Question:
HELP!!! Wardrobes full of clothes so why do I have nothing to wear?
The title says it all really. I'm going out for lunch tomorrow and then out for drinks and dinner later in the evening. I've been mentally trying to picture what I'm going to wear for both occasions.............. BUT...
This is what happens every time. I go to my wardrobes which are groaning with stuff and I can't pick out anything to wear. When I go out shopping I always really love what I buy and think that it's JUST the thing, but then often than not it goes in my wardrobe and hangs unworn with everything else, leaving me in the same situation - nothing to wear. It's not that I have nothing to wear of course, it's that I don't seem to be able to pick things out, co-ordinate them with confidence and then walk out wearing them. The number of times I have attempted to get ready, been unhappy with my choices despite getting changed again and again and again, and resorted to a black wrap dress or a pair of jeans and a top!
I think I'm too easily tempted by things I see that I like rather than things I actually need. I'm drawn to bargains and Primark, ebay and charity shops are big favourites, although recently I've bought a few things from Per Una and Monsoon. My friend once asked me why I bought so much cheaper stuff rather than spend money on just one or two expensive things. She might well have a point.
People often tell me how good I look clothes-wise and to be honest I wouldn't feel comfortable going out if I knew I didn't look OK, but this is the thing - in order to feel OK I keep going back to the same old favourites because they're "safe" but not particularly exciting. I actually buy lots of things that are similar. My mum will often say to me while we're out shopping - "Do you actually need another black top? Haven't you already got one similar? And I have.
Every so often I will pull out things and sell on ebay, but I'd really like to break the cycle of going shopping, buying something I like/love sticking it in the wardrobe and not wearing it.
Any advice would be good. It's getting me down really. :(
you say you have a wrap dress? If bright colours intimidate you or you feel you couldn't pull it off, why not say go for a dark brown patterned one (perhaps a paiseley patterned one with brown-pinks?) and then brightening it up with a bright coloured necklace or shoes.
I have some staple mono clothes - a black vest which I team with black jeans (dull I know) but brighten up with a bright chunky necklace or a skinny glitter belt.
I also stick to clothes which look good on my body and make me feel confident, rather than ones which are in fashion. For example, I have a load of wrap tops and dresses because I am not slim and also have large boobies, so feel that I can go out comfortably without going in for the overkill.
Perhaps lay your clothes out in different combinations on a bed so you can have a clearer idea of what would look good? Maybe even post a pic of them all on here and get the fashion gurus to make some suggestions of what would look good?
I'd spend a bit of time going through your wardrobe writing down, your dresses, jeans, skirts etc. Get rid of anythig you haven't worn in over a year or store it away\ ebay.
Then think about the current looks you like, magazines etc and think about how you can use what you already have and put outfits together that way and write them down.
The next time your thinking about what to wear, have a look at what you have written and get some inspiration.
Go through peoples style diaries and adapt their outfits to what you have in your wardobe. I often think that people's outfits are fab on there and look at what its made up of and find i have most it hanging in my own wardrobe. It might just be putting colours together you normally wouldn't try or adding accessories like scarfs belts etc.
hth a bit
xx
Oh yes I have a black wrap dress - I have four actually!!!!:p I rest my case! I feel I do dress to flatter my shape debbieg - perhaps that's why people comment positively on how I look. I have an hourglass shape really and wear lots of wrap tops, fitted jackets, V necks etc, so I know I'm getting that right.;)
In answer to your comment about branching out to other colours of wrap dresses, well again, I have done that. My favourite is a green paisley Top Shop beauty that I wear with my knee high green heeled boots - I love that outfit. I have four other wrap dresses, all from Primark. One is brown and aqua, another is shades of turquoise, the third is candy striped in peach, turquoise and white and the other is a white broderie anglaise wrap shirt dress. I have worn the first three once and the white one hasn't seen the light of day. Ahem.......
The laying out of clothes is an obvious but great suggestion. My friend is coming to stay in a couple of weeks so that might be a good time to do that. She's really stylish, but funnily enough copies a lot of the things I do - guess I am doing something right.
That's the crux of it though isn't it? I get carried away by all the things I like and end up buying them and then just stick to the tried and tested - like the vest tops and jeans you mentioned. By the way, I reckon I own 12 black vest tops. As soon as I put different outfits on and look at myself in the mirror, I don't look like the goddess I thought I looked like when I tried it on in the shop!!! So off it comes and on go the safe things - usually black clothes I have to say.
When I think of all the money I have wasted.:( :o
I know exactly what you mean! In fact I could have written pretty much what you have too!
I too buy lots of cheaper things rather than dearer items, I kinda think if I don't end up wearing a top that was a fiver it won't matter. I also use eBay, charity shops, Primark......
One thing I have noticed recently, and it may sound strange, is that certain times of the month I get easily frustrated about how I look and my clothes. I feel more self-conscious and everything can feel 'wrong'. An outfit that was a favourite the week before, can suddenly become dated/tight/trashy/crap.
I find what helps me is to tear pics out of magazines, notice other people who I think look great and then adapt something I have to a similar outfit, get my best friend round for an ideas session. Look on stylediary, I have a few favs bookmarked - see what you think of this one.
I also have a good look through my wardrobe regularly. I forget I have stuff and suddenly re-find a top! Perhaps you could have a clear out and then really see what you have and love and like debbieg suggested try some new combinations. I also find storing my clothes in groups helps - all skirts together, then it is sometimes just a case of I like the top and shoes, change the skirt to another and it is ok.
If you live anywhere near me praps we should go shopping together.....!! :cool:
The title says it all really. I'm going out for lunch tomorrow and then out for drinks and dinner later in the evening. I've been mentally trying to picture what I'm going to wear for both occasions.............. BUT...
This is what happens every time. I go to my wardrobes which are groaning with stuff and I can't pick out anything to wear. When I go out shopping I always really love what I buy and think that it's JUST the thing, but then often than not it goes in my wardrobe and hangs unworn with everything else, leaving me in the same situation - nothing to wear. It's not that I have nothing to wear of course, it's that I don't seem to be able to pick things out, co-ordinate them with confidence and then walk out wearing them. The number of times I have attempted to get ready, been unhappy with my choices despite getting changed again and again and again, and resorted to a black wrap dress or a pair of jeans and a top!
I think I'm too easily tempted by things I see that I like rather than things I actually need. I'm drawn to bargains and Primark, ebay and charity shops are big favourites, although recently I've bought a few things from Per Una and Monsoon. My friend once asked me why I bought so much cheaper stuff rather than spend money on just one or two expensive things. She might well have a point.
People often tell me how good I look clothes-wise and to be honest I wouldn't feel comfortable going out if I knew I didn't look OK, but this is the thing - in order to feel OK I keep going back to the same old favourites because they're "safe" but not particularly exciting. I actually buy lots of things that are similar. My mum will often say to me while we're out shopping - "Do you actually need another black top? Haven't you already got one similar? And I have.
Every so often I will pull out things and sell on ebay, but I'd really like to break the cycle of going shopping, buying something I like/love sticking it in the wardrobe and not wearing it.
Any advice would be good. It's getting me down really. :(
Answers:
you say you have a wrap dress? If bright colours intimidate you or you feel you couldn't pull it off, why not say go for a dark brown patterned one (perhaps a paiseley patterned one with brown-pinks?) and then brightening it up with a bright coloured necklace or shoes.
I have some staple mono clothes - a black vest which I team with black jeans (dull I know) but brighten up with a bright chunky necklace or a skinny glitter belt.
I also stick to clothes which look good on my body and make me feel confident, rather than ones which are in fashion. For example, I have a load of wrap tops and dresses because I am not slim and also have large boobies, so feel that I can go out comfortably without going in for the overkill.
Perhaps lay your clothes out in different combinations on a bed so you can have a clearer idea of what would look good? Maybe even post a pic of them all on here and get the fashion gurus to make some suggestions of what would look good?
Answers:
I'd spend a bit of time going through your wardrobe writing down, your dresses, jeans, skirts etc. Get rid of anythig you haven't worn in over a year or store it away\ ebay.
Then think about the current looks you like, magazines etc and think about how you can use what you already have and put outfits together that way and write them down.
The next time your thinking about what to wear, have a look at what you have written and get some inspiration.
Go through peoples style diaries and adapt their outfits to what you have in your wardobe. I often think that people's outfits are fab on there and look at what its made up of and find i have most it hanging in my own wardrobe. It might just be putting colours together you normally wouldn't try or adding accessories like scarfs belts etc.
hth a bit
xx
Answers:
Oh yes I have a black wrap dress - I have four actually!!!!:p I rest my case! I feel I do dress to flatter my shape debbieg - perhaps that's why people comment positively on how I look. I have an hourglass shape really and wear lots of wrap tops, fitted jackets, V necks etc, so I know I'm getting that right.;)
In answer to your comment about branching out to other colours of wrap dresses, well again, I have done that. My favourite is a green paisley Top Shop beauty that I wear with my knee high green heeled boots - I love that outfit. I have four other wrap dresses, all from Primark. One is brown and aqua, another is shades of turquoise, the third is candy striped in peach, turquoise and white and the other is a white broderie anglaise wrap shirt dress. I have worn the first three once and the white one hasn't seen the light of day. Ahem.......
The laying out of clothes is an obvious but great suggestion. My friend is coming to stay in a couple of weeks so that might be a good time to do that. She's really stylish, but funnily enough copies a lot of the things I do - guess I am doing something right.
That's the crux of it though isn't it? I get carried away by all the things I like and end up buying them and then just stick to the tried and tested - like the vest tops and jeans you mentioned. By the way, I reckon I own 12 black vest tops. As soon as I put different outfits on and look at myself in the mirror, I don't look like the goddess I thought I looked like when I tried it on in the shop!!! So off it comes and on go the safe things - usually black clothes I have to say.
When I think of all the money I have wasted.:( :o
Answers:
I know exactly what you mean! In fact I could have written pretty much what you have too!
I too buy lots of cheaper things rather than dearer items, I kinda think if I don't end up wearing a top that was a fiver it won't matter. I also use eBay, charity shops, Primark......
One thing I have noticed recently, and it may sound strange, is that certain times of the month I get easily frustrated about how I look and my clothes. I feel more self-conscious and everything can feel 'wrong'. An outfit that was a favourite the week before, can suddenly become dated/tight/trashy/crap.
I find what helps me is to tear pics out of magazines, notice other people who I think look great and then adapt something I have to a similar outfit, get my best friend round for an ideas session. Look on stylediary, I have a few favs bookmarked - see what you think of this one.
I also have a good look through my wardrobe regularly. I forget I have stuff and suddenly re-find a top! Perhaps you could have a clear out and then really see what you have and love and like debbieg suggested try some new combinations. I also find storing my clothes in groups helps - all skirts together, then it is sometimes just a case of I like the top and shoes, change the skirt to another and it is ok.
If you live anywhere near me praps we should go shopping together.....!! :cool:
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