The 4-5 piece French wardrobe #3

[twistelette]

^^ yes, coloured tights!

 

[barbaraaa]

I actually own a lot of coloured tights because a couple of years ago I had an obsession with them and no longer really know how to wear them... the other day I wore my black skirt (the one I posted a couple of pages back) with a white button-up, a black sweater, black oxford flats and purple tights to add some interest to the outfit, and I think it looked good. Apart from that... I don't know what else to do!

 

[Juliette]

Oh my, so many posts since I last looked in this thread, lovely!

Betinapple, the jacket is gorgeous, and I personally think it would look great with the grey dress and black accessories you mentioned, those colours work really well together in my opinion.

Regarding the skirts we talked about a few pages ago, I'm actually really tall (178 cm or 5'10''), but I have a long torso, so most skirts look normal on me.

About the coloured tights - I personally really like the look, very Gossip Girl (the first season) But I mostly wear normal black opaque tights, because if not, I end up building an entire outfit around a pair of tights and then they just tear or get a run in them, and I'm done!

In other news, I'm getting my paycheck tomorrow, so I'll have about 150€ to spend. Now I will REALLY try to spend it on quality items and not on silly things I don't need! I will for sure check out that sweater I posted a few pages ago (silk and cotton, striped, from Zara), then I'll have about 100€ left. Any ideas on what I should spend it? Are there any must-haves for spring (we need to open a thread for that, by the way, I think it's time!) Please feel free to give me your advice

 

[fashionista-ta]

betinapple, i wear black tights with everything ... don't think it looks strange at all. basic black gunmetal tights are nice too.

twistelette, maybe check out consignment?

juliette, what's on your list? i think a challenge you're experiencing actually is too much disposable income with a house, a car, & dogs, i have lots of options for my available cash. later on, i expect you will too ... but if you learn to shop & spend wisely now, it's a skill that will serve you your whole life.

typically with this approach, money isn't burning a hole in your pocket, as the saying goes ... ideally you have a stash on hand & a very clear idea what you want (for the season or year vs day or week), so when you find the perfect item, you can pounce! it may be that you need to spend a bit of time refining your list?

 

[barbaraaa]

I agree with fashionista-ta, I personally don't have a source of income (apart from the freelance translations I do, which only earn me ~200€/month), but there is nothing wrong with saving. That way you have money for an extra splurge on an item you love, for a trip somewhere, or for any sort of emergency. I've always been very careful with my money and was careful to save some and I definitely don't regret that. If you have 100€ spare you might as well put them aside and they might come in handy sometime soon. Personally, and right now, I'm directing the money I'm not spending to a possible trip to Prague.

As for myself and my list, I want/need;
- A breton sweater, still looking for one I actually like;
- A plain cardigan, I might look into Benetton for that;
- A stainless steel watch, still looking for one I actually like;
- Vans Era, to replace my current ones. This isn't exactly urgent, and right now I only wear mine to drive, so they can wait;
- A leather bag, I'm pondering a Cambridge Satchel but right now it's a bit out of my budget. Does anyone have any experience with them?

I've actually been browsing for inspiration but nothing really appeals to me right now. Oh well

 

[Juliette]

fashionista-ta You are so right. I am a spender at heart. It's actually the first time I've had a steady income, I have a student job since October and it feels really good, I feel so independent! About saving up - I already have enough money for vacations saved up, and any other savings I don't know about. I get about 250€ per month and that's really not enough for anything big, so I just like to focus on my wardrobe now that I actually can! I know in a few years' time this won't be possible. So now I'd just like to enjoy myself, to be honest And if I'm lucky, I'll be able to build a wardrobe that will last me for years! I will work on my list today. It will be quite long, as I really don't have the basics - I gave most of my clothes away or sold them, because they didn't fit right (I had this weird phase where I bought everything in a size that wasn't mine, so it would fit oversized). But I think it will really give me some perspective. Thank you for the great advice, as always, lovely

barbaraa Seems to me like we're in the same boat as far as money goes, we seem to earn about the same amount of cash. I really don't have the right mentality for saving because my parents always live from month to month, and the only money they save up is for elaborate trips around the world. I'll try to do better than them in that aspect. Thank you for the lovely words as well.

 

[Betinapple]

@Eizhowa: I love coloured tights - very Blair Waldorf Wore them a lot a couple of years ago but these days I often think it looks weird with coloured tights and black shoes. Just does not work for me. And also I can NOT wear a scarf. I love the idea since I am cold all the time but somehow I do not think it looks good on me. The idea is great though and burgundy would be great with the jacket so I will try to incorporate that in another way.

@Twistelette: I think I have put all shoe purchases on hold. I have a lot of shoes for spring and summer but only three pairs of shoes for winter (black ancle boots, burgundy sneakers and navy blue ancle boots) and I would really like to invest in a classic pair of black boots. I will wait for the winter though but I think I'll save my money for that purpose.

I actually was thinking about that 70's vibe when you were talking about you're flared pants. I hope you'll be able to find a trenchcoat within you're price range.

 

[fashionista-ta]

twistelette, couple thoughts re your trench ...

i think obviously you should only do what you're comfortable with, but the price you mention seems reasonable to me for a coat. i think it's pretty similar to what i paid for mine on sale in 1987 and still have all these years later. it still looks good too! best cost per wear i've ever gotten i imagine.

possibly you should also subtract the ebay proceeds from the parka from the cost of all the replacement coats you consider?

 

[fashionista-ta]

fashionista-ta You are so right. I am a spender at heart. It's actually the first time I've had a steady income, I have a student job since October and it feels really good, I feel so independent! About saving up - I already have enough money for vacations saved up, and any other savings I don't know about. I get about 250€ per month and that's really not enough for anything big, so I just like to focus on my wardrobe now that I actually can! I know in a few years' time this won't be possible. So now I'd just like to enjoy myself, to be honest And if I'm lucky, I'll be able to build a wardrobe that will last me for years! I will work on my list today. It will be quite long, as I really don't have the basics - I gave most of my clothes away or sold them, because they didn't fit right (I had this weird phase where I bought everything in a size that wasn't mine, so it would fit oversized). But I think it will really give me some perspective. Thank you for the great advice, as always, lovely

i don't know if you mean big like a house or car? because it's definitely enough for multiple big items in this realm. i also wouldn't think of it as a student budget. with the exchange rate, not even considering you can get better prices in Europe, this (3000 euros a year) is more than half of what i spend in a typical year, and i'm sure i could find years where i spent less. this is serious money that you're working hard for, & it deserves to be spent well.

i liked wearing things oversize myself back in the day, and that's the only reason i'm still able to wear the seriously old things i still have.

i would suggest that you not shortcut the process because i don't think that's going to work, but start at the beginning & do every step.

first, practical considerations ... what problems are you having with your wardrobe? are you scrambling for anything constantly--a clean xyz? do you have comfortable shoes for work & school? do you have enough items for your work 'uniform'? do you have a bag that works for school & fits your books & everything you really need?

second, you need an online inspiration board for spring that you can post. you could use pinterest, polyvore, etc. you should use this to get totally clear on the look you want for spring, including color scheme. it's good to include makeup, nail polish, jewelry.

third, what investment pieces interest you? jewelry is an excellent option here as well.

fourth, suggest going into intermediate & nice shops & looking around, handling the merchandise, and beginning to get an understanding of the differences in quality--& sometimes lack thereof--at different price points. it's important to understand why you would invest in an investment piece.

fifth, go through your current wardrobe & pull out pieces that work with your spring inspiration board, including your clothes for work. if possible, put these in a separate closet or rack.

now you'll be ready to make a list.

ps i happen to be something of an expert on living life differently than one's parents it's a good thing.

 

[Betinapple]

@Barbaraa: Sounds like a super cute outfit! Maybe I could do that with my black ballet flats. My brogues are green and therefore not suitable for the purpose.

I have heard good things about the cambridge satchels but they look a bit stiff to me.

@Juliette: I did the Blair Waldorf look with short pleated skirts and Peter Pan collar dresses when I went to high school but somehow it feels to young for me these days. I am only 21 but last time I wore my Peter Pan collar dress it felt so wrong that I ended up putting it away.

If the striped sweater is good I would definetely buy it. Do you have anything on your personal musthave list or something you need? Then I would buy that if you can find it. If not I would save the money for when you find something you really want

@Ta-ta: I have a thing with black tights and shoes with a bright coloured outfit. It looks odd to me somehow and I feel like I need black on the top to even it out. I think it was something I heard Gok Wan say at some point?

 

[Betinapple]

I raided my local thriftstore today.

During the weekend I saw a bag in their windowdisplay so this morning I stood outside their door when they opened. Ended up with four items for the price of 25 dollars. I got the bag (a black quilted bag with a gold chain), a black/white houndstooth l/s shirt in viscose, a pleated burgundy midi skirt and a pair of perfect fitting jeans. I am real picky about jeans but these are so soft and stretchy and fits like they were made for me. Really happy about my purchases since they are all something I have been looking for.

Does not go very well with my 1 item pr. month strategy but at the same time I'm still within my break and apart from these four things I only purchased one item a month. Iøve really missed thrift shopping.

 

[barbaraaa]

Betinapple, I wouldn't care about buying four pieces like that since they were things you really wanted (and especially as the jeans were perfect!) and they were so cheap and I agree about peter pan collars, I'm almost 23 and they just seem weird and child-like to me!

Juliette: I agree that, if you have no other expenses, 250€/month is quite a lot. I understand it might not be easy to save money when the saving hasn't been "instilled" in you as you were growing up, but there's really nothing better than having a little extra money to be comfortable buying or doing something special you might have not been able to otherwise

 

[Juliette]

fashionista-ta What would I do without you? You really put things into perspective for me. You posted some really good questions to which I need to find answers. I do need a new bag and some work things, and I don't have anything S/S appropriate apart from one dress. My style has really changed as well, I don't feel like wearing the shorts I used to love only a year ago, the skirts I loved are now way too short, etc. etc. As far as a collage goes, I have a great one saved on my computer and it helps tremendously! I do really need to think about investment pieces. I'm thinking about a pair of earrings from Kenneth Jay Lane, do you have any experience with the brand?

Betinapple I'm 21 too and I love Peter Pan collars! I think you can make them work, but not if you don't feel comfortable wearing them, of course. But my problem is that I dress too childishly, anyway.
All those purchases you made at the thrift shop sound great, and such bargains! I've tried thrift shopping too, but here in Slovenia it's a real tragedy, they have a very poor selection and everything is very expensive...

barbaraaa You are very right I will try to put some money aside each month to put towards a bigger purchase

My mom was kind enough to offer to take me shopping tomorrow (I her). I'll be on the lookout for that Zara striped sweater and the tee I already got in black. We're going to Zara, Topshop and Dorothy Perkins. Not the highest quality, but I do think there's some nice finds in there, I hope I get lucky.

 

[Betinapple]

@Barbaraa: I aggree! It would have been different if it had been things that I did not need or if they had taken money from other things that I need more. But they didn't and I want to wear them all right now!


@Juliette: I think that a great bag is a musthave piece. I would save all the money I possibly could spare for that purpose and buy my dream bag - the bag that goes with everything else in your wardrobe both work clothes and your "private" clothes.

Danish thriftstores can be expensive too but mostly in the big cities like Copenhagen. I live in a smaller town half an hour from CPH and the prices of the second hand stores are insanely cheap. In my hometown in another part of the country I often find designer labels for the same low prices.

Regarding Peter Pan collars: I think Peter Pan collars can work - I have a white Peter Pan collared shirt. But the dress simply did not work for me any more. I think it was the combination of the collar, the cut (babydoll) and the lengt which was quite short. It felt wrong.

 

[twistelette]

burberry was 'just' a heritage company when i bought mine ... it's so classic ... i guess now that it's been part of my whole adult life, it's me

i don't think i look busty in mine ...

i think the burden may be on your partner to come up with the perfect coat, since you're willing to give up one i assume you like

he he, excellent notion

the cost per wear of your burberry coat is hard to beat! but when a coat is with you that long, I guess its value becomes about something else, it must be incredible to have a coat that has been with you all your adult life.
I don't mind spending money to get a piece that I will be able to wear for years, but 650 is just too much money right now. and that's ok. all your advice & thoughts help me to finetune what I am looking for, I really do have a much better idea of what I want and why - and, perhaps more importantly, I know what I don't want and why.

in other news, I culled my shoe-wardrobe, found five pairs that are up for donation. I now have 13 pairs of shoes/boots/flipflops/I counted everything.

betinapple: yay for thriftstores!!

 

[Betinapple]

@Twistelette: Excactly! I can not wait to wear my new stuff.

Do any of you have any experience with Zara's shoes? I have found a pair of pumps which might be something

 

[barbaraaa]

I do! I have both flats and heels and, while I find them comfortable, their sizing is often off.

 

[fashionista-ta]

betinapple, yes, i often have a black top layered underneath. also wear longer skirts, so there's no big expanse of black. if you look at old paintings, you'll see all-white morning clothes worn with all black hosiery & shoes. congrats on your finds!

agree that a great leather bag is a perfect investment piece.

juliette, i usually don't wear costume, but kjl has a good reputation. the duchess of windsor was a fan. you might also think about a watch if you wear them or a piece of fine jewelry. i still have the first good watch i ever bought, right after i graduated from college.

i think it's possible to find good pieces at fast fashion stores, but you really need to be extra-selective. it may be a good time to simply browse, look at higher quality merchandise, and begin to understand what separates a great piece from an ok piece. some of it is trial and error. when it comes to shopping, you really make your own luck. you have a very nice budget right now that really opens up possibilities beyond fast fashion.

you can also plan different types of shopping when you go on vacation. consignment/thrift is really an advanced task, so that may not be your best option right now, but maybe later on.

 

[fashionista-ta]

had an idea for a new thread ... tell me what you think.

we would set a dollar amount (and equivalent in other currencies people use). if you want to participate, you say so ... and then you post pix of your purchases as you spend the money (or descriptions for very minor purchases like socks)--no cherrypicking, it would be the next $500 or whatever. when everyone is done, we vote on who spent their money best. if the next purchase is major, we would just have to consider 2/3rds of this bag, or whatever. i was thinking we could also have a historical entry (but you'd need to know exactly how much you spent & not guess).

anyone interested? i think it could be a lot of fun ...

 

[Betinapple]

@Barbaraa: That sounds great. However, I just found out that the pair I was looking at are with a polyrethane/polyester lining. Maybe that's a good thing since I decided that I did not need pumps and now I am just confused.

@Ta-ta: I am still not convinced. I will have to try it out Sounds like a great thread. I will also need to find the combination thread since I am addicted to talking to you guys these days