The 4-5 piece French wardrobe #2

[pchouclaire]

Thanks for the shopbop hint Belowen. It's still quite chilly in Edinburgh and I bought that wrap scarf today in grey
About designer bags, I fall for them like anyone but I agree about prominent logos. If you're looking for a bag that won't break the bank I suggest Tano. I own 4 but I don't know if they would be your style. Normally they're in between 170-300 USD and if you look through their list of retailers I'm sure you could buy them online. Note: they're all quite shiny but the sheen wears off and they soften like a good pair of jeans. http://www.tanobag.com/bags.cfm?makebuy=B&season=A&syear=2010&IMMED=

 

[chanelnumber5]

That's funny you say that ... I was think of Givenchy for you. I've seen a crinkled black patent tote I think you might like ... I'm not terribly fond of the logo, but sometimes you can find them where it's printed on the leather & less prominent. Maybe it's just me

I hate anything with an excessively prominent logo on it, especially bags. Even the Chanel interlocking C clasps on their bags are too much for me.

Belowen, I admire you for being able to put together such a list. If I were to compile one it would be horrendously long and indecisive.

Over the last few weeks I've been very restrained with my shopping, I've only brought gym clothes recently.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ I agree about the Cs ... Chanel does have the occasional bag without them. That's one of the reasons I liked that 1955 bag that was reintroduced (hopefully I've remember the year right ...)

I'm planning to go shopping soon for a new top. I've worn out a couple of black ones ... not sure if I'll get black or a color. Purple might be good. I haven't bought anything since the shoes I bought last fall ...

 

[two months off]

I've started to focus on my "bag wardrobe" so I don't have as many silly bags that I rarely use. I'm into more higher quality, real leather bags...which is different from before. I used to favor fabric bags. So, now I just reserved a lovely light brown satchel/messanger - a convertible bag! In a color that I've wanted for such a long time.

I'm going to be on the lookout for a structured, purple bag; and a gray one. I already have a black one I love, and I kept some of my fabric bags because I still do use them a lot. But I realized I have tons of bags I hardly use. And my goal is to utilize everything in my closet!

 

[Belowen]

^ What are your thoughts on this Paul & Joe for the Outnet bag for your structured purple bag? I have been eyeing it off myself but it just doesn't fit into my wardrobe this season...

I found a great pair of dark denim straight leg jeans on sale today. So I snapped them up along with a black dress (also on sale, very versatile and suits the rest of my wardrobe, despite not being on my list) some black lace tights and a black cotton cami for layering.

I also did a bit of shopping in my own wardrobe while cleaning everything out the other day, and I've decided to stick with one of my own Mimco bags for my oversized black bag this season. I bought it to travel with last year, and have only ever used it when I've been going overseas. The lining is a little tricky and it gets stuck in the zipper a lot (which caused me no end of grief at the airport on my way to new york - my passport was trapped in my bag, it took me forever to get the zipper open) and that was putting me off using the bag. I figure I spent enough money on the bag I might as well get some use out of it now that I've worked out that I can zip the bag half way across and work around the problem. It's not 100% leather but it is a really good quality bag, and a great size for me.

source: my own picture

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ I wonder if you could tack the lining down inside with a few stitches & keep it from doing that? If done right under the zipper, you'd never see it ...

 

[two months off]

Belowen thanks for posting the Paul & Joe bag, I quite like the shape! I'm not so sure about that particular shade of purple, but the shape is pretty much what I'm looking for.

I have a couple of bags that give me zipper trouble too, I hate it! It really does keep me from using the bags : /

 

[Belowen]

^ I wonder if you could tack the lining down inside with a few stitches & keep it from doing that? If done right under the zipper, you'd never see it ...

I have no sewing abilities myself but I was thinking of asking my grandmother if she could help me out with that...

Two Months Off - you're welcome, I really liked the shape of the bag too. I think they had it in a couple of different colours, perhaps in the grey you are looking for?

 

[fashionista-ta]

I discarded a pair of shoes today ... they were Louboutin espadrilles. The most bizarre thing ...

It was raining hard the last time I wore them. I always put my shoes away immediately (in clear plastic shoe boxes), having been taught this lesson by one of my dogs That has worked out well until now ... These espadrilles have black rope instead of natural, and I noticed they looked kind of dusty. Then I set them down on a light surface, picked them up again, and there was this thick coating of black powder where they'd been It turns out they had molded, both black and green (the dust) ... so I promptly bagged them & took them out to the trash bin, and then cleaned up the mess they'd left behind.

Does this entitle me to a new pair of sandals?

 

[Belowen]

^ definitely!

 

[Julide]

Fashionista-taSorry to hear about your shoes. I think that your entitled to at least two pairs, one a replacement and the second a soothing reward for the traumatic experience.If you need a reason for a third pair...I can try to think one up too!!!

 

[misstarshine]

I have just had major life upheavals involving moving from the country to the beach, from the life as a student to the life as a professional and from storing my clothes in 3 wardrobes I now have 1 which I have to share with my boy.

All these changes meant that I gave away 4 garbage bags of clothing and now have to update my wardrobe.

My autumn/winter list is:

-black cigarette pants
-black pencil skirt
-black cardigan
-coloured cardigan
-black flats
-nice tops of some sort x 3
-pashmina's - black
- light coloured

 

[Belowen]

^ I'm not sure if you're after leather flats, or what your price range is but you should check out Country Road for amazing ballet flats. I bought two pairs to replace the one that I had worn through the sole (that is how much I wore them!)

 

[jaydotcee]

I am trying to write a post for my blog about my 4-5 key items for Spring and to actually find them and put a face to the name (or so to speak) is a LOT harder than I initially imagined. It is quite difficult to actually settle on a one single item to encompass an entire category.

For example, earlier, I stated that I wanted a (floral) dress for my summer wardrobe, but to actually pinpoint 1 or 2 dresses for the season is very difficult because you are trying to find something is versatile and transitional. Currently, I have settled on a pair of shoes...

 

[floodette]

uh oh, i feel i am going to purchase more than 5 items this season (or replenishment doesnt count? )

so far i need:
-. silk top in pretty pattern
-. black slip (am thinking Spanx)
-. black tanktop underwear (make it several,as i use it almost everyday!)
-. white open toe, kitten heel shoes (my previous and trusted ones is a sergio rossi that has scuffed..... if possible, i prefer just to repair them, as they're so comfy. sigh....)
-. black pants to replace my old one

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ Lingerie doesn't count! Unless you're buying something especially fabulous ... If I ever get that couture bra in Paris, that will count

jaydotcee, as far as your floral dress, I would think the important thing would be to find one that you really love and will want to come back to again and again.

 

[quimby]

I'm not sure when spring officially begins, but in the past month or so I got:

- 80s liberty-print romper
- patent leather jazz shoes
- chambray sailor top from Dear Creatures, like the one below but not striped

[shoppenelopes.com]

I'm looking for a black mini. A summer dress. Any thing chambray. And white blouses. Like I do every time the weather gets warm.

But I'm most likely just to visit thrift stores and get whatever interesting catches my eye. I'm not sure if thrift shopping and keeping to a list really go hand in hand. Thrifting requires a certain open-mindedness that the strict, focused "french method" doesn't really allow.

 

[misstarshine]

I agree with you about thrifting quimby its all about what you find but you can apply the "french method" when it comes to exercising restraint eg do you have the closet space and how often will you really wear it?

 

[fashionista-ta]

When I used to shop in consignment stores, I stuck to a fairly strict color scheme, so that is definitely possible ...

 

[misstarshine]

I stick to a strict colour scheme too this means no brown. I used to buy the odd brown item and then just realise that I had nothing that I could wear with it.

The only exception is dresses as Im not usually matching them with too many other items.