Wardrobe Rebuild

[java]

This is my 3rd attempt to write this because I keep timing out! LoL!

The best way to rebuild your wardrobe is to start with underwear and bras/t-shirts. The wardrobe goes around them. Yes, nobody sees them except you and maybe your spouse/lover. When it all blends in, you'll feel on top of the world!

Fit is king! Everything fits differently even though they way list the same size. Too large, too small, too high, too low, too tight, too loose are all parts of the wardrobe challenge. Take your time. Try it all.

Keep an eye out on the material. Growing up I was told it's best to wear unblended which means 100% cotton. Not true. I only do that with shirts and pants. My favorite underwear shows 58% cotton, 37% polyester, and 8% spandex. My second favorite is 86% nylon and 14% elastane. It's all over the place. T-shirts are all 100% cotton.

Color is mostly white. I also have black which I mostly wear with jeans. I don't own any skin color which is good for bras.

Try, try, try. This is the base for your wardrobe. Later on, you'll wrap your clothing around this. Make your underwear match your clothing and your clothing match your underwear. Sure, nobody will see it but you but that's the goal here. This is YOUR wardrobe. This is you! 😊

[java]

Next up, shirts. This will be the top palette of your wardrobe. Keep it simple. If you're 5'6" and shorter, vertical stripes only (me). Mostly solids. Buy 7 long sleeve button up shirts and you can be done for life with shirts!

If you're thinking it won't stand out, that's the goal! You could buy a significant top but not now. This is the top part of a painting board: you.
Short sleeves are up to you. Polo short sleeves are much better than the button up short sleeves which you should avoid. Best to wear a long sleeve and you button it up.

Avoid graphics. Avoid blends. 100% cotton, wool, silk, or polyester only. Some of the shirts for fitness are a combination of cotton and 1% polyester and that's okay.

Keep the colors mostly solid and simple. You can get beautiful shirts but it's no longer daily wear. Daily wears are backdrops. Signature pieces can be your shoes, purses, jewelry, hair and nails, none at all, or the shirt you're wearing! Keep the signature piece simple. 1 or 2 pieces. They will stand out. You can also avoid all signature pieces because it could simply be you!

Once you start upgrading, move your old shirts and sweaters to the back of the closet or put them into a box. Box is better because they'll be out of sight and out of mind. After 6 months, get rid of them! Earlier or later is up to you.

[java]

And lastly pants, dresses, and skirts. Once again, fit is king. Baggy, loose, regular, form/slim fitting, or skinny is up to you. I forgot to mention the best way to shop is to find out what the designer/manufacturer is famous for and try those. They're rarely on sale so you may have to wait for Black Friday if you want it now. I get a lot of compliments wearing them.

Jeans. I've tried both the Levi's 501 shrink to fit and the other brand names that are in the hundreds of dollars. What I read is that they're all basically the same and I'll have to agree with that statement. What I've also read is that you should stick with one pair and wear it out and that's very true although I have several pairs so it'll be many more years before I get to that point. I did have one beautiful pair that I wore down after many years but I tossed it after I lost a lot of weight: 33 to 28.

Speaking of weight, if you're planning a diet, stick to your original clothing. You can add a few pieces during your weight loss transition. You might end up going nuts like me at 33, 31, 30, 29, and finally 28. I didn't see it coming.

Khaki pants and shorts are great. Dark, medium, and light khaki colors or just stick with just one pair of khaki colored khaki. I also like navy and white. No patterns.

Slacks are similar: black, navy, brown, and white. Dresses and mini skirts too although there are other color options like red.

Good luck and have fun! Treat it as a celebration of life! Have fun finding the significant pieces!

[java]

Oh, I forgot. Next up: suits. Mandatory for men. Don't wait until you need one. Get one now. It's time consuming to buy and have it tailored. Best to buy 1 now and a white shirt, tie, and dress shoes. Try the black, plain cap toe.

Navy or grey. No stripes nor patterns. Canvas, half canvas, or fused? Read about them here. Mine is canvas but I also own fused. Canvas is expensive.

blog.gotstyle.ca/style-tips/know-your-suits-full-canvas-vs-half-canvas-vs-fused

Expect a 10 year longevity. Mine is at year 12 but I don't see a need to replace it. Drapes beautifully and I've been watching my health and fitness so I won't have to buy a new one.

Another option is a blazer/sport coat and slacks. My navy blazer and grey slacks are fun to wear. Button color is up to you. Mine are gold.

Good luck!

[ProudTVJunkie]

I've been looking forward to this thread for over a year. I'm so happy to have it, and its author, back.

java, Please feel free to add to this thread, or start new fashion threads as often as you like. Your clothes and fashion commentary have always been some of my favorite posts ever since I saw them at the 12th!

On a personal note, I currently need to go through and clear out my closet. Space is at a premium and it needs to be done, and I figure now that I need to switch out winter wear for spring/summer, that it's a good time to go through it all. I just need to find the time to get it done.

[Deleted]

I have half a mind to Java-nap him to spend the day at the mall with us! My hubs & sons could use the help!  
And I'd have a ball drinking coffee and watching them! 

[java]

Apr 9, 2017 16:02:57 GMT -5 ProudTVJunkie said:

I've been looking forward to this thread for over a year. I'm so happy to have it, and its author, back.

java, Please feel free to add to this thread, or start new fashion threads as often as you like. Your clothes and fashion commentary have always been some of my favorite posts ever since I saw them at the 12th!

On a personal note, I currently need to go through and clear out my closet. Space is at a premium and it needs to be done, and I figure now that I need to switch out winter wear for spring/summer, that it's a good time to go through it all. I just need to find the time to get it done.

LoL! I didn't think anybody read my wardrobe comments! 🤣

As for closets, if you have room, here's a great wheeled rack. 400 lb capacity. I tested it out by doing chin-ups. No issues. Huge. Does not wobble. This one has 2 bars. The middle bar is pinned in when the owner turns a pin. It's not set so there are no holes to pin into which means you can set the middle bar at any height you want.

Some reviewers complain that their middle bar came loose and it collapsed. I haven't had that happen. I keep my shirts in this rack. Long sleeves at the top and t-shirts in the middle. They also make a one bar set where the bar is set at the very top. Both comes with a bar extender to increase the height to the point where it won't fit under a doorway. These are holed. The bottom hole wil keep the bar low enough for a doorway. No need to buy extra bar extenders.

I have both. They're great.

Double-Rail Z Rack Garment Rack with Wheels www.amazon.com/dp/B004TN93J8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_gcU6ybA9SRTPK

[java]

Apr 9, 2017 16:50:54 GMT -5 @kat said:

I have half a mind to Java-nap him to spend the day at the mall with us! My hubs & sons could use the help!  
And I'd have a ball drinking coffee and watching them! 

I'd have a ball being watched! 🤣

[java]

As I’ve said, fit is king but maintenance is queen! Dry cleaning everything is up to you and your pocketbook. I once had a friend who had a best friend from a wealthy family living in a neighborhood for the rich and famous. I came over and her mother was doing the laundry! All up to you! I myself wash almost everything except for the pieces with the label, “Dry Clean Only,” even after reading websites and videos about how to do it myself. Wear everything and enjoy! Build up your confidence. Love yourself! I once had someone photograph me in a clothing store and I’m pretty sure it was because I was wearing what some designers call an officer’s jacket. Here’s an example. I own one from Banana Republic and another from The Gap. I would have posed if he had asked!


bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?pcid=5001&vid=1&pid=320770002&searchText=Officer+jacket

Style changes yearly but the common denominator is you! I keep the pieces I love I and discard the ones I’m not wearing. These so called “Rules” are entirety up to you! Yes, there are certain events (eg wedding) and places that require you to wear a certain way and so you must stick to the rules (eg job) and that’s okay! Plan ahead and buy ahead because you will most likely end up at the tailor and that will take 3-6 weeks for completion. I’m currently shopping for a tuxedo, can’t find my size, and I know I’ll be at the tailor and that it will take 6 weeks to complete a tuxedo alteration. Sheesh!