How to do a total wardrobe purge on a budget?

[dippingmytoeinagain]

I could do with some advice from you wise ones! My wardrobe leaves me totally uninspired, I stand in front of it and feel dismal and frumpy...stuff doesn't match, I have loads of tops but nothing to go with them, plenty of shoes but nothing that works with my clothes - a total disaster area really. I go to work feeling like a sack of potatoes tied up in the middle with string. I wish I could gather it all up, get rid and start again but I'm on a tight budget and also don't like shopping! Please, does anyone have any words of wisdom of how to tackle this and ideas of this summers best purchases (for info, I work part-time in a school, am 43 y/o mom to 2 kids, and like being comfy and warm!)

Thanks so much

[SoftKittyWarmKitty]

Go through your wardrobe this weekend and try everything on. Get rid of anything that doesn't fit, doesn't suit you or you just don't like. Either eBay them, send to Clothes for Cash (or it might be Cash for Clothes - I forget which - they're based in Scarborough though), or bag up for the charity shop.

Next work out what goes with what from what's left. It might mean trying on tops with trousers/skirts that you don't normally wear together - you never know, some things might work as an outfit. After that, work out which items you need most urgently and focus on buying them. Write a list of essentials and keep it in your bag, so you don't get sidetracked. Try supermarkets for cheap basics (Sainsbury's is good - look out for their 25% off clothing which they usually do around Bank Hols, so if it's not on this weekend it'll be on at the end of May). Otherwise I like Dorothy Perkins, New Look and Primarni.

I'm in a similar situation to you and also not keen on shopping, but have bought a few new items recently which has made a big difference to my wardrobe.

[Mashedupbanana]

How about going to House of Colour and getting your colours analysed.. My wardrobe is the same, nothing goes and all the wrong size for me anyway at the moment. I don't have a big budget but read on here about HoC and would agree that it is worth the investment as you end up with a pallet of colours that suit you (and eventually everything will kind of go together). I only went on Saturday so it's all new for me but I can see how it will actually save me money longer term as easier to then buy a capsule wardrobe

[Piemother]

Marking my place because I have this problem too!

[FrugalFashionista]

The book You are what you wear is very good - it explains how to get organized but also how to avoid ending up in the same situation in the future.

[dippingmytoeinagain]

Thank you all - will pick a day when I feel in the mood and have a good old sort out and hopefully clear out some rubbish and discover a few gems in the process!