Wardorbe essentials?

**imagine** · 01-05-2009, 10:17 AM

I have been wondering about what is really needed in a wardrobe.

I have gone down from a size 26 to a 22 or 20 so I need new clothes. So far I'm just replacing the jeans as I need to keep them up and wearing my over sized shirts ect. (okay I have also bought at the Goodwill 3/4 sleeve shirt in a XL 18/20 I looked so awesome in it)

But I tried on my spring and summer stuff and it was to big and I hope to lose about 25 more pounds by summer so I would have to buy a whole new wardrobe. That started me thinking what really needs to be in a wardrobe. I sway back in forth from a bare min (as I hope the next summer I would be lighter weight still) and what I would desire in a whole new wardrobe (which is not good since I don't feel that there is much in the budget to spend on clothes)

So what really needs to be in a wardrobe? What are the essentials?

Help me please

**IntlMom** · 01-05-2009, 10:23 AM

first of all, congrats on losing some weight......and best wishes on losing more!!! you rock!!!

then, it kinda depends on what your lifestyle is like. For me, I don;t work, so my wardrobe is mostly jeans and shirts.

jeans
tops
a neutral blazer
a neutral skirt
a few neutral pairs of pants, black and khaki, maybe

seems that this would be the bare essentials till you loose the amount you want........

**C@rol** · 01-05-2009, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by imagine

So what really needs to be in a wardrobe?
What are the essentials?

Congratulations on the weight loss! :chighfive:

The answer depends on if you're working or not,
housewife, how social are you and to me your
fashion style.

A lot of women like to really look dressed up and
stylish all the time. Not me. Give me a good
pima cotton tee shirt and some comfy pants
or jeans and I'm good. Oh...also my favorite
sweater because I'm always cold.

For me now since I'm a SAHHW as I said above
a tee shirt, jeans, workout clothes, a few pairs
of dress slacks, some very nice tops, a few
dresses and a couple of pantsuits.

Now when I was working (still trying to downsize
my work clothes) I had to have everything and
found myself shopping constantly. I'm so glad
that's over.

Depending on your lifestyle I think you'll figure
out just what you need.

**imagine** · 01-05-2009, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by IntlMom

first of all, congrats on losing some weight......and best wishes on losing more!!! you rock!!!

then, it kinda depends on what your lifestyle is like. For me, I don;t work, so my wardrobe is mostly jeans and shirts.

jeans
tops
a neutral blazer
a neutral skirt
a few neutral pairs of pants, black and khaki, maybe

seems that this would be the bare essentials till you loose the amount you want........

Thanks

I'm a stay at home mom.

any ideas for summer too?

Also interested in what everyone thinking is a good essentials wardrobe for when I have met my finally weight

**SweetPea** · 01-05-2009, 10:42 AM

Here's my actual wardrobe. I'm at home full-time and prefer comfort over fashion.

3 cardigans
5 tshirt type tops
2 pair jeans
1 pair khakis
3 pair yoga pants
1 black dress
1 pair black dress slacks
2 dressy type tops
2 turtlenecks
plus underwear, socks, pj's and a coat

I have to add, right now, I have more than that, and I need to declutter/donate. In the summer, I switch out the pants with skirts/capri pants.

**zakity** · 01-05-2009, 10:32 PM

I would say that you need for summer:

two pair of jean shorts
a handful of shirts (2 to 3 maybe, like tshirts and tanks)
1 or 2 lightweight dresses (for church or whatever)

That would be the bare minimum I think.

**PrairieRose** · 01-05-2009, 10:58 PM

You know, when I was losing the bulk of my weight, I didn't worry so much about having a 'wardrobe' in each size (as obviously you aren't either) but I'd allow myself x amount each month for clothes. It was part of the 'reward' for working so hard to lose. Now, my closets are overflowing but ya know what? I don't care! I love all of my bargain clothes and I'm never without something great to wear. I say, enjoy the ride---be frugal but splurge on yourself when you get 'there'. You'll deserve some fun and some really rockin' clothes

**Momto2Boyz** · 01-06-2009, 08:29 AM

Here is what I have as a stay at home mom:

1 pair of good jeans
1 pair of holey jeans (used for cleaning, etc...and okay, I do wear them out on occassion)
3 t-shirts
2 long sleeve shirts (wear them under the T-shirts in winter)
2 hooded sweatshirts
2 hooded zipfront "shirts" not quite as heavy as sweatshirts
1 sweater

Those are what I wear on a regular basis in the winter. I have 2 pairs of shorts that get thrown into the mix in the summer and some tank tops. I also have 3 dresses, 1 black formal, 1 black strapless (less formal) and 1 t-shirt dress.

I also have a box of size 12 jeans that a nieghbor gave me that I can't yet fit into. I'm saving them though becuase I am on my way. five to ten more pounds off and I'll be wearing those! There are about 8 pairs of jeans there. I think my head will be spinning becuase I don't think I've ever owned 8 good pair of jeans at once!

**forHISglory** · 01-06-2009, 08:45 AM

I don't even own a pair of jeans! I've just never found a pair that was comfy, so I quit trying. Anyway, my wardrobe reflected my job for years. It included a variety of neutral colored skirts, jackets, pants, and tops that were interchangeable. I had a couple of dresses to add some variety. I still use those for dress-up times, but mostly they just hang in the closet. For knocking around the house/cleaning/yard work I have sweats and jogging pants and Tshirts and sweatshirts (depends on season). For casual times out, I have pants, capris, tops, Ts, and some swingy skirts. I keep a variety of sandals to wear summer and winter. I don't wear shorts because I don't like my legs!

I would suggest for summer to have some light airy skirts, a couple of tops, and some capris. The skirts and tops can be casual or go dressy, if needed.

**UUMomof3** · 01-06-2009, 10:51 AM

You've gotten a lot of good advice about what to include in your wardrobe. One thing I've found as my weight has yo-yo'ed is that layering pieces are essential. Some comfy tank tops that can be worn under a blouse or sweater as the seasons change.

The main thing though is to make sure you are getting underclothes that fit properly. Nothing makes clothing uncomfortable and unattractive faster than a poorly fitting bra or panty.

**Doggiemom** · 01-06-2009, 10:58 AM

You could also check into your local Freecycle. Clothing is always being offered on my local one and it goes pretty fast! You may be able to find some of the essentials there, even if it's just to get you through a season, and it's free.

**57plymouth** · 01-06-2009, 01:59 PM

1; jeans
2; khakis
3; t-shirts
4; white dress shirts
5; blue blazer
6; black sneakers
7; docksiders
8; flanel shirts
9; golf shirts

Wait, that's my entire closet...

**cheles2kids** · 01-07-2009, 07:03 AM

I agree with the above posters about how your lifestyle depends on how you need to keep your wardrobe.
Also what you feel comfortable in.
Some people despise wearing a dress but prefer dress pants.
While others love jeans but can't stand sweats.

For me, a SAHM & wife, I have:
2 pair of jeans (am planning on buying 2 more)
A couple pair of sweatpants
4-6 long-sleeve t-shirts (this includes a couple of cotton t-shirts along with a couple flannel shirts to "layer")
4-6 short-sleeve t-shirts
1 nice pair of dress pants, a couple of skirts & a couple of dressy shirts

Oh & I also think a nice heavy sweater or dress jacket should go along with your "dressy" outfits to wear over your nicer blouses, in case you attend church regularly, need to go to a wedding, or attend a funeral.

Also don't forget pajamas or gowns. I personally prefer pajamas, I can't stand for a nightgown to get twisted up around my legs, 'cause it wake me up during the night.
(I like to twist & turn *alot* while I sleep)
I usually sleep in a pair of jammies & a men's v-neck "undershirt".
I will buy a pack of the men's cotton undershirts to wear to sleep in, as well as to layer underneath other shirts in the wintertime.
They are so much cheaper than buying a pajama top to wear.

Come Spring I'll need to get a couple pair of capri's as well & a light sweater.
I much prefer capri's over shorts, especially as I get older.
I like that they cover more & to me, are much more comfortable.