The 4-5 piece French wardrobe #2

[Betinapple]

^thanks so much! I love that green colour as well.

 

[RedandNavy]

Hi everyone!

Times when you can't shop really aren't that bad after all I've been thinking about what I have and where I wanna go during the past weeks. I realize my closet is full with things that were right five years ago but many of them just don't really mix well or fit to my current life. I've tried to take into consideration what I like, what I don't like anymore, how I live now and I have been browsing through online stores and wish lists for quite some time and somehow for the first time in my life I feel like I really know where I want to head to. Before I had many styles that I liked and I was easily seduced by nice looks but somehow it didn't really make a consistent wardrobe. Now I think I have found a way to actually mix some of the things I like and just really drop some others off my lists. My wish lists look so great now, full of really consistent but pretty pieces... The only problem is that I don't have the money to go on a huge shopping tour now... But I hope that really knowing what I want and what I don't want can help me to slowly buy piece after piece and maybe really follow the 4-5 pieces idea. B) It is definitely a good feeling to head from the "oh, I like this" approach to a "my goal is a wardrobe that looks like that" approach, if you know what I mean.

 

[advo]

A tiny update

I was reading the thread for petite style after this one, and I found a link to a great blog about petite style. Such a life saver! There were so many aspect that I had never thought about before regarding body proportions etc. Following the advice, I'm going to cull my wardrobe and then focus on a lookbook for FW.

(I may have found a gorgeous, gorgeous LBD at COS but it was in sz 36 which I can't fit. But they ordered it in sz 34 for me and I'll check out how that fit. The good thing with COS is that their quality is great. But on the other hand, I really shouldn't buy anything until I have a clear overview of my closet.)

 

[Tinetush]

I sort of tried to do this for this spring/summer and I worked out okay. The few investment pieces that I got, I ended up almost living in. So I am definitely doing this again this season. Mostly I've found out that I really do prefer quality. Or at least things that are not made out of 100% polyester.
COS has become me new best friend. - Great reasonable priced things.

So I've made a list for this coming season.

*Black flat leather ankle boots that goes with everything - already got a pair from Office
*Black wool crew neck sweater
*Grey wool cigarette pants
*Brown patent creepers
*Maybe an off-white wool scarf - still debating whether I will be able to keep it white.

I will probably buy a few more things. But not too many as I have a few DIY and sewing projects as well. Since there are things I want but can't seem to find for an affordable price. But since I don't really like to sew the few things I do decide to make are things that I know I want, and have wanted for quite a while. Meaning that I only make a few nice things

 

[fashionista-ta]

RedandNavy, I think clarity is always a good thing

advo, if you're an LBD person (I am not), then it's probably a safe purchase ...

Tinetush, I would spill coffee on that scarf the first day But then when I eat spaghetti at home by myself & I'm going out again, I put my robe on over my real clothes to protect them After the moths devoured my last scarf, I haven't replaced it. What about a plaid that includes cream (like Burberry has)?

 

[Tinetush]

I actually have a plaid scarf that I love, it looks very Scottish. So I think I need one that is in a solid color. But you are right about the coffee. As much as I like the idea in theory I don't think I will be able to keep it clean. Maybe a dark gray one will be a better idea.

 

[lucy92]

So I've made a list for this coming season.

*Black flat leather ankle boots that goes with everything - already got a pair from Office
*Black wool crew neck sweater
*Grey wool cigarette pants

how about these cigarette pants from banana republic? they are designed by Janie Bryant. (bananarepublic.com)

 

[ATM1985]

^ Ooooh, I am in love with those pants. This thread is going to make me break the 4-5 piece limit - I keep seeing great stuff I want to buy!

 

[Betinapple]

Going pretty good ATM.

I've already bought 3 of my 5 items, so I shouldn't be shopping anyway. I finally found a striped tee, but it was sold out. Just my luck. I've found another alternative, but I should not buy it right now, since I'm going to buy books for school soon.

 

[advo]

So far, my list is this:

Winter coat
Rain boots
Rain coat
Black flat ankle boots
Cashmere scarf or cashmere crew neck sweater

 

[advo]

I love this rain coat from Storets - but idk about the quality?

Le Blog de Sushi

 

[Melisande]

Help! I'm having to re-do my fall/winter wardrobe due to work...

...my wardrobe throughout my life has been very bohemian and more eccentric, lots of vintage and long flowy stuff to go with my long flowy hair

Now I have to spend time with more conservative corporate types, and have to dress accordingly...where to start and how much to buy, and what to buy...

I started by buying a knee-length black pencil skirt and a knee-length navy pleated skirt, but that's not going to be enough...how many items/outfits should one add in these cases? It's not a lifestyle change, but I'll be meeting these people maybe three days a week...

 

[fashionista-ta]

advo, those vinyl raincoats are usually really hot ... not to mention made of toxic PVC

You may want to look at trenches ... seems like there's a trench for every style

Melisande, that sounds like a good start. I would think you probably have a lot of tops that will work? I'm a long skirt wearer, and I've worked in the corporate world (albeit the high tech corner of it) my whole adult life.

What do you have in the way of slacks? Jackets?

I usually go relatively classic on most things, and make a statement with my shoes.

I'm not sure that what you have is really so unacceptable, especially after you tweak it ... but I've always worked in the US. Now the only really conservative people here are bankers and accountants.

If you're going to be meeting with them 3x a week, sounds like you're doing consulting ... in my mind as an outsider it's not so bad to be different--the only important thing is to be taken seriously & inspire confidence.

To that end I have an unmatched black suit for each season (2 IOW). That's my serious interview/meet with the executives outfit. Even there, the jackets have peplums, the wool skirt is long ... Otherwise, my view is that as long as I'm expressing an appropriate amount of formality, I can express my own style. Granted, it's not bohemian But neither has it been standard issue anywhere I've worked.

 

[Fewormany]

Ok, I want a few thing for this F/W and since I don't have much money at the moment selections have to be made. I thought posting them here might keep me on track, plus bring in some male oriented wardrobe building .

So here are the thing I need/want so far:

• New jacket
• Brown leather gloves
• Long scarf
• Shoes

So far I have seen a good pair of brown leather gloves at H&M. I've bought leather gloves there before and the price/quality is quite good imo.
The jacket will be the biggest challenge, I've got a leather jacket at the moment but it's getting a bit old and I need something else in the rotation. Finding a good looking, good quality, reasonable priced jacket is quite a challenge and on top of that I've got no clue what I'm looking for..

The scarf will largely depend on the jacket, even though I have spotted a nice tan scarf with a subtle stripe that would go along with pretty much all colours.

I'll keep you posted when changes occur!

 

[advo]

fashionista-ta, oh that's so disappointed to hear. I love the cute design. Are you referring to rain coat trenches? Or a trench coat? I need something against rain since the Danish weather has been absolutely hideous this "summer".

 

[fashionista-ta]

Fewormany, you're right, we're a bit short of men around here I think this may be the way a lot of men already dress?? In case anyone's in any doubt ... All men are welcome ...

advo, yes, I believe all good trench coats are rain-proof ... mine is a Burberry from before it was cool, and very functional. I imagine we have a trench thread around here? Think I've seen one ...

 

[Fewormany]

Fewormany, you're right, we're a bit short of men around here I think this may be the way a lot of men already dress??

I think they definatly buy less, but I'm not sure if they are more focused when buying stuff than women. We do have the luck that most highstreet (h&m, zara, etc) menswear seems to be of better quality compared to the women's department. And overall I think men value quality more over quantity, I sure know I do. Or at least the best quality I can find/afford.

 

[advo]

Fewormany, you're right, we're a bit short of men around here I think this may be the way a lot of men already dress?? In case anyone's in any doubt ... All men are welcome ...

advo, yes, I believe all good trench coats are rain-proof ... mine is a Burberry from before it was cool, and very functional. I imagine we have a trench thread around here? Think I've seen one ...

I love the idea of using the trench for double duty - but what do you do about your head/hair? I bike a lot so I need something that also covers my head.

 

[Melisande]

Melisande, that sounds like a good start. I would think you probably have a lot of tops that will work? I'm a long skirt wearer, and I've worked in the corporate world (albeit the high tech corner of it) my whole adult life.
What do you have in the way of slacks? Jackets?
I usually go relatively classic on most things, and make a statement with my shoes.
I'm not sure that what you have is really so unacceptable, especially after you tweak it ... but I've always worked in the US. Now the only really conservative people here are bankers and accountants.
If you're going to be meeting with them 3x a week, sounds like you're doing consulting ... in my mind as an outsider it's not so bad to be different--the only important thing is to be taken seriously & inspire confidence.

To that end I have an unmatched black suit for each season (2 IOW). That's my serious interview/meet with the executives outfit. Even there, the jackets have peplums, the wool skirt is long ... Otherwise, my view is that as long as I'm expressing an appropriate amount of formality, I can express my own style. Granted, it's not bohemian But neither has it been standard issue anywhere I've worked.

Ta-ta, I knew I could count on you for top-notch advice!!
Thank you for your encouragement, you're right, I guess the important thing is to "express an appropriate amount of formality" and inspire confidence, not try to be the same. It's strange and disconcerting when you're meeting with people who are so different from your usual creative-type crowd!

Slacks...zero (except a pair of unhemmed ripped jeans...)
Jackets...the black velvet blazer & beige leather Chanel-type jacket may work...(probably not my violently violet biker jacket? or my asymmetrical sculpted aquamarine velvet bolero with floor-lenght sleeves...)

Tops...hmm...I'll really have to go through these.

I have a black Theory pantsuit and Vivienne Westwood velvet suit in Japan, I think maybe it's time to have to have my parents ship them to me...

...and then there's the whole shoes question...
punk boots and purple patent flatforms are not going to cut it methinks... I only can count on my Robert Clergerie oxford pumps...I wonder how many pairs I should have...

Sorry for thinking out loud...

 

[gimmethatbag]

Discovered once I got to college that I left my amazingly wonderful skinny jeans at home on the other side of the country. So I gotta get some jeans. I just have ripped boyfriend jeans right now.