The 4-5 piece French wardrobe

[fashionista-ta]

Originally Posted by jaydotcee

I've basically spent the last few days reading this entire thread. I am an on and off tfs-er. I try to wean myself off this site but its just way too addicting and alas, I spend too much time here.
Anyhow, I am a 20-year-old university student and I want to start investing in some higher quality pieces. Its difficult though because I go to school in a small-ish town and Canadian/Toronto winters are quite displeasing at times. I'm not investing too much in SS08 this year because I have a lot of dresses and tops that carried over from last season. They are by no means good quality/investment pieces but they should last me through this summer. Also, Toronto summers are fairly short and don't often get too hot save for a few heat waves.

So - I'm looking for pieces that will be university appropriate (comfort and not too dressy as I don't want to look like I'm trying too hard etc.) and pieces that I can carry over to work and etc.

I'm really into looser fitting tops paired with skinnies. So I like to layer baggy cardigans over a tank or during warmer weather a lot of AA t-shirts. I dress them up with jewelry and scarves (I think I have over 25 different scarves... oops)

On my list for FW08:
- dark dark dark skinnies that I can wear with these gorgeous j-crew boots that I have yet to wear because I'm not quite sure how to wear them but the leather is TDF. (picture from: http://www.boston.com/news/globe/mag..._the_look?pg=6)



- nice dark grey/black peacoat
- neutral (black/grey/pewter) good quality flats
- black trousers (I would really like to invest in a pair but I don't know how often I will be able to wear them so I'm not sure if I should hold off for now)
- pencil skirt (again, I'm not sure how often I will be able to wear them but I love the silhouette - Also I have very small hips so I'm not sure how it would look on me)
- Wolford-type tights to wear with dresses/skirts etc - If anyone could suggest a place where I can find a nice pair of wool tights I would be very grateful
- Winter boots uggaustralia.com (I'm trying to stay away from the classic uggs because absolutely everyone wears a pair but they're really well suited for Canadian winters and keep my feet warm)


- Black/brown suede/leather low heeled boots I'm quite weary of suede just because of the weather
- White button down shirt: There's one I really like from jcrew, I think its the men's button down or something but their site is down so I'll try and post it later on.

If anyone has any recommendations I would love any sort of advice or ideas of silhouettes. Thanks in advance!

p.s I apologize for this novel of a post.

Congratulations on making it thru the whole thread!!! It's really getting long now ...

You live in the perfect climate for an investment wardrobe. You can do it anywhere, of course, but a majority F/W climate is better than majority S/S, IMO.

They aren't wool, but I wear all Donna Karan or DKNY tights. They're quite good quality & less expensive than Wolford.

I had a pair of black wool gabardine trousers that lasted for 10 years, so this is a great investment piece. If you can get by with just jeans right now, I'd put them on the back burner of your shopping list, and look when you have time/budget. They will be super useful when you're working.

As far as pencil skirts, I think they should work for you, but the best thing to do is just try a few on & see what you think

m&c, no, I haven't gotten them, just thought about it

[fashionista-ta]

StellaMare, I had similar issues with clothes for my vacation last summer--I had to buy some more things & do it quickly--I just didn't have enough casual clothes. The results were a bit of a mixed bag (i.e., not nearly as good as my usual results because I was rushing). So try to determine exactly what you must have for the trip, and then shop methodically Also, think about how the clothes will fit into your "real" wardrobe once you get back, and take all that into consideration too ...

PS Don't forget that you can go shopping when you get there too

[Guessgirl96]

I thought gabardine was a brand but looked it up and found out it's a material. Where can you get gabardine pants?

[The_Ida]

I bought this coat from Paul & Joe Sister...but I think I can find something similar much cheaper, no? The wool is really lovely and the coat is very well made, but it's half a size too big and I don't really want to spend that much on something that doesn't fit perfectly. I feel I could get this at H&M, but I still love it.

The thing is that I'm working every single day this summer, I don't have time to go looking for coats...and they're gone a week after they hit the shops. Can't believe they start coming in early July

[fashionista-ta]

Originally Posted by Guessgirl96

I thought gabardine was a brand but looked it up and found out it's a material. Where can you get gabardine pants?

Probably everyone uses it from time to time ... Austin Reed is a brand that specializes in it. Gabardine wears like iron ...

You can get it at Barrie Pace. They have a whole category of Austin Reed 'gabardine essentials': http://www.barriepace.com/bp/NewCate...e%20Essentials

[fashionista-ta]

Originally Posted by The_Ida

I bought this coat from Paul & Joe Sister...but I think I can find something similar much cheaper, no? The wool is really lovely and the coat is very well made, but it's half a size too big and I don't really want to spend that much on something that doesn't fit perfectly. I feel I could get this at H&M, but I still love it.

The thing is that I'm working every single day this summer, I don't have time to go looking for coats...and they're gone a week after they hit the shops. Can't believe they start coming in early July

I like it, Ida ... though I think I may have liked the design of the H&M coat you posted better? It does look a little big for you in the shoulders, but I find that it's helpful for coats to be a little big to handle all the layering & sweaters & jackets underneath when it's cold. Have you tried it on that way?

Actually I think you're better off going with the very best brand you can afford for a winter coat ... if you can get something on sale, that's the best way to get a bargain, but it sounds like where you live that's not going to be an option. In my climate we don't have that kinda demand for coats

I like the box pleats ... very unique.

Btw, I remember someone posted a Valentino coat. It hadn't come in yet when I went by to get my shoes, but I looked at the lookbook with the SA, and she commented she expected it to absolutely fly out of the store ... I assume it's cashmere. All the fabrics I saw there were beyond gorgeous.

[The_Ida]

I remember that Valentino coat! Oh yes, I bet it's gone in two days.

I like the H&M coat better too, I'm not too sure about the quality of the wool though. I do have a winter coat, but I've had it for three years...so I'm getting a bit sick of it even though it still fits me perfectly.

I returned the Paul & Joe coat...I wasn't happy about the shoulders at all. It was too big, layering or not. It was 2600 dkr, and I didn't expect my shoulders to grow much, so...

All the coats in Denmark are gone in September, I can't remember that I've ever seen one on sale

[fashionista-ta]

^ No reason not to have a couple of coats & rotate them ...

What about the next size down in the coat you got? Did they not have it? Given how big the shoulders were on you, I think it was more than half a size too big ...

Btw, that Valentino coat is more than $5K.

[The_Ida]

They didn't make a size 34 I don't know why they didn't, it makes me so sad. I thought Paul & Joe was french, and that often means tiny sizes...but no?

Haha, I'm still sure that the Valentino coat will be gone in days, even if it's $7K

[lick1987]

I am trying to invest in pieces by calculating cost-per-wear. This works for most things like coats and shoes..I buy higher quality items that I can wear everyday and for a longer time before they wear out... but unforunately this rule doesn't work for evening dresses ( which I love) as they are rather expensive and can't really be worn on a day to day basis.

[fashionista-ta]

Originally Posted by The_Ida

They didn't make a size 34 I don't know why they didn't, it makes me so sad. I thought Paul & Joe was french, and that often means tiny sizes...but no?

Haha, I'm still sure that the Valentino coat will be gone in days, even if it's $7K

Oh dear, I didn't even think that they might not have made your size It's been a long time since I've been on that side of the spectrum Well, that just totally sucks ...

I guess the other option would be to have it tailored, but redoing the shoulders w/b expensive ... is there by chance a back seam?

[pucci_mama]

So I ended up getting the Chanel bag, lambskin silver hardware... and its working out pretty well with my outfits already.

I do however feel like I am stuck in a bit of a rut..I don't really feel inspired by anything new... I don't know if its because I sort of have everything I need.. and everything else becomes superfluous.

I guess I will be inspired once the fall collections start to come in..

I got a pair of black round-toe patent flats as my 'easy' footwear.

I am still thinking of loafers...

StellaMare: I don't really envy those that go out shopping and bring home loads..it's a bit mindless imo..that kind of shopping...

[fashionista-ta]

Originally Posted by pucci_mama

StellaMare: I don't really envy those that go out shopping and bring home loads..it's a bit mindless imo..that kind of shopping...

Completely agree ... to me it's like bingeing ... Not a happy thing. Plus, I know the thrill of any purchase is pretty fleeting ... so why not savor each one on its own?

[tomato8]

Originally Posted by pucci_mama

StellaMare: I don't really envy those that go out shopping and bring home loads..it's a bit mindless imo..that kind of shopping...

i definitely agree. the purchases that i really have thought out, im still excited to wear them and look at them. i couldnt care less about the stuff ive bought just because i wanted something to buy.

[fashionista-ta]

Isn't this See by Chloe skirt cute?