So I'm deeply, deeply uninspired by 80% of my wardrobe right now. I have pretty much no work clothes I can get excited about. My undergarments are all old and don't fit right. I think the last time I had a bra fitting was several years ago. I have a couple pieces I love, but they're almost all cocktail dresses and that's not exactly a going to grocery store look.

I love vintage and indie style. I'm very much inspired by the '40's and '50's. I love wearing ridiculous heels even though I'm already almost 6 feet tall. At the same time, I want pieces that will last. I'm willing to spend a little more on a solid skirt or well cut jacket. I hate wearing jeans and generally am not a huge fan of pants. I much prefer skirts and dresses.

How do I start to weed out the stuff I don't like and add in pieces I really love? I can't exactly go on a shopping spree and drop a few hundred dollars. What are some good stores to look for good quality, but not super pricey stuff? What's the best way to go about a complete wardrobe overhaul? I'm stumped!

I have a very organized closet with everything facing the same way on the hanger, so what I do every year around this time is when I put my clothes away after doing laundry I hang them on the hanger facing the opposite way. After about 3-4 months I start to see what is not getting worn at all. Unless it is something like a cocktail dress, an item that can only be worn for a very limited time during the year or something else for a special occasion, I toss it or donate it. I do this for shoes as well, but I have to be a real stickler on myself when replacing shoes otherwise I end up with far too many.

I am partial because I work for Macy's, but I do most of my work clothes shopping there, White House Black Market or at Ann Taylor/The Loft. You will find good quality designers at department stores. I try to only shop when something is on sale and I have a coupon. Yesterday at work I bought a dressy tank and a pair of Ralph Lauren khakis for $30, original retail would have been $180. If you decide to do a department store like Macy's, I advise watching their sales closely. We have Private Sales and Use Your Card events that work on top of the already marked down items. Often you save more at stores like these (and get coupons in the mail) if you have their store credit card.

This is a really good time to start shopping, spring collections are coming out so you can get winter items (and some fall items that may still be left) on huge markdowns. This isn't just "seasonal" type of stuff either like sweaters and things. The pants I got are basically the same pants that are in the spring collection, just with a different name. Associates can point the deals out to you and tell you when an extra sale is coming up.

Start with the basics. Once you weed out the clothes that you never wear, you will see what you already have that is already a staple for you and what you need to add. I bet you will find that you really don't need to replace much at all. From what you said, you don't wear a lot of pants or jeans... so that leaves skirts and dresses, and you don't need many. A few tailored skirts and dresses, a blazer and a few cardigans are all you need for the base. After that you can add in fun vintage shirts and scarves or a trendy shoe.

I was just about to recommend Macy's. I always buy stuff at the end of the season, because they have major sales. I just bought 3 peacoat jackets for a total of $85, originally it would have cost $390!

Right now, they seem to be clearing out their winter and dress section. Are you able to still fit in a Juniors? I buy the majority of my clothes and they are pretty good quality at Macys.

^I'm pretty sure I could still fit into Juniors. As I said, I don't really wear pants that often and usually pants are the problem in Juniors. Tops, dresses, and skirts are usually fine.

I have a few good basics. I have a couple black pencil skirts that are still in good shape. I've got some button down shirts that I don't really wear, but they'd look good with the pencil skirts and a blazer. I desperately need tights. All the ones I have are old and saggy or have runs in them. I was thinking of Marshall's or TJ Maxx for those. I think they have sets of 3 for like $10. I've only got 2 pairs of pants I wear with any regularity.

I can't remember the last time I actually shopped in Macy's, but I'll definitly check it out. I'm all about sales.

Before you drop money on new clothes have a friend come and look at them. When I lived with my friend she would borrow clothes from me and put together outfits I had never thought of. You might still need new things but it could liven up things enough to get thru the winter season

^Unfortunately, none of my friends are the same size. Or did you mean have someone come over, look at what I have, and put together new outfits?

I tend to find pretty nice stuff at discount stores, like TJ Maxx. There's going to be a Ross in a somewhat nearby town soon and I am totally willing to drive the extra time once every few months to get new stuff.

Department stores can be surprising. I have found some cute stuff on the clearance racks in Sears, which I didn't expect at all...I was actually cutting through Sears to get to a cell phone store and the clothes caught my eye. Kohls also treats me fairly well. My only problem there is that sometimes I find cute skirts or dresses that I can't wear to work due to my giantism making the hem fall above my knees. I signed up for a Kohls charge card just to get the discounts; I just buy the stuff on the card for the discount and then pay it off right away. It's working nicely thus far.

Or did you mean have someone come over, look at what I have, and put together new outfits?

That's what I meant. There were a bunch of pieces in my closet that my roomie was like..why don't you just throw on a belt with it?!

And now it's my favorite.

^ Yes that could definitely help, especially if you are a "mannequin shopper." I have a small wardrobe but I don't think people at work notice because I will mix and match, throw on a scarf or chunky necklace, add a belt, etc...

Target's women's section is almost completely clearance stuff at this point. As is their pajama and workout wear. And they turn over shoes with a quickness, so they've pretty much always got those on clearance. They've also got an end cap chock full of every color and style of tights you could come up with.

Old Navy also has a ton of stuff on clearance too. And I know that's not 100% your style, but they've got alot of staple type stuff, like long sleeve t's, that are pretty much going to be the same wherever they come from. I just bought one for $8, fit me like a dream, and washed really well too.

I'm afraid I have nothing useful to add, but I have to say, I'm shocked that you're over your wardrobe! Everything you mention in the "what am i wearing today?" thread always sounds so adorable!

This is less a "this is where I shop" and more a "this is how I shop". (Student budget, yay?)

I currently only buy on sale. But I do like to windowshop a fair bit, so I catch all the cute clothes early as they come out. I try everything on for sizing and plan outfits in advance, then wait patiently for the sales.

Sale arrives. Doors open at 9:00am. Clothes disappear from store 9:05am. BAM! Le shopping ninja has struck. *nods*

PS: OK, so overhaulling... know what to look for. Be ruthless with your wardrobe about what was an unflattering, impulse buy, and try to go shopping with a clear idea of what you're after (2 pairs of pants, one white top with an elegant neckline). I find when I do this, I actually buy things I love/need/will keep till they wear out, as opposed to things I simply like/don't really need/will probably discard in 12months.

lux-Thank you! That's very sweet. I get bored fairly easily with clothes, which is a bit of a problem.

glitter-Thanks for the tip about going out knowing what I want. I think I'll have a much better idea once I sort out my closet. Kohl's is having a gigantic sale and offering 20% off if you use the store credit card. Very tempting.

I also think I've gained a little weight recently and that might be part of the problem.

glitterfairy wrote:

try to go shopping with a clear idea of what you're after (2 pairs of pants, one white top with an elegant neckline).

YES to this. Every time I need to go shopping, I do this-I'm going today and I know I need a belt, 2-3 pairs of khakis or cords, a pair of new flats, and maybe a new sweater. It helps so much, and every time I don't do it, I usually end up with the impulse buys.

I love Forever 21 because it's pretty cheap but the clothes don't last as long as I would like them to but they have a ton of cheap plain camis for $3.80 and plain tees for $3.80 ( of every color ).
Unless you are buying a fancy dress I don't think anything is priced over $30. They have really cute retro skirts in the spring/summer time but they fit me awkwardly so I lose out.

I found some great stuff courtesy of Kohl's sale.

I got 3 new dresses, a new skirt, 2 dressy tops, a new pair of heels, and some undies. I'm going to spend tomorrow afternoon going through my closet and getting rid of the stuff I don't wear or don't want any more. I also happen to live around the corner from a Goodwill, so I can take all my old stuff there.

Don't forget about EBAY for your old clothes. I've made money by selling some old clothes that I planned on donated. Then you'll have more money for more shopping!!

I honestly don't really have stuff worth selling. Most of the stuff I don't want any more is off brand stuff. I might get money for my J.Crew and Banana Republic jeans, but I wouldn't bet on it. My bottom half is so oddly proportioned, I can't imagine someone needing that size.

^ Or someone will be GLAD you put it on because it's an odd size! The fact that that item was made in the first place means that at least a good handful of people will need it!

Odd sized jeans are the bomb! I wear a size 2-4 in a 36-38 inseem. Do you know how rare it is to find that? I bet someone would love to have your odd size.

I'm a TJ Maxx/Marshalls FANATIC! The key there is that you really need to take your time, you know? As in, go hanger by hanger. I've gotten all my favorite clothes from there. Maxi dresses that are usually $100 for $30, and I recently got an oversized sweater that retailed for like $150 for $40. Not to mention, you won't see people wearing the same things as you, which is always a big selling point for me.

THRIFT STORES! I've gotten pairs of $150 jeans for $7. You'd be AMAZED what you can find. My husband and I would hit up the ones in really nice areas and I have easily $2000-3000 worth of clothes that we might've spent $150 on? Did I mention they look brand new?

I also LOVE New York and Co. I got a $150 dress for $7 there.