** Apologies, this is very long and rambling. You might need coffee before you start reading!**

I'm asking because I am interested in the different ways people buy clothes, and also because I fear I am a bit clueless!

I have an online friend who has a very strong sense of her own style, and always looks fabulous. When she finds clothes or accessories she likes, whether in store, or online, she seems to be able to effortlessly imagine how they will work with what she already has, and the different outfits she will be able to make. She has her fall/winter wardrobe ready in her mind!

I, on the other hand, well ...... don't !! I will be drawn to things, but sometimes it's because I love the colour, or the style on someone else. It's very rare I see something and can see how it will work with what I've got - I try not to buy unless I can, but this means I only have a tiny amount of clothes, and I often wish (too late!) that I had bought something when I see it.

Here's an example (with accessories rather than clothes) :-

The other day I was browsing the jewellery, and found two pretty necklaces. I didn't buy either because the first, although a beautiful blend of colours (it's here - the multicoloured one http://www.marksandspencer.com.....1314972809) I didn't think would go with any of my clothes. But then I couldn't really remember exactly what clothesI had The second I loved because of the colour - I have had clothing this colour in the past, although not at the moment. I also liked it because it was long so I could wear it looped round twice, to get a sort of multi-layered look, but I could also wear it long. It's not online, but it was a long strand of bright green beads. But I didn't buy it because I've never worn a long necklace before. And I didn't know what it would go with. And .... well etc etc *sigh* This happens to me all the time, with clothes, bags, scarves, everything. I find I play very 'safe' and will buy, say, black pants, or jeans, and wear with a plain top. I feel very dull.

But I don't know how to build a wardrobe of lovely things that co-ordinate, with accessories that work with everything. Occasionally, I will get a yearning for something (the leopard print boots I posted about being an example) and I can think of how to wear them, but then I get stuck into only wearing something in that one way. Which is dull.

I don't know how to start, I think that's what I'm saying. I have (unusually for me!) a very hazy idea of the way I want to look - I like the brogue style shoes (although I would need a heel, I have just taken delivery of some shoe/boots which might work - that's a whole other post!) with pants look, quite elegant, but with lovely textures and colours like plums and purples, dark green, velvety and tactile. I don't seem to be able to translate that into actual garments, though.

How do people work out what to buy, and make sure everything hangs together? Do you make a list? Try on a lot of clothes? Have pictures from fashion magazines in mind?

Well done if you've got to this point - I am so sorry it's long and vague - the ability to produce a sentence seems to have escaped me. I think what I am saying is help! How do I start!?