How did you build your designer RTW wardrobe?

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#76
rayshines said:
I have so many Burberry coats and lovely old Celine items I can’t fit into anymore but can’t seem to part with.

Love your approach on streamlining. How do you get ruthless about parting with them — can you share your thoughts process — and where do you sell them?
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When I buy something new I go through my wardrobe and assess which piece can be replaced. I also do a cull at the beginning and end of each season, and remove items I haven’t worn, are worn out or I’ve just got fed up with. I’m not a hard and fast one in one out, but do take that approach in general.

I sell/gift items to friends or sell on the various online fashion sales platforms, or via specialist designer resale businesses depending on the item and it’s condition and price. So for example well worn designer trainers with receipt etc I’d sell on eBay but gently worn chanel via a specialised used fashion retailer I use.

Turning used items into cash for next purchase is an incentive for me. It’s a bit of trial and error and you have to be realistic on what you’ll get back, but 10-20% is better than nothing, plus it’s better for the environment.
 
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#77
Handbag1234 said:
Bit late to the party- I started my designer rtw journey by buying key basics, coat, blazer, cashmere sweater, blouse, shirt, skirt, dress and pants. I like to have all bases covered and am quite minimalist. However, I do now buy a few runway pieces that are a bit different. I find if I choose well the pieces are beyond fashion, in that they make a statement but don’t date season to season because they are so different and are not pieces that filter down to the high street so don’t look high fashion. Now I have an established wardrobe I just build on it season to season as I replace items. Sometimes I buy one or two pieces, sometimes 5-6 as a mini capsule wardrobe to update my look for a season. I mainly buy chanel, Louis Vuitton, Hermes and Dior. Plus good quality cashmere.

I am ruthless and sell items on if they don’t work for me, I don’t wear them much, they start looking worn, or I’ve replaced a key piece with something else.

I try to buy items that are transitional between seasons, can be layered, dressed up or down and avoid dresses and tops that can’t be worn with coats or blazers over them due to big statement sleeves etc. (Learnt that lesson early on).
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I also love a wide sleeve sweater (not overly so) but I do have coats that are oversized and they seem to work with those pieces.
 
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#78
Handbag1234 said:
When I buy something new I go through my wardrobe and assess which piece can be replaced. I also do a cull at the beginning and end of each season, and remove items I haven’t worn, are worn out or I’ve just got fed up with. I’m not a hard and fast one in one out, but do take that approach in general.

I sell/gift items to friends or sell on the various online fashion sales platforms, or via specialist designer resale businesses depending on the item and it’s condition and price. So for example well worn designer trainers with receipt etc I’d sell on eBay but gently worn chanel via a specialised used fashion retailer I use.

Turning used items into cash for next purchase is an incentive for me. It’s a bit of trial and error and you have to be realistic on what you’ll get back, but 10-20% is better than nothing, plus it’s better for the environment.
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This (bold)!!! I have a friend who has purchased many items on an impulse buy...it's money already spent! Say goodbye!! So, like you say, better to sell and get something back than have it sit in the closet taking up valuable real estate!!
 
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#79
Hi all you wonderful, well dressed ladies and gents! Is it too late to say happy new year? Hope all of you are well and enjoying your lives (and wardrobes). @rayshines how is wardrobe building/purging going? I took a break from shopping after my big spree last year and now that spring is hopefully around the corner I'd love some advice again! Normally I have suffered through spring being either too hot in my winter clothes or too cold in my summer clothes :annoyed: and would love to be more stylish and comfortable this time around. Does anyone have any favorite spring staples to share? I appreciate any suggestions you can give me.
 
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#80
Pursedoctor said:
Hi all you wonderful, well dressed ladies and gents! Is it too late to say happy new year? Hope all of you are well and enjoying your lives (and wardrobes). @rayshines how is wardrobe building/purging going? I took a break from shopping after my big spree last year and now that spring is hopefully around the corner I'd love some advice again! Normally I have suffered through spring being either too hot in my winter clothes or too cold in my summer clothes :annoyed: and would love to be more stylish and comfortable this time around. Does anyone have any favorite spring staples to share? I appreciate any suggestions you can give me.
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Hello!
I'm more of a layering person when it comes to spring.
Generally I'm good with a light jacket or a cardigan that I can take off if I feel too hot. I do live in California though so the climate is more mild.

My current RTW go-tos are my Burberry cropped trench jacket or a YSL or Burberry cardigan.
 
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#81
Pursedoctor said:
Hi all you wonderful, well dressed ladies and gents! Is it too late to say happy new year? Hope all of you are well and enjoying your lives (and wardrobes). @rayshines how is wardrobe building/purging going? I took a break from shopping after my big spree last year and now that spring is hopefully around the corner I'd love some advice again! Normally I have suffered through spring being either too hot in my winter clothes or too cold in my summer clothes :annoyed: and would love to be more stylish and comfortable this time around. Does anyone have any favorite spring staples to share? I appreciate any suggestions you can give me.
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Happy spring!

Agree with @lill_canele
Mine are a trench and a cardigan too

And for summer, I swear by paper thin, light, tropical weight wool trousers from Lafayette
Elastic waistband, light colored. . .they go with everything
 
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#83
lill_canele said:
Hello!
I'm more of a layering person when it comes to spring.
Generally I'm good with a light jacket or a cardigan that I can take off if I feel too hot. I do live in California though so the climate is more mild.

My current RTW go-tos are my Burberry cropped trench jacket or a YSL or Burberry cardigan.
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880 said:
Happy spring!

Agree with @lill_canele
Mine are a trench and a cardigan too

And for summer, I swear by paper thin, light, tropical weight wool trousers from Lafayette
Elastic waistband, light colored. . .they go with everything
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You both reminded me to actually take my fancy trench coat out of its garment bag and use it :) I'm in the midwest so all my cardigans are a bit too warm for me in the spring. Going to invest in a nice lightweight one (the YSL ones look gorgeous @lill_canele). And @880 those Lafayette pants look so comfy and polished. Thank you both for the suggestions!
 
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#84
#85
Pursedoctor said:
Oooh these look so cozy but still dressy, thank you for the suggestions! Do you find any of the knits warmer than the others? I'd like to go with less warm ones where possible.
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I probably go in the opposite direction - I’m always cold - but eric bompard has a huge range of seasonal weights and the hoodies are a great transitional option.
 
#87
Pursedoctor said:
Thank you!

I used to be always cold but now thanks to perimenopause I have switched to feeling like I'm roasting most of the time :annoyed:
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This may be TMI, but a few years ago, when I assumed perimenopause or menopause was causing the roasting feeling, I rehomed some super fabulous expensive items to my cleaning woman. Only to find that an adjustment in thyroid meds took some care of the issue, and a hysterectomy and HRT, the rest.

If you like projects, vintage RTW or accessories can be a fun way to add some interest to a wardrobe. Deadstock is basically old stock that is unworn (new). But even with deadstock, I recommend dry cleaning, altering, and usually replacing linings (with better quality silk) and replacing, moving, or restoring pockets( some of which don’t survive lengthy storage). These things do add considerably to the cost of a garment though. To find a tailor, I recommend starting local, near by. And, slowly and carefully starting a relationship. :)
 
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#88
880 said:
This may be TMI, but a few years ago, when I assumed perimenopause or menopause was causing the roasting feeling, I rehomed some super fabulous expensive items to my cleaning woman. Only to find that an adjustment in thyroid meds took some care of the issue, and a hysterectomy and HRT, the rest.

If you like projects, vintage RTW or accessories can be a fun way to add some interest to a wardrobe. Deadstock is basically old stock that is unworn (new). But even with deadstock, I recommend dry cleaning, altering, and usually replacing linings (with better quality silk) and replacing, moving, or restoring pockets( some of which don’t survive lengthy storage). These things do add considerably to the cost of a garment though. To find a tailor, I recommend starting local, near by. And, slowly and carefully starting a relationship. :smile:
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Not TMI at all! Thank you for sharing your experience I will ask my doctor to do a thyroid workup for me. And I am going to look for a tailor :)
 
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#89
My indispensable bottoms are Skins XS black Series 3 or Series 5 Travel and Recovery leggings(or charcoal ), which are cut for me perfectly as I have no hips at all, but very long legs-they’re not too short, but there’s not too much fabric in the top block either.

My washing is abysmal(plus I live in a very hot building), so I literally don’t own knitwear, just a couple of polo neck fine ribbed thermal base layers.

I’ve always worn light blue shirts, which I prefer double cuff, I’m flat chested, so bespoke are more flattering, also high count cotton counteracts the heat in the building.

In the summer I often have off white linen camisoles made, I have a Japanese charcoal leather jacket which is several years old which I love.
It doesn’t sound age appropriate , but my shape is that of a young girl, and on a good day I look very young(I had a very bad year last year-bad Covid, sexually assaulted, Siamese cat became ill with terminal renal failure, and for the first time aged overnight), I also need to work on wearing clothes that fit..I’ve suffered severe IBS since food poisoning in Austria aged 16, and mostly wear tops which are too big..my true size is XXS but I have tops in L so that I can eat what I want, when really I should eat the things which are actually good for me..

In the winter I wear shearling coats-my parents bought me one for Christmas in 2017 which I wear and I have another Sandro very dark navy shearling jacket.

Next winter(AW 2023/24) im going to Harrods to have a Fendi MTM shearling made.

I also have bespoke biker jackets by No, No, Yes! Cut from a toile.
 
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#90
Hopping on this thread...

My wardrobe is missing a great white shirt. Just thick enough that it isn't see-through, long enough that it doesn't reveal my stomach when I raise my arms (I have long torso), and one that isn't too fitted. I don't really have a budget, but do you have any suggestions?
 
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