Help with updating wardrobe for busy single mom

[Candace30]

Hi Everyone!

I’m a single mom to 2 young kids and also have a full-time job that allows me to work from home most days. In a nutshell, I’m looking for advice on how to update my wardrobe quickly and not too expensively.

As background, I went through a very painful divorce in 2019, then Covid hit, and I have to admit I have bought very little clothing since then.

I love jewelry and handbags, and will splurge on the occasional luxury designer purchase in those categories 1-2x per year, but I absolutely despise shopping for clothes.

I do not have the budget for luxury RTW but desperately need to update my closet with more contemporary silhouettes and styles. I have horrible luck with online shopping and end up returning most of it. The fit and quality in most midrange stores is awful, and I just don’t have the time and energy for a treasure hunt.

What would be the fastest and easiest way to update my wardrobe with a few nice pieces that doesn’t involve visiting 5 stores and trying on hundreds of items? Should I go with a personal stylist at Nordstrom or similar? Is there a store or 2 that I can concentrate my efforts in? Or decent quality brands? I get so overwhelmed in huge stores with racks upon racks of merchandise.

I have updated my denim from skinny jeans to wide leg and straight styles, but need trousers, long and short sleeved tops and blouses (casual and smart casual), casual dresses, and some shorts for the upcoming summer season.

I’d really appreciate any advice you have to share.

 

[880]

Hi Everyone!

I’m a single mom to 2 young kids and also have a full-time job that allows me to work from home most days. In a nutshell, I’m looking for advice on how to update my wardrobe quickly and not too expensively.

As background, I went through a very painful divorce in 2019, then Covid hit, and I have to admit I have bought very little clothing since then.

I love jewelry and handbags, and will splurge on the occasional luxury designer purchase in those categories 1-2x per year, but I absolutely despise shopping for clothes.

I do not have the budget for luxury RTW but desperately need to update my closet with more contemporary silhouettes and styles. I have horrible luck with online shopping and end up returning most of it. The fit and quality in most midrange stores is awful, and I just don’t have the time and energy for a treasure hunt.

What would be the fastest and easiest way to update my wardrobe with a few nice pieces that doesn’t involve visiting 5 stores and trying on hundreds of items? Should I go with a personal stylist at Nordstrom or similar? Is there a store or 2 that I can concentrate my efforts in? Or decent quality brands? I get so overwhelmed in huge stores with racks upon racks of merchandise.

I have updated my denim from skinny jeans to wide leg and straight styles, but need trousers, long and short sleeved tops and blouses (casual and smart casual), casual dresses, and some shorts for the upcoming summer season.

I’d really appreciate any advice you have to share.

Hey,

It sounds like you are too busy to spend time at Nordstroms or Saks, but I would recommend that you go through the contemporary designer floor to see what you like. If i had to start a wardrobe upgrade from scratch, I’d think hard about my style preferences and what would be fit my body that is also in my budget. I’d also spend the bulk of my budget on items I will wear the most. It’s fine to spend an afternoon trying stuff on and taking mental note of what best fits. (There is NO obligation to purchase on the spot, and it’s best that you don’t s9 you can compare and contrast among different brands. I’m polite and re hang stuff, and no SAs has ever had an issue with me stating that I have to think about it. Wear separates when you shop so that you can easily try on. And, take full length pics, same angle, so you can compare when you go home. Wear the shoes (heel height) that you are most likely to wear with the item in question.

If this were me, I’d look to buy one pair of charcoal gray or black trousers, classic cut. One pair of khaki trousers. One black skirt in a flattering length; an A line is universally flattering, I think. One v collared (or whatever collar best flatters your figure) top/ light sweater that can kind of make a dress when combined with the skirt. (If I only had one dress, I would pick either black or navy and make sure it’s a weight that can carry me through three seasons). And, one cardigan or shacket or jacket. If you are a white button down shirt person, one of those. Make sure when you try them on that the placket sits nicely across the bust (doesn’t gap).

If you can spare an afternoon to try stuff on (without buying) that would be the best. And, then I’d try to figure out what, if anything, will make it to the summer sales. (Traditionallu held on July 4, but with the economy, who knows, they could start a lot earlier). Brands like Lafayette 148 and Akris Punto tend to be popular and go on sale. For shorts, I like athleta. For underpinings, the expensive route is Wolford (which runs big) but I’m just as happy with an unlined stretch bra that I think I bought in bulk from lululemon. . .(i don’t think they make this model anymore, so I’d just google). Don’t be shy about buying vintage (hopefully deadstock which is NIB, essentially unworn) on line, but be sure you know your exact measurements and are able to return if it doesn’t fit. *

I am embarrassed to admit that I have temperamental feet, and sometimes cheaper shoes are better. My new favorite is a pair from Sam Edelman brand that I got on sale at Nordstroms. They’re gray, white and black silvery boucle fabric, and my Chanel SA thinks they are stunning. Buy what’s comfortable. I think it’s best to try shoes in the PM when your feet have swelled but double check re best advice on line.

* I do not normally recommend TRR, but I have gotten some amazing deals on NIB Brunello Cuchinelli and Hermes RTw. However, they don’t measure accurately and you have to sift thorough a lot of dross to find anything good. You also have to be reasonably familiar with how a brand fits and retail price.

Good luck and happy shopping.

ETA: if you can figure out your type of figure (long waisted, short waisted, curvy, rectangular, pear, hourglass, all that can help you find flattering silhouettes and pieces. For example, I’m long waisted (so the waist on dresses is too high); rectangular, so the waist can be tight and low rise is disastrous on me; and broad of shoulder. . . You get thr picture

if you feel like you need an excuse for an SA re why you aren’t buying, simply say, you aren’t in love with something. Or, you aren’t sure that you don’t have something similar already (bc plenty of us gravitate towards stuff similar to what we already own. And, I give this advice, when an SA asks if she can help you or start a dressing room, I recommend saying that you will let her know. Not, I’m just browsing (which is code for I’m just wasting time waiting to meet my girlfriend for lunch/tea/ drinks

If you want to buy a taupe top or dress, it helps to take a black and white photo. If the dress blends entirely with your skin tone, it might wash you out and you might be better going lighter taupe/ beige or darker. If you prefer bright colors or pastels, I’d buy less expensive accessories rather than a whole dress or outfit, but that’s just me.

Note: doc marten Chelsea boots (made in the UK) can look very modern on someone older (I’m 57 and started wearing them a few years ago when I say someone rock them who was in her seventies). Only buy truly seasonal stuff (bathing suits, coats) on sale

 

[Candace30]

Hey,

It sounds like you are too busy to spend time at Nordstroms or Saks, but I would recommend that you go through the contemporary designer floor to see what you like. If i had to start a wardrobe upgrade from scratch, I’d think hard about my style preferences and what would be fit my body that is also in my budget. I’d also spend the bulk of my budget on items I will wear the most. It’s fine to spend an afternoon trying stuff on and taking mental note of what best fits. (There is NO obligation to purchase on the spot, and it’s best that you don’t s9 you can compare and contrast among different brands. I’m polite and re hang stuff, and no SAs has ever had an issue with me stating that I have to think about it. Wear separates when you shop so that you can easily try on. And, take full length pics, same angle, so you can compare when you go home. Wear the shoes (heel height) that you are most likely to wear with the item in question.

If this were me, I’d look to buy one pair of charcoal gray or black trousers, classic cut. One pair of khaki trousers. One black skirt in a flattering length; an A line is universally flattering, I think. One v collared (or whatever collar best flatters your figure) top/ light sweater that can kind of make a dress when combined with the skirt. (If I only had one dress, I would pick either black or navy and make sure it’s a weight that can carry me through three seasons). And, one cardigan or shacket or jacket. If you are a white button down shirt person, one of those. Make sure when you try them on that the placket sits nicely across the bust (doesn’t gap).

If you can spare an afternoon to try stuff on (without buying) that would be the best. And, then I’d try to figure out what, if anything, will make it to the summer sales. (Traditionallu held on July 4, but with the economy, who knows, they could start a lot earlier). Brands like Lafayette 148 and Akris Punto tend to be popular and go on sale. For shorts, I like athleta. For underpinings, the expensive route is Wolford (which runs big) but I’m just as happy with an unlined stretch bra that I think I bought in bulk from lululemon. . .(i don’t think they make this model anymore, so I’d just google). Don’t be shy about buying vintage (hopefully deadstock which is NIB, essentially unworn) on line, but be sure you know your exact measurements and are able to return if it doesn’t fit. *

I am embarrassed to admit that I have temperamental feet, and sometimes cheaper shoes are better. My new favorite is a pair from Sam Edelman brand that I got on sale at Nordstroms. They’re gray, white and black silvery boucle fabric, and my Chanel SA thinks they are stunning. Buy what’s comfortable. I think it’s best to try shoes in the PM when your feet have swelled but double check re best advice on line.

* I do not normally recommend TRR, but I have gotten some amazing deals on NIB Brunello Cuchinelli and Hermes RTw. However, they don’t measure accurately and you have to sift thorough a lot of dross to find anything good. You also have to be reasonably familiar with how a brand fits and retail price.

Good luck and happy shopping.

ETA: if you can figure out your type of figure (long waisted, short waisted, curvy, rectangular, pear, hourglass, all that can help you find flattering silhouettes and pieces. For example, I’m long waisted (so the waist on dresses is too high); rectangular, so the waist can be tight and low rise is disastrous on me; and broad of shoulder. . . You get thr picture

if you feel like you need an excuse for an SA re why you aren’t buying, simply say, you aren’t in love with something. Or, you aren’t sure that you don’t have something similar already (bc plenty of us gravitate towards stuff similar to what we already own. And, I give this advice, when an SA asks if she can help you or start a dressing room, I recommend saying that you will let her know. Not, I’m just browsing (which is code for I’m just wasting time waiting to meet my girlfriend for lunch/tea/ drinks

If you want to buy a taupe top or dress, it helps to take a black and white photo. If the dress blends entirely with your skin tone, it might wash you out and you might be better going lighter taupe/ beige or darker. If you prefer bright colors or pastels, I’d buy less expensive accessories rather than a whole dress or outfit, but that’s just me.

Note: doc marten Chelsea boots (made in the UK) can look very modern on someone older (I’m 57 and started wearing them a few years ago when I say someone rock them who was in her seventies). Only buy truly seasonal stuff (bathing suits, coats) on sale

Wow, what a wealth of information and helpful advice! I’m really touched that you took the time to respond, thank you SO much for all of the amazing advice.

I’m 45 and also have problem feet, so I appreciate the advice about shoes too.

I am petite and have a long torso and short legs, so I’ve been reading about advice for styling an inverted triangle. I think my skin tone is neutral leaning cool, so I think I know what colors flatter as well. Now I just have to myself up for a long day of shopping!

Thank you again, sending all of my appreciation ❤️

 

[A bottle of Red]

@880 your reply was so comprehensive and informative!
I'm short as well and I find Akris punto to be very flattering; Michael Kors and Ralph Lauren used to be my choices for quality clothing that last and flatter me but lately the quality has gone down so it's more hit or miss.

If you have a friend or family member who enjoys shopping and will be honest about how something looks on you, they might be helpful to take along.

Also, if you can go shopping without kids along, it will be a much smoother experience.
Good luck , happy shopping and come show us what you find!

 

[Dinhky]

Hi Everyone!

I’m a single mom to 2 young kids and also have a full-time job that allows me to work from home most days. In a nutshell, I’m looking for advice on how to update my wardrobe quickly and not too expensively.

As background, I went through a very painful divorce in 2019, then Covid hit, and I have to admit I have bought very little clothing since then.

I love jewelry and handbags, and will splurge on the occasional luxury designer purchase in those categories 1-2x per year, but I absolutely despise shopping for clothes.

I do not have the budget for luxury RTW but desperately need to update my closet with more contemporary silhouettes and styles. I have horrible luck with online shopping and end up returning most of it. The fit and quality in most midrange stores is awful, and I just don’t have the time and energy for a treasure hunt.

What would be the fastest and easiest way to update my wardrobe with a few nice pieces that doesn’t involve visiting 5 stores and trying on hundreds of items? Should I go with a personal stylist at Nordstrom or similar? Is there a store or 2 that I can concentrate my efforts in? Or decent quality brands? I get so overwhelmed in huge stores with racks upon racks of merchandise.

I have updated my denim from skinny jeans to wide leg and straight styles, but need trousers, long and short sleeved tops and blouses (casual and smart casual), casual dresses, and some shorts for the upcoming summer season.

I’d really appreciate any advice you have to share.

Elana Kinda on youtube shares fashion tips for petites and she herself has a long torso and short legs. You might find some inspo from her channel.

 

[Misha333]

880 shared a lot of great advice! I'll just add a couple of pointers that help me when I update my wardrobe:

1. Scroll through IG or whatever sources you like and save outfits that resonate with you (I like Revolve and FWRD styling for ideas). Try to find at least 3 for each “use-case.” What counts as a use-case depends on your style and how you think about dressing. For example, mine include: super casual (like a day in the city with my dog), semi-fancy (museum day in NYC), semi-fancy going out (girls' dinner), dressy going out (finance dinner), office looks, etc. I have about 7–8 use-cases, and they cover all my needs.

2. Once you have your screenshots, analyze them for common pieces—denim (what kind?), tops (what style or color?), shoes, outerwear, etc. Look for patterns in colors, cuts, and styles. The goal is to identify pieces that can work across multiple outfits so you can create all the looks you saved with a minimal number of items—basically like a capsule wardrobe. Then create a purchase list based on the specific clothing pieces you need.

3. Once the list is ready, think through what brands are likely to carry good quality items in each category. For example, when choosing from inexpensive brands, I like white T-shirts from Uniqlo, casual cashmere from H&M and J.Crew, Zara jeans fit me well, Vince for pants and silk, Frame for silk too, and J.Crew, L’Agence, or Massimo Dutti for non-tee tops.

4. With your list and go-to stores, you can plan your shopping more efficiently. It’s usually too much to do in one day, so I like to either shop by category or by retailer—whatever makes sense for where you shop.

 

[papertiger]

Hi Everyone!

I’m a single mom to 2 young kids and also have a full-time job that allows me to work from home most days. In a nutshell, I’m looking for advice on how to update my wardrobe quickly and not too expensively.

As background, I went through a very painful divorce in 2019, then Covid hit, and I have to admit I have bought very little clothing since then.

I love jewelry and handbags, and will splurge on the occasional luxury designer purchase in those categories 1-2x per year, but I absolutely despise shopping for clothes.

I do not have the budget for luxury RTW but desperately need to update my closet with more contemporary silhouettes and styles. I have horrible luck with online shopping and end up returning most of it. The fit and quality in most midrange stores is awful, and I just don’t have the time and energy for a treasure hunt.

What would be the fastest and easiest way to update my wardrobe with a few nice pieces that doesn’t involve visiting 5 stores and trying on hundreds of items? Should I go with a personal stylist at Nordstrom or similar? Is there a store or 2 that I can concentrate my efforts in? Or decent quality brands? I get so overwhelmed in huge stores with racks upon racks of merchandise.

I have updated my denim from skinny jeans to wide leg and straight styles, but need trousers, long and short sleeved tops and blouses (casual and smart casual), casual dresses, and some shorts for the upcoming summer season.

I’d really appreciate any advice you have to share.

I wouldn't be in a hurry, even a new favourite tee or pants will give you and your wardrobe an instant lift and could change umpteen outfits.

Shoes/boots first, foremost and get perfect. Nothing dates quicker than footwear. Shoes also wear out so you will love and wear and wear out. Make sure they are totally comfortable and durable.

If a piece works you could buy the same in 2 or 3 colours and create mini 'uniforms'. This will also save you time finding things to wear in the morning.

Buy deliberately. Think about what you will use it for, what it's going to pair with and where you'll wear it, not 'just because'.

Don't buy anything you have to change your entire way of dressing for. i.e. When I bought boyfriend' jeans, I found myself loving them with my Chanel jackets - but then I already had Chanel jackets whereas I bought 2 pairs of slim-flared jeans and it's much more tricky, blazers look too classic and boho look too boho, moto look too 00s, so far I'm only feeling OK in tuxedos/Le Smoking or horsey tweed jackets.

Don't go for the 'value' fast fashion stores, only because you will have sift through everything to find something decent quality, they also do the season trend thing in a very obvious way and then you'll be back to dated once the season is over.

Choose a single store that has a rep for good quality and fits your aesthetic and lifestyle whether dept store, Cos, Jigsaw, M&S or whatever the high-street equivalents in your country.

Choose practical colours that fit in with your existing wardrobe, that doesn't necessarily mean neutral or the 'colour of the season'.

Choose less fuss and/or less design detail (that could date)

Buy things that don't need extra adjusting/altering unless you can do it yourself.

 

[lill_canele]

I do not have the budget for luxury RTW but desperately need to update my closet with more contemporary silhouettes and styles. I have horrible luck with online shopping and end up returning most of it. The fit and quality in most midrange stores is awful, and I just don’t have the time and energy for a treasure hunt.

What would be the fastest and easiest way to update my wardrobe with a few nice pieces that doesn’t involve visiting 5 stores and trying on hundreds of items? Should I go with a personal stylist at Nordstrom or similar? Is there a store or 2 that I can concentrate my efforts in? Or decent quality brands? I get so overwhelmed in huge stores with racks upon racks of merchandise.

I have updated my denim from skinny jeans to wide leg and straight styles, but need trousers, long and short sleeved tops and blouses (casual and smart casual), casual dresses, and some shorts for the upcoming summer season.




Okay, so I too have very bad luck when it comes to online shopping. I also end up returning the majority of items and find returns a pain.
Which is why I prefer going in-stores to try on to make sure that the fit and material are for me.

I understand that you are very busy and you don't have much time to spare to go shopping in-person; however, I think going in once a while with a plan is the best way to know if something will work for you so you don't have to go through the annoying process of online returns. Therefore, at the end of the day, some time needs to be set aside for shopping/clothes try on.

1) If I do shop online, I make sure that the return policy is generous and returns are as easy and streamline as possible. Generally my go-tos are Zara and Nordstrom. I usually hold off on online purchases, and if I keep going back to the same item(s) multiple times, then I know that it's something I really want and am willing to go through with the purchase.
2) To avoid trying on a ton of items, I usually scroll online and screenshot items I like, and then I try on in-store. Unfortunately, looking around online does take time, but it also narrows down me trying on tons of stuff. I also pay close attention to the material list. In addition, best to make sure those items are stocked in store and in your size. I've realized that certain places like Nordstrom do a lot of "not in your store, but can be shipped to your local store/home". It's just more cost effective to keep items at their warehouse and ship out when needed vs trying to stock everything in-store. Nordstrom also does tailoring if you need it.
3) It looks like you're going for a lot of basics with versatility. You could try Uniqlo as a one stop shop. They are very affordable, decently made, and have all the categories you're looking for. Issue is they often are out of stock online, so you'd probably have to go in-store to try on. Best go in when doors open so it's less crowded and easy access to fitting rooms and check out lines.

Good luck!

 

[880]

Thanks all!

Re on line sources, I have decent luck with COS . I had seen it before ( a brand from the UK) but @papertiger was the one who really put it on my radar. Even if you only scroll through to get some styling ideas. If you subscribe, I think you get 10% off. No idea though what will happen re tariffs.

happy shopping !

 

[limom]

Uniqlo has affordable, trendy clothing that last more than one wash.
You can find fun and office ready clothing there.
Gap, banana republic offers good basics imho.
Old navy has fantastic deals, even cheaper.
With a 500 hundred US budget, you could have a nice and fun summer wardrobe.
And if you shop online, always look for coupons. It is there for the taking
How old are you and what style do you like?
Are you in the US?

 

[Candace30]

Uniqlo has affordable, trendy clothing that last more than one wash.
You can find fun and office ready clothing there.
Gap, banana republic offers good basics imho.
Old navy has fantastic deals, even cheaper.
With a 500 hundred US budget, you could have a nice and fun summer wardrobe.
And if you shop online, always look for coupons. It is there for the taking
How old are you and what style do you like?
Are you in the US?

Thanks so much for the great tips! I'm 45, in the U.S., my style is classic and simple. Generally prefer jewel tones over neutrals for my tops.

 

[Love Of My Life]

You will have to be patient & try what might feel like a multitude of various clothing items
to see fit.
Try to go to stores that will be within your budget & you don't have to purchase everything
all at once either.
For the summer, cotton t shirts & basic pants are a staple & will take you to many places
Find your comfort zone & then go from there.. Just don't try to overwhelm yourself.
Fairly soon the "sales" will start. You should be able to find some really good basics at discounted
prices.
If you are near a Bloomingdale's there are many price points within your budget & usually
their sales are pretty good
I'm a fan of white cotton COS t-shirts. The fit is good & they wear & launder well.
A suggestion, take a look at the FRANKIE SHOP.. stylish & a piece or two may have appeal
& also home shopping networks like QVC & HSN offer some very stylish well priced basics, JMO

 

[limom]

Uniqlo will work for you for bottoms.
Other than that, it is more bland.
I don’t shop thrift shop because nowadays, the prices are up to the roof.
Anytime, I shop on line I let my bag sleeps, you can be sure to get a coupon after a day or two.
Make sure to google coupons, I oftentimes find a twenty percent off coupons.
Yes, I am thrifty.
If you decide to use a personal shopper, it can be a great idea for a makeover.
He/she can show you what works with your figures.
A cool one can whip a good, workable wardrobe.
And will work with your budget.