The 4-5 piece French wardrobe #2

[Betinapple]

Thanks again for more ideas re: dress and footwear. I've got, ahem, one dress to my name, but I'll break it out this week and see how it goes

One trick I've found with the tops I have that have low necklines, is to tuck a scarf in under my top, and tuck the ends into my bra/bra straps, so it looks like I'm wearing a nice silk blouse underneath, say, a sweater with a low neckline. Because I've tucked it in securely it doesn't come out, and now it looks like I've got a bunch of different blouses to wear under things, when in fact they're just cheap but pretty silk scarves. They're also nice under sweaters, as you don't get the added bulk of wearing an actual blouse under a thin sweater.

I'm sure the above is a trick others have figured out, but I've rediscovered it lately and been getting some mileage out of it.

Cool shoes, Betinapple. Do you have a link to your blog we could read?

What a great trick! I must absolutely try that.

Thx so much my blog is www.betina-blog.blogspot.com. I mainly write in danish but always do a short resumé in english. I do not think my english is good enough to use english as the main language.

 

[fashionista-ta]

nap

Just wanted to mention that there's another colorway to my espadrilles for anyone who might be interested, plus another style ... I believe the ones like mine are cream suede + the lighter purple. (They're in the new Lucky ...)

 

[BonjourTristesse]

^ How much are they Ta-Ta? They are gorgeous.
I am looking for a smiliar pair...maybe with a lower heel as I'm alerady 174cm.
I am looking for wedges to wear everyday.... Do you have any ideas?
EVerything I find is really over the top and ugly I think... I LOVE your YSL ones - but I'm not sure if they're too high... :-/

 

[ShoestringTravel]

^^Loving the YSL heels! A great color combination.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ How much are they Ta-Ta? They are gorgeous.
I am looking for a smiliar pair...maybe with a lower heel as I'm alerady 174cm.
I am looking for wedges to wear everyday.... Do you have any ideas?
EVerything I find is really over the top and ugly I think... I LOVE your YSL ones - but I'm not sure if they're too high... :-/

If you don't want too high a heel, then forget these They are sky-high. Last I knew, there were some basic wedges, not very high, from Louboutin that got good reviews ...

 

[tinnabell]

Those heels are so fun! Would be perfect for the summer!

 

[chanelnumber5]

Those YSL shoes are so fun!

For Spring/Summer I have already got a lovely mustard yellow sleeveless dress from Topshop and a floral sundress which I picked up for next to nothing today. I also got a very cheap pair of sunglasses (I loose at least or break two pairs in summer so never spend much on them).

Left to buy:
- Two slightly baggy vests (navy and nudey pink -H&M)
- One grey batwing oversize t-shirt (H&M)
- Black/dark grey/dark navy day dress (ASOS most likely)
- Black round neck cardigan and burgundy red cable knit cardigan (may save this til f/w shopping)
- Black leather waist belt
- Small black day bag (maybe a mini satchel - Zara will probably be my best bet)
- Tan or cream trousers (I like these ones http://www.dorothyperkins.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33053&storeId=12552&productId=2297057&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=208657&parent_categoryId=208600&pageSize=20&refinements=Colour{1}~[tan]&noOfRefinements=1 )
- Evening top (I've seen a couple I like in Topshop)
- Kimono jacket (I've made a 'rule' where I can buy one beautiful but impractical item a season, that probably won't get much wear but would make me happy to own!)

Whilst this is much more than 4/5 things quite a few are basics. I'm also getting much better at not buying things just because they're pretty - especially if they're on sale!

 

[BonjourTristesse]

Does anyone here have experience with Lanvin flats? I already look through the thread...but I only found mixed reviews. My question is: are they very good quality..or do they fall apart after one summer?!

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ I do not ... I believe they either have a thread of their own, or dominate the ballet flat thread. The consensus seems to be that the soles are delicate. Some people have them Zipsoled or the like. Personally I would not do that, but have them resoled when needed. It's no big deal (and everyone should have at least one good shoe repair in her back pocket). I have never heard from anyone that they fell apart. I would not buy a fabric shoe at that price, I would get leather. I notice the python is available again--at an elevated price from last time If you follow the Michelle Obama thread, you notice the mileage she's gotten from her silver ones (which I regret not buying every time she wears them).

Btw, I use two shoe repairs. One is a neighborhood place that family has been using for many years. The other was a referral from Saks' shoe department.

 

[Betinapple]

I am thinking about buying this cardigan/jacket. I'm really into classic items atm and think it would be a great item which could be used a lot. And I absolutely adore stripes. I am in doubt though since Im not sure how well it will go with jeans since it is quite short and I am not sure wether it would make to lines on the body so Im going to look short. I will try it on again tomorrow I think. Also Im not sure how well this cut will go with volumious skirts which I own quite a bit of.

The third problem is that Im trying to save some money for a good, black leather bag, and this buy will that money away from my savings. So what do you think? Right now Im leaning towards buying it.

 

[Jutta]

I am thinking about buying this cardigan/jacket. I'm really into classic items atm and think it would be a great item which could be used a lot. And I absolutely adore stripes. I am in doubt though since Im not sure how well it will go with jeans since it is quite short and I am not sure wether it would make to lines on the body so Im going to look short. I will try it on again tomorrow I think. Also Im not sure how well this cut will go with volumious skirts which I own quite a bit of.

The third problem is that Im trying to save some money for a good, black leather bag, and this buy will that money away from my savings. So what do you think? Right now Im leaning towards buying it.

Hi!

Think about it again... or better; try it on with our own clothes (= with your jeans and volumious skirts) and if it goes great(!)and fits with them then it's probably worth of buying.
Otherwise I'll skip!!!
Don't get me wrong, it's very nice jacket, but is it lovely enough to get your dream bag later?

-Jutta-

 

[Betinapple]

Hi!

Think about it again... or better; try it on with our own clothes (= with your jeans and volumious skirts) and if it goes great(!)and fits with them then it's probably worth of buying.
Otherwise I'll skip!!!
Don't get me wrong, it's very nice jacket, but is it lovely enough to get your dream bag later?

-Jutta-

Thx a bunch for your answer! You're absolutely right. I will see if it can be returned and if it can I will biy it and try it out. Unfortunately I have no volumius skirt with me (I'm at my moms ATM) but I thin it will work since the waistband can be tied at the back so it looks more fitted.

I've been thinking about the thing with the bag too and I really do not know!

 

[BonjourTristesse]

If you ask me, take something you absolutely LOVE. Think if you really are going to wear it alot, and if you can cambine it.
I just bought a black leather bag (Marc Jacobs) and I love it. Its one of the things I always postponed because I'd rather get a cute cardigan... now I realize how important a good bag and good pair of shoes are. They really "define" if you have class and style in my opinion. You seem not too sure about the cardigan... so try it on and decide then! But now I follow this thread, I always think 5x about buying something :-)


Ta-Ta: Thank you for your excellent post. I really appreciate it. I think 300 EUR is quite alot to spend on flats (Boots not so much) - but you are right, they are Lanvins and I can always fix the sole. I am checking the Michelle Obama thread now...and hopefully I'll be convinced...though I already am ;-)

 

[Betinapple]

If you ask me, take something you absolutely LOVE. Think if you really are going to wear it alot, and if you can cambine it.
I just bought a black leather bag (Marc Jacobs) and I love it. Its one of the things I always postponed because I'd rather get a cute cardigan... now I realize how important a good bag and good pair of shoes are. They really "define" if you have class and style in my opinion. You seem not too sure about the cardigan... so try it on and decide then! But now I follow this thread, I always think 5x about buying something :-)


Ta-Ta: Thank you for your excellent post. I really appreciate it. I think 300 EUR is quite alot to spend on flats (Boots not so much) - but you are right, they are Lanvins and I can always fix the sole. I am checking the Michelle Obama thread now...and hopefully I'll be convinced...though I already am ;-)

You're perfectly right. BUT: I have a good bag. I own a mulberry bayswater in chocolate so the expensive bag is a "2nd perfect bag" because I want a black one as well. Not saying that the bag shouldnt be top priority since it is an item that I would use many times every week but I also see the cardigan working with a lot of outfits and would be a good classical item. Im going to go try it on later today and decide what to do. I can be worn open, tied in front and tied at the back so I think it is very versatile. But still.. I do not have a lot of money, so I have to prioritize.

 

[BonjourTristesse]

I look forward to reading what you ended up doing :-) Post a pic if you buy it - will you?

Personally, I decided to get these babies:
1 pair of flats, 1 pair of (low) wedges from Sue London.

I love them!

(unfortunately the beige flats pic isn't available)

credit: sue london

 

[Betinapple]

I look forward to reading what you ended up doing :-) Post a pic if you buy it - will you?

Personally, I decided to get these babies:
1 pair of flats, 1 pair of (low) wedges from Sue London.

I love them!
(unfortunately the beige flats pic isn't available)

credit: sue london

They look like a really good basic buy!

I went to the store and tried it on today and I think it will go with a lot of stuff, so I bought it and took it home to consider. I tend to get a little shaky when there is only one left in my size and just buy it because Im afraid it will be sold before I decide, so I think better when the item is in my hands.

The "problem" besides from the whole "bag-issue" is that later this month the Stine Goya (danish designer who makes the most beautiful print) for Weekday (Highstreet store) collection will be in stores and I might want something from the collection. So there need to be money for that too. But I figured that the cardigan is more wearable and will be used more if I have to choose. Decissions decissions

 

[ShoestringTravel]

I went to Banana Republic a couple days ago and snapped up these two boucle collarless jackets at 50% off (I had been waiting for them to go on sale).

I also got a few GAP t-shirts at buy-one-get-one free price. They are the basic "my favorite v-neck/crew neck/scoop neck" style, which this season are thicker cotton, and cut in a figure-flattering style. Some years the GAP t-shirts can be really thin material, or odd shapes, but this season they seemed really good.

I'm moving to a much larger city in a few months, and it will be nicer to have more options for shopping.


I've also finally bit the bullet and decided to carry two bags to work--a larger tote for books/papers/lunch/etc., and a smaller purse for wallet, etc. Before, trying to cram everything into one large tote made my arm feel like it was going to fall off, and I never got to carry all my smaller bags to work. This way my bags won't languish on the shelf anymore, and I can distribute the load a little better.....

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ Oh, I really like the one on the right! Such a cute hybrid

Good to know about Gap Ts. What's the price point? (Or maybe you're going to tell me in a completely different currency ) I'm going to try a barre class, and I was just thinking all my everyday Ts are showing a bit of wear Nordstrom has some plain organic cotton ones ... I think they do anyway

 

[ShoestringTravel]

The price point was great! It was normally US $14.50, but at the buy-one-get-one free it works out to $7.25 each. For a great T, too--sturdy cotton in a great cut.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ Thanks for the info ... I see I cannot give you karma at the moment That is a great price. I have some knit drawstring ... I don't know what to call them, maybe wide-leg capris? from Gap body that have worn extremely well.