The 4-5 piece French wardrobe #2

[YoninahAliza]

Liny... I got my blue military blazer surprisingly at the Gap! Also I don't have any Zara's where I live sadly or otherwise I would checkout your suggestion. I agree though Repettos are so expensive for what they are, especially considering I go through my shoes very fast.

 

[scara]

ok, after having failed misserably at sticking to only a few pieces for summer (i'm living in another city now and CoS is my ruin...) i really want to try to cut down buying pieces for winter and stick with what i really want and need:
so far there are only two things on my list:

- a proper darkcolored rain/wind/bad weather jacket -with removeable fleece-lining (preferably by the north face). like:
http://eu.thenorthface.com/media/ca...06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/ABTF_002_0.jpg

-lace up shoes in a dark color
although i though i wanted to have some really simple ones i keep on thinking about buying those:
http://www.flip-flop.de/shop/media/...9eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/i/m/image_2903.jpg

hm. that's my list so far.

 

[Frenger]

The list is not complete.. just a draft.

1) A pair of brogues or loafers
2) Isabel Marant tweed/bouclé jacket
3) Clutch from Balenciaga or Mulberry
4) Black knits with o-neck
5) The perfect blue shirt

 

[liny]

I want a cardigan like this guy's. Also, a navy silk shirt. I've already found one candidate, just need to get down to trying it on. I have several navy dresses but no navy separates and it's shaping up to a new colour obsession. Think maybe I needed to ease up on wearing grey...

Frenger, your list sounds wonderfully classic.

Photo: The Sartorialist

 

[sill]

I actually bought the Isabel Marant coat, although I bought the Étoile one called 'Baki' and not the mainline 'Bator'. Now I'm just waiting for it to arrive in the mail (which hopefully is soon, because I've waited for it for three weeks). My mum is almost finished with my sweater and it looks perfect, so cozy for fall

I cleaned my wardrobe (got rid of a massive amount of clothing, it feels so good) this past week and found the perfect black belt hiding in a 'give away' box. It's thin, 100% leather and has a simple silver buckle. Very happy about that and I have no idea why I wanted to give it away..

Also, I've decided to buy ballet flats for next season and instead buy a pair of nice fall shoes. The only problem is that I have to find them

Updated list:
- Grey skinny jeans (not too tight, but not loose)
- Black pants, a bit high waisted (just under belly button), a bit looser in the thigh area than calves
- Zara blouses (white and black)
- Beige knitted gloves
- A cozy, knitted scarf (topshop has a nice one in burgundy)
- Fall shoes, still not sure as to how I want them to look
- Simple watch, thin black leather strap with small watch

Although this is more than 4-5 pieces..

 

[Frenger]

^Love your list! What's your budget when it comes to the fall shoes? I'm in love with these boots from Jil Sander.. chelsea boots are perfect for fall! Maybe these boots are something for you?

net-a-porter

 

[sill]

^ Thanks
Those are lovely but a bit over my budget for now Although I might look into those kind of shoes, my mum has a similar pair but with a more squared front. I'll ask her where she buys them and have a look there

 

[floodette]

My updated list:

Cottony, tropical top (done, used to want to buy silk, but found batik cotton to be prettier)
Black tshirt - done
Ferragamo peeptoe kitten heel
Ferragamo black pump
Sunglasses (done, Forever21 and not branded, but so pretty and I will feel safer bringing it to remote jungle)
Jeans (done)
Laptop bag
Non-black leather hobo (done, Chloe Paddy capsule. so functional!!!! i take the lock and chain off, though)

 

[darkglass2009]

Have almost sorted out my list for A/W (and which are a little more than 5 but still much, much less than I usually buy) but now to actually find and purchase the items....


- Black high-waisted skirt (Bought from COS,it's gorgeous and very flowing, sits just about the knee and is a lovely mid-weight fabric)
- Grey cardigan (Bought from COS as well, can you tell I just moved to a city that has a COS store after years without?)
- A couple of fitted t-shirts that can be tucked into high-waisted pants/skirts.
- Black or grey leather boots with a chunky mid-heel, maybe with laces not sure.
- A coat! No idea what kind yet, on the lookout. Hopefully in a grey tone but would consider burgundy (already have a navy coat I've worn the past 3 winters that is still going strong, but definitely need to give it a little break!)
- A backpack for uni, preferably in leather and with lots of storage space!
- 2 scarves (one chunky woolen, one lighter silk blend)


Moving cities has made this task actually so much easier. Having to cull my wardrobe down to one 20kg suitcase meant I really had to consider what was useful and being worn in my wardrobe, and what was missing. But alas a new city also brings with it many new shopping opportunities but hopefully this list will make sure I don't stray off course (too much anyway..)

 

[scara]

Moving cities has made this task actually so much easier. Having to cull my wardrobe down to one 20kg suitcase meant I really had to consider what was useful and being worn in my wardrobe, and what was missing. But alas a new city also brings with it many new shopping opportunities but hopefully this list will make sure I don't stray off course (too much anyway..)

totally agree with that. i only moved to live in another city for one month, but still reducing my wardrobe to fit into a suitcase that must be below 20kg was tricky. in the begining i thought it'd never work out, but in the end it worked out fine (19,4kg... )
after three weeks i'm still quite happy with what i brought along. maybe i could have left a skirt or a pair of shoes at home, and i should have thought about the not so great weather conditions (who thinks of talking longarmed shirts with you in august?!) but apart from that i only think i've taken a few too many tanktops with me.

@darkglass2009
...and i totally understand your fascination with cos. guess where i spend lots of money the last month


oh, and an update on my list:

- a proper darkcolored rain/wind/bad weather jacket -with removeable fleece-lining (preferably by the north face). like:
http://eu.thenorthface.com/media/cat...ABTF_002_0.jpg

-lace up shoes in a dark color
although i though i wanted to have some really simple ones i keep on thinking about buying those:
http://www.flip-flop.de/shop/media/c...image_2903.jpg

-a heavy black knit-scarf
preferably in sooooft wool

 

[sill]

Ta-ta, you mentioned before that you have cashmere gloves like the ones on the picture below. Where are they from and do you know if they're still available there? Or do you know anywhere online where they sell them? It's getting so cold already here and I think I really need a pair of gloves soon.

jakandjil.com/blog

 

[Aby]

^wow, these are perfect! Added on my list. Now, I have to scout some like these too.

 

[scara]

another update on my list:

- a proper darkcolored rain/wind/bad weather jacket -with removeable fleece-lining (preferably by the north face). like:
http://eu.thenorthface.com/media/cat...ABTF_002_0.jpg

-lace up shoes in a dark color
although i though i wanted to have some really simple ones i keep on thinking about buying those:
http://www.flip-flop.de/shop/media/c...image_2903.jpg

-a heavy black knit-scarf
preferably in sooooft wool

-a rust-colored cardigan with pocket out of a soft material -merino or cashmere would be great.
however i have no idea yet as where to find that for a reasonable price

 

[sill]

Aby, please tell me if you find some!

 

[liny]

Aby, please tell me if you find some!

I saw woolly knit long gloves at Zara yesterday afternoon, they have leather palms though. Looks. Comes in beige and grey....

 

[William_St_Girl]

ok my 4 or 5 items for this winter are

1. Grey suede gloves from Thomas Pink with a bunny fur lining.... so going for them soon.
2. A fur vest or coat with 3/4 length sleves... i'd love either a black or grey one too... maybe in mink... but the only other thing i'd maybe go for is a dark sable one... and that could be any sort of coat to be honest but sable is soooo expensive so prob not... Im not really into long fur... although a mongolian lamb fur in black could be the answer too.
3. A black cashmere fine knit cowl neck.
4. Good black jeans... not skinnys but nice fitted ones.
5. Riding boots.... I know they are hardly original... but nearly every girl needs them.

I could never stick to just 5 items per season though... never will end up with far more... but i love the concept!

 

[scara]

@William_St_Girl
for nice black jeans you might want to try the j brand cigarette leg jeans (i think this is what they are called).
i have them and i really love them. simple and easy black jeans. i got them costumised -shortened and made a bit tighter (they run quite large) and afterwards they fit like a dream and i had them for 3 years now and they still look great.

 

[William_St_Girl]

hey thanks scara i'll look into them...

I love your lists too... you seam a woman after my own heart clothes wise...

 

[misstarshine]

I have been applying this 4-5 piece French wardrobe method for a few years now and have now come to a happy place with my wardrobe where I really only want 4-5 items a season. Inesting in good quality items is really worth it. I now have the perfect leather jacket, perfect black boots, dresses for different occasions etc.

However because I have just started my professional career I have had to buy a few more items for work.

This year my purchases for autumn/winter consisted of:

For work
-Charcole pinstriped suit from Country Road
-Black trousers from Witchery
-Lace up black brogues
-Navy A-line skirt ($2 from a second hand store)
-Pink pleated skirt ($2 from a second hand store)

Casual
-high waisted skinnie jeans
-striped jumper dress

 

[misstarshine]

My spring/summer list so far is:

-Bikini (yellow from Camilla & Marc)
-sandals probably a clogesque style