The 4-5 Piece French Wardrobe #10

[Betinapple]

@twistelette: great purchases, that cardigan looks so warm and cozy.

@fashionista-ta: At first I thought that you we're referring to the short sleeve blouse as colorful - quite surprising in terms of your normal standards The draping looks really gorgeous.

 

[TommyGirl]

First of all, I just want to say that I am really happy that you are doing well. Sounds like one hell of a year!

I was watching the Minimalism documentary with my SO the other day, and he commented on the fact that most people represented in it got into minimalism due to huge, life altering and often somewhat tragic events. I guess having your life turned upside down makes you reconsider your ways and priorities, often for the better. Sounds like you have been on a really awesome journey.

Also, congrats on the new love

Thank you so much, you are always so warm and welcoming on this forum ❤️

Fashionista-ta, I love escpecially your tote bag. And this talk of "colours" made me smile, those kind of earthy tones are my fav as well. I wish I could afgird new wool jacket, but I am afraid I can't atm, maybe some lower quality one, but they are kind of vain, not warm enough if there is not enough real, good quality wool. But speaking of colours, I've been dreaming of RED jacket, wow it is a real color would I dare?!

 

[fashionista-ta]

TommyGirl, thank you. The leather is really beautiful. It arrived in the wrong color, going to work on the exchange this weekend!

I'm glad to hear you're in a better place. You could try thrifting if you feel patient ... I had a lovely Geiger red boiled wool jacket that I got just that way for a tremendous bargain price! If red is a color you feel good in, why not?

 

[dodencebt]

I realized at the beginning of the season that I have enough clothes to wear this winter. Our work offices are really warm so I wear T-shirts all year-round over which I throw a cardigan if I'm cold - not a sweater person, so I basically don't do "summer" and "winter" clothes. So the only purchases I made in September were a pair of white Selected Homme sneakers and an oversize, relatively thick 100% cashmere cardigan in gray that I've worn many times already. It is the first cashmere item I've owned and I adore it - it retains shape like nothing I've worn before! I've washed it twice since buying it (I try not to wash things too often, except things like underwear and T-shirts which go in the washing machine after a single wear) and it constantly smells fresh and looks great.

The plan now is to buy another pair of boots: not that I necessarily need them, but it would be great to introduce a new staple item for cold, rainy days; and I'd also really go for a pair of corduroy pants in a rich color like burnt orange or a dark amethyst shade. Haven't found anything I like yet, though.

The rest of my fall savings were spent on an upcoming trip to Berlin, and Robyn and Years and Years concert tickets. Totally content with the balancing I'm doing this year!

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ Knowing you don't really need anything else, and building out your wardrobe when that's the case in a thoughtful interesting way, is really the majority of the battle.

I missed the city-wide recycling day for special items, and am feeling the need for a clear-out in my life ... when I need to say buh-bye to something/someone, I like to match that with physically getting rid of stuff, to really round things out So along with my lightbulbs, batteries, discarded electronics, scrap metal, etc., I'm taking old clothes and shoes. Thanks to my lifelong restraint in this area I have just one paper bag that's not full. My old garden clogs, the sandals I recently discarded, another pair of shoes that stretched, two blouses, and a sweater that the cleaners shrunk (still have the same one in a different color that I've been wearing in recent weeks).

Btw, I've decided to get rid of my Burberry trench if anyone wants it. (It has a zip-out wool lining, so nice and warm by my standards, and the leather buckles are worn from cleaning.) I bought it when I was in college and it really is too small for me now. I think it might be a size 6? I can look for the tag if anyone wants to know. I need to find a bit better home for it than the city discard heap

 

[barbaraaa]

Let me know if it's an 8 such an absolutely amazing, generous offer

 

[fashionista-ta]

I am positive it's not an 8, however ...

I wore something like a 2/4 at the time I bought it, and at the time I liked buying things oversize. Plus it was on sale, so I might not have been able to choose from a full size run. I am now more of a 12, and I can still wear it, so it would work for you. There is no size tag in it--not sure why! I recently came across the price tag for it, it's probably in my wardrobe file box. The fiber tag is there, the big Burberry tag is there ... I also checked the leather buckles. At the sleeves they're fine, it's the one on the belt that's worn. However, the coat is in amazing condition considering its age! It used to also have a button-on wool collar, but the moths corrupted that. The lining is untouched all these years AFAIK (apparently the moths don't think to look inside )

The reason I think it's too small for me is that when I button and belt it, the belt is noticeably short for me. Otherwise it still works.

 

[Betinapple]

I aggree with @barbaraaa - really amazing offer, @fashionista-ta. If it doesnt fit barbaraa I am interested

Popped in to ask if anyone have experience with brown leather boots for winter. I fear that they will not wear as good as black boots and that rain, snow, salt etc. Will make them look worn very quickly?

 

[TommyGirl]

TommyGirl, thank you. The leather is really beautiful. It arrived in the wrong color, going to work on the exchange this weekend!

I'm glad to hear you're in a better place. You could try thrifting if you feel patient ... I had a lovely Geiger red boiled wool jacket that I got just that way for a tremendous bargain price! If red is a color you feel good in, why not?

Oh it is always such a disappointment when you order something, get excited and then it is in wrong color, size etc. But glad yo hear it'll be fixed easily

And yeah, I think I will try to find the red jacket second hand or after Christmas from sales. I am pretty good with second hand finds I think the jacket would be just right for this dark and grey time of the year. Plus it compliments my usual "colors", it can be used almost with everything I own atm.

 

[dodencebt]

Popped in to ask if anyone have experience with brown leather boots for winter. I fear that they will not wear as good as black boots and that rain, snow, salt etc. Will make them look worn very quickly?

Over the years I've realized that a good shoe protector spray works wonders for any leather footwear I have, regardless of color. I've even gotten caught in the rain in purple suede sneakers and they were fine afterwards. Just make sure to clean your brown boots with a damp cloth right when you get home, spray them after every (or every other) wear and let them dry for a day before wearing them again. If they are of relatively high-quality leather and you don't wear them all the time, they should be as good as new for a few seasons.

 

[Betinapple]

Over the years I've realized that a good shoe protector spray works wonders for any leather footwear I have, regardless of color. I've even gotten caught in the rain in purple suede sneakers and they were fine afterwards. Just make sure to clean your brown boots with a damp cloth right when you get home, spray them after every (or every other) wear

Thank you for the advice. Tbh that sounds like a hassle to me - maybe I'm lazy My black boots gets leather protection spray maybe once a year. Same goes for both my brown bags. Neither have gotten stained from rain (just wipe the water off) and I haven't had issues with salt stains either (just remove those with high fat milk on a cotton cloth). If I'll have to spray and wipe them down every other day I guess I'll have to opt for black instead.

Adding picture of the boots for reference.

Pic via Magasin.dk

 

[dodencebt]

^ To be honest I do the same with my black shoes as well, so maybe I'm just overprotective of them in winter.

 

[barbaraaa]

@fashionista-ta , I'll DM you regarding the trench again, it's such a lovely offer! I promise that I'll pass it on to @Betinapple in case it doesn't suit me!

Meanwhile, my black friday buys have arrived... a couple of white shirts from Yoox I'll let you all know later whether they're keepers!

 

[fashionista-ta]

My Black Friday things arrived as well ... the sweater is great, a definite keeper! So soft and lovely, I like the cashmere better than my other Cucinelli sweater. The T didn't fit right and I've returned it. Also received my StitchFix today, and kept only one item (plus the tights). I am wearing it now, and it's super comfortable and warm! The fuzzy inside of the sweatshirt material is on the outside. I was surprised how poor the selection was, giving the info/requests I provided. Items were too plain/too small/too embroidered (!), etc. Honestly ... did they look at my note, profile, Pinterest, etc.! Well, I'm sure I am hard to shop for. Next time I can see I need to provide even more pointed instructions But first, I'm going to have a go at finding what I asked for & didn't get myself.

stitchfix

 

[fashionista-ta]

Last night the zipper on my pants broke and there was no one around to cut me out of them, so I went to Nordstrom (where I bought the pants) and they were kind enough to do it for me. Luckily they weren't mobbed in the hour before closing. I also got a pair of Madewell light grey thermal drawstring loungewear pants that they said were just in--no picture of them to be found anywhere on the net. The tailors leave at 8, but I called and one stayed to do this for me. Fantastic service!!

 

[fashionista-ta]

Well, I took the trench to UPS and got a quote to Portugal ... it was absolutely outrageous, and to Aarhus was even worse! They said the post office was less, so that is on my list. I need to go while it's open though ...

Since Stitchfix didn't send any of the stuff I asked for, I've been working on it. Ordered this Martin Margiela MM6 top for layering under my cropped sweatshirt ... a first-world solution to the problem for sure First time I've tried the brand ... love the way this is cut. Also took a picture of the pants I bought the other night ... for me this is a great picture if I do say so, right side up and everything The fabric is identical to several pairs I used to have, and I have the rags I made out of them to prove it Very good ones too, the texture is helpful when you need to scrub something! I also found a pink T I really like on Yoox. Planning to order that soon ...



yoox

 

[barbaraaa]

Well, I took the trench to UPS and got a quote to Portugal ... it was absolutely outrageous, and to Aarhus was even worse! They said the post office was less, so that is on my list. I need to go while it's open though ...

I have indeed heard that posting from the US to Europe is horribly expensive!! Do try the regular post office - I think it's still expensive, but I've received post from the US on regular post services and it has all arrived : and again, absolutely no hurries!

That black top is beautiful - a lovely solution for a cropped sweatshirt issue. I bought a similar one in white from COS earlier this year and I loved the cut too.

Here's my black friday shopping: a Nike top for outdoors activities, Mango trousers, two white pussybow blouses (one Pinko, the other Iris & Ink), a Michael Michael Kors shirt, (yes, I definitely needed to replace my white shirt closet...), an Elizabeth and James blouse and a Moschino red skirt which I'd been eyeing since forever.

Sources: Nike.com, Mango.com, Yook.com

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ Thanks, and great blue and black blouse! Yes, I am holding out great hope for the post office coming through for me ...

 

[dodencebt]

^ Thanks, and great blue and black blouse!

Isn't it white and gold?

 

[barbaraaa]

^ hilarious!!

I just realized I have a total amount of seven pairs of black work trousers. Seven! No wonder I'm always confused about which ones I'm pulling out of the closet... I don't think I will be specifically getting rid of any of them right now (two of the pairs are like six years old so they might get worn out soon anyway), but I have to keep in mind not to buy any more trousers...