The 4-5 piece French wardrobe #4

[fashionista-ta]

I'd like to keep it under $200, I could never ask my parents to pay for something that exorbitant. And as for color scheme I'm pretty open about it, though I am partial to brown or black leather, and I think it should be a shoulder bag. I prefer purses with longer straps as well. It doesn't need to be able to hold a ton though if it did that would be great too. It was really sweet of my parents to offer such a gift so I think that's part of where my worry stems from, I don't want to 'waste' it, if you know what I mean.

Of your choices, I like the one I liked on Pinterest the best Dooney & Bourke has a small saddle-bag type one in your price range. They also have a nice repair/replacement program (explained on their website). I wore their bags in the past, and by the time I sent them in, it was always a replacement. But you do have to have another bag to use while you're waiting for the new one. The replacement is half price (or rather, you have a credit of half the current price of your old bag to apply to it) & it can be any bag--basically a trade up. But I like the solid nude/black one you pinned best

 

[fashionista-ta]

twistelette, have you checked out Ash sneakers? There are some Converse like taupe leather ones with a buckle in the back that I thought were very cute and elevated them out of the sneakery realm

 

[twistelette]

ta-ta: thanks for reminding me! a couple years ago, they had a pair in gold leather that I really liked, and never got (for reasons passing understanding).

 

[Fewormany]

Wow, the amount of posts here is hard to keep up with

Pintrest sounds like a good way to keep track of thing that are on a want/need/inspiration list. I'm gonna make one in the next few days, pictures are much easier for me to remember and keep track of than lists (plus it's much more fun collecting pictures than writing lists ).

 

[fashionista-ta]

Wow, the amount of posts here is hard to keep up with

Pintrest sounds like a good way to keep track of thing that are on a want/need/inspiration list. I'm gonna make one in the next few days, pictures are much easier for me to remember and keep track of than lists (plus it's much more fun collecting pictures than writing lists ).

Yes, we used to have a separate thread to discuss Pinterest and what we're shopping for, but then it got merged with this one ...

Got a white T tonight ... pinned it to my closet board. Only had to visit two more stores, so much easier than last time. It was a bit more expensive than what I had in mind, but it's a label I have a knit top from already that has done very well, and they're also very nice at the store, I've been wanting to buy something there for awhile ...

Let us know when you have a Pinterest account, and we'll all follow you ...

 

[pinkpol15h]

Thank you lovelies fashionista-ta Betinapple & eizhowa for your advice

I mostly feel like my taste is evolving as I'm entering a new stage in my life, I feel much more grown up and ladylike now. My style is reflected in that. Based on your suggestions, I will take start investing in more basics, as it seems like you guys still wear them even after your style has changed. Thank you


YoninahAliza, have you considered designer jewelry? I recently made my first non-beauty item from Chanel, and it was a pair of duo-toned earrings, and it retailed around $225 CAD? Prices are always higher in Canada though. It is classic and you can even pass it down to future generations! Simple, classic jewelry has one of the lowest cost per wear IMO, so you won't have to feel too guilty
As for bags,

 

[fashionista-ta]

Please ... no guilt

I did find that my taste in jewelry changed over the years, but a watch is a nice solid investment piece (assuming you wear them). I am still happy to wear the first nice watch I ever bought, right after I graduated from college.

I like indie designer jewelry of the type found at Barney's and ylang23. With gold & semi-precious stones, it can be pretty reasonable.

Barney's btw does not sell any 'bad' stones (blood diamonds and the like), but your best best from an environmental perspective is vintage or antique jewelry. I really like adin.be, and they have things at all price points. Last I knew, they shipped everything with Belgian chocolates in the shape of jewels, just saying ... There are also jewelers who make everything with recycled gold, etc.

 

[Fewormany]

Let us know when you have a Pinterest account, and we'll all follow you ...

I just made an account, I'd rather not put my name here but I'll give it in a PM .

I've found some recent things from my wardrobe I pinned, but I guess I'll need to take pictures of older stuff to get a better picture. Looking forward to seeing all of you there.

 

[EvaH]

The amount of posts here is so exciting (but so hard to keep up with )

Fewormany, could you please PM your pinterest?

Pink: I definitely understand what you mean by trying to dress your age but still invest in pieces you will be able to wear once you start working as well. I always try to keep it in mind and I think that's why I try to stay clear of things which are a bit too much out there for my taste.. I prefer to play it safe and see how I develop and maybe add more quirky pieces as I go along. But I am also realising that my style is very classical, very structured (at least I think that's where I would like to go).

Smaller wardrobe: I am still cleaning mine. I got around 30 pieces now. For me it's just really freeing to let go of stuff I don't wear/don't particularly like/don't suit me/aren't good quality/love but can't wear because of various reasons. My fiance is freaking out a little bit saying that I won't have anything to wear but..on the contrary: yesterday I tried (and succeed for the first time I think) my hand at layering. I was wearing a plain white sleeveless tank top + red long sleeve & v-neck sweater underneath my leopard short sleeves dress with a black blazer + tights + ankle boots and I felt great ! The less clothes I have, the more I learn to play with it and really experiment.

Yoninah: I am with Eizhowa on the ray ban. They have suffered through a lot with me but they are still as good as new. I think sunglasses are important, but I have vision impairment so that's why I could never ever buy "cheap" sunnies. My doctor told me that those did more harm than good so I try to stick to some type of them (not necessary brands, you just have to make sure that they will protect you the right way depending of your needs). But then maybe you live in a place where they aren't that much needed (although my doctor likes to remind me that just like sunscreen, sunglasses aren't only to be used when it is sunny). Also it seems like you do have a good grasp on how expensive it is and what it means to you so I don't think you will be careless with them

Carolina: welcome back ! I need to take a look at your pinterest

Barbara: I think I commented somewhere asking for what you were looking for because it doesn't come up in my app. But now that I have a laptop I think I can see the "description" bit.

RGO: I wanted to look for skirts for you but I have no idea what looks good on pear shape. Could you please help?

Me: I have a huge wedding coming up in early September and I need two dresses (or one if you can make it ok) + en engagement dinner outfit.. I think I can manage for the e-dinner and see with the 2 "dressy" skirts I have left (knee length dark grey pencil skirt and one white knee length as well with buttons on the front) and just pick whatever tops I liked on pinterest. I found a dress last night and I absolutely loved it. My mum said it was fab but my fiance thinks it's too much.. because of the fact that it is too much "out there". I really don't think so. The wedding crowd will be very mixed but it will be quite a laid back affair with a lots of artists mixing with the usual banker/doctors/consultants. I think he just spends too much time with boring bankers & wife So if you could help me on that one, that would be great I have set up a recommendation board just for this. Since I am still learning and developing my style, I think I want to try and see what I like first.. if it makes sense

Ta-Ta: I have not been invited to pin on your recommendation board

 

[EvaH]

I forgot to add that once I go back to London, I will take back the metallic lanvin flats and just keep the black ones. Yesterday I found some red leather lanvin flats and blue leather ankle ones I absolutely love. Now, I am trying to be reasonable and not buy the last pair of the ankle blue ones in my size on farfetch but it is hard.. I think I will be very disappointed if they sell out.. So I might just go ahead and get them.. I don't know.. I think they would work beautifully with what I have and what I am planning to get..
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[fashionista-ta]

Ta-Ta: I have not been invited to pin on your recommendation board

au contraire, you most certainly were I was more under the impression you had not accepted. I will send another one (I should say, if I can ... I had removed those who hadn't accepted/declined, and I don't know how to reverse that ).

If anyone else wants one, let me know ... I don't want to clutter up your page if you're not interested in the recommendations part.

 

[barbaraaa]

Barbara: I think I commented somewhere asking for what you were looking for because it doesn't come up in my app. But now that I have a laptop I think I can see the "description" bit.

I think I only added it after that, don't worry

About "low on stock" things: I understand the pressure (I think we all do!), but I am trying to ponder it more... blue shoes don't seem super versatile to me, because there's so many shades of blue and they may not always look right - of course, ymmv on this one and they might just be perfect with your blues. I don't really wear blue so I might be being biased on this one!

One of the dresses I'm interested in is also on low stock right now (and it's just been further reduced). It's a black one from Oasis that I have on my pinterest wishlist that seems pretty versatile. I want to own more dresses (they're usually a difficult fit on me due to my height and hips) and I like the aesthetics of black dresses. I own one, but it's not very versatile, more formal.

I'll also be on the lookout for a white tee these days. Didn't get my birthday present from my mother yet, sadly.

OH! And Fewormany, please PM me too

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ The dress seems a tad bit short ... but maybe it will be longer on you? Then again you may have more curves than the model--I think we all do

 

[barbaraaa]

Indeed it does. The model is 1,5'' taller than me, and wears three sizes smaller... I keep hoping that brands adjust make bigger sizes "taller" too, but that seems rare, which is why I'm still pondering.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ Yes, there is some adjustment ... suggest emailing & getting them to measure for you.

 

[barbaraaa]

^ That was amazing advice. I googled for that info before contacting anyone. On my size, the dress woul be 35''. Too short for me, so I'll pass

 

[Jinadaze]

Barbaraaa, I feel you with this length issue, I have the same one. I am 6 ft (182 cm) tall and being a size UK6/XS makes it really difficult to find a mini skirt/dress (I prefer shorter leghts on me though) that is not TOO short for me. I really hate that, so unfomfortable and awkward.
But I suggest you to look at the size guide on the official website, measurements there are more accurate.

I had a great day today, just came from the FW which was magnificent and discovered 'my' McQueen sandals are 20 % discounted from now on (for one week), so I will make an order soon.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ just came here to tell you about that 20%

 

[Jinadaze]

Very nice of you, thanks! I think they are meant to be mine. ˆ-ˆ

 

[fashionista-ta]

I was looking through a back issue of Vogue, and came across an essay by Betty Fussell in which she describes a Claire McCardell dress she had for 30(!!) years ... thought you guys would be interested.

It was two or three years [after she gave her first dinner party as a married woman in 1949] before I could afford my first and only Claire McCardell dress, even though her clothes were relatively affordable because she used cotton instead of satin and silk.... The one I bought in 1953 was of crinkled black cotton georgette, cool because cotton breathed, practical because black conceals stains, drip-dryable because the crinkles were permanent. And boy, was it glamorous. The top was designed as two separate pieces, which you crossed when you put your head in between them, so that the dress had a Grecian-drapery effect with bare shoulders and a loosely-gathered skirt. I traveled in that dress for the next 30 years. It packed like a handkerchief, shook itself out, and was instantly ready for any scene, from a dingy London pub to the Parthenon. I would still be wearing that dress had it not, over the decades, faded to gray, marred by an occasional stain and unmendable tear. But it was the kind of dress that when it died you wanted to bury it, it carried so much of your life in its fabric.