Starting my wardrobe afresh- what would you have?

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Thanks auntie I'll have a look!

gettingonabit. Have you tried looking at Bon Marche's website? They have t-shirts on offer at the moment.

petra I am way, way too fussy about T Shirts. I don't like clingy ones no matter the quality because they show up my fat arms. I don't like droopy ones because they make me look like a box. And i only like v neck ones anyhow because I'm too big on top for anything else.

A few years back i bought a load of very cheap, cotton, v-neck t shirts in Peacocks (nice bright colours) and now I'm sulking because I'm down to my last, bright pink one which I've had to mend. .

gettingonabit how cheap do you want your tea shirts to be? Primark £2.50.
Or M&S £6.

Thanks to all of you who have commented on this thread. I was spurred on to take all my clothes out, really be quite brutal about ditching the stuff I haven't worn and probably won't and then colour code the pieces I am keeping. I worked out that summer clothes need a bit more wardrobe space or require re-ironing before wearing. And that I needed new shoes so I could put a foundation in place from which to build new looks. A recent diagnosis of morton's neuroma means only comfy wider shoes will do. How fortunate the sales are on so I now have 2 pairs of nice summer shoes and several new looks from all of my current clothes. I love Gransnet!

annygee did that quiz-turns out I'm SUMMER. I like those Gudron Sjorden clothes too. Quite daring, in a way, but at least a definitive style.

If I see something I like, I just jump on it now. The high st is so homogenous and full of sleeveless polyester at the moment.

What happened to all those cheap, cotton, brightly-coloured T Shirts with sleeves?.

Thank you so very very much for all your suggestions. They are all really helpful.
I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my query. Now I'm looking forward to putting your ideas into action ! I'm a big fan of charity shops and fortunately we have a lot of very good ones in our town. But I would love to have the guts to wear Gudron Sjorden's very bright clothes....they always look so jolly.

Have a good weekend and thank you again.

I've just had my colours done again - after about 30 years - was summer then and now, with having grey hair, I've changed into winter. Both seasons have similar colours but stronger tones (winter) and I am (still) very happy with this 'colour guidance'. It's at times a bit difficult to chose strong colours without it looking 'cheap and cheerful' but with a bit of perseverance you'll get there. TK Maxx is quite good too, because you'll know which colours to look for. I also had the make-up done and treated myself to the suggested lip stick (fuchsia) which I would never have chosen... but it's amazing how it brightens the face! Kettlewell (http://www.kettlewellcolours.co.uk/)is a good supplier for colour combinations - do their quiz and it might give you an idea which season you are - it's free!

One of my friends has a capsule wardrobe consisting of good quality jeans, black tailored trousers, tailored shirts/blouses and a couple of jackets. She wears boots in winter and shoes in summer. I now long to see her wearing anything else at all!

Don't go safe with beige. Throw in colour, colour, colour.

soniah I never see anything interesting on the high street....everything seems to be khaki. Dull as ditchwster!

Wish there was more variety.

Loving the sound of fuchsia boots

I should add that I will now pull out some black trousers and jeans and tunics and sell on eBay which will offset some of what I spent

This year I have progressed from tunics/leggings/jeans to more
dresses/leggings. It has slightly updated but not drasticly changed my image to now wear a dress with leggings and flats/pumps. I've also found that the shoes don't have to be dainty, I can wear leggings and pale blue -sh/grey-ish suede brogues with a knee length shift dress. Even Sketchers if the dress is suitably casual.

Today I visited the M & S Outlet and they by chance had a massive sale ongoing, all of the clearance dresses, jeans, trousers, jumpers were £7, tops were £5.
I bought:
1 Burgundy Indigo stretch jeans which will be turned up to the ankle.
2 Black Autograph high waist ankle grazers.
3 Navy cord stretch jeggings (I already have them in black, brown and burgundy).
4 Knee length shift dress with short sleeves and green,black, white stripe - to wear with black leggings.
5 Bottle green print dress, scoop neck and 3/4 sleeves, for leggings.
6 Mid blue/cream stripe long jumper cotton/silk mix fpr jeans or leggings.

I have veins and never ever put my legs on show. Leggings have let me wear knee length dresses for the first time in many years.

Full label prices totalled just under £200, I paid £42.

Gok was talking about this last week. He recommended a decent pair of jeans, a smart white shirt and a well cut jacket/blazer. From there you can move onto a dress for outings and a skirt and smart trousers. Colour really depends on your preference.

Brupen, me too! Beautiful clothes from charity shops, would also recommend Seasalt, Braintree clothing, East and Lily and me which I buy in the sales. Some of you do sound a bit dull in your choice of clothes but I'm sure you look very elegant and sophisticated. I like quality but colourful quirky clothes for myself. Often get compliments which is always a surprise, especially when I wear my knee length fuschia pink suede boots or my ankle length black velvet coat with a bright scarf and fun brooch.

I buy the majority of my clothes from Charity shops. That way I can have labels and better quality clothes than I could afford new ! I buy regularly and often the item isn't worn until I stumble across something that goes perfectly with it! I do have an awful lot of clothes but I take a lot to the Charity shop as well. I am often complimented on my attire which is nice!

I have promised the DDs never to wear
Beige
Washed out pale blue
Washd out pale green
They say all three shriek ' old lady'
I agrea 're black near the face unless maybe in high summer if you have a tan or are naturally olive skinned
I rarely wear T shirts and prefer pretty summer tops with either jeans (N YDJ are great but Sainsburys Tu a good fit though the black ones fade fast)or Capri length trousers M and S do some that look a bit like poplin-slight sheen
In winter jeans and really good jumpers-cashmere preferably .
I haven't worn a dress or skirt for years except for weddings and funerals
Agree best shopping companion is a brutal daughter

Go from the inside out, look at your underwear, get measured for a bra, wear one that holds you properly, new pretty knickers, foundation undergarment if you stick out in places you do not want to. Then dress for the body shape you are. Tee shirts are for workaday jobs only. Buy two or three knee length dresses these can be dressed up or down, with little coordinating shrugs if your arms are questionable. Couple of pairs of ballet flats to enhance the dresses and you have the start of the key. Have fun, make yourself up and smell gorgeous.

Hello Holdthetonic
Looking good in our 50's, 60's and beyond soft colours should be next to our face. Powder pink, soft violet, pale blue, sea green or turquoise.

Your personal preferences will determine what style and colour you like to wear. Hobbies and activities, outings all play a part.
Updating your look can take years off your image.

I have x3 colours that always come first = blue, lilac and grey. I will choose these x3 colours when we have a short break and take a blue bag, x2 scarfs and silver/blue colour jewellery.

Home, I have some pinks and beige colours.
My winter colour is navy. Def, not black
I wear cream/beige/grey as my neutral colours. Def. no white.
The colours I avoid/ do not suit well are royal blue, yellow, orange & Red.

Uncluttering your wardrobe is a good idea!
Stop impulsive buying!
Take every thing out of your wardrobe and first disregard all that does not fit, items with marks and items that have become dated. Colours that do not suit your skin tone.

Organise what is left to keep or toss.
Hang by colour on your rail.
For myself, I would not be able to let go of all my clothes due to financial limitations.

Yes, I agree about getting your colours done. I had mine sorted in the 80s and I've never looked back. It means that everything in your wardrobe goes with everything else. I've had some lucky finds on EBay and there's a fab dress agency near here, so you can get Oskar, Ghost, Hobbs and so on at reasonable prices.
What a lovely project! Enjoy.

Agree with Emily-Get 'your colours' done first- it makes shopping so much easier.
I no longer possess anything black or white. It does make finding the right things a bit more difficult at first but when you get used to it, it is a doddle. I carry my colour swatch with me everywhere.
I am now naturally drawn to the creams, oranges, reds, browns & greens I can wear with ease & I have blues, purples etc too.I don't miss black a bit & it really does make your complexion look better. Try holding up something black & then something warm brown to your face & see if you look more drawn in one or the other.It really works.

Go for what makes you feel comfortable. I think we're lucky at the moment in that clothes are not age-specific, have plenty of give and are cheap!

I have loads of long vests, loads of leggings/jeggjngs, a few reasonable quality long cardies, a few jackets, a pair of long boots and a pair of brogues. I love bold jewellery, scarves and massive watches. If I buy a new item, it always "goes" with whatever I already have.

There's no need to buy much at all, really.

I think...good,repeat good maybe NYDJ (brand) dark blue jeans blue or white shirt and good blazer(mine from Pure) good pair trousers,cashmere jumper belt loafers and good flat(?) shoes. Surprisingly these will take you anywhere and build from these. I like to think I am a with it Gran and they have never let me down.

Oxfam online is a wonderful resource. Cheap enough to try things out...