The Sewing Place
The Emporia => In the wardrobe => Topic started by: SewRuthieSews on January 13, 2022, 14:55:16 PM
-
I made a comment on the daily café thread about this but as its something I'd like to explore in more detail I've started a new thread about it.
For those who don't know I moved twice last year, having taken unplanned redundancy and OH and I now have a lovely bungalow in Nottingham.
I did have a big clear out of long unworn clothes before the first move (from my house), then lived with a restricted wardrobe at OH's flat and the first little while here.
I've got most of my clothing unpacked bar one large bag, though its not all stored in a very helpful way tbh.
I did work in an office, an originally had a job which needed a level of smartness as I did face to face meetings etc, I then switched to a different job which although still in the office was using a computer system, being on phone calls etc so slightly more casual dressing. Then came COVID which was all working from home, I started out in my office clothes, but as the months went on gradually went more casual as we mostly didn't video conference just screen share/voice calls.
Through this time I also went through the menopause and gained some weight/changed body shape and seem to have got more sensitive to things with a minor level of discomfort. I do suffer with the hot flushes during the day and at night.
The clothing in my wardrobe reflects all of this history including two trouser suits, all sorts of shoes/bags and etc.
I live in stretch woven trousers, knit tops/casual shirts and cardigans/fleeces with slipper or trainers. Its OK but not very exciting. I do have the opportunity for meals out, trips to the theatre etc but don't always find it easy to work out what to wear for those things. And don't seem to have quite the right stuff.
-
Tricky, isn't it. I have a similar problem although it's longer since I stopped teaching. Lockdown lard has rendered the couple of smart pairs of trousers I had kept too small. Leggings & tunics are comfy but don't stop the lard spreading. I'm making a pair of smart trousers now, ready for the end of the month when I start invigilation duties at a private school. That means jeans are out, and I have lots of them. How about having a colour/style consultation? I'm thinking of doing this.
-
I had a colour consultation with Imogen Lamport and am in her system a 'Sophisticated'.
This is me in 2017, and other than a slightly different hairstyle and being a bit greyer I basically look the same. Though the under eye circles seem more pronounced now!
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HbH68kbSlJM/WY6oG5rtIWI/AAAAAAAAKSM/Ph62pY-kEmQ4hEW79TnIOarKASwurW4gwCLcBGAs/s1600/Ruth_Sophisticated.jpg)
Here I am with my signature colours
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q2EuLs0HVms/WZIkplrZwdI/AAAAAAAAKSc/nzC5zRaj6tMmWMCGQgemRfRzb_EYcu7oACLcBGAs/s1600/SignaturesRC.jpg)
And a blog post here with a bit more blurb about it
https://ruthieksews1.blogspot.com/2017/08/7-steps-to-style-step-3-your-colours.html
I don't really like the purples on me but do like the pinks and blue/greens.
-
Body shape wise, these days I am fairly rectangular except for a distinct sway back, so the rectangle or H shape guidelines are the ones to follow.
I'm also quite overweight, but I reckon that I'd still be the same sort of shape lighter.
I still have all the material from the 7 steps to style course I did in 2017 so could try rerunning that on my own and see what is different now.
-
Wow! Great new avatar! Your colouring is similar to mine. I had a brief consultation many years ago but as my hair has greyed (& been highlighted to help the grey blend in) I think it would be useful to have a new consultation. I'm good at chucking out worn out stuff but not at putting things together. Do you have a good friend who would help you with a fresh pair of eyes?
-
I'm reasonably happy with the colours and don't think they need to change but I am low on inspiration in terms of putting outfits together.
I have recently got some Snag tights, so could break out my tall boots and skirts/dresses, but I have not yet done so.
At the moment I've moved some summer clothing out into the spare room wardrobe as well as the old work trousers, and put the Christmassy clothes to one side.
I think I'll put some of the folded long sleeved top on hangers to grab when getting dressed and try to have a skirt/dress day once a week!
-
Do you have a mannequin? Could you dress her in different combinations of top/ bottom & take photos to help you find new combinations? I tried this once ages ago, but on myself, & took photos of the results. It would be much easier to get someone else to take the pics.
-
I'm in pretty much the same position @SewRuthieSews . I can't see me going back to work, which makes a lot of my clothes surplus to requirements although still in good nick.
I love blouses, and dresses, but around the house, leggings are far more practical - as are pullover tops... :embarrassed:
My weight fluctuates, but not as badly as it used to - I stopped eating lunch...
I would love some nicer tops to wear, but when I make them I think they are too nice to wear around the house! :facepalm: :laughing:
I think I need to change the mindset.
Look forward to seeing how this goes, as it may give me the kick up the backside I need to sort out my wardrobe.
Jessie
eta I have a lot of nightwear as I have run out of wardrobe space :rolleyes:
-
I would love some nicer tops to wear, but when I make them I think they are too nice to wear around the house! :facepalm: :laughing:
This is exactly the problem that I have. I know I will feel better if I wear nicer clothes when I'm at home - and given where we live, I don't go out amongst other people very often, so I am mostly dressing for being at home - but all my instincts tell me not to waste good clothes by wearing them around the house.
I have plenty of clothes. I should probably just get rid of anything that doesn't make me feel good. :thinking:
-
Well I've stopped wearing things that I don't think are 'nice' these days unless I'm doing cleaning or something that is going to get messy. With the times we are living in and the amount of clothes I (and probably many of us) have for 'going out' they aren't all going to get worn anytime soon. What we think of as 'nice' now in a year or so we probably will feel just the opposite about! So get out the good things and wear them at home and anywhere! It's amazing how it can cheer you up as well.
As for putting stuff together I started following companies or designers on Instagram whose clothes I'd maybe seen in papers or magazines + sewists as well. I discovered (it took me a while.....) you can 'save' just 1 photo from their grid (without following them) to 'your saved' folder that is totally private to you. I then re visit my 'saved' page and see what I have that could maybe match the look on the picture. It's like having your personal fashion folder and I remove what I don't like after a while.
Have you a spare rail @SewRuthieSews that you could set up and put a few bottoms, tops, scarves and even belts and jewellery and see what outfits can come up with that you like, in a similar way to how you perhaps sort your clothes for going away? Maybe wear an outfit for a day and see how it works, if it doesn't don't put back what you didn't like on to the rail and try another top or whatever another day. At the end of the experiment put what you like in your wardrobe.
-
I use pinterest quite a lot but that's more for details/inspiration for sewing than overall outfits.
But yes I definitely could ring the changes a bit more and having stuff accessible is a good chunk of that. lets see what I can organise for myself.
-
I’m the same, live in stretch woven trousers and knit tops as they’re comfy. I do have woven tops and blouses too. For some reason they seem to get worn more in the summer. :thinking:
I find if we go to the caravan I might wear a new top etc. Why? It’s not like I’m going on holiday but I guess it’s as close as we'll get! :laughing: And it’s not as though we see anyone. But it makes me feel a bit better. And I think @Helen M is right. Wear something nice. Although I can’t see me wearing my silk tops and silk trousers to clean the bathrooms!
-
Well nice clothes should always be worn. They make you feel good and if you feel good, the world is a better place. If you don't feel good in something (and there are degrees to feeling good, I admit) then bin it. If it passable or below, out it goes or gets relegated for cleaning/decorating clothes!
Fab new avatar @SewRuthieSews and that pink is great on you. Have a look at this (https://40plusstyle.com/) website, I've been following this for a while and I think it is great. There is a style quiz as well, which might help and some great articles on clothing and clothing styles.
-
Thanks @Missie I'll give it a go
-
I had a colour consultation with Imogen Lamport and am in her system a 'Sophisticated'.
This is me in 2017, and other than a slightly different hairstyle and being a bit greyer I basically look the same. Though the under eye circles seem more pronounced now!
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HbH68kbSlJM/WY6oG5rtIWI/AAAAAAAAKSM/Ph62pY-kEmQ4hEW79TnIOarKASwurW4gwCLcBGAs/s1600/Ruth_Sophisticated.jpg)
Here I am with my signature colours
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q2EuLs0HVms/WZIkplrZwdI/AAAAAAAAKSc/nzC5zRaj6tMmWMCGQgemRfRzb_EYcu7oACLcBGAs/s1600/SignaturesRC.jpg)
And a blog post here with a bit more blurb about it
https://ruthieksews1.blogspot.com/2017/08/7-steps-to-style-step-3-your-colours.html
I don't really like the purples on me but do like the pinks and blue/greens.
Colors they offered look good on you! For the outing, if you like it a bit more casual I'd pick just jeans/trousers and white shirt (or any of your favorite color), and accessorize it with earrings, bracelets, necklaces. Usually, it adds a lot of glam to the outfit.
-
After losing quite a bit of weight my original wardrobe was completely thrown away last year and a new one started. Unfortunately everything I bought was new and therefore would be considered 'the good stuff'
I was wearing old, way too big, things to work.
Then one day I questioned why. Had another clear out, even threw away newish stuff I didn't like. Wore new but not exciting stuff to work lol
Now when I get up and think about what to wear, it is never just a throw it on situation.
What are you saving your nice clothes for? If/when we get to need nice clothes again for more than a quick burger down the pub, there is an excuse to make/buy something new for the event :D
BB
-
I'll second @SunnyWave's suggestion about jeans if you like them @SewRuthieSews. I have 'going out' jeans and 'hanging around' jeans. Get a pair that are comfy and you feel good in, even spend a little more than usual on your good pair as you can dress them up with a nice top or a good sweater and some ankle boots. I could live in ankle boots for most of the year in various colours and fabrics!
Something else I do is put away anything that is still good and really like but is perhaps not the colour that goes with what you are currently wearing. I have a few M&S rib polo neck sweaters that they used to put out year on year but colours come and go. They are what I call staples and a few years later the same colour comes round again and it 'feels' right to wear again. I like to give a nod to what is current even if it's just one thing per season. I do it with other items too and this year I've reaped the benefit of some wider leg trousers that didn't look right in the last few years and have made a few minor alterations to.
-
Just a PS to the above, I've started to put put away a few colours that 'shout' a particular season. I'm about to fold up 2 red sweaters that I usually like to wear in the run up to Christmas but for some reason only wore them once this year. That's over with now and even though I like red and it's one of 'my' colours it didn't ring bells for me this year. Time to rotate something else into the wardrobe!
-
I own three pairs of jeans which fit (as in I can get them on and they look okay) but I don't find them very comfortable, in particular the front waistband seems to cut in.
I have put up a rail, though need to decide where it would be most practical to have it, and will start to hang things on it to see if they get to stay or not.
-
OK the rail is up in the bedroom, following a bit of rearrangement.
I'm going to start hanging things on it which I've not worn recently, and then try them and decide to keep (and put in wardrobe) or donate.
Hopefully if it is out on view that'll help me make some decisions.
-
@b15erk i could have written your post.
It’s all very well saying we should wear our nice clothes but I just don’t feel comfortable wearing smart dresses and skirts etc around the house especially with tights, for one thin I have a cat that loves to sit on my lap and climb up around my neck, also I am fairly active around the house usually climbing in an attic or crawling on the floor at some time during the day.
I tend to wear thick M&S cord leggings and a jumper for 3/4 of the year summer being the exception. I think this year I am going to make a few summer dresses with the idea I will wear them at home so they need to be cat proof and very washable. Bet I end up with long tops and leggings again. :laughing:
-
I've emptied out that last bag of clothes and filled the rail up.
I have a few pairs of leggings which I used to wear under dresses and some I've bought but never worn.
What's so great about leggings? And what can you wear them with?
I have large upper legs so wearing leggings with tops isn't that great.
-
Are dresses just restricted to 'posh' wear? I wear leggings under tunics and dresses. It makes a dress seem more wearable on a normal day if you aren't worrying about it blowing up or being too cold and no worries about ladders in tights.
-
@Bumblebuncher I have smart dresses with events but also some lower key jersey dresses. So have just assembled an outfit for tomorrow - burgundy A line jersey dress, darker burgundy leggings and a burgundy marl jersey cardigan.
Looks like it'll be comfortable, but has no pockets anywhere.
-
I wish you lots of success with finding your style @SewRuthieSews.
When we lived at the pub I dressed 'nicely' every day as I was constantly on show and I find I still dress as if someone will see me, even if I stay home all day.
I find it really difficult to get rid of clothes, especially self made ones. I was brought up in the 50s and 60s and we just didn't have a lot of clothes - and those we did have we wore until we outgrew them or they fell apart from over use. My parents were also of the generation where you kept everything to either re-use or mend and I still have that mind set to a certain degree. I'm getting better but it's still difficult to throw away anything that may have some 'life' left in it!!
One year I kept a clothes diary. I recorded each day what I wore, how I felt about it and if I wished there was something different I could have added to it (eg needed a cardigan but didn't have one etc). I found that extremely useful and it guided my clothes making/purchase for a long time afterwards. In fact I think that is how I developed my current style of clothing. Not a quick fix but very useful! :)
-
That's a great idea @realale
-
For me leggings take the place of hosiery which I do not wear and will never wear again. I wear them under dresses in the cooler months to keep my legs warm and more recently with a knit shirt and super long sweater cardigan. I rarely wear them in public though. At most under a longer dress with ankle boots in the winter.
More recently I'm making leggings for my workouts because my older workout pants are losing elasticity and also I find the wider legs awkward when I'm doing YouTube core strengthening exercises with a lot of leg movement. Leggings work much better.
-
I’ve just looked at the website @Missie suggested and decided to do their Body Type calculator, I am a SPOON! I always thought I was an Apple, I’ve never heard of a spoon.
Now off to cry quietly somewhere, who the heck wants to look like a spoon :facepalm:
-
@Missie I did have a look at the website you mentioned, but it drove me potty - every time I was trying to read something, ads kept popping in front of it. I removed one of them 5 times and in spite of them promising not to show it again, it kept coming back. I abandoned it in the end. Shame because it looked interesting.
-
I did the style quiz that @Missie suggested and it was spot on apart from colours.
-
I own three pairs of jeans which fit (as in I can get them on and they look okay) but I don't find them very comfortable, in particular the front waistband seems to cut in.
I've been thinking about jeans (and other trousers which have the same cutting the tummy problem) and came across this post from Gillian from Crafting a Rainbow
https://craftingarainbow.com/2018/07/20/how-to-give-any-stretch-pants-an-elastic-waistband/
So I could sew myself some jeans with an elastic waist. (or potentially hack my existing RTW jeans to have an elastic waist).
I have a full derriere and sway back, plus a tummy so RTW can be difficult!
-
After seeing @Ploshkin entry for the 3pac, I've ordered a jeans pattern. My latest rtw jeans fall down as getting them big enough for my waist means the hips are too big. I plan to spend time getting the fit right & remember to save the changes so hopefully subsequent pairs will be quicker.
-
(https://craftingarainbow.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/reitmans_404229_480_0.jpg)
Jeans with pull on waist from Reitmans via Crafting a Rainbow - not me!
-
@SewRuthieSews I have a tummy too (doesn't everyone?) I need to add a little to the front height or the waistband gets pulled down at the front, effectively making it shorter, so it digs in. those jeans look good but seem to go down, very slightly. Am I right?
-
@Lachica Kenneth Kings jeans tutorial on Craftsy is (apparently) the Bees Knees ...
I purchased it yeas and years ago when my beloved jeans fell apart and I was hoping to replicate them ... Did I ??? :laughing:
If I knew how I would transfer it to you but ?? beyond my Ken ... (see what I did there???)
-
@toileandtrouble - that's a picture from a website of a model wearing some pull on jeans - but is not me.
If I looked that good in jeans I would be delighted!
I'm just exploring the whole idea of pull on jeans to see if they might work for me.
-
I find it really difficult to get rid of clothes, especially self made ones. I was brought up in the 50s and 60s and we just didn't have a lot of clothes - and those we did have we wore until we outgrew them or they fell apart from over use.
@realale
Same here, but I really should have a wardrobe cull. There is so much in there that everything comes out creased even though it's been ironed :o
One year I kept a clothes diary. I recorded each day what I wore, how I felt about it and if I wished there was something different I could have added to it (eg needed a cardigan but didn't have one etc). I found that extremely useful and it guided my clothes making/purchase for a long time afterwards. In fact I think that is how I developed my current style of clothing. Not a quick fix but very useful! :)
That sounds to be a good strategy but I know I'm not a diary person. Maybe what I should do is look at at anything I get out to wear and then put back again for whatever reason.
If it's looking shabby - OUT
If it's too tight - OUT
If the colour is wrong look at what else is there.
On the whole I am confident about colours and I know what I like; bright and cheerful pinks, purples, blues and greens, but the neutral basics are needed too. I read once that 90% of spotaneous compliments are because the colour is right - so that's the pink hair for ever!
I have been looking at the website @Missie posted. I already wear all the styles suggested for large tummies :thumb: but then I tried the style quiz and it all went pear shaped when they started asking about 'celebrities' and films.
Off now to see what else I can get rid of.
-
@SewRuthieSews Have you tried jeggings? Most are basically stretch denim jeans with an elasticated waist - as long as you don't go for the skinny ones, which are pretty much painted on!
-
@Iminei thanks for the offer. I think since you paid for it it will be copy-protected. I have made jeans before, by copying a pair that fit, and have kept my good-fit-but-now-worn-out ones, intending to take them apart. Not fancying the disassembly but will compare their measurements with those of the pattern first.
-
These are my fav jeans/leggings I have several pairs and usually wear these when I go out https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/product/women-ultra-stretch-high-rise-leggings-trousers-445292.html
But I do have to buy them ex large and I am not that big. I wear a lot of boots so I need the ankles to be narrow or they don’t work.
These are my go to leggings, I would make them but the material is hard to find and would cost more https://www.marksandspencer.com/cord-high-waisted-leggings/p/clp60505858
I have also made lots of ponti Roma pants but they don’t stand up to the amount of wear I give them running around the house. I do still have them for smart going out wear, which of course I don’t do :laughing:
-
I have just remembered a method I read about which only works if you can hang everything on a rail. You put everything with the hanger facing one way, then when you wear it you put the hanger the other. After 6 months you have a look at what is hanging the original way as they are things you don't wear! Same as a diary, but different.
BB
-
I so don't have the figure for leggings, so I'm a boot-cut jeans kind of girl. I bought some from LandsEnd in black, and they are my 'go to' right now.
It's partly about what looks good on your body though, not what looks good on a hanger.
(Like that dress in the charity shop - great colour, loved the look of it. Felt like "Little House on the Prairie" when I had it on LOL)
So you do have to try stuff on, and be very honest with yourself.And these categories can change as we get older, or have bodily changes, so always worth a double-check.
-
Joining you on the massive wardrobe clear out. I went through the dresser today and got rid of a lot of never wear these items. Some went because they are too big. Some went because the fabric is uncomfortable to wear (too cold, too scratchy). Some went because I could not get the perfume out of the item even after several washes. Some went because they no longer fit my current body shape—either they are too structured in the waist, or they were too oversized for my body. And a few went because I just never wore them because of a style detail. The one that was hard was my white eyelet mandarine collar blouse—yep, liked it but it was too ‘closed’ and my style is more ‘Y’ shape—open or draped on top. Big horizontal stripes was another detail that went, along with the open shoulder sweater that I could not bring myself to wear even though it was flattering. Fewer pieces are there, but they are things I wear now. I will probably do another round of clear out in a month after I have worked my way through the Curated Closet.
-
A lot of people on PR were happy with the Jalie Eleanor pullon jeans. There are dozens of reviews.
https://sewing.patternreview.com/Patterns/73380
I made a test pair but they weren't even close to fitting right for me and I never did get around to tweaking them. Maybe someday. I also have a StyleArc pattern (Georgie I think it is) that is a pullon style of jean pant. Haven't even attempted that.
The only time I ever had well fitting RTW jeans was during the skinny jeans era because my legs are so slender those fit me like regular jeans while regular jeans were always too baggy looking.
-
I spend most of my time in skirt and top, mostly denim skirts, as I have the same problem as @Celia a cat that goes outside, comes in at the moment with wet paws and puts them all over me, which generally do fade into the denim. I don't wear trousers, never have done since around the 70's, when I practically lived in them in my 'spare' time, which was actually working with DH, who had around 3 acres of strawberries to manage in his and my spare time. After that stint I said I said I'd neve wear them again, plus DH doesn't like them and I'm a shortie, best on long legs not short squatty ones.
I sometimes wish I was more adventurous but it is so easy to just change a skirt if we are going out. I've dresses I rarely wear unless it is an 'occasion' in which case the Spanx comes out, although last time I had that on, it had got loose. In general, most of the places we went in pre Covid times were for casual wear. The only thing I really spent money on was nice shoes (comfortable ones). Other than underwear/tights, I've made the rest including the jackets.
I did a cull when I put summer stuff away, including odd items that were fine but I'd gone off the colour. But at least I'm not like my sister, who does carry a bit of weight but lives in trousers of different varieties and shirts, regardless of the occasion, causing DH to question whether she ever gets dressed up.
-
I live in jeans and shorts, I don't own a skirt or dress and don't feel the need to 0_0
Oh, no, tell a lie, I have the dress I made for my son's wedding 3 years ago, obviously never it worn since.
-
It's mostly trousers or leggings with a top in winter and dresses in summer for me. When the weather is very warm just looking at someone wearing full length trousers makes me feel hot.
-
I'm wearing a dress with leggings today, popped on my knee high flat boots and went for a walk, really liking the combination.
So maybe more knit dresses in the future!
-
I need a wardrobe cull, same reasons as @realale. I’ve been putting this off for ages. As for using nice clothes at home, I would need a couple of those dinner lady overalls and a boiler suit. In fact an honest appraisal of lifestyle would prioritise cover ups.
-
I've been trying to wear things off the rail, and if they are keepers, wash and hang back up in the wardrobe.
A few things didn't make it past try on and got donated.
Its a good job the rail can stay up for a while as its a slow process.
-
The rail only a third full so I've taken it out to the garage today, I was a bit worried it was going to become a fixture, so glad to get it moved.
I've shoved the "to be reviewed" items in the wardrobe, but all in the same bit so I can still pick from there.
I donated all 3 pairs of my RTW jeans once I had sewn myself a comfortable pair of Jeans (Mountain View Pull On), so am really pleased about that. Better one pair I can wear all day, than 3 I can hardly bear for a couple of hours!