The 4-5 piece French wardrobe #3

[fashionista-ta]

Ooh, green wedges sound great!! Ah-ha, so like me, "weird" for you is boring/conservative. Just own it, it'll be fine! B)

When I first started I thought I have to wear gray suits and whatnot, but then I said f that, I'll wear what I want as long as it's respectful...to a conservative office I wear emerald knee-high boots and matching mohair wrap, patent-violet-platform-oxford-slingback-peeptoe-starry-wedges, studded punk boots, Dries van Noten skirts, weird Zucca asymmetrical stuff, jumbles of bracelets and rings, vintage dresses in violent colors...and my colleagues actually like it. Though granted, my clients and boss (grown men) are intimidated by me and run (away) when they see me. Couldn't care less.

A little intimidation can work to your advantage

My own approach is to be fairly conservative except for one thing--like red shoes. I sometimes show some skin, not a lot. And I never do what everyone else is doing--but that just comes naturally

Women are well established in most workplaces ... I have never had a problem being taken seriously by the vast majority. What you don't want is to look like being sexy is your top priority, and (though I've known someone successful who took this approach) you don't want to look like your last career was call girl and you still have a lot of the clothes.

 

[two months off]

Great advice everyone, thanks!

 

[Melisande]

I totally agree re. avoiding sexiness, or rather too much exposed skin and trashiness.
But not all sexiness must be avoided.
I think a touch of sexiness for your own sake (and not for the men) can command even more professional power.
It's less professional to look like a weak-willed secretary in a conservative suit than to look like a fiercely sexy prime minister in stiletto boots in control of herself and her world. Even if, of course, you are a secretary.

 

[RedandNavy]

Wore my new trench to work today and felt so chic!!! I love love love it. Sometimes it's really worth just going for something. I guess the balance between reasonable shopping and an occassional splurge is what makes it work. Really happy with my lovely new item!

 

[floodette]

A little intimidation can work to your advantage

you don't want to look like your last career was call girl and you still have a lot of the clothes.

Hahahaha......

Very interesting comments from all on the working wardrobe issue :d

Btw my bangle watch is broken!!!! The pin unhinges so it can't clasp. It's still under warranty, but that kinda piss me off n makes me wonder on my decision to buy watch based on the model, not from a "watch house" (mine is burberrry).

It's a pity that the established watch house doesn't have something that I like yet. Now I feel like having to sacrifice quality for model that I love.
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[fashionista-ta]

^ Sorry to hear that, but glad it's still under warranty ... it can be hard to find a watch you like. I have seen really nice ones at Marc Jacobs. Mine I wear all the time are Movado and Michele (I like leather straps). The Movado I'm wearing today was one of the very first things I bought after I graduated from college. Still like it ...

 

[floodette]

Strange thing happens today. My other watch (also a movado) has suddenly stopped working today. I just got the battery replaced like 2 months ago, so I don't know the issue! It's pain in the *** as I bought all my watches when I was abroad, so servicing them is not quite easy here (movado is not in my country and I don't know where the repair service for burberry).

Oh well. So maybe I am not destined to wear watches now. This weekend I will go diving so I can't go to the repair place for my bangle watch.

Thanks, ta-ta. Agreed that marc jacobs (and michael kors) are nice. In fact am eyeing one.
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[fashionista-ta]

nordstrom

Got these today ... not exciting, but something to wear in place of the black jeans that are no more. Unfortunately one size was tight, and the next a little too loose ... I went up a size. I am planning to shrink a bit so I may have them tailored later on.

 

[RedandNavy]

Congrats on finding the pants you needed, ta-ta!

Watches: Even being Swiss I don't own any I hope that will change sooner or later, but right now it's none of my top priorities. My model of choice would clearly be a Charriol, the St. Tropez line. The one I want costs about 1'500 dollars, so not an easy and quick purchase.

Lace dress: I've seen a lace dress I absolutely love. I could very well use it for an upcoming wedding and any other party occassions. Its cut and color (coral) are great. But I feel a bit insecure since lace is so very trendy right now... Do you think something like a coral lace dress is so much a thing of the moment that it will look totally dated soon? I always feel so insecure to shop a very trendy item...

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ Thanks, R&N. I think if you really love it, you can still 'own' it with no problem when it's no longer a red hot trend.

 

[RedandNavy]

^ Thanks, R&N. I think if you really love it, you can still 'own' it with no problem when it's no longer a red hot trend.

Ta-ta, I think so, too. I think it would go well with my other items, and probably that's the crucial point (as opposed to that neon orange denim jacket).

I'll wait a little longer. It's not May yet anyway ;-) I still try to keep myself under control.

Btw, I'm wearing my black Miu Miu heels in. I bought them last spring and practically never wore them because they didn't feel comfortable enough. Now I'm wearing them at home to stretch them into the right form. I think it's working... The shoe as such is gorgeous and has the right size, it's just so "stiff".

 

[Betinapple]

I agrree with Ta-ta. That said, I do not find coral to be very classic, but if you love it it doesn't matter.

What miu-mius is it that you are talking about? Would love to see them!

Me: probably not going to stay withing my 10 items. Hoping for 15 instead, and then I'll try do to better for fall. Suddenly a lot of the things that has been on my list for ages has appeared, and since I also do have money ATM, it would be stupid not to get it. Latest news is that I finally ordered the perfect bag. Can't wait for it to arrive.

 

[aldn]

I wanna see your bag betin! I know you were on a hunt for a while.

 

[Betinapple]

I wanna see your bag betin! I know you were on a hunt for a while.

Should arrive any day know!

 

[RedandNavy]

@Betinapple: I think coral is my new red. I noticed that while I like wearing red, I got more compliments when wearing something in the coral / tomato spectrum. A slightly softer red. I think it compliments my skin. So I guess coral is a classic for me since I own a few coral items that have worked for years. So I'm not worried about the color, more about the lace But I have time and time will tell.

I'm sooooo curious to see your new bag!!! How is it? Can you describe it? Has it arrived yet? Where did you order? Awwww, the excitement

 

[Betinapple]

@Betinapple: I think coral is my new red. I noticed that while I like wearing red, I got more compliments when wearing something in the coral / tomato spectrum. A slightly softer red. I think it compliments my skin. So I guess coral is a classic for me since I own a few coral items that have worked for years. So I'm not worried about the color, more about the lace But I have time and time will tell.

I'm sooooo curious to see your new bag!!! How is it? Can you describe it? Has it arrived yet? Where did you order? Awwww, the excitement

Well - then I think you'll be good. To me lace is classic - and very classy

It's black structured bag with pale gold hardware. Classic yet with a retro touch. Perfect size and made to function as a work bag (has a build in space for a laptop, papers and everything else) so I can use it if I should have to carry books around again some day.

It's from a relatively unknown brand (to me, at least) called Milli Millu, but it is not on the website. I can't wait to get my hands on it. Hopefully it will arrive today, since I'm so excited I can barely wait.

 

[fashionista-ta]

@Betinapple: I think coral is my new red. I noticed that while I like wearing red, I got more compliments when wearing something in the coral / tomato spectrum. A slightly softer red. I think it compliments my skin. So I guess coral is a classic for me since I own a few coral items that have worked for years. So I'm not worried about the color, more about the lace But I have time and time will tell.

I'm sooooo curious to see your new bag!!! How is it? Can you describe it? Has it arrived yet? Where did you order? Awwww, the excitement

I wear both coral and red ... I've had a coral color scheme going for some years now--started it mid-2000s. I wore my coral denim jacket yesterday, and someone told me it was a very happy color I do like that it provides a little lift to the day.

I am going to return/exchange the black pants--wore them, and they just aren't flattering.

What is really disappointing about this is that before my two pairs of jeans wore out, every pair I had (4 total) was from the same label. So are these pants, and they don't fit well, which makes me fear the brand is not going to be a standby for me any longer. I looked at their website, and what they're producing has changed, so it appears that they've changed direction. This is the kind of change I'm not a fan of ...

 

[RedandNavy]

I wear both coral and red ... I've had a coral color scheme going for some years now--started it mid-2000s. I wore my coral denim jacket yesterday, and someone told me it was a very happy color I do like that it provides a little lift to the day.

I am going to return/exchange the black pants--wore them, and they just aren't flattering.

What is really disappointing about this is that before my two pairs of jeans wore out, every pair I had (4 total) was from the same label. So are these pants, and they don't fit well, which makes me fear the brand is not going to be a standby for me any longer. I looked at their website, and what they're producing has changed, so it appears that they've changed direction. This is the kind of change I'm not a fan of ...

Oh NO! I hate this kind of change, too... It happened to me with my jeans brand. I had two pair of CLOSED jeans that I absolutely loved. When I was in Munich last year (remember?) I was so happy that they had a CLOSED shop, so I went in an bought the exact model again (same style name, same size). I tried them on but somehow, in my enthusiasm, I ignored the fact that they seem to have changed the cut a bit. Back at home when I wore them I noticed that although the same style and size they are definitely NOT exactly the same as the other two. Not my perfect pair anymore... Ugh, I hate buying all kinds of pants, it's always sooo difficult for me.

Regarding coral: I'm not even sure whether the kind of color I'm talking about is actually coral I just call it like that. It's a slightly lighter red with a hint of pink. I have one doubt about my lace dress, still. Its material is 100% nylon. Is that usual for lace? It's a Diane vo Furstenberg so I assume it must be decent quality. But 100% nylon, can that be good?

Betti's bag: Wanna see it! I didn't know Milli Millu (sounds a lot like Miu Miu) but I looked at their page and they have some nice bags at decent prices! Seems like a good choice!

 

[Betinapple]

Oh NO! I hate this kind of change, too... It happened to me with my jeans brand. I had two pair of CLOSED jeans that I absolutely loved. When I was in Munich last year (remember?) I was so happy that they had a CLOSED shop, so I went in an bought the exact model again (same style name, same size). I tried them on but somehow, in my enthusiasm, I ignored the fact that they seem to have changed the cut a bit. Back at home when I wore them I noticed that although the same style and size they are definitely NOT exactly the same as the other two. Not my perfect pair anymore... Ugh, I hate buying all kinds of pants, it's always sooo difficult for me.

Regarding coral: I'm not even sure whether the kind of color I'm talking about is actually coral I just call it like that. It's a slightly lighter red with a hint of pink. I have one doubt about my lace dress, still. Its material is 100% nylon. Is that usual for lace? It's a Diane vo Furstenberg so I assume it must be decent quality. But 100% nylon, can that be good?

Betti's bag: Wanna see it! I didn't know Milli Millu (sounds a lot like Miu Miu) but I looked at their page and they have some nice bags at decent prices! Seems like a good choice!

Maybe I'm just biased, but I would never by anything in 100% nylon. My body doesn't work with unnatural fabrics. Nylon to me just doesn't seem very exclusive, and it is not anything I would pay a lot of money for. But that's just my point of view. Couldn't imagine the dress looking cheap (certainly not when YOU are thinking of buying it ) and I guess nylon does not wear out as fast as silk and cotton.

It is the Copenhagen model, but in black (not featured on the site). I think I will be very happy about my choice. I'm just very impatient at the moment.

 

[RedandNavy]

Betinapple: That's funny that you liked their Copenhagen model. I was immediatly attracted to the Zurich model... they seem to have thought something when they gave those bags their names

You know, I have the same fears about the 100% nylon. Will I ever really like something that is 100% nylon?? Hmmm... not sure. I'll wait. You know, I'd really like to have another dress and a cardigan this season but somehow the cardigans and dresses don't want to show up Or if they do, they cost 1000 € - which definitely crosses my pain limit for pretty much any piece of clothing. I see tons of nice tops and shoes and could buy a whole new wardrobe with tees, short sleeved fun tops and sandals. But that wasn't really my plan.