The 4-5 piece French wardrobe #5

[fashionista-ta]

etsy/TextileArtLace

Betinapple the cardigan is gorgeous. i would love one myself.

does anyone have any recommendation for good denim? i'm a bit out of touch with denim these days....haven't bought a pair for about 4 years - the last pair were Nudies, which i loved, until they faded and stretched and now they look like cool boyfriend jeans but that's only an occasional thing for me. i'm fairly short....5'4....so ideally i'd like something cut fairly short (no cheap mondays), something simple (ie. no crazy designs on the back pockets) and not super low waisted. i have a pair of white jeans i bought a few years ago from citizens of humanity that fit really nicely, i was thinking possibly to check out their darker denim. they hit right at the ankle and are nice and simple.

i've heard good things about Acne and current elliot too but have no experience with them. would love some suggestions.

I would definitely be headed back to the brand that's already working for me! Shopping for jeans can be such a beating With shoes, I have something from everyone, it seems like, with several pairs each from a couple designers ... but clothes, I always try to buy from the brands that are already working for me. And then they change

***

This is some vintage '30s rayon/cotton ribbon I bought for repairing my Lanvin evening bag (the deep purple on the right).

I picked up my new shoes from the cobbler yesterday ... now they are perfect The strap that was tight before now just floats on my foot and looks exactly as it should. As the guy said, the tiny piece of elastic he added just disappears.

We talked about the bag, and he can fix it ... I put myself in charge of materials, because he seemed to think a mediocre fabric chain would be a good place to go for ribbon Finding good quality new grosgrain seems to be a problem, so I decided to go with vintage. I was interested to see that there was some grosgrain made of all silk! Also saw some French grosgrain with a darling scalloped edge. Hopefully this purple will be nice. If I don't like it, she also has black as a fall-back. It's all black now, so I thought I'd make it a bit more colorful and interesting

 

[fashionista-ta]

This is a link to a site Yoninah posted on another thread. It's all about many different approaches to getting the most from your clothes ... sharing them, mending them, wearing clothes you've inherited, etc. Enjoy!

http://www.localwisdom.info/use-practices/view/371/constant-in-my-life

Here's a woman wearing a leopard-print dress that her mom made for herself when she was 80!

http://www.localwisdom.info/use-practices/view/210

 

[Betinapple]

^sounds like som very interesting sites, Ta-ta.

What has happend to your bag since it needs repairing?

Good to hear that your shoes turned out perfect.

 

[Betinapple]

I have finished my fall wishlist for now. Guess I might do some editing thoughout the season:

- Grey cardigan (already purchased)
- Full skirt in black leather
- Black top (preferable something jersey, yet still dressy)
- A new every day bag. I only use my Bayswater these days, so I am going to sell my Milli Millu bag and the MJ stam bag, and buy something that I will actually wear. I still like the idea of a tan/cognac bag and would love to add the rika at some point, but these days I mainly feel like I need a black bag. Preferable something Balenciaga. My favourites are the Matelasse (in quilt) and the Giant Town (pictured). These days I find that the town probably would fit my needs the best.

I am planning on trying out RedAndNavys approach of only buying one piece each month and have given myself a budget of 1000 danish kroner (approximately 180$) each month, which should be no problem since I used less than that during the spring season. I do not include the cost of the bag in the amount, since I am saving for it seperately. Since I only got af few wishes other than the bag I am planning on using some of my monthly shopping budget to save for it as well though.

What are your shopping strategy for fall?

pics via kantbutikkerne.dk, toogoodtobebasic.com, balenciaga.com and gannistore.dk

 

[fashionista-ta]

^sounds like som very interesting sites, Ta-ta.

What has happend to your bag since it needs repairing?

Good to hear that your shoes turned out perfect.

I really do love that site It also has a story of a young woman who's wearing her mom's 1980s indestructible Burberry.

This is the bag I was using as a wallet ... right now the top of it is satin, and it wore through on one side. He's going to take it apart & replace the satin ... I have a silk roll-up thing that I keep in my bag now that's worn out around the edges ... I'm going to replace it with this once it's repaired. It will see much less heavy use than when it was my wallet.

On your bags, as you know, I like the quilted one And the texture of your new sweater, very pretty.

 

[twistelette]

thanks so much for linking to that site, Ta-Ta! I've been reading the stories all afternoon. what a fantastic project!

 

[eizhowa]

6 items or less challenge

I've decided not to get the green bag. I might reconsider getting it in a few months. Right now, I don't feel like consuming. I've decided to try a "6 items or less challenge" instead. For the next 30 days I'll wear only the same 6 items from my wardrobe. Shoes and accessories do not count. I also don't count my work uniform or my national costume, which I will need later this month. The latter alone consists of like 6 pieces

I choose:

• Black blazer
• Grey sweater
• Grey tee
• Beton top
• 2 x Grey jeans

I'll post a picture of the items later when I can get my hands on a computer. Mine is being repaired.

 

[Betinapple]

@Ta-ta: Burberry coats really must be indestructible then!

Will you post the bag when its done? Sounds interesting, and a great idea repearing it. My red leather wallet is starting to look worn and I am contemplating trying to dye it black since it is mainly the leather that is starting to show wear.

I really like the quilt bag as well but only the largest size seems to be able to be carried on the shoulder, if any of them, and I am also not sure how well the quilt will work with my printed items. It would be awesome for solids though. I just think the other one might suit my needs better, and I need something all-round since I will be selling the black bag I already own, if possible.

@Eizhowa: wow, that sure sounds like a challenge. Not doing it per se, but making different outfits from only six items. What made you decide this?

 

[eizhowa]

I think there are a lot of pros for doing it;
- Curiosity. I read about a lot of people who had done this and their stories. I am curious to see what lessons I'll take away from the experience.
- Accessories are unlimited. I might get better at using them.
- I think it will make it easier to not shop ad it might shift my focus away from consuming. Maybe'll even save some money I would like to buy better and less in the future.
- I get to really test the durability and quality of my items. Especially my new monki-tees. I have 6 now. If I rotate like I normally do, they will last forever and I won't know if they are good enough for ages...
- I don't really like to change my outfits/look. I want to test my limits. I don't remember the last time I was downright sick of a garment.
- I don't see the same people all the time, and I doubt anyone will notice. In general, I think people pay more attention to their own outfits than those of others.
- I really like the idea of a small capsule wardrobe. I think making do with less will mean I can reduce the number of items I consider important in my wardrobe. In turn, this might make it easier to let go of some items and sell the
-I am travelling later this month. A 6 item limit will make packing easier. I'd love to travel with only my balenciaga as a carry-on

I have forgotten the cons.

 

[eizhowa]

I think there are a lot of pros for doing it;
- Curiosity. I read about a lot of people who had done this and their stories. I am curious to see what lessons I'll take away from the experience.
- Accessories are unlimited. I might get better at using them.
- I think it will make it easier to not shop ad it might shift my focus away from consuming. Maybe'll even save some money I would like to buy better and less in the future.
- I get to really test the durability and quality of my items. Especially my new monki-tees. I have 6 now. If I rotate like I normally do, they will last forever and I won't know if they are good enough for ages...
- I don't really like to change my outfits/look. I want to test my limits. I don't remember the last time I was downright sick of a garment.
- I don't see the same people all the time, and I doubt anyone will notice. In general, I think people pay more attention to their own outfits than those of others.
- I really like the idea of a small capsule wardrobe. I think making do with less will mean I can reduce the number of items I consider important in my wardrobe. In turn, this might make it easier to let go of some items and sell them.
-I am travelling later this month. A 6 item limit will make packing easier. I'd live to travel with only my balenciaga as a carry-on

I have forgotten the cons.

 

[eizhowa]

Sorry for the double post. I would really appreciate if a mod could delete the second

Ta-ta: thanks for the site rec! Really looking forward to exploring it when I get my computer back I am also very curious about how your bag will look when repaired. Have you already handed it in? I love before and after pictures...

 

[Nymphaea]

This morning I did some shopping at Zara. Bought some basic items: a pink and a black sweater and a large black scarf, all tree comfy/soft. I had to pay attention at the quality of the sweaters, because 3 pink sweater already had some damage. I also tried on pink trousers, but they were a bit to short for my taste and a black coat, but it wasn't special enough for me to buy and I'm sewing a winter coat (is a copy of a Jil Sander coat from last winter) at the moment, so the choice was rather easy. On their website were some nice shoes, but I was disappointed in the quality when I saw them for real.

zara.com

 

[eizhowa]

Do you have a picture of the coat project? Sounds so interesting. Are you doing it yourself, or are you using a seamstress?

I think inspecting each item from Zara and the likes is a good idea. I've bought items on holiday before, and then found a manufacturing fault when I got home

 

[Nymphaea]

Do you have a picture of the coat project? Sounds so interesting. Are you doing it yourself, or are you using a seamstress?

I'm doing it myself, overall it's quite simple, but the tricky part is a square/gusset in the armpit area and no attached sleeves, but continues/kimono sleeves. So I'm practising that part at the moment and when I'm satisfied I'm going to purchase scarlet red wool fabric. I have had the same coat at home but in the light brown version for a short while, so I had a good look at the individual parts. Here is a pic of the original.
Photo by Daniel Riera for The Gentlewoman F/W 12.13

 

[fashionista-ta]

Sorry for the double post. I would really appreciate if a mod could delete the second

Ta-ta: thanks for the site rec! Really looking forward to exploring it when I get my computer back I am also very curious about how your bag will look when repaired. Have you already handed it in? I love before and after pictures...

I have not, but you know how hopeless I am with pictures ... Since I have no camera that will upload pix, I have to get someone else to take them for me. Once someone strongly implied that I was lying about having bought a particular bag, and that's why that picture of my former Lanvin bag that I have pinned exists I got my brother to take it for me as I had a family get-together that day. It was really funny because my mother picked up on something even though I didn't say what it was for & asked if I wanted a newpaper to hold (as in hostage photos) I decided that was the last time I was going to do that.

I will get one eventually ... I have started blogging again (not about fashion) & was actually wanting to take & upload some pix, something I have never really wanted to do.

 

[barbaraaa]

^ I know that feeling well... I do have three cameras - but they're film!
I have also recently started blogging (also not fashion, but book blogging - my friends think I'm good at that and like my recommendations) and I thought stock photos would be boring so I got hold of some old camera we had in like... 2005. It's 4 MP. I put some random filters to make the image look even worse and it works like a charm

Now on topic... Nymphaea, that is a beautiful coat. I dream of a red coat too, although I wouldn't be brave enough to wear something that bold. Lovely however

eizhowa, that's a brave project! I could never live on so little clothes. Trousers maybe (or definitely...) - but not tops. I feel like my not-bottom-clothes get stale even if I only wear them for maybe two hours and I wouldn't want to be washing them every other day...

As for myself, I ordered two short-sleeved blouses, as I was lacking those in a more serious/work wardrobe. Waiting for them to arrive.

 

[pinkpol15h]

Hi everyone I don't post often in this thread but it is encouraging to read about everyone's shopping planning/successes.

I purchased this past month:

- two dresses because I realized I needed some for dressier (hahaha) occasions

- five tanks (three spaghetti ones in white, black and beige, and two ribbed knit ones in white and grey) just because my old tanks have grown old and I needed replacements
- a pair of espadrilles, wedges, loafers, and Superga sneakers. My shoe collection is seriously lacking. I also wore out my previous pair of navy Superga's, and purchased a bright coral pair this time.

- graphic t-shirt for lazy mornings when I can pair them with jeans and statement jewelry.

- white blazer. BEEN LOOKING FOR A WHITE ONE FOR YEARS, and found a great Sandro one on sale!

I find my wardrobe lacking in cohesiveness, so I cannot really stick to the 4-5 item shopping habit yet. However, I am only purchasing items I know will last me 7+ years (excluding shoes because I wear them out extremely fast). Totally excited and satisfied with my purchases!

Sources: Club Monaco, MyTheresa, Indulgy, Lyst, Polyvore, Image

 

[eizhowa]

I love the navy dress! Does it come in black?

Barbaraa: I have two identical tees. The rules of the challenge says I can wear one while the other is in the wash. And summer is over. I spend my time shivering, not melting away

​

 

[barbaraaa]

^ Oh, that makes more sense then! I'm jealous - I know it will be hot in here until mid-October... perhaps as late as early November...

 

[fashionista-ta]

pink, why do you think your shoes are wearing out so fast? Typically shoes can be maintained and last indefinitely. Are you selecting shoes with maintenance in mind?

Pretty pink dress, and I like your shoe selections.

Have you considered a color scheme to help with cohesiveness? You don't have to have only one, but I would suggest starting somewhere, and then perhaps identifying another scheme within the next season or two.