Building or rebuilding a wardrobe from scratch

[Toxxxic]

What do you guys think is a great outfit for a Mid-teen male? Fall is coming up and I have to get a whole new wardrobe but nothing to drastic since I live in Florida but the weather do get really chilly so I need some great outfit ideas for the next 4-6 months to come. Would you suggest v neck over a collar sweater or something along the line.

 

[brie]

I'm a big fan of simple clothes for guys, for everyday wear. It is done a lot, but I'll always love a fitted tee, cool jacket, jeans that fit well and shoes of one's choice (trainers, boots, whatever)

For starters, I'd probably pick up:

some soft jeans in a medium wash that are sort of low-slung (not super low rise, but just an easy fit)
dark rinse straight leg jeans for nighttime wear
a few supersoft vintage tees (ebay is a great place to pick some up)
some sort of nice casual jacket that you can wear often (perhaps a military style in khaki or olive?)

And depending on your style, you can throw some other stuff on your list - maybe a black blazer and a crewneck sweater in a colour you like, a couple of button downs for tossing over tees or for occasions where you'll have to look a bit polished, some sneakers in an interesting colour, some boots with cool buckle details, etc.

I think these are things that work for most boys. If it were me, I'd just avoid things like basketball jerseys, white sneakers, khaki pants (unless the rest of the outfit isn't too preppy), tapered jeans and striped shirts or polos.

 

[sparklygirl]

For various reasons I need to start my wardrobe from scratch. That's everything - top layer to under layer.

I need to cover spring/winter and office work through to going out to a restaurant with the girls type events

Now, using generic terms (such as black straight skirt knee length) what would you buy to start a wardrobe over??? How many tops do I need, how many pairs of socks etc etc

 

[ShannonMc]

Well, what kind of work do you do? Do you have to wear suits? Business casual? I think things that every woman needs:

classic suit
little black dress
nice heels/purse

You never know when you'll need to wear something for a meeting/interview. Might get a hot date and need a lbd to wear. That being said, if you work in a conservative environment, you might need 3 suits and a few dresses. If you're more casual, a few nice pairs of jeans - one dark wash, one more funky/distressed/whatever. I like to have a variety of dressy tops to wear out to dinner/drinks. I can dress them down if I'm just going to a pub or dress them up for something else.

I think I'm rambling here, but it's difficult to know where to start without a little more info.

 

[utopia]

there are already some threads regarding building up a wardrobe.

building a wardrobe: http://www.thefashionspot.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3747&highlight=building+wardrobe

the perfect wardrobe: http://www.thefashionspot.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3357&highlight=building+wardrobe

 

[sparklygirl]

My problem is that I've lost the lot to smoke damage and the insurance company only gives you so much, so there'll be no designer threads until much much later. I'm not too fussed about developing a style, I've always been OK with that, it's more that I need to re-stock in one massive hit. So I figure things like 10 pairs of knickers, 10 pairs of socks etc Office is generally business casual, although 1 suit helps. My shoes seem OK - they have aired out fine after a few days but it's a good opportunity to start again with the rest and get it down to, not so much a capsule wardrobe (where's the variety!) but a basic solid wardrobe from which to build later on.

 

[charlottesometimes]

I'm sorry about what happened sparklygirl.

I'm probably the worst person to answer because I have way too much of everything, but if I had to start again, here's what I'd get

Skirts: pencil, A-line, full perhaps printed (all Knee-length), casual denim (length whatever suits you)
Tops: 4 good quality tees (weight and sleeve length depending on your climate), 2 shirts, 2 going out tops
Knits: again depending on your climate but I'd def get a couple of classic turtlenecks, 2 cardis, a casual sweater
Pants: 2 pairs, wide leg and skinny leg
Jeans: 3 pairs, one dressy dark denim, one lighter denim, one really casual pair
Jackets/coat: depending on your climate, an outer coat and 2 jackets

I would choose a base colour for my main pieces and work around that. Personally, I'd probably go black, and play around with white, red and gray.

 

[Curious]

I agree w/ Charlotte! I think that's a great synopsis!!

And you can always concentrate on the pieces that are necessary for the current season and then fill in the rest later when the time comes.

So sorry about your misfortune, doll

 

[rincewind]

Winter Essentials from Scratch

Hi everybody. I've lived in Texas my entire life and own no real winter clothes. I'm moving to Boston in September to go to college, and I need help planning a winter wardrobe. I know nothing about what is needed or what to buy, so any advice would be helpful. I tend to like vintage and bohemian styles, but want to make sure I have everything that I need.

Thanks!

 

[evexa]

Lots of long thick-fabric pants that you can mix and match with sweaters.
At least one thick mid-length jacket
Scarf
Gloves
Ear-muffs (if you are so inclined)
Several cool-looking sweaters, some thicker to wear on their own, some thinner to pair with jacket.
Long shirts, warm bed-wear.
Socks
Boots

 

[nabiha]

Starting Over...Fashionably!

So I've just yesterday arrived in London for a term abroad at Oxford -- and found that my luggage hasn't arrived with me, and the airline hasn't got a clue where it is! How ironic that I find myself in one of the most fashionable cities in the world with literally nothing to wear. Worse, the dollar-to-pound conversion and my ramen-eating student status makes the loss of my Chloe Paddington (it was packed away, *sob*, and a birthday present from a close friend!) and my ridiculous denim collection a bit devastating (yes, yes, I'm a drama queen). I know minimalism is back, but I think I'm taking it to its logical extreme!

But I digress. If you all had to start a wardrobe from SCRATCH (or with nothing but a pair of black skinny jeans, a black silk blouse, black and gold flats and a pair of gold studs, as in my case), what would you buy? If you could buy only ten items, keeping in mind that one needs basics as well as seasonal items, what would make the cut?

[[any tips on the best places to shop in London would be, of course, wildly appreciated. i will name my first-born after you if you could help!]]

 

[urd]

oh god, I hope you get your luggage back!

I've never been to london, but I'll try to help anyway.

I think you should buy a warm coat for winter, so you don't freeze to death. I'd try get something similar to this balenciaga one. I'm obsessed with it.

(style.com)

and then maybe some round toe boots, like these marc by marc jacobs ones

(style.com)

more round toe boots here at round toe boots topic

 

[urd]

oh and get a waist coat!

 

[indie]

Oh poor you! You should visit topshop and H&M maybe.

Ten pieces for you :

1. Umbrella
2. As Urd said, warm coat
3. Again pointing to Urd, nice boots
4.basic jeans
5.some basic t-shirts in black, navy and white
6. good bra & underwear
7. buttoned shirt in beige or black
8. wool shirt
9. straight black trousers
10. cheap but big earrings so you can bit dress up.

And ofcourse roomy (fake)leather bag

Hope this helped

 

[fab_fifties_fille]

Definitely a Good winter coat, pair of boots (heeled), perhaps a flat pair too for smart/casual, black smart trousers, blue jeans, decent sized tote-ish bag, not sure what else...

 

[indie]

http://www.topshop.com/promostores/tops/index.html?make_live=yes&promo=

here's link to topshop online

and why did I put umbrella there..is it still raining ? gosh I'm sucha dummie

edit again but I also think that you'll need a scarf! Topshop has some nice and theyre affordable too.

 

[northernsky]

oh, poor you. i hope you get your things back. obviously they meant something to you.

i once had to start my wardrobe from a scratch, too (my apartment was burnt down.) and i always regretted that i had to buy all the clothes in such a small time and only were able to buy in H&M and the like, because they were all following the same trends, there was hardly something else to be found at that time and it was so dated i didn't like it few weeks later (besides the basics i bought.) but i really wasn't in the mood for shopping, so maybe that was the fault. i didn't enjoy it, and so i bought too much just to get over with it. just my experiences. sure you make it better.

 

[susie_bubble]

I posted some of my favourite London boutiques here:

http://www.thefashionspot.com/forums/showthread.php?p=933864&highlight=london#post933864

I also recommended the cheapie side of London on your other thread to help get your wardrobe back on track. But I'll give you some on the nicer/special places to go. Top department stores are Selfridges and Harvey Nichols and most of the mainstream labels will be stocked here. Dover Street Market is really a unique shopping experience and if you love Comme Des Garcons...this really is heaven.
The Dispensary (Newburgh Street) is great for stocking up on up and coming designers. Kingly Court on Carnaby Street is three floors of alternative and unique fashion. Brilliant. Concrete (Fouberts Place) is really a fashion PR firm but have a shop that stocks Robert Cary Williams and Preen.
I'm a vintage junkie so I love shopping in markets. My recommendations are Portobello Road, Greenwich Village Market, Brick Lane Market.

Also, since you're in the UK for a term, I would recommend coming down to London during the weekend on the Oxford tube for the Designers Sales UK on Brick Lane. LOADS of designer bargains on Vivienne Westwood, PPQ, Frost French, Fake London and many many more. The next sale is on 27th-30th October.
http://www.designersales.co.uk

 

[urd]

susies post makes me want to go to london, now!

nabiha, you also might want to get a skirt or maybe a wrapdress. and black thights

 

[fashionista-ta]

I love the idea of your first-born being named fashionista-ta, so now I must try to help

Seriously, I'm very sorry about your lost luggage. It's happened to me before, and they did eventually find it, so that may still happen.

I would recommend that you go with separates all the way, which is always my strategy at any number of pieces. Boden might be a good source for you ...

1-3. So I agree, of course you must have a coat, scarf, and gloves--and perhaps a hat or earmuffs as well. A whistling wind always gives me earache. Maybe you can buy a wide scarf and put it over your ears as well.
4. Agree with black trousers, I had a wonderful pair I'm still in mourning for that lasted me 10 years. They were wool gabardine ... and no waist, so they stayed with me through all manner of fluctuations ...
5. Tweed jacket
6. Sweater
7. Skirt--a long woolen one if you like them, otherwise shorter
8-9. Agree with cotton knits for layering--maybe henleys? Long-sleeved may be your best bet ... One light, one dark.
10. Boots are good, oxfords would be an alternative and perhaps not as pricey. I had a pair in college that I loved (tobacco brown).
*** And underwear--it doesn't count when listing Gap Body is great. You can get by with the bra you were wearing if you have to

I assume you had a bag you were carrying when this happened??

Good luck