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If you lost everything- what would you replace first?

Megan

I have been reading up on wardrobe capsules and essential pieces and one blogger had an interesting idea.

She suggested imagining that every clothing item you own has been lost due to a fire- what would you replace first?

On my very first shopping trip- I'd pick up a good pair of dark wash straight leg jeans, a pair of black ballet flats, 2 of my favourite bras, 10 pairs of undies, a cute skirt to wear to work, a couple of knit tees (black, white and a colour), a wool cardi and a jacket.

Obviously, that would change a bit if it was the middle of summer (I'd get a cool dress and a pair of sandals) or winter (a coat and knee high black boots).

What would you buy?

General

22 replies

Latest reply was from Theresa

Anonymous

Interesting - I'll play
I will pick up:
black trouser pants
dark wash straight leg jeans
VS biofit bra - I can't live without you
Undies
Silk tops
White tee & button up
Colorful scarf
Black cardi
Wool coat / Jacket
Wedge pumps
A necklace of some sort and a watch
A pair of earrings
killer handbag

Queen Mum

Veteran

jeans
tops
jacket(s)
a couple simple dresses
a few shoes
accessories
and bras and undies of course.

Interesting way to think of how to do a very simple wardrobe.

Kim

Veteran

Hmmm, good question!

A dark wash straight leg jean
A dark wash boot cut jean
2 button down shirts, one black one white.
2 knit shirts one red one white.
A cardi
A black leather or pleather jacket
Socks,
undies
bras
Converse sneakers in black or red.
Gear including running shoes.

There's tons more I'd get but I could get by with this for a week or more

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

Megan, I think I'm similar to you:

dark wash, straight leg denim
sturdy, supportive ballet flats
a handful of thin tees in colors that flatter
a cardigan
a pencil skirt
Felina undies
a black bra
a nude bra
reasonable pumps
flat boots
And, if I had money left, a sheath dress...

Barbara

Veteran

I'll play too!
jeans - VGS skinnies preferred
panties - high cut cotton Jockey my favs
bras - Barely There cotton in beige
a cute cropped cardigan - animal print!
stretch tees in purple, teal, fuchsia and turquoise
ballet flats in black leather
wide black leather belt
fitted knee-length denim dress
flat black leather riding boots
wool pea coat
colorful leather bag

Lisa

Veteran

After undergarments:
Jeans, one bootcut and one skinny
A blazer
A couple LS t-shirts
A pair of ballet flats
A pair of cowboy boots
A cardigan
I could get by for a week with this, swap out the boots for sandals and the LS t-shirts for short sleeve if summer time.

Kate

Veteran

bras (1 everyday, 1 strapless) and undies
tan sandals
cognac or brown boots
skinny jeans
pencil skirt
brown cardi
smart casual jacket or blazer
v-neck tees
versatile silver jewelry (necklace, earrings, bracelet)
watch
scarf in a color that goes with everything

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

I'd use the insurance money to hire Angie and start from scratch.

Barbara

Veteran

Dang, Kate, I forgot jewelry! I'll add: a couple of agate bead bangles with earrings to match. And one silver pendant necklace. Maybe an owl!

mamapicklejuice: that's the best post yet! LOL

Kari

Veteran

A perfect bra (one of my two favorite types)
Undies that are 100% seamless under all garments
A killer dress
Moto jacket
Pair of boots
Straight leg, dark wash jeans
Pumps
Pencil skirt
Pretty blouse in a soft fabric
Blazer or vest
Ballet Flats
Colorful patterned scarf
Colorful chunky necklace

And hopefully I'd still have at least one pair of pretty glasses, otherwise I wouldn't be able to see well enough to pick out the above items!

MsMary

Veteran

First? I'd head to Macy's and hit their suit department. I can almost always find a suit or two or three for work, and work clothes would be my top priority. In an emergency style would be secondary to functionality/work appropriateness. I'd have to get, say, a week's worth of workwear. I could probably get by with one pair of great black pumps for work for a while.

Next, of course, good undies including a couple of my fave bras, both regular and sports versions.

Next, 2-3 workout outfits and replacement gym shoes and tap shoes.

Next, a pair of great jeans and a few casual tops for weekends. One pair versatile casual shoes or boots.

Some kind of casual leather jacket.

I wouldn't worry too much about jewelry because I was presumably wearing my wedding ring, a pair of earrings, and a watch when I escaped from the fire. If not, I'd have to replace those ASAP.

That would probably get me through until I could re-group and plan my replacement wardrobe!

Maya

Veteran

Bras and undies: a must. I'd start with 2 bras and 10 undies as well.
PJ's: A tunic, cheap leggings, and a hoodie (which is what I usually wear now).
A pack of nylon socks.
One pair of boots and one pair of sandals. Probably riding style and gladiator style, respectively.
Dresses. Maybe 7 to start out.
One black cami and one white cami.
One cardigan, maybe boyfriend style.
One jacket, probably a moto of sorts
One trench coat and one winter coat.
Two pairs of leggings
Socks.
A medium sized tote bag
Colorful scarf.

Am I the only one who doesn't have jeans on the list?

Marley

Veteran

Other than undies and one nude and one black bra, (and assuming that I saved my jewelry!) I'd probably go with:

one pair of dark denim skinny jeans
one white shirt
one pencil skirt
several mulit-colored scarfs
2 soft multi-colored tunics/blouses
one wide belt and one skinny belt
trench coat
work-out gear including tennis shoes
one pair of embellished ballet flats
one pair of closed toe wedge shoes
one pair of flat knee-high boots
one pair of 3 inch heels
one fedora
one pair of black leggings
one sheath dress
one cardigan
one pair of sandals
one pair of knee-length shorts
3 colorful tanks or cami-style tops

I like this exercise! Sometimes I get so bogged down with everything in my closet that I literally can't see what I actually have. I like thinking about starting over and insisting that EVERY SINGLE THING that goes into my closet has EARNed its spot in my closet!

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

It's funny that you post this, since we live really close to an area that just had a catastrophic fire due to a ruptured natural gas line, with hundreds of people losing their homes. It really makes you think about your emergency plans and what's most important and all that jazz.

For clothes, I'd probably just get some underwear and bras, a pair of jeans or two and some knit tops, maybe a knit dress, and whatever practical flat shoes I can find. And then fill out my closet again slowly, making deliberate choices and investing in quality as much as possible.

Kristine

Veteran

On the first trip I'd buy:

Dark wash skinny or straight jeans
Trouser jeans

Bronze or metallic ballet flats
Sneakers

White button down
Dressier t-shirt or drapey shirt
A few basic t-shirts

Casual jacket or blazer

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Very first- bras, undies, sleep/loungewear, gym clothes, and then it would depend on the season. If it were summer- dresses/sandals, if it were winter- ponte knit pants, woven tunics, boots and a coat, if it were spring or fall- jeans or clamdiggers, woven tops and Converse or other flat shoes or clogs.

Vani

Veteran

Bras, undies, 1 black pencil skirt, 1 black sheath dress, 5 cotton and silk tops, 1 shirt dress, 1 pair dark rinse straight denim, 2 plain white scoop neck tees, 1 white button up, 1 par each white and blue clamdiggers, 1 black & 1 white cardigans, 1 cream moto jacket, 1 cropped black jacket, workout gear, 2 pairs open toed sandals, one pair knee length/slouchy boots.

jesspgh

This is such an intriguing question... it really forces you to take stock of what you wear the most vs. those non-essential but fun pieces. I'd definitely replace undergarments first. After that:

Staples like jeans, tshirts, pajamas, and work clothes.
I'd probably buy a jacket and coat earlier than I needed because I have the most fun with those pieces. They'd be a way of cheering myself up along with a new handbag. And then dresses. Lots of dresses. I'd probably buy five dresses first so I had some things I could quickly put on and switch up. Tights too.

Carole

Veteran

Staight leg dark wash jeans
metallic ballet flats
black knee high boots
several colors of vneck tshirts
cute jacket in a neutral color
several colorful scarves with some of the tshirt colors incorporated
red or black hobo bag
undies and bras
silver hoop earrings
silver bangles
long strand of pearls

phew!

Megan

I can't believe that I didn't think about a handbag! I'd probably get one in a very pale grey.

I also forgot PJs....whoops! I would definitely need a pair of long cotton pants and a sleep shirt.

Everyone's choices are so interesting! I asked my office mate and she promptly made me feel guilty about not exercising by choosing lots of gear so she could still go to the gym.

Laura- I'm glad to hear that (despite being so close to the area) that you seem to be unaffected?

Who else wants to play?

Sally

Veteran

1 pair of dress jeans
1 pair of black trousers
1 pair of black boots and 1 pair of stylish walking shoes
3 button down shirts and a couple of t-shirts
a leather jacket (because I wear mine nearly everyday!)
bras and knickers
pair of yoga pants and sweatshirt for wearning around house and before bed
a belt and handbag
one black wrap dress.
I would also make sure i had my specs

Theresa

(website)

Veteran

I read this post the other day and decided I needed to go off and think about it, which I did, but, it actually got me started thinking about my entire household...

Realistically, if I lost EVERYTHING and had to start again, I would not replace half the things I have now... which made me think I really need to get in and finish decluttering!

Oh well, its school hols here at the end of the week, so I am going to get cracking on it - this post made me think that if I don't need to replace it, I don't need it now, so don't need it cluttering up my house and life!!!

Has anyone else thought like this?