The 4-5 piece French wardrobe #1

[crepebacksatin]

^^ i love a bright, fun color on the nails, as long as they're super super short. great way to add a pop of color, esp in winter when you have lots of neutral layers on...

 

[GasolineRainbow]

Only problem with color on the nails is that in the winter, your hands are covered up by gloves half the time. I find the best way to give a jolt to neutrals through cosmetics is by wearing a bright lip gloss or eyeliner. It really wakes up your skin too, which may look sallow in the dim light.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ I like hot pink lipstick/lipgloss for this purpose ... love it with greys.

 

[fashionista-ta]

You don't own a button-front shirt Are you sure?

I am sure They just don't work. I know they make that sticky tape stuff and other "solutions" but I'll be damned if I'm going to tape myself into my clothes

 

[HiHeels]

^^ i love a bright, fun color on the nails, as long as they're super super short. great way to add a pop of color, esp in winter when you have lots of neutral layers on...

that is key!

 

[floodette]

the color in most of outfits comes from scarves and my nail polish.

ah-ha! scarf! thanks a lot! i live in perpetual summerland, but i can always use scarf in hair, as belt, etc, right?

love the idea of grey with fuchsia lipstick, ta-ta. am thinking something like Nars Schiap....

 

[cambry]

yes! it also doesn't even have to be a scarf, i just wear them often because my grandmother gives me all her old silk scarves and i have a bad habit of buying the knit kind wherever i see them. i live in perpetual bipolarweatherland (see, last week it was seventy degrees one day, and this week it's freezing and we're being warned about two inches of snow...) i wear colorful tights/socks every now and then, colorful bags, etc. the great thing about not wearing anything but neutral as far as your actual clothes are concerned is that you can wear the color anywhere else.

 

[Lilliana]

I am sure They just don't work. I know they make that sticky tape stuff and other "solutions" but I'll be damned if I'm going to tape myself into my clothes

I know I am a bit late on this and I understand that many people just don't care about front buttoned shirts, but instead of sticky tape I think tailors are a good solution. I myself don't fit properly into many shirts but many years ago ( 5 or so hehe) my mother insisted on me having some proper shirts and we had them custom made. actually it is amazing what a well cut shirt can do for you and how versatile they are, I still love to wear them. although I must admit it wasn't a cheap solution.

 

[The_Ida]

^^ i love a bright, fun color on the nails, as long as they're super super short. great way to add a pop of color, esp in winter when you have lots of neutral layers on...

I love pink or purple with all the black clothes I'm wearing these days, esp OPI's Lincoln Park After Dark.

 

[fashionista-ta]

I know I am a bit late on this and I understand that many people just don't care about front buttoned shirts, but instead of sticky tape I think tailors are a good solution. I myself don't fit properly into many shirts but many years ago ( 5 or so hehe) my mother insisted on me having some proper shirts and we had them custom made. actually it is amazing what a well cut shirt can do for you and how versatile they are, I still love to wear them. although I must admit it wasn't a cheap solution.

Tell your mother to feel free to insist on my having some tailormade shirts as well

 

[HiHeels]

I know I am a bit late on this and I understand that many people just don't care about front buttoned shirts, but instead of sticky tape I think tailors are a good solution. I myself don't fit properly into many shirts but many years ago ( 5 or so hehe) my mother insisted on me having some proper shirts and we had them custom made. actually it is amazing what a well cut shirt can do for you and how versatile they are, I still love to wear them. although I must admit it wasn't a cheap solution.

this sounds like a very nice solution, but i think the shirt is just an item i am not comfortable in regardless of fit.

 

[fashionista-ta]

I don't see a picture of them online, but I found some black pumps for interviewing on sale today For once I hit a sale just right--they had just taken another markdown today, 40% off. They're Jimmy Choo, which I've never bought before. They're very simple, have a ... stitched-on band at the top, but they're cut very well so they don't look boring. They're also very comfortable. Heels, but not too high, maybe 3". (Incidentally I got double points at Nordstrom's, which I believe promoted me a level, so I get some kind of additional privileges now )

I also tried on some Manolos (also on sale), and they didn't fit me right at all. Same for Barney's private label. Since I was happy with the Choos, I didn't try on any of the Louboutins, which weren't on sale ...

 

[fashionista-ta]

bobellisshoes

Found a picture ... the style is Glacier.

 

[maiden voyage]

^^ those are really great, amazingly sculptural, plus they are hot!

yesterday i was wearing a watch with a red strap... reminded me of flodette's comment about adding color to neutrals...

i can't do colored nails (they'd be all chipped in a few hours), but i love scarves, there are a million ways to wear them which makes it fun...
another way i add color is with layers like tank tops, camisoles - in winter i usually wear cardigans or slouchy vneck sweaters, and a little color peaking out can brighten things up a lot...

 

[HiHeels]

^ my idea of colors is black on black. or black with navy. lol

 

[Ella-Picobella]

So the things I will still buy till moving away next summer are (thats covering now a part of the fall/winter and the whole spring/summer season) :
- 1 simple coloured cardigan (purple would be good) (bought!!)
- a knitted cardigan (bought!)
- few plain t-shirts and tops
- a striped long sleeve (bought!!)
- 2 simple dresses for wearing every day
- a pair of simple shoes for spring
- pair of ballet flats


bought a simple black and white stripy long sleeve today...its just a basic , but you can combine it well with a simple cardigan

another update: bought a beige knitted pullover from Zara. Its is very soft and comfortable. The fabric is wool mixed with something else. I love it! And black flats from Vagabond are on my wish list for christmas

 

[elle s'ennuie]

It took me a week to go through this topic from the beginning, but every moment was well spent and now that I've reached the end, I'm even kind of wishing it were longer.

My own wardrobe is anything but "French" as I'm definitely guilty of shopping to relieve stress or whatever other emotional need that goes neglected otherwise... The states of my bank account (empty) and my closet (stuffed full) are forcing me to reconsider my habits though. So finding this thread happened at exactly the right time.

I have made a list of items in my wardrobe that are definite keepers, now I need to go through the rest and decide what to do with them. I bought a bunch of basic cardigans and tops last week, so now I don't think there's anything really missing that I need, only things that I want...

I might allow myself a pair of ankle boots for early spring when it's still too cold for shoes, and a long skirt I've had my eye on for ages. And lingerie. But that really should be it for the next few months.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^^ those are really great, amazingly sculptural, plus they are hot!

yesterday i was wearing a watch with a red strap... reminded me of flodette's comment about adding color to neutrals...

Thanks

I'm glad you mentioned watch straps ... I do that too, but had forgotten about it. I have a Michelle watch with a red patent and a green croc strap. Plan to add more when I get a chance ...

Btw, the heels are 85mm lacquer and seem to be pretty durable, and the leather is "glossy kid."

Welcome, elle s'ennuie I think it's a good idea not to cut yourself off, and it is a good idea to have transitional items so that your wardrobe works well at all times of year.

When you decide what you want to get rid of, thought I'd mention a couple good places to donate clothes. Women's shelters need clothes, and also inpatient drug programs, some of which are specifically targeted to women. This is a good place to donate smaller sizes. Sometimes the women need clothes to wear to court.

 

[two months off]

Although it wasn't on my list, I got a pair of black flats. I don't own any flats, apart from sneakers, so I felt weird getting them but I'm trying to work them into my daily wardrobe. I got the Sue London ones, the ones that fold, so it's an extra value for travel : )

 

[classicalbang]

When you decide what you want to get rid of, thought I'd mention a couple good places to donate clothes. Women's shelters need clothes, and also inpatient drug programs, some of which are specifically targeted to women. This is a good place to donate smaller sizes. Sometimes the women need clothes to wear to court.

Terrific suggestion!