The 4-5 piece French wardrobe #1

[mermaidsandcats]

I have a question to those who adopted this fashion philosophy:
Have your shopping habits changed / What are your shopping habits now?

Is shopping something you (still?) do a lot in your spare time?
Do you have your list of carefully picked shops you frequently visit do find your pieces?

Please share

 

[stealthmodesteph]

I have a question to those who adopted this fashion philosophy:
Have your shopping habits changed / What are your shopping habits now?

Is shopping something you (still?) do a lot in your spare time?
Do you have your list of carefully picked shops you frequently visit do find your pieces?

Please share

I definitely shop less, and buy more quality items than before. I (mostly) stick to my "master list" as I like to call it. I rarely impulse shop, but if I find something I've wanted for a long time at a great price on ebay or yoox, I will scoop it up! I'm still guilty of ceaseless internet browsing, but now I bookmark, wait and ponder items longer than before, making sure that they are indeed exactly what I want instead of settling for something that is "close".

I've found its easier to shop because I know my wardrobe better- it is more concise and I know right away if something is going to not only work, but if i'm actually going to get any use out of it.

I've learned to wait for things, as hard as it is. I try not to be jealous of others who have things I want! If I really love it, I will love it 1 season, 2 seasons, 2 years from now when I find it at a price I can afford.

I'm still working at it though- I still make mistakes with items and end up never wearing them, but I'm definitely getting better.

 

[Belowen]

My biggest change has been the planning... (or, plotting) Normally I would have impulse bought the wine coloured blouse that I have my eye on, but I know that it fits into my list, I know that it will be part of my wardrobe this season, and I'm happy to wait until next pay day before I buy it

So this is the blouse, and apparently it's mulberry, not wine
source: veronikamaine.com

 

[GasolineRainbow]

^God, I wish online stores would describe colors like art critics do, in terms of hue, value, and intensity. One person's mulberry is another's raspberry, not to mention that colors change on different computer screens. It's so frustrating! Ok, rant over.

Have your shopping habits changed / What are your shopping habits now? Not exactly, because this is how I was raised to view my possessions. My parents were very intent on not spoiling me, and I did rebel against it at times. But ultimately their consumer values sit well with me. I don't follow the "4-5" principle to the hilt, but I respect the idea of quality over quantity, not being overly materialistic etc.

Is shopping something you (still?) do a lot in your spare time? Yes. I find it very comforting to look at beautiful clothes and accessories, handle fabric, appreciate craftsmanship... I'm also like a kid at a candy store in makeup and perfume aisles. I don't make purchases each and every time, so it's not exactly shopping. Admittedly, sometimes I'd love to spend more, but I'm ok with not being able to.

Do you have your list of carefully picked shops you frequently visit do find your pieces? Still working on this. I have a few stores and chains that I always frequent, but I'm inconsistent. I have to be in the right mood for shopping, or even the most beautiful clothes can have no appeal for me. Either that, or I must have something that doesn't look good on me or even fit into my lifestyle. Actually, the best thing about this "4-5" idea is that it helps me suppress my tendency towards emotional (i.e irrational) shopping.

 

[fashionista-ta]

I have a question to those who adopted this fashion philosophy:
Have your shopping habits changed / What are your shopping habits now?

Is shopping something you (still?) do a lot in your spare time?
Do you have your list of carefully picked shops you frequently visit do find your pieces?

Please share

I am similar to most of the people who've replied ... I plan things out ahead of time (a sketch/outline), and when I shop for this kind of thing it's like a targeted military hit I also usually research online ahead of time, and in magazines, but I also know that there's a significant amount of merchandise I can only see in the stores.

I have always had somewhat limited patience for this type of shopping (antiquing is different), so I kind of need to do it this way in order to come out with what I really want.

I do have favorite stores ... we have extensive shopping here, so I tend to go to a major mall where I know I can't lose. I have a couple favorite department stores, and I like to go to the individual designer's boutique when there's one here. (All of our really good stuff is clustered at 1-2 malls.) The boutiques have the selection/knowledge of the brand/look books/enthusiasm for the brand/etc. In general I favor stores/brands with good loyalty programs (Nordstrom, Aveda, MAC), although Nordstrom's selection can be limited.

I do not shop in my spare time--if I feel an urge to hunt and gather, I typically go antiquing. Even if I go 'overboard' at an antique mall, I might spend somewhere in the neighborhood of $100, and I can often get something really great for just a few dollars. Not so at Barney's ...

PS Gorgeous blouse, Belowen ...

 

[HiHeels]

I have a question to those who adopted this fashion philosophy:
Have your shopping habits changed / What are your shopping habits now?

Is shopping something you (still?) do a lot in your spare time?
Do you have your list of carefully picked shops you frequently visit do find your pieces?

Please share

once i shrunk down my wardrobe by editing it down to just the pieces that i absolutely love, my satisfaction with the results influenced my shopping habits, absolutely. i like the size of my closet, the contents, i mean, so i have a 1 in, 1 out policy. if something doesn't need to go, then nothing needs to enter. if something is not better than what i have now then i don't need to buy it. but then...i might be kidding myself because last month i bought a table cloth, to which the rule certainly does not apply, and then i started wearing the table cloth. roflmao

i shop pretty much the same way though, by accident.
i never did it for sport. and eliminating all US magazines (sacrilege, i know) has had the biggest impact of all, i would say.

 

[fashionista-ta]

headstartshoes

I decided that I really needed some killer shoes, and got these in black. Also got some lingerie. That's probably it for me for this season ...

I didn't have any black heeled sandals--these will be great with my new dress, and will also go nicely with my silver grey things.

They really make a statement on, and for some reason remind me of Balenciaga ...

Anyone else adding to spring wardrobes?

 

[Aby]

I don't invest a lot for "warmer" months as heat and sun are not guaranteed but I would like to add one more jacket to my wardrobe.

APC has a very nice and versatile one that I tried on and really liked but it's 250 euros and at that price, it'd be an investment so I'm reasoning and trying to figure out if it's really worth it.

apc.fr

I'm renewing my stock of jackets/light coats this Spring as I sold/ got rid of most of my previous SS outerwear clothes.

So I find myself with a trench (old), a light parka, a statement draped light coat, a black blazer and a black leather jacket (new).

I also have a couple of linen jackets (old) but that are too light right now.

So, this grey cotton jacket would be great because it has that perfect little boyish fit, it's classic with that "now" touch.

I could team it with work outfits and casual, and its colour is light enough for Spring and still could work come Fall.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ Sorry, I'm not sure of the exchange rate ... what is that approximately in dollars?

 

[Aby]

It's sold for 390 $ on the US site.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ Thanks, Aby. I'm not sure APC is sold where I am ... at any rate, I've never seen it in person. From the picture, though, the buttonhole on the lapel doesn't look well made and the buttons look inexpensive. I might be inclined to hold out for something better ... If it looks really fantastic on, I would factor that into the decision, but I'm just seeing it on its own

 

[floodette]

Coming back from Paris. I got my trench finally. It's Gerard Darel. Love it so much as I can have the sleeves fitted to my arms' length. Hopefully, it could last several years...

I finally got the nude shoes I've been dreaming of. It's Tod's, peep-toe pumps. I think am done with shoes from now on

(i saw a similar one in ebay)

Also got the red bag that I need for that jolt of color. It's Longchamp Planete.

What I need now is new lingerie and one black woolen coat later in the very far future. In geenral, I have enough and I love what I have, more so that what I DON'T have

 

[GasolineRainbow]

I'm so envious of your purchases, Floodette, do you mind if I post similar items so that I get even greener?

saksfifthavenue.com Not crazy about Longchamp in general, but I the Planete style.

linternaute.com I was lusting after this Gerard Darel trench, in one of my favorite colors.

Has this ever happened to anyone? I'm going on a more "disposable fashion" journey for the next 3-4 months, because I'm saving up to move to my own apartment, and I can't afford any big purchases.

Luckily, the summer is better for this, as my preferred warm weather items (cotton clothes, minimal accessories) can be found and look really good on the cheap. But I'll still check in on this thread, just to torture myself.

 

[couturecouture]

I remember my brother in HS used to keep a log of what he wore so he wouldn't wear the same thing twice week.. I thought that was ridiculous because my theory is.. if you don't remember what you wore 3 days ago.. why would anyone else??.. and yes this is a HS in the US

I know that this was posted over 3 years ago but I find it extremely funny. LMAO.

 

[fashionista-ta]

floodette!!! Looks like you found some great things in Paris! A successful shopping trip can be very satisfying

GR, when I'm trying to save $$$, I either curtail my shopping (and wear what I have), or change the price point. I think there are still lots of quality items to be found for under $100, you just have to be more choosy. The cardigans I got this season were all at that price point, and the quality is quite good. And you're right, summer is definitely the time to do it. I have a darling straw tote with a red polka dot lining that I got at an estate sale for $5.

Something else I think works is to buy a couple new things and create a new makeup look. Easy on the wallet, and a new lipstick can make as much of a statement as new shoes

I've been wearing a bright coral lipstick (MAC Profusion) a lot this spring, and pulling out the coral things I still have in my closet ... for some reason it's speaking to me this season.

 

[floodette]

GR: whoa, thanks a lot for the sweet compliment (and to manage to find the pics of those things!!). actually the trench pic is an inspiration for me (since my navy skirt is kinda looks like that in the pics, but w/ the cut more suitable for my shape, KWIM?). so thank you again

ta-ta: thank you, it is indeed satisfying and yeah, i feel ya! am currently in love with my old lipstick. it's bright orange in the tube, but a fresh coral on the lips (armanisilkno 13, which is my fave line of lipstick in the whole world)

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ The clutch in the trench picture looks really intriguing too ...

 

[The_Ida]

I found a really great article in the Danish newspaper Politiken about avoiding not knowing what to wear...or, as we call it in Denmark: Clothing crisis (another crisis ). I'll translate the main points:

• If you want to organize your clothes by seasons, start by dividing them into summer and winter. Then divide them into skirts, trousers, shirts etc., and finally sort them by colour.
• You MUST try on all your clothes. It's pointless to just hold them in front of you - if it doesn't fit, get rid of it.
• Be merciless to the contents of your closets, but be merciful to Red Cross (/2nd hand shops)
• A little goes a long way
• Sort your clothes into three sections: One that you will get rid off, one you might get rid off and one you will keep. Get rid of the first two sections, and then do it all over again with the forst section
• The more clothes you get rid off, the more clothes you can buy
• Compose outfits. You MUST try on the clothes - what looks good on the hanger, might not look good on you. Write down what you need to complete your outfits - that will be your next shopping trip.
• The clothes that you haven't gotten around to repair/alter for 6 months need to go. You would get them repaired/altered if you really loved them.
• Designer clothing from the last decade might become trendy again, but not for at least 10 years. Put them in the basement and save them for your daughter /cross-dressing son lol

Here is the link for those of you who are easily amused by funny languages: http://politiken.dk/tjek/dagligliv/toej/article685995.ece

 

[The_Ida]

BTW I just put all my winter clothes away (or some of them), and I organized my shoes too... Suddenly I appreciated them much more, and I realised that I do wear a lot of black, but my (summer) shoes are rather colourful

Black shoes don't really appeal to me, apparently.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ It's true that if you keep your clothes fairly neutral, colorful accessories really work ...