Need new clothes!

I'm sure I'm not the only women out there who feels this way but I really do need new clothes (I just have to convince DH of this).

The trouble is, I don't really have a clue what I should be buying & what colours & styles suit me & all that. In the past my shopping "philosophy" has been to buy cheapish clothes & consequently I have ended up with tonnes of things.

After a while I have found that I no longer really like these clothes & that they're actually a poor fit etc. I seem to rotate a few of my favourite items & wear them all the time.

So I'm thinking that my new approach to clothes shopping is to buy less items but spend a bit more on them to get things that I really love (& will still love in 12 months time), fit me well & are versatile.

Since it's coming up to summer (it's out there somewhere I know!) what are your essential items that you need to have in your wardrobe? And how many of each item do you own? I seem to have tonnes of t-shirts but I really don't need probably more than 3 or 4???   

Hmmm, well it depends on what you do as to what you need and it's probably a good idea to go through your wardrobe and figure out what you actually do wear and use that as a base before you start shopping.

I have several t-shirts too, love them, it's good having options.  I have a couple of pairs of trackpants which I wouldn't live without and only one pair of jeans atm, in fact I think I might go out and buy another pair today.  I work fulltime so I have a good corporate wardrobes with heaps of skirts, a couple of pairs of dress pants, some jackets and knitted tops.  The one thing I can never have enough of is shoes...shoes...shoes.  Shoes create the outfit and can change your look from dressy to casual quickly.  I'm also not big on patterns of any kind on my clothes (I prefer plain fabrics with classic or interesting cuts) but I quite like flamboyant shoes.

I tend to stick to similar styles in my clothes.  This means that often I don't shop in the young and trendy (and cheap) stores but it also means I'm buying what suits me.  I've also found some real bargains in cheap stores and second hand places and TM. 

If you've found there are only a few items you wear maybe you should be looking for items that are the same or similar cut but maybe in different fabrics or colours.

Good luck and have fun

In the last couple of years I have had to review my spending habits (ex-shopping addict) and found that one day something in my head just clicked.

If I didn't love it, it didn't fit 100% correctly, there were none in my size or colour or if it didn't match up with half of my existing wardrobe, I would not buy it. Now I find it so easy to walk away and leave something on the rack, and if I don't have a satisfied/happy feeling after buying something I usually end up taking it back as I would rather have that money than something I wouldn't wear or don't love.

As a result, most of my clothes are favs and I rotate based on what I feel like wearing that day.

I think if you get comments on your clothing for the fit or the colour, that can be a pretty good indication of what suits you. But identifying your good points and accentuating them with certain styles and focussing on them rather than on trying to hide your not-so-good points tends to work for me, and I find I am more confident and feel better in my clothes. Buy what you feel good in, I reckon.

I only have 2 pairs of jeans, one blue and one black. A pair of black tights, 2 miniskirts and 2 shorts. A few singlets in black and white, about 8 different tops printed and plain and varying sleeve lengths, 2 cardi's and 4 jumpers. 2 black coats and plenty of scarves, shoes and accessories to dress up my outfits if I feel like it.

That makes up the basis of my wardrobe... My money goes to savings for family and travel so I stay away from the shops unless there is something particular I need.

Sally Belly there are some colour and style services around if you were looking to invest in a trained stylist to help you, I had my colours done as I used to work with a stylist and I have a colour swatch that I carry in my bag to double check colours when shopping, though my eye is now trained and I know exactly what styles and colours suit me best. They also tend to do makeup colours if you need help in that area too.

Can't wait for Summer!

I've just stopped shopping at galssons full stop, the quality is poor especially for the prices you pay.

I have decided I hate shpooing. Havent been since I had Maddi and literally am wearing the same baggy out of shape clothes every day
I cant ever find anything that fits properly - gahh its just all too big. I have been shopping a number of times cos I am so desperate for clothes but cant part with my money unless I love what Im buying. In the end I walk away with nothing.
I think the biggest problem is we have no decent shops where we live, they only seem to cater for old people. So to go shopping we have to travel an hour and I am usually over it by the time we get there and I only have time to look once. Gah Its a disaster. If only it were as easy as shopping for my girls, I think I have to make a rule to make sure I buy stuff for me and not just them.

Im really hoping with a new season I can get a fresh start and have to remember to try stuff on cos you dont always know if you like it just by looking at it on the rack. I have a wee bit of an idea now what I want I just have to find the time to go shopping without my girls.

I've actually had a style & line consult & a colours consult with Jackie from Signature Style (she was also on a tv program can't remember the name tho)
I couldn't afford them myself but I asked for them for a birthday and christmas present which people put in for. Perhaps you could do that?

I found it well worth it although I don't stick to it religiously because occasionally I find something that I FEEL great in and that I feel I look great in too and I think that's a big part of choosing clothes as well.

I have my basics in black, grey, white & brown - pants, tops, cardi's etc and I accessorise heaps with coloured/printed scarfs, belts or cheap & cheerful jewellery so my 'base' wardrobe stays the same but I can wear the "in fashion" colours in my accessories which don't cost heaps...although as i said before sometimes I find something that I feel fantastic in and it's usually a bright or rich colour.

Totally agree about Glassons..it does seem like they've gone down HEAPS quality wise!

Good work sally belly.  I got myself a pair of jeans too (on sale down from $170 - I paid $85).

I agree about Max.  They used to be my favourite store too but now I just get disappointed whenever I go in.  They seem to try too hard to be trendy and they're no longer producing classic lines and using quality fabrics.  I did however buy a really nice pair of black suit trousers and a short sleeved black suit jacket from their outlet store last month and a cool pleated Max skirt from TM.

I've never been a huge glassons fan, I used to just go in there for trackpants and workout tshirts but haven't even used them for that recently.

With those cardi's you probably wouldn't wear anything underneath.  They're worn as a top rather than as a cardi IYKWIM.  The length is quite short so you could layer a long fitting singlet or tank top underneath if (like me) you find longer tops are more flattering to your post-baby figure.  I love mid-length sleeves, most of my tops are mid length or elbow length (long sleeves tend to annoy me, don't know why)

Oh My MIL recently got me a cardi like that in BRIGHT GREEN form Aussie,..I like the colour but wasnt sure about the style,..I have been wearing in over a blaxk singlet top, and people have commente it looks good.

I wear lots of those cardies and little shrugs. i wear them with nice short sleeve t-shirts and also singlets or with a dress. I love them! And i don't find them hot at all, but maybe its cos i live in Welly and it still quite cold here!

Oh and i always wear the cardy open not done up... But with a singlet or sumthing with a lower neckline im sure you could wear it done up

Edited by Hannahbil

When it comes to clothes, I am afraid you get what you pay for. Cheap clothes are not cut that well, and made of materials that shrink/get misshapen quite easily.

All of my clothes that I have brought from designer shops have lasted the distance, compared to clothing from Glassons or the Warehouse. I also find they fit me better, are cut very well, and the materials are gorgeous.

The only thing I would buy from a shop from Glassons are tops that are only in for a season. When it comes to trousers, skirts, dresses, jackets, and yes a lot of my tops, I buy the best. I go for a style that is classic and is not going to go out of fashion within a year.

I tend to buy my clothing from shops such as Max, Jacqui E, Country Road, and David Lawrence. I also splurge on a piece from a kiwi designer each year, and my favourite is Kate Sylvester. I always get nice compliments when I wear her stuff, even a top I brought over 6 years ago, people ask where I got it from.

The same also goes for shoes as well, I'm afraid. Pay the extra, and they last. I wouldn't really recommend Overland, but shops like Mi Piaci are really good.

In saying all of this, I don't buy a heap of clothing each year. I have my key pieces that I have had for years, and just buy a couple of new things a year just to update my wardrobe.

I also go through my wardrobe every 6 months and donate clothing to the Salvation Army that I have not worn for a year.

And also spend the money on quality lingere. Get fitted every 6 months, as the support in bras gives way after that period of time. Having properly fitted bra and undies can make a huge difference to an outfit and make it appear to fit you better.

One handy tip I learnt from my aunt years ago, is to buy a $20 voucher from your favourite clothing shop every week. Buy the time it comes to buy clothes for the winter or summer, you have built up enough money to buy things.

I know all of this advice is what you read in magazines, but I swear by it