Phoe Posted June 7, 2014 Share Posted June 7, 2014 I'm looking to do some simple self-improvement in the form of a revamped wardrobe! I'm not totally fashion senseless, but my wardrobe is a real mish-mash of randomness, and I also want to size it down considerably. It's not HUGE right now by any means, but I have quite a few shirts that NEVER get worn. I need some help! I am 25. Weird age to be deciding what's age appropriate. In some senses I hold on to some of the fun things from high school and college, other items are very much so going into the donate bin. I am mostly trying to update into a more mature look. My overall style has become more mature over the past 2 years, but I have done very little clothes shopping during that time, so I only have a few decent pieces. I need help choosing some staples that can be multi-purpose, multi-season types of clothes, so that I can get a lot of use out of these items, and nix a lot of my current clothing choices. I like simple. I'm mostly tees and skinny jeans. I'm thinking some nice quality tees in a variety of colors might be a nice start. Something that would look good with a blazer. I am a big blazer/jacket fan and most of my clothing purchases over the years were a few nice jackets. I also need good choices for shorts. I never see shorts that are an appropriate length anymore. All the ones in my closet are very short, from my college days, and I am too embarassed to ever wear them anymore. I often see very frumpy long shorts as the only alternative. I want classic, chic, youthful shorts. Also, what should I be avoiding? Obviously the short shorts are the first thing on my mind, but what else? Keep in mind, I am VERY poor and have a limited budget. Link to post Share on other sites
gaius Posted June 9, 2014 Share Posted June 9, 2014 Have you ever thought about short skirts instead of shorts? Something like this? http://www.maisondevogue.com.my/content/images/thumbs/0000106_a14000053503-pocket-short-skirts-with-belt.jpeg Unless something has changed since the last time you posted pics you certainly have the figure to pull it off. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Phoe Posted June 9, 2014 Author Share Posted June 9, 2014 Have you ever thought about short skirts instead of shorts? Something like this? http://www.maisondevogue.com.my/content/images/thumbs/0000106_a14000053503-pocket-short-skirts-with-belt.jpeg Unless something has changed since the last time you posted pics you certainly have the figure to pull it off. I actually really like that skirt. I would definitely wear it. I only own 1 skirt right now, it's just a simple black, flowy floor length one that I can wear with any summer top. I think a skirt like that would be a good addition to more wardrobe. Link to post Share on other sites
Imported Posted June 9, 2014 Share Posted June 9, 2014 Summer dress/sundress all the different variations. Just google it or go on Amazon.com and search. I am sure you can decide what you like....just more dress, less pants. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Phoe Posted June 9, 2014 Author Share Posted June 9, 2014 Summer dress/sundress all the different variations. Just google it or go on Amazon.com and search. I am sure you can decide what you like....just more dress, less pants. I already have 2 sundresses, don't really think I need more. Maybe only just 1 more if I really like one. That's not something I can wear everyday, it's more for a special summer day. I did see a maxi dress online the other day though, I liked that one. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Phoe Posted June 9, 2014 Author Share Posted June 9, 2014 I did some googling and saw a variety of different projects for reducing a wardrobe, and I have kind of created my own variation of all of them, to help reduce my own wardrobe. I filled up a bin with items I can donate. Stuff I know I won't wear again, stuff that was great in high school but not for 25, stuff that I know would get an eyebrow raise from the boyfriend (short shorts are gone!) I am going to create a number, and that is gonna be the TOTAL number of pieces I own hanging in the closet. pants, dresses, tops, jackets. I will have a total number. I am gonna try to divide that number down and try to make it so that, for example, I will only keep 5 long sleeve shirts. I will pick out my favorite 5 and toss the rest. But if there is a 6th one that I really just don't wanna toss away, then I need to decide whether I can keep that 6th item, and nix an item from other types, like instead of 5 tank tops, will I have 4 in order to keep that 6th long sleeve? I have to stay within my number. Also, if I bring in a new item, 2 must go out. Always reducing. Link to post Share on other sites
iris219 Posted June 9, 2014 Share Posted June 9, 2014 (edited) If you're on a budget, go to a place like Target. They have stylish clothes that aren't too expensive. This will also show you what the trends are now. Do you have discounts stores like Marshall's or TJ Max where you live. These stores have cheap, name brand clothes. What about resale stores? I take my old clothes here and get cash for them. You have trouble finding shorts because you're tall. I am too. What I do sometimes is buy shorts a size larger so that they hang lower and are longer (probably only works if you have small waist and larger hips/butt--not sure of your body type.). That way, my booty isn't hanging out and it doesn't look like I'm wearing my grandma's shorts. Edited June 9, 2014 by iris219 Link to post Share on other sites
mammasita Posted June 9, 2014 Share Posted June 9, 2014 If you're on a budget, go to a place like Target. They have stylish clothes that aren't too expensive. This will also show you what the trends are now. Do you have discounts stores like Marshall's or TJ Max where you live. These stores have cheap, name brand clothes. What about resale stores? I take my old clothes here and get cash for them. You have trouble finding shorts because you're tall. I am too. What I do sometimes is buy shorts a size larger so that they hang lower and are longer (probably only works if you have small waist and larger hips/butt--not sure of your body type.). That way, my booty isn't hanging out and it doesn't look like I'm wearing my grandma's shorts. LOVE Target! I just got a ton of shorts from them. Granted Im a little older than you OP.....BUT I'm still a kinda hip (in my mind )...at least I tell my son I am..... I wear lots of shorts and wedges. Staples: skinny jeans, boot cut jeans, black shorts, wedges, flip flops and a chewbacca tank top. Link to post Share on other sites
FitChick Posted June 9, 2014 Share Posted June 9, 2014 Decide on a color scheme so everything mixes and matches. Go to consignment shops and Goodwill for bargains. I've donated lots of very nice clothes to them. Ebay, Ross, Target, TJMaxx have bargains. Get library books that help you dress for your body shape. There must be articles online about that, too. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Phoe Posted June 9, 2014 Author Share Posted June 9, 2014 No TJ maxx or marshalls, but we do have a target. I sometimes get clothes there. I decided to browse online at gap and old navy, since they have a lot of basics. I found shorts on one of the websites that lets you pick the length, so I chose a bit of a longer length. Being tall always make pants and shorts a problem haha. I also got some basic tees and button downs. All the colors I bought are charcoal, white, navy, or black. That way I can rely on some basics, and add in other pieces as needed. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Phoe Posted June 9, 2014 Author Share Posted June 9, 2014 Get library books that help you dress for your body shape. There must be articles online about that, too. The problem is that, I have no idea what my body shape is. I've never heard description of a shape that describes me. I am tall, with toned long lanky limbs, wide shoulders and wide hips, small waist. I am curvy yet lanky. It makes no sense lol. This is why simple skinny jeans and simple tees are what I typically go for. Link to post Share on other sites
Ruby Slippers Posted June 9, 2014 Share Posted June 9, 2014 I did a wardrobe upgrade a few years ago, with the goal of transforming my look from laid-back artsy girl to stylish, feminine business owner. Two things that have made a big difference are cute blouses and pointed-toe flats. Both give a more polished and feminine look than tees and rounded-toe flats, and are versatile and look great during the day, on dates, and for work. Link to post Share on other sites
CaliGypsy Posted June 9, 2014 Share Posted June 9, 2014 Re: shorts If you aren't already, look in the misses department. v/s juniors . I'm not going to lie, normally no one asks me for my fashion tips lol. I have gotten nice, longer shorts in places like kohls in the misses depot. They tend to be longer and for me work appropriate I think our rule is no shorter than 3 inches above the knee. I work outside a lot of the time and prefer shorts here in Southern California. Sometimes, I also find nice work shorts at goodwill. These tend to be nicer quality but are budget friendly. (Usually $2.99-3.99) Link to post Share on other sites
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