The 4-5 piece French wardrobe #1

[Melisande]

having a closet stuffed full of clothes is very stressful to me because I have a hard time tracking the condition of everything, knowing how things are fitting, how they go together, and what's missing/what I should purchase next. without knowing these things I waste money on things I don't need. and I love wearing the same things all the time, so that helps too.

Good point.

Last night I put aside and made an illustrated list of what I consider to be my summer capsule wardrobe--items I wear the most. I was surprised at what a small percentage of my entire wardrobe that was... Basically, just four skirts, three dresses, a pair of jeans, and tops. (Excluding special occasion suits, evening dresses, lounge- and neighborhood- wear.)

Next to each item, I noted what shoes and layering pieces each requires: heels, leggings, cami, specific undergarments, etc. I realized that the items I wear the most are those with no note next to them: that is, requiring no layering at all (but could be layered if I like) and importantly, which go with either heels or flats.

As a result, I got rid of a few pieces that only match one other item in my closet, or that require further big purchases. I also found out that I could get much more leverage with just a few more leggings and tops.

Yay!

 

[fashionista-ta]

nordstrom

Today I bought another white T (I only have one, and remarkably, it's in its third season), and also a teal knit drapey top that's very pretty on. It's been awhile since I've had anything teal ... this will take care of my needing another summer blouse. Both on sale, total less than $50

It's like this one, except vivid teal ... the label is WYL, obviously good for curves.

 

[LaurieAnn]

I love the above top fashionista-ta. It will be striking in teal and that soft drape of the fabric along the bust is an excellent cut.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ Thanks, LaurieAnn It's not a minimizing effect, but there's lots of room in there, which is always a good thing One thing you can't really see from the picture is there's a lot of Lycra and you can kind of arrange it how you want ... you can make a ruched effect at the bottom.

 

[princeza]

I also agree that having too many things can be a nightmare. Not just to maintain, but to find things to wear. I often open my wardrobe and everything just overwhelms me cos it's squashed together and I think "I have nothing to wear!!" and go and buy something new to add the the pile.

 

[William_St_Girl]

argh... just tryed posting three times and just when i hit submit it says page cant be found...

I'll type it again anyway... hope it works this time!

Maybe I was wrong... and def with you all on having a cluttered wardrobe... makes it so hard to decide what to wear... luckily we are moving and have plans to convert a bedroom adjoining hours to a walk in wardobe... I just wish the room we have adjoining was bigger... Def want a big sex in the city style wardrobe!

 

[Zarina]

I like to have many things, since I don't like to wear the same combination too many times. Anybody else feeling like that?

 

[ms-nietzsche]

^I definitely do. I'm all for recombining pieces into different outfits, but repeating combinations makes me feel like I'm wearing a uniform.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ I make so many different combinations with relatively few pieces that I'm not really conscious of wearing the same ones repeatedly ... it feels like different combinations all the time.

I got what I thought was a really nice compliment this afternoon ... one of the women in my book group came over afterwards & wanted to know about the hair products I use in detail. And she also said [after the first time, I try to dress very low key as the other members are very casual], You're just wearing a t-shirt and jeans, but you look so put-together. There was an overtone of, how the heck is that possible I thought that was nice There's something to be said for choosing color, and interesting shoes, and getting a pedicure

 

[Zarina]

^I definitely do. I'm all for recombining pieces into different outfits, but repeating combinations makes me feel like I'm wearing a uniform.

Exactly. Especially if you are wearing only one piece of clothes like a dress or jumpsuit it is nice to have at least 100 different pairs of shoes to combine with

 

[fashionista-ta]

Not counting shoes for working in the garden/walking the dogs, I have 18 pairs. I could certainly add one or two, but can't imagine the need to quintuple the number I have

 

[Zarina]

Well, we only really need a tiny bit of our wardrobe, but as long as I am enjoying and using my shoes and don't forget about the ones I bought last month, as soon as I have bought a new pair, I don't see anything wrong in that. And one of the advantages of my business is that I often have the chance to wear really fancy clothes It would be a disaster if I was an archaeologist (although it most be very exciting, but not good for shoes ).

 

[ms-nietzsche]

I buy SO many shoes every season... I was moving out of my apartment a few months ago and I ended up selling 13 pairs of shoes, and I still have a closet full. I didn't even realize how many I had until then...

 

[ms-nietzsche]

Well, we only really need a tiny bit of our wardrobe, but as long as I am enjoying and using my shoes and don't forget about the ones I bought last month, as soon as I have bought a new pair, I don't see anything wrong in that. And one of the advantages of my business is that I often have the chance to wear really fancy clothes It would be a disaster if I was an archaeologist (although it most be very exciting, but not good for shoes ).

I definitely picked the wrong industry to get into The dress code of the last two places I worked were business casual and business formal. It's dress pants or pant suits for me most of the time. Suddenly my shoe "problem" becomes a good thing

 

[timemachinedream]

I also agree that having too many things can be a nightmare. Not just to maintain, but to find things to wear. I often open my wardrobe and everything just overwhelms me cos it's squashed together and I think "I have nothing to wear!!" and go and buy something new to add the the pile.

I have the same problem! I definitely need to cleanse!

 

[-Veda-]

I buy SO many shoes every season... I was moving out of my apartment a few months ago and I ended up selling 13 pairs of shoes, and I still have a closet full. I didn't even realize how many I had until then...

I think we all have that one item we love the most, be it shoes or party dresses, that we can indulge in with more satisfaction when we have a small wardrobe. There's room for stash and that item (my case skirts) acts as the agent to transform basics into "new" ensembles.

A stylish shoe, colourful handbag, or printed skirt can make the solids and "foundation" garments seem brand new. I wouldn't discourage such an indulgence as long as, like any indulgence, it is kept in check!

 

[The_Ida]

I have just bought a load of knit tops for winter. I'm so scared of freezing and getting pneumonia and terrible colds, and last year I couldn't find any I liked I'm so over the 5 knits per season rule...unless autumn counts for a separate season, then I'm all over it

 

[Zarina]

It is hard to find good and nice knit so buy it whenever you find it!

 

[fashionista-ta]

I mentioned awhile ago the patience this involves, and gave as an example, making the tailor do it over till it's right My new Dries black pants are now perfectly altered ... three fittings later The alteration to the rise went just fine (the hard part), but the legs were two different lengths The difference was quite, quite noticeable, so finally today they are fixed. What a hassle ...

 

[The_Ida]

^How could the legs have been different lengths? Oh well, at least it worked out in the end