The 4-5 piece French wardrobe #1

[GasolineRainbow]

Confirms my suspicions that you are a cold-blooded person, Classicalbang

*Shrugs*You know, it probably has to do with how hot it gets where each of us live.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ I am pretty much the same as G~R and Chloe ... many of my spring/summer pieces are also layering pieces, except for linen, those with rolled hems/sleeves, and puff or bell sleeves.

Heavier wool crepe, tweed, and my wool jackets I don't wear during the summer, as well as coats and velvet things, and long-sleeve cardigans.

But I have worn a T-shirt on Christmas day before (I think it was in the low 80s), so it can be hard to rule out lighter pieces ...

 

[fashionista-ta]

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

So how goes the closet exercise?

 

[fashionista-ta]

nordstrom.com

A few days ago I had to throw out a pair of Merrells I'd worn out, so I got these today (Ahnu) for walking the dogs ... these are cuter than the pair I wore out

 

[fashionista-ta]

nordstrom

Picture that's not quite so tiny

 

[StrawberrySpring]

Such a great thread! I have to organize my closet and write a list of things that I need to buy I fell in love with French style, so I decided that I won't wear more than one girly/non-classic piece. You know, flowy, flower-patterned skirt OR lacey top OR fuchsia bag/shoes, never together

 

[minor keys]

this is such a fantastic thread, fashionista-ta!
i wear black and greys almost exclusively in the winter and nudes and whites in the summer, but essentially the same things. for me that is (1) black waxed jeans with tee and blazer or (2) bodycon dresses with a draped coverup or blouse.
i am trying to develop a consistent and genuine style that suits me well.
recently i have essentially stopped shopping because i want a small wardrobe with perfect pieces (read: $$) and no waste.
jules

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ Glad you like it!

Today I bought lingerie, Cosabella and Felina, mostly all on sale + double points, and coral lipgloss.

I finished my spring shopping awhile back, and now am thinking about major pieces for fall. I'm contemplating a bag purchase ... we'll see. I would love to have something L'Wren Scott, like maybe a skirt ... supposedly it works for all different figure types, but I haven't tried anything on yet to form my own opinion on that

I recently purchased some lovely new copper plumbing (I haven't seen it, but I assume it must be lovely from what I paid ) but there are also some things I would like to do for the house that would actually be fun, so I'm weighing that vs this ...

 

[The_Ida]

^Plumbing isn't really fun, and you don't feel like you get something for your money when you can see it...

I have been buying a lot of pastels this spring! I never thought I'd do that! Peach, light blue, lilac and a lot of off white...and they are all tops/dresses. I must have been more inspired by Stella McCartney SS09 than I thought, because I really want a white/off white blazer B) I even got a beige pair of chinos, and I hate beige

 

[classicalbang]

I recently purchased some lovely new copper plumbing (I haven't seen it, but I assume it must be lovely from what I paid ) but there are also some things I would like to do for the house that would actually be fun, so I'm weighing that vs this ...

My parents recently installed copper piping in their home, and they said it was totally worth it. In the long run it will pay off since it lasts longer than other materials and reduces maintenance and repair costs. It's also safer and more eco-friendly. Congrats on the purchase!

I love how we're discussing plumbing in 'The 4-5 piece French wardrobe'. However, it is fitting since it's an investment that will get a lot of use. Sometimes the things you do not see are just as significant as the visible ones. Like a well-fitting bra or the perfect face cream.

Also, if you happen to have any left over pipe, here are some alternate uses: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,1543428,00.html The toilet paper roll is lovely.

 

[GasolineRainbow]

I love how we're discussing plumbing in 'The 4-5 piece French wardrobe'.

I know, right?

Sometimes the things you do not see are just as significant as the visible ones. Like a well-fitting bra or the perfect face cream.

Very true. Although I've seen plumbing left exposed in interior spaces on purpose, and it looked pretty cool. Come to think of it, I've been seeing a lot of bras exposed on purpose too It's all good, goes back to my grandma's advice (and many a Frenchwoman's, I am sure) to always wear clean, pretty underwear when you leave the house.

Ida, I've been strangely drawn to beige as well. Funny how such trends are creeping up on me. My style is in an awkward transition; a lot of what I used to wear doesn't make sense to me, but it doesn't feel right whenever I experiment with something new, like beige. My "4-5" yearly investments have served me well, but everything else is up in the air. But I think it points to a wider problem with me; the fact that I'm in a very uncertain, troubling period of my life, and of course my style reflects that.

 

[classicalbang]

^ Now that you mention it, exposed bras are not uncommon. Although nine times out of ten, it looks trashy. I prefer to keep mine concealed.

I do like visible plumbing if it harmonizes with the architecture and decor of the home.

 

[The_Ida]

Ida, I've been strangely drawn to beige as well. Funny how such trends are creeping up on me. My style is in an awkward transition; a lot of what I used to wear doesn't make sense to me, but it doesn't feel right whenever I experiment with something new, like beige. My "4-5" yearly investments have served me well, but everything else is up in the air. But I think it points to a wider problem with me; the fact that I'm in a very uncertain, troubling period of my life, and of course my style reflects that.

I'm in a transition period of my life as well, and all this beige and pastel-thing is so odd. I only wear black! Or I used to. I even got a haircut, and it turned out pretty short...and long hair is me! Or was. I almost can't recognize myself anymore, and I have no idea in what direction I'm going. Style-wise, that is, because I know where I'm going with my life. I just don't know how to relate to it. I feel that I should be maturing a lot more than I am but it's just not happening (style-wise too).

 

[StellaMare]

Has anyone else started planning for fall/winter? I am really starting to think about it. I want to be even more selective than I've been before, and luckily I've got most basics covered already so the pieces I do buy will be special.

 

[GasolineRainbow]

^Heavens, no. I'm being throttled by summer and the heat melts my capability for planning that far ahead. It's over 30 degrees and not even June yet.

 

[StellaMare]

I see. Over here it's still quite far from being summer, so my least favorite season has yet to come.. Perhaps my early F/W planning is an attempt to stay positive and remember that there will be a better time after the heat.. I am really at my most comfortable bundled up a little, so I get tired of wearing light dresses every single day.

 

[StrawberrySpring]

I haven't bought everything I want for summer yet! But I think that for fall I'll buy skirts - maybe 2 or 3, new pair of shoes, lots of pashmina scarves & something that will be trendy To me, scarves are must in fall/winter season.

 

[classicalbang]

I have begun preparation for F/W 09 as well. I already pre-ordered a few things from Isabel Marant ... a mix of special and basic pieces.

A few other items on my wishlist:

- Structered lady-like bag
- Authentic Edwardian skirts and dresses
- Black suede thigh-high boots

That's really all the planning I have done so far. I predict I will be designing most of my own clothes this season. I want some Liberty fabric and vintage lace to make dresses, skirts and tops. Also, I'm looking to procure a fine gauge knitting machine. Being a sweater/cardigan junkie, this could save me a great deal of money over time. Plus I would have the freedom to create my own patterns that are too complicated for hand knitting.

Another project I have lined up for this summer is to learn the art of silk painting. I would love to paint on some scarves and clothing. (If I have enough patience for the latter.)

 

[StellaMare]

^^ Glad to see I'm not the only crazy one in here

Liberty prints! I'm actually planning on buying a few metres of it when I visit London soon, but I can't sew myself so I'm having a seamstress do a skirt for me, after my own design. I'm also planning to have the same seamstress do a basic cashmere dress for me, as I can never find the ideal one in stores..

 

[classicalbang]

^ Finding a basic cashmere dress should not be as daunting a task as it is. I loved the one Sofia Coppola designed for Lutz & Patmos a few years back. I remember seeing a beautiful one from The Row as well, but alas, it was way out of my price range. If the knitting machine works out, perhaps I'll be able to make a cashmere dress of my own.

Please let us know how the pieces your seamstress sews for you turn out.