The 4-5 piece French wardrobe #1

[fashionista-ta]

^ And that's a really good reason too

 

[thefrancofille]

My top 5 pieces to buy before the end of the year:

1. Burberry Constance quilted jacket in Navy
2. Hermes 90cm silk scarf
3. Authentic riding boots
4. Brooks Brothers no iron white dress shirt(s)
5. jodphurs or slim fitting light colored pants

My style is very classic and I love equestrian/hunt style. I'm buying slightly more expensive quality pieces this year.

 

[GasolineRainbow]

^Those all sound like very stylish choices, except I've heard that authentic riding boots aren't that comfortable for everyday wear, as the leather and overall construction is tougher than in regular boots. Similar to how authentic motorcycle jackets aren't really that comfy to wear.

 

[greengrassia]

i really have to subscribe to this thread...would love to start building my own small but perfect wardrobe. i have lots of basics and random stuff, over the years i have slowly built a solid wardrobe base. what i still kind of lack is those special pieces, with special design details and super quality, so thats what i will work on from now on
but i find its very hard to stick to this principle when im on vacation. this summer we are going to tailand, and i just cant wait to go to all those local markets and buy bulks of pretty sundresses and locally made scarves...so i guess at least for this summer i will acquire more than dozens of new stuff...its much easier to stick to less is more principle when im at home...

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ luckyme could advise you as she is both an equestrienne and a shoe person. I feel like we have a related thread around here somewhere ... check in Shoes shoes shoes ...

 

[droogist]

^ Just to confirm, authentic riding boots are not made for walking. They're made of very stiff leather and are designed to keep the ankle and foot in a single position. You wouldn't want to walk a mile in them, for sure...

 

[Milfbutsingle]

I am loving the light faded denim for the summer. Especially with a tanB)
I love suede flats in a light color too, like light gray or tan. I am into the long skirts/dresses for day and mini skirts or shorts for night with cute wedge or chunky heels I need to organize my closet instead of continue shopping! What is the best way to do this? And really see what you've got in there Its a lot but very overwhelming!

 

[Yumi R]

^ I know that feeling of needing to organize the closet instead of shopping. For me, what I do is create a list of key things I want to wear every season and I check off things that I have. I try to think up things that will go well together and I shop towards that list. It can be a bit boring but it helps me stay put together and it makes getting dressed so much easier.

 

[ElleLesley]

I think I'm going to stand aside for my Summer wardrobe until well, Summer break. Only because my family and me always travel down south to New York and last year I found myself in some beautiful, not-too-pricey ranged boutiques and consignment shops. For now I'm just going to fill in my closet with some quality basics; soft, lightweight cotton/linen tops, denim pants, shorts.

1. Steven Alan Floral Silk Dress
2. J. Crew Artisan blazer
3. J. Crew Ripstop Utility Pant
4. J. Crew Linen getaway short
5. Helmut Lang Marble print Tank Top (the print )
(6) w/ Basic Tops - Tee's and racer-back Tanks​

All I need now is a Chloé Shelby shoulder bag and a pair of Lanvin pumps - just you know, could use the cash for both Either way, hopping this S/S will be versatile enough, and I'm thinking to staying in the earthy, romantic color tones. And maybe something sequined, if I can find it.

 

[fashionista-ta]

I am loving the light faded denim for the summer. Especially with a tanB)
I love suede flats in a light color too, like light gray or tan. I am into the long skirts/dresses for day and mini skirts or shorts for night with cute wedge or chunky heels I need to organize my closet instead of continue shopping! What is the best way to do this? And really see what you've got in there Its a lot but very overwhelming!

I would recommend creating a capsule wardrobe from what you already have, and maybe one or two new pieces, and work with that for a season. After you do that, I think you'll start to have a better sense of what should stay and what should go ... but I would just move the bulk of everything someplace else in your house, and pull out about 20-25 pieces or so for the current season. Don't know how much of this thread you've read, but I recommend a seasonal color scheme

 

[Milfbutsingle]

Thanks!! I am dedicating my day to this tomorrow...after my 2 cups of coffee I will start...yay!

 

[Lite_Brite]

here's a list of the things I bought October-April minus a few purchases I regret (pretty much all the more thoughtless things I bought because they were cheap and now I don't wear. which is why this thread is so on-point)

- Martin Margiela belted camel hair coat
- colorful sequined 3/4 sleeve bolero that fits great in the shoulders
- tan/gold lace bedjacket
- heavy knit Junya Watanabe ivory cabled sweater
- grey cashmere v-neck sweater
- Vivienne Westwood black and tan check wrap dress (tailoring on this is killer)
- blue and white Steven Alan mantailored shirt
- men's Meltin' Pot jeans
- Black ankle boots with stacked cowboy boot-style heel
- gold Ray-ban aviators
- oversize washed leather and nylon Collection Privee bag
- t-shirts

 

[GasolineRainbow]

I think you'll start to have a better sense of what should stay and what should go ... but I would just move the bulk of everything someplace else in your house, and pull out about 20-25 pieces or so for the current season.

This coincides really well with the current change of seasons, as I assume most people put their heavier winter clothes in storage. Gotta watch out for them mothballs I begin the warm-weather season with a small selection of my most versatile as well as favorite items, and leave the rest stored away. Then I'll rummage through the latter when I'm out of inspiration (or money) and it's like going shopping in your own closet.

 

[classicalbang]

Seasonal dressing doesn't really work for me. For example, I'll wear a cotton floral dress in the winter with tights and a sweater. I experiment with clothes frequently, so I like being able to see the entire contents of my wardrobe.

This works for me because I keep an edited closet full of clothes I love. And if there's something in there I have never worn or am unsure about, I will put it away for awhile and look at it in a few months. If I still don't think I will get any use out of it, then I'll either give it to a friend, donate it to a thrift store or sell it on eBay.

 

[Milfbutsingle]

I think I like everything in my closet too (well, not everything per se), but then I will try on something I don't think I like and find a way to enjoy it again. However, I need to get rid of stuff just so I could start my french way of living..hehe...I just want less in my closet too so I wont feel guilty when I buy something new. I think it feels good to get rid of stuff...when its old and someone else can enjoy it.

 

[golightly89]

I really need to streamline & simplify my wardrobe. Right now it consists of a vast collection of dresses & shoes, some gym clothes, a few coats & mismatched accessories. I would really like to start defining a signature style for myself, I'm just not sure what it is yet lol.
For winter this year I would like to buy a Carl Kapp black classic wool coat, some Camilla & Marc and Willow pieces, Lanvin shoes, Wheels & Dollbaby ballet skirt, vintage VBH envelope clutch and Marc by Marc Jacobs handbag. Also some Willow lingerie & Leona Edmiston tights.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ Just wanted to mention ... when you clean out your closet you'll undoubtedly find that you have too much of something. I had a ton of SS black sweaters. But I kept them all because they are a useful staple, and now (finally) they are starting to wear out. My view is that unless you absolutely don't have the storage space, it's fine & good to keep extras of things you will eventually use. Now if it's an extra pair of black pants that picks up lint from across the room, naturally they should go ...

As far as guilt ... I feel guilty about a purchase pretty rarely ... pretty much when it was a bad one, and I have cut those back now to pretty much none I find that if I buy what I really need at a price point I feel good about, there's nothing to feel guilty about.

 

[GasolineRainbow]

Seasonal dressing doesn't really work for me. For example, I'll wear a cotton floral dress in the winter with tights and a sweater.

I wear my summery clothes year-round as well, layered with thicker clothes when it's cold, and then there are seasonless items, such as denim. But I have no use for my winter clothes in warm weather.

 

[ChloeFrancoise]

I also end up keeping summer stuff around, mostly because I feel warm easily and layering things works better for me than wearing something heavy I'll end up feeling way too warm in, especially if I go somewhere when they keep the heat on too high. Winter things do get put away though.

 

[classicalbang]

I guess I keep my winter clothes out year-round since I almost always feel cold. I'm constantly grabbing a sweater or jacket, even during scorching hot months like August. Also, I don't own a lot of bulky clothing because I like to layer, so there isn't much in my wardrobe that I am unable to wear for spring and summer.