardrobe/ Hopefully it may help others...

LameWolf

skintscotslass wrote: »

My wardrobe is a nightmare. Basically because my weight yo-yos so much. I have clothes from size 14 up to size 20. When I lost 2.5 stone a few years ago, I chucked out all the 18s and 20s. I've piled the weight back on, nothing to wear, bought more 18s and 20s and the 14s and 16s dont fit. Argh!!! I'm getting rid of nothing! I keep the 14s and 16s in the attic in hope

Don't it just drive you mad? I had to get rid of a whole lot of clothes after the dear doctor put me on Prednisolone; there was no way I was ever going to get into them again. Nowadays I try to get elasticated things, or "one size fits all" stuff - from the charity shop if possible.;)

ceridwen

Cor....Lone Wolf...your doctor lives dangerously doesnt he? I remember mine once saying to me "I'd like to prescribe steroids for this.....but you wouldnt take them would you?!" I had read steroids blow you up like a balloon before then - so he was perfectly right - I refused them.!!!;). He knew me very well;) . I got better anyways - without them.

I dont know obviously exactly what the medical problem is - and I do wish you well it gets resolved soon - but is there some alternative that wouldnt have this side-effect? (Yep - I do know my doctors must sometimes feel prescribing owt for me must resemble facing the Spanish Inquisition..;) ).

lessonlearned

I love this thread.

When I first started work I spent all my money on clothes, and yet never seemed to have anything nice to wear. Then I learned how to dress and shop properly and although I now have a very limited budget I still manage to have a nice wardrobe. I do take care of my clothes. I've had some of my good coats for over 25 years and they still look good.

I too have read "Elegance". I think it's great and the look I aim for is stylish and chic (I'm now in my fifties but I still love clothes). My tips are:

Forget fashion go for style.
Choose well cut clothes that flatter your shape.
Buy good quality classics (coats, suits etc) in quality fabrics, wool, cotton, linen or silk, suede and leather. (These don't have to be new - good second hand shops and charity shops, Ebay etc)
Items like skirts etc should be lined.
Wear colours that flatter you - get some advice if you're unsure.
Plain rather than patterned fabrics date less - jazz them up with accessories and jewellery.
Team your classic staples with a few cheap this season must haves - a tee shirt in the latest colour or a scarf or belt - that kind of thing.

I think the most important thing of all is to really look after your clothes.

Get changed out of your good clothes when you get home - old jeans or tracksuits are great for wearing around the house.

Invest in some padded coathangers and breathable nylon covers for your good clothes and dont overfill your wardrobe and crease everything.

Keep clothes well laundered, dry cleaned and pressed, shoes repaired and polished. Take care of any lost buttons, frayed hems etc.

Take good care with your own grooming, hair, make up and nails to finish the look.

If you can sew a little you can personalize high street basics and make even the plainest item look "designer". Fabric paints, sequins, ribbons, buttons etc are a cheap and fun way of jazzing up anything from clothes to bags, shoes, belts etc.

I agree with the other posters about trousers - often the best thing is to get them made for you, well worth the investment.

Above all - have fun, looking good makes you feel good.

mary43

lessonlearned

Get changed out of your good clothes when you get home

Thats something I've always done, as did my Mum.Makes my 'better' stuff last a lot longer and I like to think even my 'slobbing around the house' stuff is still half way presentable.
I opt for long skirts a lot of the time with elasticated waists - oh the comfort...........what did I do before they came along.
Did have some lovely warm fleecy lined track suit bottoms but I almost lived in them through a few winters so really must invest in some more, ready for this winter.

iceicebaby

I really need to go through my wardrobes and sort stuff out. I have so much stuff I dont even wear and loads things with tags on still that are too big as I have lost a bit of weight lately so have gone down a size.

When I think of all the money I have wasted on clothes that I have never worn!

Sarahsaver

I am due a major clearout soon.
approaching the end of pregnancy no.4, and I don't know whether to keep the maternity clothes :eek:
Anyway, after each child I have got smaller but hopefully I won't get any smaller then I probably won't need to buy any new clothes. It was a real pain in the butt to have to buy new stuff, but I would never keep bigger clothes 'just in case' I know some people have medical issues and so on, i have too believe me! But i smile to myself when people say 'ooh i cant lose weight cos i have had X number of kids'
i am planning to make sure I don't own anything i don't absolutely LOVE, and also to get my pre-pregnancy shoes to the mender's!
BTW if you watch Gok's Fashion Fix you will notice the 'experts' nearly all wear black and white and are actually dressed quite conservatively. They had some amazing tailored dresses this week. I would rather buy an expensive black dress which would last 20 years than get a new one each year.
I am planning to ebay maternity clothes that i definitely won't keep, and also about half my shoes! THEN I am going to get me an 'investment dress'