https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/if-you-had-to-start-all-over-again-how-much-would-you-spend Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 08 May 2026 17:03:47 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/if-you-had-to-start-all-over-again-how-much-would-you-spend#post-107874 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:14:57 +0000 shiny 107874@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can't even begin to estimate costs, but if I lost everything in a fire tomorrow, this is what I'd want to replace quickly - all items I can wear now: </p> <p>1) UO skinny jeans<br /> 2) CoH ambers<br /> 3) Inc ponte knit pants in gray<br /> 4) SW metallic spectator booties<br /> 5) Bras, underwear, socks<br /> 6) One white and one black cami<br /> 7) I'd buy at least 5 pretty short-sleeve blouses in flattering colors and necklines.. one or two with a pattern. This would depend on what is on sale at the moment.<br /> 8) I'd hit F21 and buy two graphic tees<br /> 9) Flat tall boots (probably black)<br /> 10) heeled tall boots (probably wine)<br /> 11) Boyfriend jacket<br /> 12) Black blazer that has something special about it (maybe tweed... maybe an interesting collar...or an interesting cut)<br /> 13) A blazer in an interesting color OR pattern<br /> 14) A velvet blazer<br /> 15) One pair dress slacks - probably black. Ideally, they would match the black blazer to make a suit.<br /> 16) Pencil skirt - possibly in a fun pattern or color (not black), just to shake things up<br /> 17) Sheath dress - (probably black, but if I found one in red, I'd be in heaven)<br /> 18) two merino wool V-neck cardis, one in black and one in an interesting color<br /> 19) two long cardigans, one in black and one in gray<br /> 20) a few scarves that add interest and go with the blouses<br /> 21) a cream purse with silver hardware<br /> 22) a cream clutch<br /> 23) a purse in an interesting color<br /> 24) A 3/4 length wool coat in a fun color<br /> 25) A 3/4 puffer<br /> 26) A cocktail dress - only if I found one I really love. I hate finding one last-minute.<br /> 27) A pair of pumps in a giraffe print<br /> 28) long pearl necklace<br /> 29) short gumbo pearl necklace<br /> 30) silver stud earrings<br /> 31) silver hoops<br /> 32) another clutch in either animal print or interesting color/texture<br /> 33) A sweater dress in a color other than black<br /> 34) micro fishnets<br /> 35) A patterned cardigan - probably in a black and white pattern</p> <p>I've basically just described the pieces in my current wardrobe that are getting the most use right now. In fact, many of these items just went into my luggage, as we are soon leaving to go visit family. If I had to pare my fall/winter wardrobe down to just these items, I could do it. I could do it with less; for example, I'd get rid of the skirts and dresses, as I don't wear these as often in the winter. </p> <p>Bear in mind I am a full-time telecommuter, so I don't need much of a professional wardrobe. I would be more likely to wear the dress slacks with the velvet blazer for a holiday party! </p> <p>You'll see that I've picked silver details instead of gold, and black/gray versus browns. I do wear gold and browns, it's just that if I was starting from scratch, I'd focus on one or the other first. </p> <p>I'd probably start with the pants (and all these brands could be replenished with a few clicks of a mouse, as they are still available, so that wouldn't take too much stress and time), and then focus on the blouses next. I would be at the whim of retailers and whatever's in store now for the blouses, so this would give me a good idea of what sort of color theme I have going on, for the interesting clutch, purse, cardigan, etc. I would stick to short-sleeve blouses because I'd be thinking ahead to spring and summer. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/if-you-had-to-start-all-over-again-how-much-would-you-spend#post-107868 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:52:44 +0000 chewyspaghetti 107868@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think that I've already done this several times over the last year, and will be doing it several times again. I just have to think of my wardrobe as a work in progress at this point. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/if-you-had-to-start-all-over-again-how-much-would-you-spend#post-107848 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:58:19 +0000 velvetychocolate 107848@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you Angie - you made me laugh :)</p> <p>I'm reading your excellent blog post right now. There's *lots* of good information in there, especially about the various capsules. I'll definitely be looking at all the links to posts regarding the specific capsules too. This is going to help a lot. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/if-you-had-to-start-all-over-again-how-much-would-you-spend#post-107842 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:44:43 +0000 Angie 107842@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Firstly, I’d read this post: </p> <p><a href="http://youlookfab.com/2009/06/25/wardrobe-capsules-for-your-lifestyle/" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/2009/06/.....lifestyle/</a></p> <p>Secondly, I’d help you rob a bank. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/if-you-had-to-start-all-over-again-how-much-would-you-spend#post-107836 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:57:37 +0000 velvetychocolate 107836@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks so much! I'm going to print off this post, and Dawn - I have already printed off your blog post (did that last night), and it's in my purse! It hadn't even occurred to me to come up with a basic colour scheme. </p> <p>Kristen - yes, I'd like to do something more than just replace what I had before. Like you, it's been pants and a top all the time. A kind of basic sort of 'uniform' of sorts. Not very much fun, to be honest. Looking forward to dresses and skirts and boots and all kindsa stuff Thanks for the tip on the layering tees. </p> <p>fathenry - I really like your list. I have my eye on a pair of black knee high boots with a slight heel. This means maybe not getting the flat boots right away, but there's a pair I've had my eye on for awhile. Like Kristen was saying, I don't have to get it ALL right now. Well, we'll see what the sales bring this week </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/if-you-had-to-start-all-over-again-how-much-would-you-spend#post-107828 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:54:26 +0000 Kristen 107828@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well, I've spent quite a bit rebuilding my wardrobe so far this year. What I did was start completely fresh; instead of looking to replace what I already had, I took this as a chance to redo my whole look, and in my case that meant going from pants/button-downs/sweaters to dresses. If I was a SAHM, I probably would have embraced more of the MOTG formulas, buying all kinds of different pants cuts and styles that I didn't have before.</p> <p>Couple of tips:<br /> -You can only buy what's in the stores, so you can only re-build one season at a time. I forgot this and so was surprised to realize I still needed winter coats when I thought I was done with the main re-building shopping, LOL.<br /> -Again, you can only buy what's in the stores, so if a color you really like isn't in season, you have to be patient and wait for it.<br /> -It's good to remember that there will be other seasons and years, and you don't have to buy everything RIGHT NOW (a very tough lesson to learn). Heck, there will even be second waves of new clothes in the store in *this* season as well, so if you don't find it the first time, just wait.<br /> -You will need far fewer layering tees than you think. Get one in black, one in white, one in one other color, and then just see how long it takes you to wear them all. Only buy more after you've rotated through them. I have at least half-dozen with the tags on that I still haven't worn, because I was convinced I would need them all. </p> <p>Lastly, buy according to your lifestyle and your new style, not to a basics list. I have almost everything on Fathenry's list, and truth be told I could have skipped the skirt, pants, button-down and blazer and not even have noticed. I just don't wear any of them very much right now! I did not expect that. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/if-you-had-to-start-all-over-again-how-much-would-you-spend#post-107815 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:00:58 +0000 fathenry 107815@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Just thought of one more thing. Have you considered alterations? If you are only two sizes different, you can alter most items. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/if-you-had-to-start-all-over-again-how-much-would-you-spend#post-107814 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:58:54 +0000 fathenry 107814@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would buy the basics first, and invest in the best quality you can afford because you will wear them season after season:</p> <p>1) black pants in a wide leg, seasonless fabric that can be worn all year long<br /> 2) dark wash bootcut or trouser style jeans that can be dressed up or down, hemmed to wear with heels<br /> 3) button down shirt in white or a color you love<br /> 4) black pencil skirt<br /> 5) black knee high boots with a mid heel<br /> 6) trench coat in fun color<br /> 7) a couple of layering tees in colors you love<br /> 8) jacket, blazer or cardigan<br /> 9) sexy top OR Little black dress</p> <p>To those basics add tons of accessories that are current (trendy, not investment):<br /> 1) scarves<br /> 2) pearls or other statement necklaces<br /> 3) bracelets<br /> 4) colorful or metallic handbags, 1 large for day, one clutch for evening</p> <p>From there I would add this season's items:<br /> 1) skinnies<br /> 2) flyaway cardigans or boyfriend cardigan<br /> 3) banded blouson top or vest</p> <p>For these items I would spend $500 on the first list of basics, $50-$100 on accessories, $100-$150 for this season's must haves.</p> <p>I did NOT include shoes because outside of the knee high classic black boots these take a long time to find, invest in etc. That's a whole separate topic! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/if-you-had-to-start-all-over-again-how-much-would-you-spend#post-107774 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:09:44 +0000 Dawn 107774@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I just wrote a post on this actually! In reality, if all my clothes went up in a terrible, isolated fire in my wardrobe, I wouldn't have that much money to spend on buying new clothes so I think it would be an absolute maximum of €500 ($750ish) spread over a couple of paychecks to build my wardrobe up again.</p> <p>This is what I would buy to rebuild my wardrobe: <a href="http://adressandabike.wordpress.com/2009/11/22/capsule-wardrobe-experiment-starting-from-scratch/" rel="nofollow">http://adressandabike.wordpres.....m-scratch/</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/if-you-had-to-start-all-over-again-how-much-would-you-spend#post-107772 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:03:16 +0000 yublocka 107772@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmmm I would start with the current season. I find I need nearly 2 completely different wardrobes for winter and summer. I can go weeks in summer when its too hot to wear jeans. However in winter that's precisely what I'd buy first! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/if-you-had-to-start-all-over-again-how-much-would-you-spend#post-107770 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 01:55:29 +0000 velvetychocolate 107770@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ok - this is coming from a weight-loss perspective - but let's say you lost everything in a fire or something and had to re-create your entire wardrobe. How much would you spend to get the basics happening again?</p> <p>What if your entire closet was somehow decimated - what would seem reasonable to you in terms of replacement cost?</p> <p>If you had no coat, no dress pants, hardly any jeans, no tops or sweaters. How would you re-create your basic wardrobe?</p> <p>And furthermore - what would you buy or replace first?</p> <p>Where would you start? </p>