The 4-5 piece French wardrobe #2

[Tinetush]

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

Oh, I really like those. I might just end up getting them if I can't find any in a physical shop. I'm not a big fan of buying online.
But thanks, I would never have thought about checking out banana republic

Advo, I just tie a scarf around my head and make it into a turban when it rains. It keeps my hair almost completely dry. When I was in Scotland I always had one with me.

 

[advo]

^Tinetush, you're used to the Danish weather so I'll trust your opinion on this JK I prefer cashmere scarves though because I find wool itchy and I'm not entirely sure it can stand the rain?

 

[fashionista-ta]

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.

Can someone at home get to the post office?

 

[fashionista-ta]

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...

Melisande, the jackets sound good ... Theory pantsuit, perfect for business. (I imagine these also work as separates?)

For shoes, to go with the black outfits mentioned, I have a pair of absolutely serious black pumps (Jimmy Choo Glaciers, gloss kidskin, 85 mm). Otherwise I wear my regular shoes to work (Dries beaded sandals, Dolce red patent Mary Janes), except those that are really challenging to walk in (YSL), those I save for going out. But I think the basic black pumps are beautiful. I don't think you should ever buy anything that you don't love and feel is you. Maybe "me with a bunch of bankers," but still me.

I would think maybe buy a pair, wear the oxfords, and surely you have a few more that'll pass? But I would think 2-3 pairs should be sufficient.

 

[Tinetush]

^Tinetush, you're used to the Danish weather so I'll trust your opinion on this JK I prefer cashmere scarves though because I find wool itchy and I'm not entirely sure it can stand the rain?

I normally just use a square cotton one I think. it's easier to tie.
But yeah you are probably right about avoiding wool ones.

 

[Susann]

So far I have bought the following for F/W:
light blue shirt
cream coloured long arm cotton shirt ...though not 100 % sure I will count it, as it's mostly for layering against the cold.


I'm planning to buy:
a new warm jacket
a light brown wool cardigan
pair of pants, but not sure which kind...

it's so hard to do the french wardrobe...all the time new things pop into my head I'd like to buy. But I'm just getting started. I think after a few seasons of wiser shopping I will not need to restock all the time. I just haven't bought anything I really needed in the previous seasons so there are some things (like a new pair of pants) I desperately need to hold my wardrobe together

 

[Melisande]

Maybe "me with a bunch of bankers," but still me.

I would think maybe buy a pair, wear the oxfords, and surely you have a few more that'll pass? But I would think 2-3 pairs should be sufficient.

Me with a bunch of bankers, that's a good way to look at it. Actually since moving to Paris I whittled down my wardrobe to an almost extreme minimum, including shoes...so the increased turnover speed requires more frequent updating, annoyingly. The wardrobe worked perfectly for my life until now, but I think you are right, I do need a few more pairs to replace the deceased. 2~3 sounds good! Once again Ta-ta merci bien, t'es trop gentille

 

[Betinapple]

So, I'm a bit quiet ATM. Just started my teaching studies so I'm busy with school, homework and getting to know my classmates.

Have done a bit of shopping though. A month ago I tried on a gorgeous leather skirt but I was a good girl and ended up not buying it. This weekend a found an even better skirt at a thrift store - for only 10 dollars. Of course I bought it. It was on my list - along with a pencil skirt and since the leather skirt is in a pencil shape, I now have both. 2 birds with one stone.

Found a black bowler hat and tried it on for fun, at found out that it actually looked very cute - on me! I took it home. Fortunately it was cheap (from H&M) and I think it will add a nice edge to many of my outfits. This is not one of my 5 pieces, since I do not count accesories, since I rarely buy them.

I also bought a pleated, black midiskirt with tiny grey stars on it. This wasn't on my list, but was very cute and cheap as well. I think it is a great garnment, but I still haven't decided wether it will be living in my closet. It is cute, suits me well and I have outfits planned, which incorporates it, but I do not want to stuff my closet, and I only want things that I absolutely LOVE, so I'm not sure about wether it is staying or moving in with someone who will love it to the end of time.

I've reached a point where I'm very good at avoiding buying cheap stuff from highstreet stores as H&M (actually, I can't remember when I last bought something from H&M, besides the hat - and stockings), but for some reason I do not have the same ability when it comes to thrift store shopping, and I think it is because I do not want to limit myself.
I'm thinking about wether to make and exception regarding thrift store shopping. I know that even thought it is rediculously cheap, it can end up costing you a lot of money in the long run, but I do not think that I use more than 20 bucks thrift store shopping each month, and for that money I get really good stuff, which I almost always end up loving. And that joy I do not want to keep from myself. But of course this also mean that I end up with a lot more than 5 items pr. season. I'm already at 5 items now (starting from 1st of july) with my new skirts. So, I'm thinking about making the rule, that thrift store shopping doesn't count, as long as I am aware the amount of money spend, and still think about wether an item will fit into my wardrobe, my style and my quality demands.

Pheeeeeew, long post. Kudos if any of you manage to get through it

My new buys:

Aaaand the skirt that I'm not sure wether I'll keep or not. Maybe I'll give it a trial period. I definetly see it functioning, but as I wrote earlier, I'm not sure if I loooove it, and wether I should keep it in my closet, if I do not (no money lost, it costed the same as a small ice cream ).

The real lenght is the one at the 1st picture, but it can easily be adjusted.

 

[timber]

I'm long overdue for a wardrobe overhaul. The past year I've been super broke and working crappy jobs, so the only major purchase I made for f/w last year was a Filippa K leather skirt I bought from a consignment store for $75.

Now I am finally not just using my paycheque to pay down my student loans, I have a little more than a 4-5 purchase list -- but I think it's fair, cause I didn't really buy anything last fall -- and half of what I have is falling apart from use.

The List:
1. Crisp White Button Up
2. Soft Black Dress Pants
3. Fitted Blazer (Grey)
4. Ballet Flats5. White Lace Dress
6. Black Work Dress
7. Silk Shirt
8. Striped Cotton Boat Neck Shirt
9. Knit Sweater
10. Wool Skirt

So, nothing crazy -- just filling the obvious holes in my wardrobe. The only thing I've found so far is the blazer - I bought a Theory one at a consignment shop for $25, which fits like it was tailored. I'm so happy I didn't have to spend a ton!

 

[Betinapple]

I'm long overdue for a wardrobe overhaul. The past year I've been super broke and working crappy jobs, so the only major purchase I made for f/w last year was a Filippa K leather skirt I bought from a consignment store for $75.

Now I am finally not just using my paycheque to pay down my student loans, I have a little more than a 4-5 purchase list -- but I think it's fair, cause I didn't really buy anything last fall -- and half of what I have is falling apart from use.

The List:
1. Crisp White Button Up
2. Soft Black Dress Pants
3. Fitted Blazer (Grey)
4. Ballet Flats5. White Lace Dress
6. Black Work Dress
7. Silk Shirt
8. Striped Cotton Boat Neck Shirt
9. Knit Sweater
10. Wool Skirt

So, nothing crazy -- just filling the obvious holes in my wardrobe. The only thing I've found so far is the blazer - I bought a Theory one at a consignment shop for $25, which fits like it was tailored. I'm so happy I didn't have to spend a ton!

Good lock with the project.

My experience is, that a white shirt can be bought cheaper, without the quality being bad. I bought one @ Vero Moda (Danish High Street brand), but I know that many like Zaras quality of shirts. Just a tip

 

[aldn]

Great finds betin! I too cannot resists the allure of thrift shops! I wear sizes that are slightly bigger than the ones you typically find in stores so most of my clothes are secondhand. Even when I could fit clothes in stores I still loved vintage/thrift finds just because you can find so many unique things.

 

[Betinapple]

Great finds betin! I too cannot resists the allure of thrift shops! I wear sizes that are slightly bigger than the ones you typically find in stores so most of my clothes are secondhand. Even when I could fit clothes in stores I still loved vintage/thrift finds just because you can find so many unique things.

Thx a lot and yes, thriftstores are like treasurechests. I can not pass a thrift store without entering it.

 

[fashionista-ta]

I like the star skirt, Betinapple

Five total (bearing in mind the concept is five key) pieces can be overly restrictive, especially if you've had recent seasons where you've bought very little. I definitely bought more than five this past season ... probably will buy less than five this coming season (especially since I splashed out in a major way on the first piece!).

I would just try to find some way of defining key (other than cost) that works for you. That way you won't end up with an overflowing, unmanageable closet.

I must admit that I like antiquing--just not for clothes Anyone who's read the How do you set your table? thread knows what my weakness is I've been telling myself for some days now that I don't need another teapot Not to mention that my $$$$ is about to go for a very exciting visit from the tree trimming guy. I have a pecan that's nearly 150 years old that just had a major limb crack ...

 

[fashionista-ta]

Me with a bunch of bankers, that's a good way to look at it. Actually since moving to Paris I whittled down my wardrobe to an almost extreme minimum, including shoes...so the increased turnover speed requires more frequent updating, annoyingly. The wardrobe worked perfectly for my life until now, but I think you are right, I do need a few more pairs to replace the deceased. 2~3 sounds good! Once again Ta-ta merci bien, t'es trop gentille

You are most welcome

I know what you mean ... when you really whittle (even sticking to a capsule wardrobe with other clothes around), you do see the impact in terms of things wearing out.

However, especially given how obvious trends in footwear can be, I think sometimes that is no bad thing. Better to get your money's worth and move on sometimes, than to be stuck with something that's screaming about an era now past ...

 

[advo]

I got my cashmere scarf on my list - got a very soft and big one from COS for a pretty good price. They also have a matching beanie - I think I'll get that too even if it's not on my list because my ears are always cold in the winters.

Instead of a cashmere knit - I was originally going to get this from Zara

zara

but I didn't think the v-neck and length was flattering on me so I'm thinking about getting something like this from Acne instead

acne

if I can find it in grey since I'm not fond of very light coloured knits. It's a wool and polyamid mix so it also depends on how it feels on the skin. Alternatively, this angora knit from Acne in bordeaux which I'm craving for FW11

youheshe

My only concern is that I hate shedding but supposedly it stops after wash.

I'm going to try to stick very closely to the 4-5 pieces just because I think I need the restraint. Also, because jewellery doesn't count for me

I've down-prioritised getting a new wintercoat since I do have a couple that still work but I still desperately need rain boots. For rain coat, I'm eyeing one from Burberry but the price is a little out of my budget for new.

 

[advo]

Actually, here's my ideal sweater from Rag & Bone (past season)

lagarconne

Want it desperately! Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[Melisande]

than to be stuck with something that's screaming about an era now past ...

Aaahahahah ...too funny!

Update: After asking around and starting working with these people, turns out Parisian business fashion is far more laid back than both the US and Japan. Women dressed in dark jeans, tanks and dresses (albeit looking very polished with statement necklaces and Mulberry bags)...I have not seen a tie yet on my male clients...you were right, turns out my wardrobe is on the creative side, yet not inappropriate

I am, however, supported in a major way by my pearl necklace. Quirky items can be boosted to propriety with a little white gleam and gorgeous shoes.

Shoes and a few more tees must be added, and will see to cold-weather items in a few weeks.

 

[RedandNavy]

Betinapple: You look so lovely in your pictures! Actually my husband saw them and immediatly asked whether you were some famous model You have always such a positive and warm look!

4-5 pieces: Initially I thought I could live with what I have for this season. I realized that is not realistic BUT I will try to really stick with 4 to 5 pieces this season. Financially it looks better than expected so I think 4 to 5 good pieces should be fine. I have some wish pieces already.

Actually I ordered a gorgeous silk sweater by Jason Wu that I had in my wish list for nearly a year and that was now available with 60% off. BUT when it arrived it was a bit damaged in two spots and it was the first thing I saw. It really hurt because it was so beautiful but I the way it looked it felt that it was of a VERY delicate quality that could easily damage. So I decided to send it back I'm still heartbroken but I'm not really ready to pay for a broken garment. And it was still a considerable amount, even with the reduction.

 

[RedandNavy]

Advo: I love the Acne pieces. Actually, I love their style in clothing but I guess it wouldn't really suit me. So cool though!

 

[Lapin de Lune]

I am actually done for the time being, perhaps until spring, which feels rather strange now, after so much planning and consideration. I am also flat broke on the clothing fund front, so this is especially helpful by way of actually keeping me focused on being...done.