The 4-5 piece French wardrobe #3

[carolinab]

Hi! After reading this thread for a while now I decided to join. Winter is coming here in Buenos Aires and I need to replace my sweaters and tops. Today I found a very chunky beautiful beige round neck sweater, but it's a little bit out of my budget, I'm thinking to get it anyways because it's a classic piece and the quality is very nice. Maybe I can get a 25% discount but it will be my only buy in a long time...
I don't know how to deal with that, I want to know how you mix the pieces and resist buying new stuff.

 

[barbaraaa]

Personally, I think it's not so much about "resisting" buying new stuff, but having everything you want/need and, therefore, not feeling like going shopping. I'm more prone to go shopping if I feel I have nothing to wear... which more often that not is more because I'm unhappy with what I own rather than not owning anything

 

[fashionista-ta]

Hi! After reading this thread for a while now I decided to join. Winter is coming here in Buenos Aires and I need to replace my sweaters and tops. Today I found a very chunky beautiful beige round neck sweater, but it's a little bit out of my budget, I'm thinking to get it anyways because it's a classic piece and the quality is very nice. Maybe I can get a 25% discount but it will be my only buy in a long time...
I don't know how to deal with that, I want to know how you mix the pieces and resist buying new stuff.

welcome, carolina

i generally do stretch to buy the quality piece ... which then hopefully pays me back by being a real workhorse & lasting a long time.

not sure the reasons why your items need replacing, but i have a few tricks ... sometimes the tailor can fix the issue. a favorite sweater had a fraying cuff ... i had the tailor bind the cuffs with ribbon, & the sweater looks better than ever. also sometimes something that may not work on its own works as a layering piece.

i would focus on the important pieces you are buying rather than on the unimportant pieces you're not i do believe in buying the piece you really love when you see it--but i feel that way about something maybe twice a year. at the same time, if i see something good & just don't have the money to spend, i'm 100% sure it won't be the last great thing i ever see.

also, at a certain point i decide it's time to focus on the next season, eliminating everything from the old season from consideration.

it's really a matter of laser focus, separating the wheat from the chaff, the swans from the geese ...

 

[aldn]

Tata that is this the thread in the a nutshell! "i'm 100% sure it won't be the last great thing i ever see." You have to know and feel that or you will never get anywhere!

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ agreed, aldn ... & also if i'm not buying, i'm probably also not shopping.

on a recent weekend i was in a browsing mood, & went to an antique mall & looked around ... something i find very soothing. i ended up spending $8 on a creamer that will be part of a christmas present for someone who collects them. let's just say i wouldn't have gotten out of barney's for $8 (though i certainly have gone many times without buying anything).

 

[Betinapple]

@Carolina: Welcome! I do not think you should buy your item if you have to life of oatmeal and pasta for next long time That said, if you can afford the sweater but it is more expensive than what you are used to I think you should consider wether it is the most important thing for you to get ATM. If it is I think it will be a good investment but not if you need other things more or equally as much.

 

[Betinapple]

What do you think of polyamide in knitwear? It is combined with lambswool (85% wool, 15& polyamide).

 

[barbaraaa]

Speaking of fixing items - and as I remember fixing shoes being a subject a couple of days ago: are scuffs on patent shoes fixable? My patent oxfords have some pretty noticeable scuffs

 

[carolinab]

Thaks for your answers! I think I'm going to buy the sweater, I only have 2 of them currently and I'm a bit tired of them. Also, last year I invested in very good outwear, so I don't need to buy that this winter. I have the money but I'm very used to think "why get this now full price when I can get it in sale?" and the result is that I end up with nothing in my hands.
I decided this year I'm going to invest in some key pieces that are missing or need to be replaced if I can: trenchcoat, tops, new blouses and jewellery.
Betinapple your idea of the list is awesome, I'm doing one right now to see what I need!

 

[twistelette]

welcome, carolina!

and fashionista-ta, you really hit the nail on the head here: "i would focus on the important pieces you are buying rather than on the unimportant pieces you're not "
YES!!!

I've been sitting with veronique branquinho's issue of A Magazine and the catalogue from her show at the antwerp fashion museum - two of my most dear possesions. I thought to myself, if I could just have a wardrobe full of branquinho, I'd never have a problem dressing again...
and then I thought, but I'd want to keep that piece, oh and that piece, and that, and that... I guess I am not all that unhappy about the wardrobe I have after all

 

[Juliette]

Betinapple, you've inspired me to make a list, too! Mine is really long though, and I realized I REALLY don't have anything to wear. I keep buying things that have nothing to go with them and then I end up with items that I love but no outfits! Here's the list, items in bold I already have, and the ones in italics need replacing.

Skirts:
- Pleated or full black skirt
- Coloured midi pleated skirt
- Black bandage skirt
- Floral skirt
- Black leather bodycon skirt

Pants:
- Boyfriend jeans
- Black skinny jeans
- Leopard print trousers
- Wet look/leather leggings/pants
- Long jean shorts
- Leopard print pants

Blouses and shirts:
- Black sheer blouse, longsleeve, with pockets
- White sheer blouse, longsleeve, with pockets
- Dusky pink ruffle sleeveless blouse
- White pussybow or ruffled blouse
- Light blue and white small striped oxford
- Denim fitted shirt with mother-of-pearl-looking buttons

Tops:
- White slouchy semi-sheer tee
- Charcoal grey tee
- Heather grey tee
- Black tee

Dresses:
- White summer dress
- Floral corset top, full skirt dress
- Chambray shirtdress
- Hot pink dress
- Black pleated back dress

Knitwear:
- Breton striped black & white sweater

Jackets and blazers:
- Nude boyfriend blazer a la Stella McCartney
- Black boyfriend blazer

Outerwear:
- Black coat with silver hardware
- Black studded leather jacket
- Trench coat

Shoes:
- Tory Burch flats
- Acne Pistol boots in black
- Alexander Wang Anouck boots
- Brown wedges
- Hunter Wellington boots
- Ash Jalouse booties in camel
- Silver oxfords/brogues
- Doc Martens in black floral
- Black patent brogues/oxfords

Bags:
- Straw beach bag
- Cork/straw/wood bag
- Colorful summer bag
- Rebecca Minkoff hot pink Mini Mac bag
- Orange bag

Accessories:
- Alexander McQueen Skull scarf
- YSL Arty ring
- Michael Kors silver watch
- Silver triangle necklace
- Ray Ban Clubmaster II sunglasses
- Neon and silver necklace

Makeup, perfume & beauty stuff:
- Chanel Chance
- MAC Candy Yum Yum
- China Glaze For Audrey

And some photos of things I like:

shopbop.com, my-wardrobe.com, net-a-porter.com, modcloth.com, asos.com, fragrantica.com, cosstores.com

Sorry for the huge post and all the photos, I got kinda excited!

 

[Betinapple]

@Carolina: Sounds like a good plan especially since you've got your outerwear covered! And thx. a lot. Please share your list!

@Twistelette: interesting thought! I get the same feeling whenever I hear about people who abide by the rule of getting rid of one piece whenever they buy one. I do not want to get rid of any of my clothes.

 

[Betinapple]

@Juliette: How nice! It is really inspiring to see someone else's list. I do not think you should be discouraged. I have done this for a couple of years now - although I still feel like an amateur sometimes compared to the real experienced ladies like Ta-ta. You are just getting started and being focused is a big part of the work. Also you included accesories and makeup. I didn't.

I really like how you have chosen colorful accesories. My first thought was that it would hard to combine the items (I am sort of afraid of colours ) but since your colours go nicely together and most of the clothes is black and white I thin it will look great!

 

[barbaraaa]

I bought this tee today, just a basic:

mango.com

And I made my list, sort of. I find it pretty extensive.

Tops, blouses and shirts:
- Black tee
- Dark gray tee
- White pussybow blouse
- Basic button-up (needs replacement)
- Sheer, flowy button ups
- Red blouse
- Purple blouse
- Green blouse

Skirts:
- Straight black skirt
- A-line black skirt
- Red skirt

Pants:
- Skinny jeans, dark wash
- Black skinny jeans
- Black trousers
- Gray trousers (light viscose, only fit for summer)
- Navy trousers

Dresses:
- Basic black dress
- Black shirt dress
- Red dress
- Wrap dress

Knitwear:
- Black sweater
- Red sweater
- Gray sweater
- White sweater
- Burgundy sweater
- Breton sweater
- Light knits

Jackets and blazers:
- Black blazer
- Colour blazers (I have two: navy and dark red)
- Nude blazer

Outerwear:
- Basic winter coat
- Trench coat (I have a short black one, not sure I find it ideal)

Shoes:
- Black flats
- Black ankle boots
- Black heels
- Graphite Hunter boots
- Black oxford flats
- Vans Era (need replacement)

 

[carolinab]

I made my list but it's VERY long. The conclusion is that I have to take some skirts to tailor, I have enough dresses and outwear.

I need:
mid/ high rise dark blue skinny jeans
colored skinny jeans (dark green or oxblood). I had a dusty pink pair but the seams ripped apart.
more tops, short and long sleeve (3- 5)
a white no sheer silk white shirt
maybe a frannel shirt, always good to layer in winter. or a printed one.
a light colored round neck chunky sweater
beige trench coat (have a red one, but I don't like it very much). Not urgent, It will be a nice purchase if I find the perfect one.
wool beanie
chain gold necklace

and only if I find one at a VERY good price, not urgent buy, a pair of black chelsea boots.

some of the items I may find them in outlet stores (the jeans and some tops). I don't pretend to spend a lot on the accesories. So the only big purchases will be the sweater and shirts.

I realised my problem is that I have lots of clothes, but I forget I have them and always wear the same stuff. This happens most in winter when I'm very lazy to choose what I'll wear. I promise to myself this winter I won't to this and try new combinations.

 

[fashionista-ta]

Speaking of fixing items - and as I remember fixing shoes being a subject a couple of days ago: are scuffs on patent shoes fixable? My patent oxfords have some pretty noticeable scuffs

have you tried rubbing them gently with a damp cloth? i was wondering if you could use saddle soap, and the answer is yes ... http://www.ehow.com/list_7341053_ways-clean-patent-leather.html

 

[fashionista-ta]

What do you think of polyamide in knitwear? It is combined with lambswool (85% wool, 15& polyamide).

i have at least a couple with it ... looked it up & it seems the source can vary, but it's probably nylon. believe it's there to give the fibers more strength, so it should wear better.

 

[Juliette]

I made my list but it's VERY long. The conclusion is that I have to take some skirts to tailor, I have enough dresses and outwear.

Girl, look at mine. You should post it anyway!

Betinapple Thank you! I love accessorizing with colour!

 

[fashionista-ta]

Thaks for your answers! I think I'm going to buy the sweater, I only have 2 of them currently and I'm a bit tired of them. Also, last year I invested in very good outwear, so I don't need to buy that this winter. I have the money but I'm very used to think "why get this now full price when I can get it in sale?" and the result is that I end up with nothing in my hands.
I decided this year I'm going to invest in some key pieces that are missing or need to be replaced if I can: trenchcoat, tops, new blouses and jewellery.
Betinapple your idea of the list is awesome, I'm doing one right now to see what I need!

i typically snap up things that are really great at full price. if i get something on sale, i consider that a bonus. if you look in people's closets, often the things with tags still on were on sale. sale shopping is kinda like thrifting, requiring advanced skill & patience. in both cases, things are there because no one else wanted them. fall 2008 was a great time to shop on sale for anyone who felt like they could! i got some great shoes that i really needed 40% off.

jewelry i think is a great solution when you're feeling tired of things. you can wear a great new pair of earrings every day.

 

[heyitsrachelle]

I posted this in the wrong thread originally. I meant to post this here.

I'd love to do this ***Edited*** and want to start building a wardrobe that is a lot more versatile than what I currently have, is of a much better quality, and is distinctly more me. Since I know it will be a while before I can even think about buying anything (currently unemployed ****
edited**** ), I have time to plan things out and really consider what things I both want and need. My only question for right now is what types of fabrics should I be looking for? I'd really love to invest in more quality pieces and as it currently stands, I don't really know what would really qualify as being a quality piece.

If someone doesn't mind explaining this a bit, I'd be eternally grateful for all the help! Thank you!