The 4-5 piece French wardrobe

[nogoodforme]

Originally Posted by Ianastar

I dont know if this has been discussed, or if I asked before.

If I have...please forgive.


BUT...would be the essential wardrobe for a French MALE?

i always think it's a mistake to 'prescribe' an essential wardrobe because it is very dependent on your life, profession, where you live. i often read pieces on 'wardrobe basics' and feel they have very little to do with my own life because i freelance in creative industries and rarely if ever need 'classic trousers,' for example. (and more importantly, they just don't work with my style.) and of course, style is personal...what if you love to wear dresses all the time? or if you like to wear suits, even for dressier occasions? i often feel it's more useful to know what to look for in a particular item you want to buy, so you can make the best possible, 'educated' purchase.

that said, i can only give the example of my boyfriend, who has the most pared-down wardrobe of anyone i know. he owns 5 button-down shirts, 7 t-shirts, 2 sweaters, 2 hoodies, one blazer/jacket, 3 pairs of jeans and 1 pair of regular type slacks. he owns three pairs of shoes: converse, a pair of oxfords (premiatas, i think) and a pair of combat-type boots. he doesn't accessorize, except for two scarves in the winter and one bag. and he owns two coats, an anorak for winter and a lighter jacket for spring. (i think he has one tie somewhere, but i've never seen it!) yet everything fits really well and is of good quality, so it's all been around for awhile.

of course, he doesn't work in an office, he works in the music industry, so he can be a little grungy in his 'uniform.' but it's perfect for him, he always looks good and everything fits well into his general temperament and lifestyle. (i envy him!) so i would say it all has to do with the style of your life, figuring out what you need and buying the best possible clothing with the resources you have. although for him what has worked are simple silhouettes (nothing too tight or too baggy) and darker colors (all his jeans are dark, for instance.) and in general the more classic you keep your outerwear, the less often you have to buy it. and i think a beautiful, well-made dark sweater that is not too loose is very versatile and long-lasting in style.

[fashionista-ta]

Just posting a picture of the slippers I wanted to get--I guess I may have waited too long though as my size is sold out, and I'm not sure if the L is going to be too big ...



As far as the French wardrobe for men, I totally agree with what everyone has said It depends on who you are. I knew a guy who actually had a bunch of great clothes, but more often than not he wore the same Armani sports jacket, silk or silk blend tweed I think (it was fabulous), tie, dress slacks, black croc shoes. But depending on your lifestyle, that might be too formal or too informal.

What are your favorite things in your closet right now? What do you wish you had?

[Ianastar]

I guess I should have phrased my question better.

I have a great wardrobe, and like to think I have style (including my own personal style)

As the thread was on the FRENCH wardrobe.

I was wondering more about what gusy in FRANCE typically wear.


Thanks for the input.

I pretty much have already what was mentioned.

Maybe I dont need anything more.

[laika]

Originally Posted by Ianastar

I was wondering more about what gusy in FRANCE typically wear.

If you go here, there is a very interesting article on Parisian men's style from the International Herald Tribune.

(I would post it right into the thread, but I always screw that up. )

[fashionista-ta]

Originally Posted by Ianastar

I guess I should have phrased my question better.

I have a great wardrobe, and like to think I have style (including my own personal style)

As the thread was on the FRENCH wardrobe.

I was wondering more about what gusy in FRANCE typically wear.


Thanks for the input.

I pretty much have already what was mentioned.

Maybe I dont need anything more.

Ah ... I believe the thread was originally the 4-5 piece "French" wardrobe--i.e., we are not really discussing French style (there's a different thread for that), but the French habit of buying several key pieces per season. This thread has become all about our various approaches to doing that. I think someone removed the quotation marks, probably because they cause search issues ...

[HiHeels]

Originally Posted by fashionista-ta

Ah ... I believe the thread was originally the 4-5 piece "French" wardrobe--i.e., we are not really discussing French style (there's a different thread for that), but the French habit of buying several key pieces per season. This thread has become all about our various approaches to doing that. I think someone removed the quotation marks, probably because they cause search issues ...

you know, on page 58 here, it's a good time to have a reminder of this. karma to you.

[Guessgirl96]

I tried to keep it to 10 items for f/w, I'm at 11 and I still want a couple things . At least it's not like last year when I got 9 pairs of shoes/boots and almost nothing else. I'm keeping a list just so this doesn't happen again.

[misstarshine]

I have intentionally not bought anything for about 2 months and now i think i can really look at the massive holes in my wardrobe and i'm going on a specific shopping spree to fill in these holes. These are the items i really need to get through the summer and that i will keep using over the years

-black pencil skirt
-another type of casual skirt
-casual shorts
-semi formal shorts
-summer day dresses x 2
-summer casual evening dress
-black blazer
-day sandals x 2
-evening sandals

Its a few more than 4-5 items but i figure i missed out on a few of my spring items, and the blazer will be used all year round. I think if i get these items i'll be on the way to a happy wardrobe.By not buying anything new for a while i definitely became really aware of what was missing.

[HiHeels]

^^ that looks like a great list. what about tops?
jan. vogue (au), page 60, has some cute sandals, at a whole range of price points.

[Ianastar]

Originally Posted by laika

If you go here, there is a very interesting article on Parisian men's style from the International Herald Tribune.

(I would post it right into the thread, but I always screw that up. )

thats a great article. Thank you

[Dizzydi]

My needs for summer and all times ahead:

Two pair of jeans, that just fits (they're so hard for me to find)
A white summerdress
A large black leather handbag (or a brown one, I'm not sure)

and that's pretty much it, but if I know myself ( and I really ought to by now), all I'll get is a handful of tops and a number of shoes i don't need

[fashionista-ta]

Originally Posted by Dizzydi

My needs for summer and all times ahead:

Two pair of jeans, that just fits (they're so hard for me to find)
A white summerdress
A large black leather handbag (or a brown one, I'm not sure)

and that's pretty much it, but if I know myself ( and I really ought to by now), all I'll get is a handful of tops and a number of shoes i don't need

Hey, no time like the present to change ... recreating the past is a choice

[fashionista-ta]

Originally Posted by Guessgirl96

I tried to keep it to 10 items for f/w, I'm at 11 and I still want a couple things . At least it's not like last year when I got 9 pairs of shoes/boots and almost nothing else. I'm keeping a list just so this doesn't happen again.

Hey, it's progress ... good for you, GG!!

Btw, I ordered the wooly slippers above in size L and am going to see how they work. I'll probably wear them over thick socks anyway, so maybe it'll be OK. I've asked for some wooly PJs for Xmas to go with ...

Thanks for the interesting article, laika It's good to know French guys are doing something about their teeth as well as their wardrobes

Thanks, HiHeels

[tourist10]

my husband and I agreed to go a strict budget this coming year, which is new for me. I mean, after taking out the necessary funds for retirement and bills, I've always felt at liberty to spend whatever I had left. Marriage does change things! In any case, I'll only be able to buy a few things next season, possibly only 2 or 3 items, so I'll be referring to this thread a lot.

fashionista-ta - I'm really interested in seeing how you are planning spring. I think I'm a bit like you in that, I have a mostly workable wardrobe, so most purchases are for things I want rather than things I need in my wardrobe (is this correct of you?)

[salomelovesjohn]

Originally Posted by Guessgirl96

I tried to keep it to 10 items for f/w, I'm at 11 and I still want a couple things . At least it's not like last year when I got 9 pairs of shoes/boots and almost nothing else. I'm keeping a list just so this doesn't happen again.

This is what happened to me last year. So I also have a list now!