The 4-5 piece French wardrobe #2

[elle s'ennuie]

Annnd, I have another something I wanted to talk about, but since it's a different topic, I thought I'd put it into a separate post.

In trying to reduce my consumption and my wardrobe, as well as create a better understanding of my style, I've also stopped reading most of the 'dedicated consumer'-model style blogs. Here are some of the blogs I've found that follow the spirit of this thread in their sartorial choices, and take a more thoughtful approach to style and fashion (I know some of you also post here. Please suggest any others I might have missed!

Want & Worth
Dead Fleurette
Garderoben
Mommy Style
fashion me blog
The Dashing Eccentric
Afropeenne
Miss Moll Cherie

 

[Betinapple]

@Elle: great posts I'm also looking for a striped 3/4 sleeved blouse or leotard but it seems to be impossible. I want a white (or cream) and black striped one. It can be a blouse or a t-shirt dress and preferably it has a low back that just covers a bra. Although, it seems impossible.

 

[fashionista-ta]

barneys

I haven't posted in this thread for ages, but I have been keeping up with you all. I had a big closet purge a few weeks ago, donated most of the lot, a handful will go on ebay (motivation to make that effort still lacking sorely, even though I could really do with the money!). I also tallied up all the clothing items I have bought this year so far - 14 in all - and now I'm kind of peeved at myself for not being discriminating enough in my purchases. About half of these were almost-necessities in that they replaced worn out stuff, but some of the others I could surely have done without.

Current summer items I am looking for:
* a white/cream/light blue loose cotton blouse top
* a cream/beige/grey All Saints cardigan to throw on at night when it gets chilly
* a breton top - replacement for my near-perfect one that is now too small

The last one is surprisingly hard to find, you'd think it'd be available in all kinds of variations since nautical is such a trend for (any) spring. Perhaps my demands are too specific? White/cream and light/medium blue stripes, not too thin stripes (at least 1cm); preferably boat neck (no crew necks, they look awful on me); preferably 3/4 sleeves, but can be long; no embellishments (no lace, sequins or bows, please); cotton or cotton blend... I've found two that were almost what I wanted, but one was too long (and hemming knits/jersey is way too cumbersome) and the other's blue stripes were a too garish, loud colour.

It's always hard to replace something that was perfect I would have a tailor take care of the hemming though ... if it's just length and a straight hem, that should be very doable. Everyone needs a good tailor ...

I've now worn all of my new items ... in the two pictured above with my cream skirt and red patent ballets, my SA at Barney's told me today I looked very chic and French Replaced my wallet with this today ...

 

[1999]

Annnd, I have another something I wanted to talk about, but since it's a different topic, I thought I'd put it into a separate post.

In trying to reduce my consumption and my wardrobe, as well as create a better understanding of my style, I've also stopped reading most of the 'dedicated consumer'-model style blogs. Here are some of the blogs I've found that follow the spirit of this thread in their sartorial choices, and take a more thoughtful approach to style and fashion (I know some of you also post here. Please suggest any others I might have missed!

Want & Worth
Dead Fleurette
Garderoben
Mommy Style
fashion me blog
The Dashing Eccentric
Afropeenne
Miss Moll Cherie

I really love this list! My fave is Garderoben.

 

[elle s'ennuie]

Betinapple - Thanks! Isn't it funny that the stores are full of clothes, both offline and online, and the stock gets updated often, yet when you are after something specific, even if it's rather simple, it's so hard to find.

1999 - I like your blog too, I've added it to my blog list.

fashionista-ta - Your post made me think of that breton-candidate again, and I even went back to the store to take another look at it, but it was sold out. I could get it online, but I'm really not feeling it anymore - I guess it being too long wasn't the only thing about it that fell, ahem, short of my expectations.
I like your new wallet. And I wish we could see pictures of your outfits, the descriptions always sound so elegant!

As for my list,

Current summer items I am looking for:
* a white/cream/light blue loose cotton blouse top
* a cream/beige/grey All Saints cardigan to throw on at night when it gets chilly
* a breton top - replacement for my near-perfect one that is now too small

I managed to snag the All Saints cardigan I was after on ebay last night (new with tags, sold out on the website). Can't wait for it to arrive!

But I actually forgot to mention my most pressing clothing need in my previous post, which was a pair of summer trousers. I was down to two pairs that fit me, but both were only suitable for gardening, mushroom picking etc, not for going outside in civilisation where people can actually see you. I mostly wear skirts, but sometimes I feel like being lazy and blending into the crowd a bit, and throwing on a pair of pants is handy for those days. So yesterday I bought this linen pair that is almost exactly like another one I wore and loved for many summers, so happy to have found a perfect replacement for at least one item!

pic credit: lindex online

 

[Betinapple]

@Elle: yes it is so typical. But it is pretty helpful for the state of your bank account to be hard to please

I btw. aggree with you about Fashionista-ta's outfits. They always sound so pretty.

 

[RedandNavy]

I bought two wardrobe staples today... Two rosemunde camisoles. I always love them under cardigans and v-necks and they give the otherwise sharp lines in my wardrobe a little bit of romance.

(Picture: my own)

 

[fashionista-ta]

chanceco

Thanks for the sweet comments ... sorry to be so horrible with pictures.

Was just reading that the former creative director of Kate Spade has a new line that specializes in boatneck striped tees, called Chance. Seems like it might be worth checking out ...

 

[Betinapple]

Thanks for the sweet comments ... sorry to be so horrible with pictures.

Was just reading that the former creative director of Kate Spade has a new line that specializes in boatneck striped tees, called Chance. Seems like it might be worth checking out ...

that one looks pretty good (I like deep backs, but can't seem to find anything like that, besides from the American Apparel leotards, that does not cover your bra on the back). Do you know where it can be bought?

 

[BonjourTristesse]

Hello. I haven't posted in a while... I enjoy seeing this thread a little more alive again!

I bought the following things today.
A white-blue striped cardigan and a black top by Zara.
I haven't bought something from Zara in while... I don't really like their quality and style. But the black top looks so, so chic and fitting. I was glad they still had it in size S.
The cardigan is perfect for summer... I'm not sure how to wear it yet... I think it'll look too basic with skinny jeans... I think baggy-ish pants (maybe blue, or jeans).
I especially love the shoulder part... it has cute feminine details.

Here are a few possibilities what to wear it with... I just realized how boring I sometimes look... :-/ If you have any ideas how to be at least a LITTLE more fashionable...and less Casual/Classic tell me ;-)

credit: polyvore, Zara, Jackpot

 

[RedandNavy]

I love the cardigan, BonjourTristesse! And really, don't worry about looking too casual/classic... I think this all looks very well put together and chic! And the pieces you listed are all so versatile which is always great. It was you with the red APC skirt, right? If you want some more looks, why not buy that one? Looks like it could give something new and exiting to the wardrobe while still being true to the style.

 

[HiHeels]

elle s'ennuienice list. (i'm very flattered.)
but it has really been my experience that if i cut my media, that reduces my appetite, which immediately effects my consumption.
right now i am mulling over what to pack for a longish trip, and whenever i do this, actually limit myself to a high-functioning mini wardrobe, i always wonder, could i just live with, literally, 4-5 pieces? or 7-10. i always manage just fine on a trip. you'd have to double it to take into account the seasons, but other than that, i just don't understand why i can't pack my suitcase, close my eyes, reach into the closet and pull out the rest, bag it, and chuck/donate/sell it. closing the eyes would be critical because there is an emotional component that prevents me from being liberated from the rest of my clothes. the extra clothes give me both satisfaction/comfort and frustration.
i hope to know what i will be packing by next week. it's a 6 week trip, and i would like a tiny wardrobe. it is truly an exercise in living with a 4-5 piece wardrobe.

 

[fashionista-ta]

elle s'ennuienice list. (i'm very flattered.)
but it has really been my experience that if i cut my media, that reduces my appetite, which immediately effects my consumption.
right now i am mulling over what to pack for a longish trip, and whenever i do this, actually limit myself to a high-functioning mini wardrobe, i always wonder, could i just live with, literally, 4-5 pieces? or 7-10. i always manage just fine on a trip. you'd have to double it to take into account the seasons, but other than that, i just don't understand why i can't pack my suitcase, close my eyes, reach into the closet and pull out the rest, bag it, and chuck/donate/sell it. closing the eyes would be critical because there is an emotional component that prevents me from being liberated from the rest of my clothes. the extra clothes give me both satisfaction/comfort and frustration.
i hope to know what i will be packing by next week. it's a 6 week trip, and i would like a tiny wardrobe. it is truly an exercise in living with a 4-5 piece wardrobe.

I know exactly how that would end ... in a 5-alarm shopping emergency I don't believe in a lot of duplication, but you need to have things that can stand in for other things. Bad things inevitably happen--and these have all happened to me. Someone spills a glass of red wine on you at a party (with minimal apology). Your tropical wool pants with a bit of stretch decide they've had enough of your acrobatics and tear close to a seam, irreparably. Your favorite chiffon skirt catches on something--irreparable 3-corner tear. You accidentally leave your jacket somewhere, you're not sure where. Phone calls turn up nothing. The cleaners lose something. In my experience it's always something black, and never something you wanted them to lose. (I now have a cleaners who might misplace something every few years, but they never, ever lose anything. They are gold.) You fall on the ice, resulting in an ugly 4-inch gash on one of your favorite shoes. Your dog eats the suede ornament off one shoe only.

To me a proper wardrobe precludes 5-alarm shopping emergencies ... there is no single piece that if subtracted, would bring your ability to get dressed to a screeching halt.

 

[aldn]

the question is what items become validated in a proper wardrobe. or how many of each item is the max. at the end of the day one can only have so many pants, shirts, etc., yes? or should it not matter so long as i'm abiding by the rules and only purchasing one or two of a thing each season slowly building up that number?

 

[Lela London]

I am too much of a glutton for clothes. I could never haha.

If I was pressed to, I would probably do just dresses. Two for daytime, Two for evening, One wild.

 

[fashionista-ta]

the question is what items become validated in a proper wardrobe. or how many of each item is the max. at the end of the day one can only have so many pants, shirts, etc., yes? or should it not matter so long as i'm abiding by the rules and only purchasing one or two of a thing each season slowly building up that number?

Everyone has different priorities, of course ... I think the key principles for me anyway are quality over quantity and taking only what I need/want. There's this thing that unfortunately seems to be very 'American' of 'If I can afford it (or even if I can't), it's mine!' My view is that I don't want to be wasteful, and I also want to enjoy my wardrobe and express myself through it. Those are my parameters ... so not too much, not too little ...

By wasteful, I mean anything poorly made, ugly, unflattering, unsustainable. (And also, of course, too much--more than I need in order to meet my stated goals.) What I do want is something beautiful that looks good on me, which I will love by definition , and something that's ethically sourced and made that I can feel good about wearing. Unfortunately full information about what is and isn't ethically made isn't fully available ...

Btw, I have really been loving my new wallet ... to me something beautiful that gives you a little lift everytime you see it and use it, that is luxury ... I have a handmade address file on my desk that makes me feel much the same way.

 

[elle s'ennuie]

ta-ta Those Chance striped tees look nice! Shame about the customs tax I'd be hit with if I ordered from the US though.

HiHeels I've been a fan of your previous blogs as well. Various fashion media definitely has an effect on my "wants". I stopped buying magazines a few years ago, both for consumerism and body image related reasons; I don't watch TV; and I try to only read those blogs that take a more cerebral, deliberate, and slow approach to fashion and style. I used to follow blogs for inspiration and eye candy, cutting out those has drastically reduced my oohh, nice, I want it! feelings.

I always have a hard time packing as well, mostly because I start to second guess my first choices and think, what if I will want to wear something else, I need to bring alternative options with me - but there's only so much space in the bag...

 

[aldn]

i agree tata. fresh out of high school i spent so much on things i wanted yes but yes a lot on things simply because i could too. i had a habit of running my wallet low. oh. i have 15 dollars?! off to the mall i go. i would do this with bills unpaid and an overdrawn account. so glad those days are behind me. it took me having a job where i made less to get it together.
i'm glad your wallet makes you so happy. i want a comme des garcon wallet rather badly but i don't know it would make me that happy in reality.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ They have great wallets ... maybe you should get it

 

[Betinapple]

I've been too unfocused the last month. I've bought a lot of stuff, good stuff, really, but too much. My goal hasn't been to buy only 4-5 items 2 times a year, but I still think I've bought too much stuff the last month. I think 3 dresses, 2 pairs of shoes, a bag, a shirt and what not is way too much for just one month. Fortunately (?) i really have to save money the next couple of months so I think the only things I'm going to buy is a scarf I've been eyeing and a couple of classic, black pumps, which is really needed. All my black heels have other colours on them as well.

Also've got a lot of DIY projects planned, think that will keep my mind of shopping