The 4-5 piece French wardrobe #1

[GasolineRainbow]

When it comes to coats, I usually say go for high quality, but in your case I would get something cute, trendy, and inexpensive. Just make sure it's sufficiently warm for when you do make that winter trip abroad; a good hint is to avoid anything with a high synthetic fabric count, no matter how warm it seems when you try it on.

With the occasional exception of eveningwear, it's more logical to splurge on items that you'll wear often. You have a lifetime ahead of you to find that perfect wool coat and trench; in the meantime, just have fun with it. I recently got these cheap imitation Uggs/moccasins for 15 euros. We had a small bout of freezing-cold weather and I needed that something extra to keep my feet warm. But if I lived in a colder climate, I would invest in a good pair of winter boots.

 

[The_Ida]

I fell in I was feeling down after a really nasty hectic day at work, and I accidentally made my way into Zara and got this:

Later that night, still exhausted and bummed, I also got these:

topshop.com

which means I've already bough a leather jacket, light blue jeans (wearing them in the pic) and then these two babies. I do think that I will keep them and that I'll wear them. I still can't afford anything that isn't high street though...oh well.

 

[GasolineRainbow]

Nothing like some good shopping therapy. The trench looks wonderful on you! I love the fabric and cold beige/gray color. I tried it on a few days ago, but the waist hit at an awkward length on me. Blast being short-waisted.

I got these two slip dresses from Calvin Klein, in black and this color.

www.cku.com

They hurt my wallet quite a bit (40 euros each), but I know I'll keep them forever, and they work under most dresses and shirt/skirt combos.

 

[The_Ida]

I love slip dresses...I used them all winter because I get cold easily But well, retail therapy isn't too bad if the money is well spent

 

[fashionista-ta]

i am a tropical gal, and i need to buy replacements for my beige trench and black wool coat. I wont use them much often anyway (for winter abroad trip only), and I am torn whether to buy a good quality ones that can survive years or buy something cute, trendy and not too expensive so I can discard it when I dont use it for too long. My previous ones are from the second categories, and they do look shabby quite quickly. What do you all advise? Is it worth investing on winter coat for tropical gal?

Anyway, for my daily outfit i still need:
-. good wrap in reddish / navyish color
-. neutral-colored, comfy pumps
-. high heeled sandals
-. good black v neck top

Lets hope I can stick to that list

Well, I have two coats, a Burberry trench (which is starting to show signs of wear after 20 years), and a fairly inexpensive black uncut corduroy coat from Anthropologie. I've worn it occasionally for, I think 3 years now? And it's showing no wear. So I'd suggest something about that level, the contemporary price range.

I bought a couple things to solve my "comfortable but chic" problem ... both on sale

One is a silk halter dress, more than half off, to be layered as a jumper over a black silk sweater. The other is a pair of black denim capris. The dress is white, royal blue, and black, a couple of complementary prints I believe, with a black border at the bottom and a black "ribbon" at the top that the dress hangs from (kind of like a curtain from a curtain rod, except flexible ) front & back, and it ties in a bow at the side in front. There's a contrasting panel that runs down the center in front. It makes a statement but it's super comfortable & cool. Not really loungewear, but easy to throw on.

 

[floodette]

thanks a lot, gasolinerainbow and ta-ta!

I plan to buy a simple and inexpensive black coat from high street (am thinking carroll or 1,2,3) and buy the best trench that I can afford, as I can still use it as raincoat even in tropical cities.

The best part is that I will have next Sunday to shop at La Vallee Village in Paris (yay!!!!), so I hope I could get great deals on the coats as well as the neutral colored, comfy pumps (am thinking ferragamo...)

Oh yeah, finally I got my high heeled sandals. It's a Tbar wedge from 9 west (50% off) and surprisingly comfortable. I wish I could attach a pic of it *will figure it out first*

The Ida, I love the color and the cut on you. GasolineRainbow, I can't see the pic, but the description is great! Ta-ta, the dress sounds great. Would you post a pic on it?

 

[fashionista-ta]

nordstrom.com

^ You know, it occurs to me ... for many years I did fine with a trench with a zip-out wool lining. I wonder if you even need the other coat? Mine is for fun & to wear in the evening.

Here's the dress ...

 

[Aby]

Floodette, do you know that La Vallée village isn't exactly in Paris? it's next to Disneyland.

I went there a couple of times, you can find really interesting discounted designers items from previous seasons.
It's a 30-45 minutes RER trip to go to la vallée but then I guess if Ann Demeulemeester or Rik Owens had an outlet boutique, I'd find the motivation to go there every week-end!

I also bought 2 slip dresses from Zara in nude and black as well. I'm often in dresses and skirts so these are basics. And with Spring coming (hopefully), they'll be useful with those too often transparent fabrics brands use to make clothes!

 

[fashionista-ta]

Just wanted to mention I've been reading A Guide to Elegance ... and finding it a bit stuffy and rigid For example, it says no one should ever wear heels over 2 1/2", that bright shoes are only elegant in the evening, and it has this list of things young girls shouldn't do. For some the cutoff age is 16, and some 17. What is the difference? Like you can really be walking down the street and tell the difference between an elegant 17-year-old and an inelegant 16-year-old?

Oh, and here's the real kicker ... a woman should not wear diamonds or any precious stones before the age of 30 ... unless she is engaged

Anyway, according to this book I am decidedly not elegant C'est la vie ...

According to the front matter it was updated in 2003 I believe, but I'm thinking not enough

 

[Chanel_Ivan]

hahaha i read it a while back and was also thinking "what the errr..."

 

[floodette]

aby: thanks for the info yup, it will be rer a, right? anyway, it's a lot closer to paris than when i am now. i also plan to browse in mouton a 5 pattes, sometimes their collection is quite fun.

i agree that elegance could sound a bit 'old' (suit is considered as sporty wear?). i also laughed on the shoes section. but then i found out that the shoes i used the most are indeed those with medium heels and neutral color.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ I actually own almost no shoes at that height ... they're either flat, I have the 85mm pumps I bought recently (which are higher, right?), and then pretty much everything else is 100mm (higher than that I find insane unless they're platform).

Another pronoucement is that wedge heels are not elegant, full stop. I have some Louboutin espadrilles that beg to differ ...

 

[aris]

Just wanted to mention I've been reading A Guide to Elegance ... and finding it a bit stuffy and rigid For example, it says no one should ever wear heels over 2 1/2", that bright shoes are only elegant in the evening, and it has this list of things young girls shouldn't do. For some the cutoff age is 16, and some 17. What is the difference? Like you can really be walking down the street and tell the difference between an elegant 17-year-old and an inelegant 16-year-old?

Oh, and here's the real kicker ... a woman should not wear diamonds or any precious stones before the age of 30 ... unless she is engaged

Anyway, according to this book I am decidedly not elegant C'est la vie ...

According to the front matter it was updated in 2003 I believe, but I'm thinking not enough

 

[GasolineRainbow]

Another pronoucement is that wedge heels are not elegant, full stop. I have some Louboutin espadrilles that beg to differ ...

Oh, enough of your shoe collection. Now you're just showing off. Still, I'm curious. How does Louboutin's famous red sole tie in with the espadrilles?

 

[fashionista-ta]

Oh, enough of your shoe collection. Now you're just showing off. Still, I'm curious. How does Louboutin's famous red sole tie in with the espadrilles?

Not me They did come with a red sole, but the red quickly wore off ... if I recall correctly it was in two pieces and the rope shows thru from the bottom ... let me check.

OK, there's still a bit of red left, but I imagine it was rarely seen ... no problem for me on that as I prefer indications of a brand to show as little as possible. They have a sole just for the front part of the foot, then the black rope shows, then a heel cap in back.

PS I will have to find the part in Elegance about what a curse a big bust is & how she would definitely have it operated on rather than a bad nose Given how critical Mme D'Ariaux is, I suspect she would find both my nose & my bustline beyond the pale & might have difficulty choosing which operation to have first Luckily I am perfectly content to live with them both, and my wedges ... if only I were young enough to break more rules Clearly this book is bringing out the rebel in me ...

 

[Aby]

aby: thanks for the info yup, it will be rer a, right? anyway, it's a lot closer to paris than when i am now. i also plan to browse in mouton a 5 pattes, sometimes their collection is quite fun.

Yes, it's RER A to go to la vallée.
I like browsing in the Mouton à 5 pattes too and this area is full of shopping temptations! Enjoy your stay!

 

[fashionista-ta]

Btw we also have a Paris shopping thread in Shopping by city

http://www.thefashionspot.com/forums/f97/paris-shopping-5626-45.html#post5456246

 

[fashionista-ta]

How does one say 'bite me' in French?

This is from the Handicaps section ...

"--a heavy bust

An oversized bosom is indeed a real handicap in wearing the modern fashions. If you cannot stand the sight of yourself in a sweater, wear over it an unbuttoned vest, which will tend to cut the width of the bustline, just as scarves and stoles will do. If your topheaviness is really a nightmare to you, save up your money for a plastic surgery operation. Personally, if I had to choose between operating on an unattractive nose and an overdeveloped bosom, I would correct the latter without the slightest hesitation."

In my way of thinking, anyone who cannot stand the sight of him or herself in a sweater should get therapy, not a vest, and it should be the clothing rather than the body that should be surgically adapted ... call me crazy

 

[SMHoff]

(My first post...)

I love the idea of having a small wardrobe. I'm trying to replace my entire wardrobe, basically, so I'm buying more than 4-5 pieces a season right now... but once I have a passable wardrobe I'll be sure to keep it small and focused on quality.

It's all going to be very cohesive. I've always loved when people have self-imposed uniforms, so I'm going for something like that. I want lots and lots of black, especially nice little black jackets that have some sort of unique detail to them, the kind of thing you don't notice immediately. I want one perfect purse, etc.

So, since December I've bought:

1 classic black coat
1 black tweed blazer
1 black velvet blazer, which is now my favorite thing I own
1 lightweight ivory scarf

Need to get some things other than jackets, obviously, and some jackets that aren't blazers. I'm going crazy waiting to buy more, but money is limited so I have no choice, really.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ It's helpful to have limited funds in my view, it enforces a certain discipline