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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

I want a whole new wardrobe

Scarlet

Veteran

Just looking for a little sympathy or company here.

This breaking fall fashion season I was walking around window shopping, and I had the shocking thought--WAIT A MINUTE! I think my style is coming into style. I don't mean to sound egotistical--I am not, I think. It is just as if, for example, you have been dressing 70's inspired for the last 10 years and suddenly the look is in--it's not about you, per say, just that suddenly there are tons of options available that are right up your alley and used to be hard to find.

I WANT EVERYTHING. I want everything so much I can't choose anything. I am ready to throw 85% of my stuff out and start over. I wish I could. Budget-wise I was thinking this fall I could buy a new pair of jeans, a new pair of shoes, and a couple of this-and-that items until January. Hmm.

Is there anyone else out there wanting a whole new wardrobe for whatever reason? How do you deal with it?

Shopping

33 replies

Latest reply was from Aida

Saretta

(website)

I just cry.

No, just joking! I have lost weight and don't know what I will be able to wear this fall. So far, I have only bought myself one pair of skinny jeans. For the rest, I'm in a wait and see mode. Mostly because my wallet is rather empty!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

*chuckle*

I don't want a whole new wardrobe but there is a LOT to like this season. The fact that hemilines are longer and heels are lower is a great shopping improvement for my own style. Also loving all the blouses and colours.

It's a goodie for sure

Scarlet, we can help you prioritize if you like.

Arya

(website)

Yes!!! I am blogging about it this week. I want to completely overhaul my wardrobe. And I, too, am finding that those super-flares & high-waist 70's pants are just my style! I want new boots, and new animal print heels, and a new handbag, a jacket for layering, and new shirts...ugh! Too much want!

I'm starting slowly, first just deciding on three pairs of jeans (since I previously owned none): 1 pair of skinnies, 1 pair of flares/bootcuts, and maybe 1 pair of "novelty"/seasonal jeans.

Once those are figured out, I'm going to play dress-up until I can't stand it, determining what of my current items will work with my new, budding style. THEN I will consider looking at tops and shoes.

Thankfully, here in Seattle most clothes will easily work for 3 seasons (with appropriate layering), so once I get a foundation I should be able to just tweak small things to stay in step.

Anyway, I completely sympathize!

ironkurtin

Veteran

I feel this way every time fall hits and there's a nip in the air. Your budget restrictions may be a blessing in disguise, because it means you will consider every option - and then what you buy you will love to death. Not that it wouldn't be more fun to buy everything that delights you, but this way you'll have the discipline to pick only the best.

Scarlet

Veteran

Saretta, that is really tough when you have a big weight change and are unable to buy new things. I hope you are able to find some things soon, but jeans are a good start.

Oh, Angie, there are so many times I wish you were closer so that I could just have you sort me out I am VERY grateful for the forum, though. I will need to set some priorities.

Arya, you owned no jeans? You have just blown my mind.

DressLover

Veteran

My brain is exploding too over everything I'd love to purchase. In order to decide what the top priorities should be, try putting pictures of your wishlist items in a collage. As you look at it each day, you'll notice you are being drawn to some things more than others. Those are your top priorities. If you you don't find yourself looking at certain items anymore, those pictures can be removed and replaced with others. Soon you will have a good inspiration board and your wants prioritized. (Note: this doesn't work as well for very basic pieces since the mind labels those as "boring" compared to more exciting statement pieces.)

catgirl

Veteran

Me too! For me, it's not so much the 70s but the bright colors and quirky layering items! Both InStyle and People Style Watch were filled with looks I love, which is rare. It seems like just about everything is "in" right now.

I'm a little worried about buying a whole new wardrobe and then finding out it's all trends that will be dated next year. So of the current crop, which will pass and which will remain or become classic?

Scarlet

Veteran

By the way, I don't mean that my style is 70's. That was just an example.

DressLover - that is an interesting idea with the collage. Do you make a real one or is on your computer, and if so what program do you use?

DressLover

Veteran

Scarlet, mine is on the computer. I recommend iPhoto for collages and also slideshows are useful if you don't want everything jammed together. If you aren't a mac junkie, Adobe Photoshop, Photobucket, Snapfish, Picasa, etc. would work as well.

Scarlet

Veteran

Huh, I didn't know you could make collages with iPhoto. Will have to look into that.

DressLover

Veteran

You can make basic ones in iPhoto and for more complex ones an external app like Shape Collage.

Isabel

Veteran

Oh Scarlet, in some ways it is the most wonderful thing in the world when our preferences are everywhere yet it also reminds us of our restraints. AHHH, the ying yang of life.

I feel like that now with shoes. I felt that way last Spring about clothes. Ironically so many women here were saying how little they liked about past Spring's color palette and I wanted to stock up on everything.

Saretta, you cracked me up. Beyond crying, I am using Dresslover as a therapist.

Prioritizing sounds like the way to go. I think that this is also a lesson in not buying so much when it is not to our preference and stocking up when it is. Additionally, this as been a great place for me to learn to incorporate newer pieces to "stuff" I already own.

catgirl

Veteran

Hmmm, Isabel - are you saying I can justify a spending spree as "stocking up"?

Isabel

Veteran

AG, yes. That is how I sleep so well at night after this Spring's safair/utility trend spree, I mean, stock up. I pray that it works for you ! : )

Jonesy

Veteran

I completely relate, Scarlet! I am certainly in "stocking up" mode right now, that's for sure :).

Astrid

Veteran

Yes, I want a whole new wardrobe too! Not because I like everything at the moment, but because I have really few nice pieces after sorting through everything. And my changing style is not the only thing that makes me covet some new stuff, I gained weight too. I have the feeling I'm still lacking so many things and I don't have the budget for all of these things I feel I need. I have the feeling I have to think more about a fab working minimalist wardrobe. I bought a lot of good things since I'm here, but it could have been much more strategic. And I normally love to plan things and make lists! I think I just got something to think about...

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I'm trying to be content with what I have- much of it is really fab, and I have so many things that came out of the generosity of YLF members. But- yes, I really do want a whole new wardrobe right now!

Heather

Veteran

Scarlet, simply remember that regardless of where you live in this world, it is always shoe breeding season.

Carry on, dear.

<3

Jjsloane

Veteran

I've found my people here. I also lost weight since last we were in fall/winter so I know I have very little to start with. I got a bit carried away with summer clothes (and am still trying to restrain since they are on great sales right now) The good news about so many styles you like is that the chance there will be some at end of season when they are on sale is good and you can really stock up.
A priority list is a great idea as well as a want list to remind you what to look for when shopping.

Arya

(website)

Heather, I *love* "...shoe breeding season". It is certainly a year-round season for me.

Scarlet, yep! No jeans...unless you count the 1 pair of Wranglers that I use for riding and for doula work. They're more like utility pants, though, as they are only worn in those two circumstances.

Now I have a pair of skinnies, though. Yay

Aida

Veteran

Me too, Scarlet!! In addition to (finally) finding a lot of the styles out for this fall resonating with my style, I also lost weight AND need to replace all of my basics (which I bought cheap to figure out what my basics are) with nice longer lasting basics AND need to improve my flat footwear options (very few currently). I know I can find most of those pieces this season (versus when they're less popular and I have to work to hunt them down), but it's just toooooo spendy to buy them all now. So I also need to prioritize; I did some good damage at NAS but I still have so far to go and not much budget left ><

Marley

Veteran

Actually, I'm feeling pretty content right now with my wardrobe - but then, I haven't looked at the fall fashions (other than what is posted and talked about on the forum.) I know that I've said this before - but I'll say it again. For me the only to keep myself from shopping is to just NOT look!

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I did a complete wardrobe overhaul in the last 6 months... I feel much calmer going into the fall because I finally have clothes that fit me properly. There are still some things I want but I don't feel like I need to have them right now. I am using pinterest.com to organize and keep track of looks I like and things I am considering purchasing.

rute

Veteran

I'm with Angie! I love my wardrobe but there is a lot I want to buy also, mainly jackets because the ones I have are too big!

lyn67

Veteran

Mee too, working on it. (slithly changing my whole wardrobe (basics, too) for items of better quality and fit that mix and match together, my age, and my lifestyle the best) I've started 2 years ago, and never looked back.:-) Now, onyl if I could stop for a while...:-)).

Zoe

Not a whole new wardrobe, but YES. There are so many more things out this season that suit my taste and figure. Jackets are not so shrunken -- YAY! Jeans are not so distressed or whiskered -- YAHOO! Pencil skirts in many colors -- HOLY COW! Fewer blouses with superfluous ruffles -- THANK GOODNESS! And, oh, the boots the boots the boots.

Scarlet

Veteran

Isabel, I think you make a great point that when the styles are not exciting us we should hold back and tell ourselves our time will come.

Now how can I explain this stocking up concept to hubby?

Astrid—that sounds like you are on the right track. I feel like I have seen a big style evolution in you since you have been hanging around here. I went through a similar phase when I started finally earning some money—I got rid of almost everything and started over. That was also the time though where I was figuring out what my style was. I feel like I have a better concept of that now and could jettison some of the things I was trying out.

Chewyspaghetti—you are such a model of restraint. I remember reading that you must share a small closet. I hope you found some fab things shopping the other day.

Heather—you really have a way with words. This was another pearl :o)

Jjsloane—I hope you find some great fall items at your new weight.

Aida—let’s hear how your prioritization works out. I noticed in your last post you seem to be losing weight. Glad to hear that this fall season is getting you excited as well. I wonder if we are seeing the same kinds of things in shops. I have got to snap some photos over here.

Marley—that is great that you are content. I agree that the only way SYC works for me is to simply not look.

Modgrl—congratulations on your wardrobe overhaul. I feel like I have seen only the “after” and not the “before”.

Rute—good luck finding some great jackets. I noticed last year Zara had some really attractive styles.

Lyn67—good luck on your long-term project :o) Sounds like you are doing well.

Zoe—nice to hear from another person who is being struck by this season. I hope you find some great things.

Mander

(website)

Veteran

I want a whole new wardrobe too, because I am booooored of pretty much everything I own. A lot of it is actually quite old, because I haven't really bought very much new stuff while I've been a graduate student, but at the same time it's hardly been worn because when you spend all your waking hours in front of the computer in your lounge clothes, there's no real reason to put on a suit!

I need to do a lot more thinking about what I want my style to be first, though. And address the other big problem I have, which is that when I imagine the clothes that I'd like to be wearing, I'm usually imagining them on someone 50 lbs. lighter than me.

Aida

Veteran

Scarlet, as far as updating my basics/filling holes I have gotten the following so far:

- black shirt dress with a 1940s silhouette and safari pockets (yay!)
- camel shrunken riding-style blazer
- black slim pants (no scrunch, and not jeans!)
- black chiffon to-the-knee skirt
- charcoal wool shorts
- flat black riding boots
- a couple pretty blouses in more luxe, woven fabrications
- 2 pairs of dressy shorts

I have a long list of "wants" though now that I look at it many are trendier items. "Pressing needs" are flats, nice sweaters, a fall/winter dress, a cool season midi skirt, and a turtleneck; "wants" are too long to list, and some other basics can wait longer to be replaced Hmm... actually that makes me feel a lot better about what I've purchased! I'm not as far away as I thought.

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