The 4-5 piece French wardrobe #3

[lucy92]

Juliette, you need to credit each image you post at TFS. it is part of our Community Rules. if you don't your posts will be deleted.

Betinapple, i like viscose too. a lot of my topshop items are viscose and hold up well.

 

[Juliette]

Oh, I'm so sorry! I wrote the post in a hurry so I completely forgot. The first pic is from asos.com, and the second one from theoutnet.com

 

[twistelette]

red and navy: great dress!

juliette: I'm with betinapple, it seems like both pieces have something about it you don't really like or are unsure of.

betinapple: sounds like a game plan, to stick to your budget for your piece each month, and to save up if what you want is more expensive.
I do feel like taking a break - though that does not in any way mean that I am not happy with the items I got lately, or the amount of money I spent (I spent just about what I had in mind, perhaps less), or anything. but I literally doubled my sweater collection in the space of a few weeks, and I don't feel like adding any more *stuff* for a little while. I'm not going to buy anything else until the end of March (saying it here will make me accountable, I guess ), and I'm also not going to do any browsing, online or offline. that feels like a much bigger experiment to me, I'm not a big shopper but I'm a big browser. it can be very relaxing, but it can also make me feel like what I have and what I wear isn't good enough (because, look at all the other and possibly better options that are out there!). I'm just curious to find out what it will be like to take a complete break for a month or two!

 

[barbaraaa]

I think I'm not going to buy anything for a while either, most likely nothing this month. I've been a bit busy and I want to clean my closet in order to assess my actual needs and wants

 

[Juliette]

Betinapple & twistelette, I think I'm going to go with your advice. Neither of the pieces are perfect and I really want to LOVE everything in my wardrobe. I'll wait for a while, surely there will be similar things around soon. Thank you for the nice words!

 

[Betinapple]

@Twistelette I am curious as how it will go since I would like to add three (!) pairs of shoes to my collection within the year or so. I would like the heeled sandals but my black suede pumps do not look very good any more and therefore need replacing. Also I've been noticing that a pair of nude patent pumps would be good since I could need a non-black closed shoe for my bright winter outfits.

I think the best plan would be to get the black pumps first if possible since I have a pair of flat brown sandals and light grey heeled sandals and therefore can manage without a brown pair even though it would be nice. Then I'll buy the sandals and for next winter the nude pumps. Or maybe I will just wait and let "faith" decide. I am very picky and therefore often end up buying thinks in the order I find the exact right item.

How would you prioritize in this manner? I could use some input. (from others as well )

I think the thought of avoiding browsing is very interesting. I do not browse a lot when I am not planning on spending money since I do not think there is any reason to tempt myself.

 

[Betinapple]

Betinapple & twistelette, I think I'm going to go with your advice. Neither of the pieces are perfect and I really want to LOVE everything in my wardrobe. I'll wait for a while, surely there will be similar things around soon. Thank you for the nice words!

It seems to be working for me at least I have been getting really picky so whenever I buy something I usually love it deeply and that is a great feeling.

 

[twistelette]

betinapple: more and more I see the value of a good shoe for an outfit, so investing in three pairs in a year doesn't seem all that outrageous to me. are the black suede pumps anything a good cobbler might work with to give them a new lease on life? the route you described sounds good, to focus on one pair at a time in the order you described, and to also keep an open mind should you bump into the perfect nude pump in, say, april.

eizhowa: busty + french = brigitte bardot, non? I get what you mean though, I was hesitant about horizontal stripe for a long time... but I've found that the cut and the material of a breton top are what matters most - if the material is too stiff, you''ll lose your waist, and if the material is too flimsy the top will just look cheap. you'll know the right top when you see it! filippa k has a pretty great one in their collection this spring.

julliette: yes, be picky! you know the items that you want, don't settle for less than love.

 

[eizhowa]

twistelette I think it was just the neckline that made me appear bustier than I would like... (and I frankly do not think Bardot was that busty ) I will look into filippa K. Thanks

 

[Betinapple]

@Twistelette: It is not that three pairs of shoes for a year is a lot. Last year I got five pairs. But good shoes cost a lot of money and therefore three pairs is a lot in comparism to my budget so I am not sure if I can afford all three pairs. At least not if I am going to buy other things as well.

The shoes itself there is nothing wrong with but the suede is starting to look worn. I'll go for plain leather next time.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ just what i was about to suggest (leather vs suede)

r&n, great dress! would be very cute with a black cardigan & black, grey, metallic, or even my new cognac ballets! in fact why don't you send me the dress so i can see how they work together

juliette, good for you! i think you do have to be picky ... basically you are whittling down to the 20% you'll really wear upfront--with no 80% waste. i think rayon or silk would be good, not sure how you plan to clean. loose fit will really help it last longer. i think your budget is reasonable for a white shirt--but i wouldn't recommend spending $100s on it. also if you layer it, that will help it last.

 

[Betinapple]

@Ta-ta: I bought the other pair for my first decent quality black pumps. They costed next to nothing - but now I want something that lasts and therefore leather will be better

 

[RedandNavy]

Thanks to Betinapple, twistelette and Fashionista-ta for the nice words about my dress! Ta-ta, no way I'm gonna send it over I love several aspects of it so well: the neckline, the open back, the full skirt, the print, the color... it is like a perfect combination for me. I have tried it with a black short sleeved cardigan, that looks so cute. And to my surprise it does look better with ballerinas than with heels, even if I'm short. I do plan to get a new pair of ballerinas this spring/summer but it also looks nice with my burgundy ones.

Metallic shoes: My metallic boots that I bought in December have a bit of a "used look". The color and the leather have always been a bit uneven. I think that helps. There might be some new scruffs but they aren't really disturbing.

Three pair of shoes a year: I don't think that's too much. Actually shoes are definitely among the best things that one can buy - if they are good quality. So worth the investment! A well designed shoe can make a simple outfit look really great. I usually buy about four pairs of shoes a year and I could buy many more

 

[Betinapple]

@RedAndNavy: Regarding shoes: I do not disaggree at all! I am just not sure how three pair of shoes goes with my budget

 

[twistelette]

betinapple: I'd also suggest leather instead of suede for the new black pumps. says the woman whose biggest purchase last year was a pair of black suede boots (and very beautiful they are, too!)
staying within your budget and getting three pairs of good quality shoes will require some strategizing, yes... it'll just be a question of amping up what I believe you're doing already: prioritizing, and trying to find the best quality items for as good a price possible. you might need to invest more time than money in the latter part of the strategy, going through sales with a fine comb
if you already have some other summer sandals that will work, maybe the heeled sandals you mentioned might be put on the back burner? you can then focus on finding great black pumps, and start the search for the nude pumps in the early fall - unless you'd bump into the perfect pair before then!
if you know you have some items on your list that will be more than your monthly budget, it might help to see your budget as a budget for the year? how keeping a budget in mind works to keep you motivated and on top of your spending works so differently for different people, though...

 

[RedandNavy]

Suede/leather: I own a black and brown pair of suede pumps and they still look fine to me. I've been wearing them quite a lot but they didn't suffer that much. I would buy leather but somehow it looks like everything is either suede or patent these days?! Especially with pumps... I actually see very few normal leather pumps. I would love to get a black Roger Vivier pump some day but they always sell out soooo quickly. I must go to Paris some day to visit that store but it's fine if that happens in ten years

Denim jacket: I want to buy a denim jacket this season. I haven't been wearing one since I was sixteen Can someone tell me what to look for in a denim jacket? I guess denim is denim so this doesn't have to be a designer item. I've seen a nice one with a dégradé effect, it's dark blue at the shoulders and getting lighter towards the waist. But I'm not sure if I should rather buy a simple version? Washed out or dark? I usually wear dark blue jeans but maybe I should rather buy a very light one in case I ever want to wear it with my jeans? What do you think?

 

[aldn]

betinapple: more and more I see the value of a good shoe for an outfit, so investing in three pairs in a year doesn't seem all that outrageous to me. are the black suede pumps anything a good cobbler might work with to give them a new lease on life? the route you described sounds good, to focus on one pair at a time in the order you described, and to also keep an open mind should you bump into the perfect nude pump in, say, april.

eizhowa: busty + french = brigitte bardot, non? I get what you mean though, I was hesitant about horizontal stripe for a long time... but I've found that the cut and the material of a breton top are what matters most - if the material is too stiff, you''ll lose your waist, and if the material is too flimsy the top will just look cheap. you'll know the right top when you see it! filippa k has a pretty great one in their collection this spring.

julliette: yes, be picky! you know the items that you want, don't settle for less than love.

So right in regards to Julliette. I think that's what the 4-5 piece wardrobe is about at the end of the day. High street takes our desires and makes them in those cheaper versions. It looks JUST like what we want but it truly isn't due to workmanship and fabrications. It's really tricky to decide when to pull the trigger and when to go the high street route.

 

[fashionista-ta]

as far as suede ... i still buy it sometimes, but the problem i've had is if you get stuck in the rain, you really have a problem. had this happen with ferragamo navy suede maryjanes. it was a good quality shoe, but suede is suede ... so you really have to keep an eagle eye out for the weather ... and it can't be a linchpin shoe since you won't always be able to wear it.

i had a ralph lauren pretty classic, slightly weathered denim jacket for many years that i was really happy with. then i either lost it or it was stolen ... otherwise i'd have it still. i have never replaced it as i seem to be ok without it, but i wore it all the time as a light jacket.

 

[eizhowa]

My recent purchases really reflects how I am feeling. Cold. I bought two cashmere sweaters in jan/feb When the winter began I only had flowy blouses and one cashmere pajamas-top. I stayed in a lot in December

I bought them online, but I had to return them because they didn't mention in the item description that the sweaters were VERY generously cut. Had to go down 3 sizes more than they suggested I'm through with everything oversized... Realized it made me look TINY (vertically, not horizontally...)

There was a lot of temptations in their sales-department this year, because they had every item in "my color". I think I was very good for not buying everything, but sticking to what I needed and what would last longer than one wash. * Pats myself on back *

(source: La redoute)

 

[Juliette]

I don't know if I should be proud or angry at myself...
I went to some stores with my mom and I didn't purchase any clothing. The only thing I got from her was a silver ring with wings, which I adore and have been wearing constantly. I had loads of other items in my hands, but they were all from H&M... I checked all of the materials and almost everything was poliester, so I just ended up putting it back. That part I'm definitely proud of, because if this happened a month ago, I would have bought all of that and then some. The problem is, instead of saving my money for my next buy, I ended up buying books, makeup, haircare... I did need some new foundation and shampoo, but I also got some things which I really did NOT need and now I have nothing left. I'm really disappointed in myself, I don't know what my problem is, but my mentality is just to spend, spend, spend. I really have to get a grip on myself, I really think I'm verging on the shopaholic territory!
Thankfully, I'm getting paid on Friday, so I'll have some money, but I hate seeing it just disappear like this. This time, I'll make a plan of what to buy and I'll follow it!