Last week Lolly shared her spring purchases for Hector and so it got me thinking about my own spring wardrobe. It is currently somewhat lacking. Last year I started my quest to kick myself in to gear and start making a bit more of an effort. It had been quite a few years since I could feasibly blame my lack of hairbrushing on having a newborn after all.
I have been doing pretty well. Not every day admittedly but then most days I am working from home so I figure jeans, a jumper and a quick ponytail are just fine. Now that spring is on the way it’s time to have a bit of sort out of my wardrobe. I am definitely one of those people who loves a good spring clean in all areas of the house. I get itchy feet and feel the need to change everything from my cushions to my socks! I kid you not. If only my bank balance would support it. On that note I am seriously lusting after Lisa’s cushion that she shared in her recent lounge tour on Rock My Style. So good.
When it comes to my wardrobe I am quite ruthless. About every 6 months or so I have a mass clear out. If I didn’t wear it in the last year the likelihood is that I probably won’t. A lot of the team have done the Marie Kondo method to some success. I just can’t quite be like that. I simply look at my clothes and see what I wear and what I still like. Also, most importantly do I have anything that goes with it? I am a nightmare for random non matching purchases.
I’ll also check all items for things that need mending or fixing. If you are like me you will always shove it to the back and think that I’ll get my sewing kit out one day. This year my favourite jeans are beyond repair with a big rip so it’s time for some new ones. Luckily for me my favourite jeans are only from M&S! Yep, their skinny jeans are my absolute favourite as they just fit me so well and such a good price. I’ve just got a new pair of Sculpt and lift (heres hoping!) indigo ones and this lovely £19 bargain grey pair.
I’m feeling a lot of love for pastel shades at the moment and am thinking this is a good excuse to get a bit or colour co-ordination going on. I need simple outfits like jeans and cute jumpers or little skirts and tops but most importantly I need them to be good value. I’m trying not to spend too much this year so what I do buy either needs to be cheap or an investment that I will wear lots. I am also in desperate need of some new lightweight jumpers so would welcome your recommendations please. Charlotte is a big fan of Warehouse Knitwear so I may be taking a peek there. I am also rather loving this peach ASOS jumper and this frilly sleeved cardigan from H&M. Oh and how cute is this ‘day off’ sweatshirt from New Look?
Rather than just layering up with jumpers I think it’s time for a few long sleeved tops. A cliche I know but I love a Breton stripe and have just ordered this pink one from Boden. I figure it’s got a bit of colour to it and these ones wash so well that I don’t mind spending the extra pennies. I’ve also just bought this sweet ruffle long sleeved tee from Topshop for the bargain price of £10.
Then there is the underwear drawer. I’ve decided it’s high time that gets a bit of love and attention. I’ll happily buy a new jumper but never seem to splash out on a new bra which is ridiculous given how often they get worn. Given comments on Becky’s post last week I think we need a whole post dedicated to underwear. In the meantime I’ve become a bit of a fan of the soft bralets since having the girls so will be raiding ASOS, H&M and M&S for a few new ones. I may well be purchasing this from M&S or this soft padded triangle bra from H&M. Oh, and socks. What the hell happens to the socks? I seem to only have four pairs left!
I’ve been perusing trusty New Look for some new day dresses and have my eye on this simple jersey dress and this little tea dress. Although this pink frill dress may also have fallen in to my basket whilst I was browsing. Figure it will be cute with a long cardigan and tights on chillier days.
But before I make any more purchases I need to finish the sort. Once I’ve amassed a huge pile it all heads off to the charity shop. I could eBay it but I have neither the time nor the inclination. I also decided I am not the best ebayer after I sold some baby stuff which I thought I had meticulously cleaned only for the buyer to contact me and say that the changing bag had a whole pocket full of crushed biscuits!! I’m not sure if I was more embarrassed about the lack of cleanliness or my childrens obvious biscuit addiction. Needless to say I refunded her and have never sold anything again.
Does anyone else have a mass spring clean of their wardrobe? Or more importantly please share your purchases or wish list with us. We all like a bit of enabling now and again.
Thanks for that m&s jeans tip off, I’m always on the hunt for THE high-rise shape and they sound ideal.
I too try to be ruthless with my wardrobe, since undertaking a Marie Kondo lite of sorts last year, in now super selective about what I buy.
#1 on my spring wish list is the Hush lightening bolt sweater. https://www.hush-uk.com/m/womenswear/daywear/tops/lightning_bolt_sweat_top_mid_grey_marl_metallic_gold.htm The only reason I’ve not bought it yet is because there’s loads of other stuff I fancy on the site but I’ve not had time to go through and curate my cart yet.
On that topic, I love a sweat top, Boden do some fab ones too, I’m coveting the ivory scattered spot statement sweat http://m.boden.co.uk/en-gb/womens-tops-t-shirts/long-sleeved-tops/wo116/womens-spotty-sweatshirt I too need a new Breton (who doesn’t?) and I like their updated rainbow stripe cuff design.
Part of my MK enlightenment was to buy fewer things of higher quality so I’m resisting the temptation to splurge with H&M and gap discount codes (what’s happened to gap??) and instead carefully selecting the odd quality item from aforementioned Hush, Chinti & Parker, Boden, Mint Velvet and Toast.
I must share with you my knicker and sock enlightenment, it’s not for everyone but I’ve found it revolutionary. I only buy one type of knickers in one colour and they’re all mk sushi-rolled in the drawer beside my drawer of socks which is similar but categorised into black/grey/navy/trainerliners/boot socks. It saves SO MUCH time in the morning. Unexciting, but I find eliminating the laborious task of sorting through an underwear drawer every morning to find what you need frees up time for more interesting persuits….
I basically want to be the Hush models and channel all that effortlessly casual chic that they have going on. I too want pretty much everything. I was desperately trying to do the less but of higher quality but have somewhat lost my way. I really do need to do more of this and stop buying stuff I don’t really need. I’m normally pretty good, mainly as I don’t get to go shopping very often. I panic bought a few pieces last weekend but luckily just a couple of basic tee shirt tops from Topshop which have actually proved a good choice. It was panic as the husband and two small children were tailing me round which puts me under immense pressure! I tend to mainly stick with M&S just because for some reason they fit me so well in there. I can pick up a size 12 in anything and no it will fit and I like the clothes but may be tempted by a few hush items this year. I feel I must adopt this underwear method. Oooh, I feel I may be doing lots of shopping today. xxx
I’m coming out in hives at the idea of clothes shopping with family in tow. You definitely deserve some sort of reward for that….
Ha ha. You should have seen my face when I said I wanted to pop to the shops and Edd declared they would all come. We last 45 minutes before we came home!! x
The lightning jumper was on my wish list but
is sold out in all sizes ?
Knew I shouldn’t have hesitated on that buy button.
Morning! I have been spring cleaning my wardrobe but am yet to purchase anything new as I’ve lost 23lbs since October and currently have another 8lbs to go before I’m back at my goal weight! I’ve gotten rid of most of the too big stuff now, leaving me with not much and I’ve only bought a few stop gap from tesco! I’m hovering between a since 10 and 12 at the moment and don’t want to splash out. Hopefully this won’t take too long as I’ve got 4 weddings and a christening to make purchases for (am hoping one of you ladies will do a wedding guest post nearer the summer wedding season!).
I love m+s jeans, specifically the autograph ones, which seem to make me look amazing and keep the baby jelly belly under tight wraps without creating a muffin top!
If you are doing a post on underwear, please keep in mind larger busted ladies, it’s so hard to find pretty bras when your a G cup!
Wowee 23lbs!! How have you done it? Well done!
Thank you, I’ve done it with weight watchers and more recently added in some exercise (Davina 15 minute dvd) and I had to cut out chocolate for health reasons so that has also helped!
Wow Claire, that is an amazing weight loss. Go you. You will definitely deserve a bit of a shopping spree once you hit target. I haven’t tried the autograph jeans so I might take a peek at those. I will definitely be planning an occassionwear post, selfishly because I need to hunt down lots of nice outfits. Will definitely be mindful of the underwear sizes on the post so thank you for the reminder. I sadly don’t have that issue, at all, but I know from friends how hard it can be to find nice underwear. good lucky with the rest of your weight loss xxx
I have just had a massive wardrobe clearout, with the help of my very honest sister (‘what were you thinking?!’) and have a big bag of clothes waiting for the charity shop. And have worn one or two things from my maybe pile in the last couple of weeks and decided that they too definitely aren’t keepers (mostly because they make me look bigger than I am, a sad thing).
As with a previous commenter I’m currently on a weigh loss track, and after having my daughter last April am now 10 kilos lighter than my pre-pregnancy weight, with a few more to go before I’m at my ideal weight. It does mean that all my panic bought items last summer were getting much too big and unflattering, but It turns out I had stuff stashed that still works or I’ve got back into. That, the planned further weight loss and current my complete lack of money mean I am not intending to buy that much this year, and that like you Lottie, what I do but has to be good value!
I’ve just bought myself a pair of chino shorts from Boden clearance in ticking stripe (which I actually think are nicer than their new ones for this summer!) and am going to allow myself one new t-shirt – I too have been eyeing up the ones from Hush, I like the look of their v-necks. But I’m also pondering a snazzy metallic one from Oasis. And I’ll be after some new sandals when it hots up!
Also a post on bras would be welcomed, but please bear in mind that we of the larger chest tend to have less choice, and often only from the more expensive brands.
Love a bit of honesty when it comes to your wardrobe. I sometimes think I need that. Well done on your weight loss, that is amazing and a great excuse to treat yourself to a few new bargains. I may possibly have just popped across to Boden and copied you on the shorts!! I love them. On the sandals I can’t rave about my Saltwater sandals enough. They are the comfiest things ever and even though they are a bit pricey at £55 they are worth every penny given how much I wore them. Last year I had the tan pair and this year I’m thinking of adding a nice silver or rose gold pair in to the mix. Highly recommended them. xx
I just don’t want to wear maternity clothes!!!!
But then come the nursing clothes…
So maybe next spring I will treat myself to a whole new wardrobe as we are definitely having a break from babies!
Oh I do not envy you, I didn’t like maternity clothes at all but you will be pleased to know Lisa has a post coming up with her favourite maternity wear. And she looks super stylish. We will make sure we throw some nursing clothes in to the mix as well. For me it was all about layers. A shopping spree is definitely required for next spring! xxx
Oh yes, this! I had my second baby a month ago and am so sick of the frumpy nursing clothes already! I’ve got loads of vouchers for my birthday which I’m going to use to treat myself to a new wardrobe when I’ve stopped breastfeeding and lost the baby weight, but for now I’m stuck with about five outfits that I can feed in, and they’re all covered with baby sick within 10 mins of me putting them on! So glamorous.
Thanks Lottie!
Yeah – it was most useful having a second eye. I will check out the saltwater sandals,
And happy to have enabled you on the shorts front 😉
I too want to be a Hush model and live in the Boden catalogue!
I’ve got a HUMUNGOUS Hush wish list (tshirts, jackets, pjs) and equally massive Boden wish list (mainly stripes or polka dots….or cute dungarees for the toddler!).
I already own about 1000 (ok 4) long sleeved striped t shirts but really like the glitter spot breton in Boden in raspberry (I already own it in blue on white and white on blue…) and the short sleeved breton (either the pink like you Lottie or the one with the multi coloured stripes on the sleeve cuff!).
Hush wise I really like the mini lightning bolt t-shirt and the star scatter t-shirt.
I’ve just bought the Joules Coastline Parka in yellow (its the perfect longline waterproof coat that doesn’t rustle like a cagoule- having done an ‘outdoorsy degree’ and work wear hi-vis is necessary on site visits, this is magical!!)
https://www.joules.com/Women/New-In/Coastline/Waterproof-Jacket/Antique-Gold?id=W_COASTLINE|ANTGOLD
So for spring I would like:
4 new tshirts!
Tan ankle boots (mine have fallen apart)
A new waterproof coat (which I have)
A casual jackety coat (when said parka is too much !)
And to be a Boden or Hush model or live in their catalogues…