The 4-5 piece French wardrobe

[HiHeels]

phew, i think i'm all caught up now. was away traveling and missed a whole lot of discussion.
so many great posts, and lots of pictures, an added bonus. can't remember now, but i think at least 2 ppl posted pics in jeans - you both look great!
i keep what i call a collage book, but i usually just put in things that i like, whether it's a sweater or a rug or a lamp or just a color, or wallpaper. then i group and layer the pictures to make pages that i like to look at. i never thought to create one for wardrobe ideas. i wonder if i could try this, responsibly (meaning, don't obsess and freak out and feel like i have to buy everything i cut out - having the pics around at my fingertips 24/7 might be too much for me, lol).
i have 2 new spring/summer tops that i didn't have before, a blazer and a pair of shoes. i think i'm set for spring/summer.
the winter sales haven't tempted me, or rather, i have resisted. i got a cashmere sweater and pretty (though light) wool top as gifts, which are now favorite staples. all done shopping - just looking for one or two accessories now. that's it until next fall i think.

[floodette]

heh heh, went to the biggest shopping mall in my area, there are lots of HUUUUGEEEEE discounts everywhere!!!! Even the biggest dept-sto has almost all-floor big discount for shoes....

Planned to buy a black pump to replace my old one, but managed to resist all the solde thingy and just*focus*on*looking*for*THE*perfect*pumps Not find it yet, though...

Yet my CC still suffered a bit since I need to buy new cellphone (mine short-circuited after drowned in my bag )

Anyway, buying for replacing something is not *really* count, right?

[CityofAngels]

I really need some timeless yet still chic and fashionable gold jewelry... I always have a problem with necklaces and can never find one that I like... or if I do it's the wrong length. In terms of wardrobe... thinking about Spring clothing seems so distant when it's so dreary and cold out...

[LaurieAnn]

I've been allowing myself to buy one high qulaity, versatile, signature piece of jewelry each year. Two years ago it was a gold Michelle watch I wear every day (it's the only watch I have now). Last year it was a pair of gold earings by David Yurman which are the perfect shape for my face; I wear them almost daily. This year I am debating either purchasing a new watch for more casual wear, the one in the advert. by Links of London; or a gold cuff. Not sure which, but since it's only the beginning of January I have plenty of time to look around to see if I can find the perfect cuff.

[fashionista-ta]

Originally Posted by LaurieAnn

I've been allowing myself to buy one high qulaity, versatile, signature piece of jewelry each year. Two years ago it was a gold Michelle watch I wear every day (it's the only watch I have now). Last year it was a pair of gold earings by David Yurman which are the perfect shape for my face; I wear them almost daily. This year I am debating either purchasing a new watch for more casual wear, the one in the advert. by Links of London; or a gold cuff. Not sure which, but since it's only the beginning of January I have plenty of time to look around to see if I can find the perfect cuff.

I have a Michelle watch too (and have met Michelle--she was very nice, I was impressed with her lovely manners), but stainless rather than gold. She shares my love for Deco and rose gold. Wearing it atm with green croc band--love the interchangeable bands.

[Yin&Yang]

I've been following this thread for a quite a while ( before I finally got my invitation join the forum ) and I must said that this thread inspire me to cut down those impulse buy. I used to be very high and hyper on discounted items that leads to a cupboard FULL of clothes that does not flatter me or something I would not wear. Some of them remains brand new forever.

But right now after I limit myself to get only a few basic pieces and 1-2 signature pieces, things getting so much better. I have lesser clothes that I used to be but all of them compliment each other well. Whenever I have a last minute invitation to a party or gathering, I would not need to ponder "What should I wear tonight?" because I can pick up something from my cupboard and knowing that it would not fail me.

From quantity to quality, now I move to quality to quantity.
It's so much better, really. At least I don't have difficulty locating the top i have in mind or the belt I intend to wear today.

[dinosaur]

Thanks, quimby. it is really helpful.

Thanks again, cosmogrl, I hope making the book will help me take control my shopping. I spent a little too much, and broke my plan since after-christmas sales.

[fashionista-ta]

^ Just being conscious of what you're doing is half the battle

I read Peter Walsh's It's All Too Much over the holidays (great book btw), and he mentions one of his clients who had 16 black silk blouses in her closet. She had no idea she had them all ... that's what having a plan will do for you, you'll stop buying the same thing over & over again.

Also ... your closet should not be so big that you could have 16 of the same thing & not know it

[cosmogrl5]

^ That book sounds very interesting. I am going to have to pick it up. Thanks for the tip.

[fashionista-ta]

^ You're most welcome ... just out in paperback & very inspiring. As I have confessed before, closet clutter is not my issue--paper clutter is. I have been spending time morning and night each day in my storage room clearing things out ... and fashion magazines are an issue for me too Luckily they have a bit of an expiration date so it's not as bad as the shelter magazines--the kind I like tend to be evergreen

My feng shui person came to do my annual update this past weekend, and I brought up the issue of color & clothes. We discussed the problem of black ... Now I'm in a bit of a tizz because my favorite spring shoes are black and white, neither of which is a good color for me from a feng shui perspective One thing she suggested that I hadn't thought of is that earth tones like camel are a good way to "cut" black (earth weakens water). She said both grey and white make it stronger (I assume both of these are metal). Also that for me, grey represents money, so good from that perspective.

We had a totally wild weather day yesterday--January is supposed to be winter here, but yesterday was a gorgeous spring day and I wore my favorite silver grey silk voile blouse. I discovered that I couldn't wear it with my new black pants as I'd wanted because I didn't have any heels that worked, so that's a problem I need to solve. I am torn ...

The peep toe oxfords I like really don't work with my blouse either ... it has an Edwardian vibe, and the shoes are pretty tailored. Plus they are not a bright color so won't do anything for me energetically. I need to try the outfit on with my MJ rose gold sandals, see how that works ...

Just thought I would share my wardrobe planning angst I am starting to feel that I know too much ... was ignorance bliss, I don't remember

[Yin&Yang]

fashionista-ta > The book sounds promising. Will definately try to find that on my next book finding trip. Yes, small cupboard will somehow force you to only keep things that you need and will works. I have a feeling that it cut down your purchase too? Because everytime you buy something new, you need to think on which existing piece you are going to let go to make some space for the new one.

PS. I think it's okay to share. I did that too - most of time - especially when I feel happy. ( I planned to wear xxx with xxx combined with xxx but since the weather is too hot i change to xxx with xxx and xxx plus xxx however da-di-da-di-da. ) It's just makes me feel excited.

[fashionista-ta]

^ One of my great uncles had the rule that when any new item came in the front door, something had to leave by the back door--it always made me shudder

I typically don't do it that way, but in a typical season, I do get rid of as many things as I acquire. It would probably be a good idea to ask yourself when you buy something new--Is there anything in my closet that really is past it? Is there anything that doesn't make me feel good when I wear it?

Usually I evaluate things at the end of a season, or just after wearing the item & realizing it wasn't up to snuff for whatever reason. If there's something in your closet that you're wearing infrequently & it's not a special occasion item, it's a good idea to go ahead & wear it so you can figure out whether you need to get rid of it or not.

[LaurieAnn]

I'm trying to do more consolidating. I just purchased a beautiful, classic pair of black leather 3" pumps of excellent quality. That purcuase will allow me to get rid of two pair of lesser quality, less comfortable black pumps that I bought a few years ago on a "let's get a bargain" kick. You know the kind, the bargains that aren't! I'm also replacing two pair of black pants and one pair of grey pants that no longer fit with just one pair of black pants.

What I'm really looking forward to is finding a few select pieces this spring/summer that are just so "me" that they will immediately amp up many of my basics.

[dinosaur]

Originally Posted by fashionista-ta

^ Just being conscious of what you're doing is half the battle

yes, I agree with you, that is my current situation.

thanks for the information of both the book and Feng Hui. I like black, grey, white and blue, but I remember that orange, red etc are good for me from Feng Hui perspective.

[fashionista-ta]

Btw, here's a chart that will let you find your feng shui birth element, in case you're wondering what your own is

http://www.tchiconsulting.com/5el.html

You've got one in feng shui, and you have a ruling element in Western astrology as well ... it so happens that mine is fire in both cases.