The 4-5 piece French wardrobe #2

[Nemova]

We don't talk about shades much here. Are they frivolous or do we all need a good pair? I live in L.A. and oddly enough didn't feel confident wearing shades on a regular basis until recently. I have just purchased these Linda Farrow Originals on ebay and I'm quite excited to receive them.

Shades have a special place in my heart and in my wardrobe as I see them as key accessories, so I see no problem in investing a decent amount of money in them.

 

[Betinapple]

@RedAndNavy: well, didn't know how else I would describe it I have things that I want to save money for (a bag and a goood camera), and I also do lists. A lot! It has helped me a lot untill now. I haven't been able to restrict myself to buying the 5 items only, but I bought much bettet pieces, that I loved in comparism to before I started this project.

This month has been a little crazy. I bought to cheap dresses (the first one has arrived and is amazing, especially when thinking about the price of 25 pounds) and that is not like me. I was actually getting really good at resisting sudden temptation. I AM young, but I still would rather buy a little, because I want quality pieces, but also because shopping a lot makes me sad in a weird kind of way. I do not use money I do not have, so thats not the thing.

I think an explanation maybe could be, that I just started my studies after spending nearly a year not working and not going to school, so my whole world is turned upside down and maybe I just have to get up and stand on my own feet again.

 

[fashionista-ta]

Shades: I love shades but after losing my expensive Boss shades I think I'll switch to cheap versions in the future. Shades like umbrellas are the kind of things that easily get lost.

I also immediately lost my only expensive pair ... Ralph Lauren + separate prescription lenses. Actually I think they were stolen, not lost. That put me off them I do hang onto my umbrellas though ... they are all Burberry. All accessories pretty much are good 'investment' items, I think ...

 

[Fewormany]

We don't talk about shades much here. Are they frivolous or do we all need a good pair? I live in L.A. and oddly enough didn't feel confident wearing shades on a regular basis until recently. I have just purchased these Linda Farrow Originals on ebay and I'm quite excited to receive them.

My eyes are pretty sensitive when it comes to bright lights, so I need a good pair of sunglasses.

I've got a pair of Rayban aviators, to me they are timeless so I dindn't mind spending some money on them. It's that or crappy cheap shades from H&M and such wich I always lose within a few weeks.

 

[aldn]

I lost my black Lanvin shades. Thank goodness I hadn't spent too much on them but it still hurt because it was during the period I was really picky and unconfident. The shades I used this year the most were from h&m and recently broke. The others are purple tort shell with circular lenses and a keyhole bridge that I got from the salvation army.

 

[RedandNavy]

I have a question regarding staples/classics and statement pieces: How much of your purchases are staples/classics and how many are statement? I have a feeling I'm recently just renewing my staples and classics. The things that I miss most in my wardrobe when getting dressed are new jeans, classic trousers, neutral tees and tops for layering, classic flat shoes... But hey, I want to have fun when shopping, too! I want that colorful dress, the big kitschy necklace, the funny keyring, the grass green shirt... I somehow feel I NEED the staples and should buy them first but then I feel like I'll never arrive at shopping the cool things. Anyone knows the problem, how do you deal with it?

 

[advo]

I think it depends on if you already have a good basic wardrobe or not. If you don't, it takes a while to build up but I would think after a couple of seasons it should be okay. And then, I think ideally, you would only need to renew a staple once in a while, and there would be room for all the "trendy" fun stuff. That's my plan anyways. Also, staples don't have to be boring. They can be in a nice rich colour or something with eye-catching details. It just have to be something you don't get tired of, imo.

 

[fashionista-ta]

I have a question regarding staples/classics and statement pieces: How much of your purchases are staples/classics and how many are statement? I have a feeling I'm recently just renewing my staples and classics. The things that I miss most in my wardrobe when getting dressed are new jeans, classic trousers, neutral tees and tops for layering, classic flat shoes... But hey, I want to have fun when shopping, too! I want that colorful dress, the big kitschy necklace, the funny keyring, the grass green shirt... I somehow feel I NEED the staples and should buy them first but then I feel like I'll never arrive at shopping the cool things. Anyone knows the problem, how do you deal with it?

I plan for about half and half, if I know there are basic items I need (and there usually are). There's always going to be something you 'need' on your list. But I view statement shoes as a need too Shopping for really great basics is hard ... I think it's important to balance that out with the fun stuff. And your wardrobe needs to be fun too!

 

[aldn]

Here is another splurge via ebay. I have a motorcycle jacket that I bought about 2 years ago but it is too heavy to make it out the house often. i think this is going to fare way better as it's going to toughen up my collection of plaid and chambray shirts and I'll be able to wear this on the sales floor at work. Hopefully this is it for my 4 to 5 pieces this season. My mom is buying me a necklace from topman which I'll post once I order it for my bday and she is also helping me purchase a pair of boots for christmas. Other than that it's going to just be sale pieces from urban and scores from the salvation army.

 

[RedandNavy]

I just got a dress I ordered from mytheresa! Actually it was due to arrive today and this very morning I saw a pic of an editor wearing it in Paris and it looked pretty school girlish and unflattering on her, so I had a minor shock. BUT when I put it on when it arrived I fell in love Thank God I have a totally different body and personality than she does and I really like the cut on me! It actually flatters my short curvy body very well and makes my legs appear longer and leaner, I love it! I don't wanna take it off right now, even if it still has the tags on it

It's a Carven dress btw.
Picture by mytheresa.com

 

[Betinapple]

I just got a dress I ordered from mytheresa! Actually it was due to arrive today and this very morning I saw a pic of an editor wearing it in Paris and it looked pretty school girlish and unflattering on her, so I had a minor shock. BUT when I put it on when it arrived I fell in love Thank God I have a totally different body and personality than she does and I really like the cut on me! It actually flatters my short curvy body very well and makes my legs appear longer and leaner, I love it! I don't wanna take it off right now, even if it still has the tags on it

It's a Carven dress btw.
Picture by mytheresa.com

SO pretty. Is the collar a part of the design? Would love to see it on you sometime

I think I will have no problem not purchasing anything more this month (and maybe next month as well), since I just purchased an expensive camera for blog use.

 

[RedandNavy]

SO pretty. Is the collar a part of the design? Would love to see it on you sometime

I think I will have no problem not purchasing anything more this month (and maybe next month as well), since I just purchased an expensive camera for blog use.

Yes, the collar is part of the dress. I like it very much and it was good not to shop for a "staple" for a change. I really really love dresses but sometimes don't arrive at shopping them because there are other things that seem more urgent. But hey, dresses can really make you feel a million bucks. So: Maybe I should just shop dresses and statement shoes for a year

 

[La bordélique]

RedandNavy, that dress is just... perfection! Even if it's not a "staple", I'm sure you'll wear it quite often!

 

[Betinapple]

Yes, the collar is part of the dress. I like it very much and it was good not to shop for a "staple" for a change. I really really love dresses but sometimes don't arrive at shopping them because there are other things that seem more urgent. But hey, dresses can really make you feel a million bucks. So: Maybe I should just shop dresses and statement shoes for a year

I aggree with La Bordelique. Even if it is not a staple, you could wear it for both everyday and fancy use, and with a lot of things, so I think it is a good investment!

 

[elle s'ennuie]

RedandNavy, that's a lovely dress, especially the colour, contrasted with white.

Ta-ta - I adopted your receipts-and-tags-in-envelope system this summer! The thing it's most helpful for is reminding me I really haven't shopped as much as I think I have - which is funny, I think most people have the opposite problem..

My autumn-winter score so far:

• navy full skirt
• cream cable-knit jumper
• grey cloche hat
• grey winter coat with hood

The coat wasn't on the agenda and I dithered for a few weeks but then I realized it was pretty much the kind of coat I would design if I had to envision a perfect coat for myself, and it fit perfectly... and then I got some freelance work so I decided I could splurge a little (although as far as coats go, it was actually not that expensive anyway).

Pondering the following:

• woollen leggings (located, not purchased yet)
• turtleneck(s) for layering (I have none left at the moment!)
• woollen trousers (can't seem to find any that are to my taste, no hurry though)
• some tops (I feel like I need to get some more options here, but I can't even figure out what I want - sweaters? button-downs? loose blouses to layer over turtlenecks and long-sleeved tops?)

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ Glad it's working for you

Maybe you can just wear some of the pieces you'd like additional options with & go shopping on a leisurely day when you have a lot of patience & just try a bunch of things on ... you could also play around in Polyvore or something like that ...

 

[Gleam]

I have a question regarding staples/classics and statement pieces: How much of your purchases are staples/classics and how many are statement?

I really need more statement pieces! I'd say 98% staples or classics, 2% statement.

I've been soooo good about limiting my buying and working with what I have. I think moving had to do with a lot of it. I did not realize how many cashmere sweaters I racked up. I bought way too many. I don't need to buy any more cashmere for another 10 years.

The only thing I really want to add to my wardrobe for winter/fall is a camel colored coat.

 

[fashionista-ta]

barneys

Just came across these ... doesn't this look like an extremely well-made shoe? These are Lanvin, $750. Unusual to find such a thick sole on this type of shoe ...

 

[Gleam]

^^^^^^
Those are really nice, fashionista. I like the slightly pointed toe. I can imagine these looking appropriate and perfect years to come!

 

[ShoestringTravel]

Love the Carven dress, RedandNavy!

The Lanvin flats remind me of those Ferragamo bow flats (I fondly remember having a pair I found at a vintage store and literally wore to pieces). I like them!

It's probably already been mentioned on here before, but I recently discovered the Amanda Brooks "I Love Your Style" fashion guide, and it's really inspiring! She had/has a blog based on the book, and you can google it to read it to get a sense of what her book is about. It's by far one of the best personal style guides I've read.