The 4-5 piece French wardrobe #5

[fashionista-ta]

^ I don't see chocolate clashing with tan or black

 

[Betinapple]

@Adorefaith: I aim to please glad to hear that I am not the only one going baby-crazy these days.

I think chocolate would be perfect with your wardrobe. The only thing I think it does not go with is strong colours like yellow or bright red. And even then I do not consider it a total mis-match. I actually find that it goes with more colours than black, that can be a little "hard" against softer colours like light blue or baby pink.

 

[eizhowa]

Adorefaith: I don't really think it would clash with any of the colors you mentioned (very pretty colors too ). The benefit of having nothing in the same color as your handbag is that you don't risk looking too matchy-matchy.

 

[Nymphaea]

@adorefaith I came across this Zara bag (169 Euro), maybe I'm gonna buy it myself.

zara.com

@eizhowa A kitten! Awwww! I love cats and dogs. Please post a pic in the thread: Pictures Of Our Pets!

I've got myself a pair of dark brown ankle booties for work.

my pics

 

[eizhowa]

Oh, nice boots! Have you seen the bag in person? Zaras photographs are so perfect I rarely trust them to show the true nature of their pieces. Very nice and classic. Leather?

 

[Nymphaea]

No, not yet, but the material is leather, so I hope the bag looks as good in real life as in the pic, especially concerning the price.

 

[Jinadaze]

Hi everybody! A lot to catch up here, but worth the time.

Ta-ta, so great about the shoes and the bag! And I would love to read your blog.

Nymphaea, I am obsessed with this collection and this particular coat is divine! Would you mind sending the pictures of your finished project?

Adorefaith, I liked a very similar bag to this AA one from French Connection, but it was perforated, so I assume you would regret putting a laptop or other heavy object in it. I also remember seeing some similar bags on Etsy, in a range of shades. A black one would be a safe choice, but a dark chocolate brown would look great with your colour scheme too.

Eizhowa, what happened with the LBD you purchased a couple od months ago? It would look gorgeous with those ballerinas in black.

I didn't get my bikini in time, so had to use two pairs from previous years which are still wearable and fit (that's a plus of having a constant weight ) and I was quite mad I didn't get it, so much I wanted to return them after coming back. But after I tried them at home they were too pretty to do so. XD I will go swimming in the olympic swimming pool later this month anyway.

So I am wainting for chelsea boots I ordered a couple of days ago and got a Breton striped sweater on vacation, really pretty and warm, made of 100 % cotton (I am more and more fond of cotton knits). I had to refresh my selection of underwear too, my mum insisted of buying me a few grey pieces. I am very into grey atm, and olive green. Think that those shades really suit my colouring, especially skintone.
Since I was at the seaside for 11 days I will have quite a hard time to get used to this autumn weather, but can't wait to start wearing my new trench coat!

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ Sent you a link My vintage ribbon finally arrived today, and it's beautiful It's lighter than I expected from the pic, but I can adjust I had in mind originally a bright green, so a brighter purple works with that original concept of a pop of color. Will take it to the cobbler this weekend ... also pleased to have such a good source for ribbon, I imagine I'll be ordering again.

Glad you like your bikini. You needed a pop of color European shipping seems to be a bit on the slow side ... here it's usually pretty fast (and I don't believe in paying for the fast shipping ... I always take whatever option is free if there is one ) Lanvin's website has only express shipping ... it is nice to get things the very next day, but I don't consider it a luxury worth paying for.

No sign of autumn here yet ... we have to pretend. One of my coworkers was wearing a pretty pumpkin-colored sweater today. It's still around 100 degrees outside

 

[Tinetush]

betina, I'm afraid I cant't really help you there, I've never lived in CPH, so I don't really know my way around the different cobblers there. What about a craft store, where they sell the dye?
I took you advise though and bought myself a pair of jeans first, just need to hem them. I think that's what always puts me off buying trousers - the hemming part. Oh the joys of being 5'2.

Of course when i went to get the jeans i walked past a pair of black ankle wedge booties, that i now really want, and i could really use a second pair of booties with some height to them seeing as i only really wear black ankle boots during autumn and einter.
i've seen a knit jumper from c
COS which i'm contrmplating getting as well, so I might put off getting the jewelry.

Adore, I don't think it would necessarily clash with your coat. I think it's more a question of how many colours you are comfortable wearing at once, neutrals included. It wouldn't be a problem for me personally, but then I'm not hessistant to wear more than 3, heck even more than 5/6 colours at once as long as its' s not 'in your face, brights'.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ Suggest seeking out someplace to buy jeans that offers free basic tailoring Do your department stores do that? Here I can get anything I buy full-price hemmed at Nordstrom (and formerly at Barneys ), no matter how much or little it costs.

 

[eizhowa]

Jinadaze: Nymphaea has posted more pics in the "sewing thread" (or something like that).

I have a love/hate relationship with grey myself. I love the idea of grey, and I like the contrast againt my hair. Then I read something in a Trinny and Susannah book about how, if you have red hair and freckles, you could never look your best in grey..."just forget it" I think they said. Suddently I felt less certain in my choice of colors... But if I can't wear grey I wouldn't know what to wear, so I've decided that T&S don't know what they are talking about

I still have that black dress, but it is too long to wear in the winter, I think. I don't feel at ease in so much solid black, as I would need to wear black stockings too. I am eyeing a shorter LBD from theyskens Theory, but nobody who sells it offers tax refunds on returns, so I am very hesitant. I would lose silly amounts of money or time, if it did not fit...

In the end, I did not end up getting the black Porsellis. They didn't go for a ridiculus sum, so I can afford them when they show up again next time I'd rather keep my one month shopping ban. Although, I have already found two pairs of jeans I am getting october 1st

adorefaith: My cognac version of the bag is pictured below, if you are interested. I got it 10 months ago. I think they have changed the logo, but otherwise it is the same bag

I think what Tinetush mentioned is interesting. I, personally, prefer to stick to 3-4 colors max., but my bag is the color of my hair, so I still "wear" that color, even if I am in all-grey. So, if you have brown hair (I am clueless about your colors), maybe the same applies to you?

6 items challenge
I said I'd post a picture of the 6 items I am wearing this month. I have also included a picture of my go-to accesories. I miss my other blazers, but otherwise it has been fine...

Pictures are my own

 

[Betinapple]

@Ta-ta: not a lot of stores in Denmark has a tailor employed, especially not womens clothing stores. We have one at my job which is very unusual, I think, even for a mens store, since he is only doing our things. I think other mens wear stores have a tailor service that they use instead. Also, we do not have a lot of department stores, and they are mainly in Copenhagen (or Århus) - welcome to Denmark I would like a linj for your blog as well.

@Tine: maybe you could take them to a tailor? Don't think it would be too expensive, it takes them no time to hem a pair of pants. I am short as well, but i prefer my jeans being a bit too long and therefore curling up around the ancles.

How many pair of boots do you have? I also feel the need for a third pair, but it is not acute in any way, since I can make do with the two pairs I've already got even though I do not wear anything else during the winter months neither.

@Eizhowa: you are doing so good! You should be really proud. In my opinion Trinny and Susannah does not have a clue as what goes for good style, so I would not listen to them.

 

[Tinetush]

Ta-ta, Unfortunately free basic tailoring is not the norm where I live. So most often it's not an option, I do take advantage of it when possible though.
At least I've gotten quite good at hemming stuff by now.

Betina, I bought the jeans with a gift certificate, and it's just a pair of Cheap Monday jeans (they seem to fit to a t). Getting them hemmed by a tailor would probably cost a third of the price of the jeans. i know i'm being quite frugal, but i know how to sew so it's not really a problem, I would just have preferred to have them in the right length to begin with.
I have 2 pairs as well. a flat pair and a pair with an everyday heel. I don't really need a third pair either, but I haven't seen a pair of boots like these before, so I'm afraid I'll regret it if I don't buy them now.
Now that i've gotten a pair of jeans and found and older pair that will do as well, the only thing I actually really need for the autumn/winter is a pair of sneakers, and maybe a wool jumper if I can find one I like.

 

[Tinetush]

Eizhowa, that challenge really looks interesting. Your basic pieces looks nice and you accessorize special enough to make the outfits different from each other.
I feel like doing something similar myself. Although I don't think I would be able to limit myself to 6 pieces. Maybe 10 is more up my alley.

 

[barbaraaa]

Lots to catch up on...

For some reason the multiquote thingy got everything in a weird order, but here's my thoughts on some things:

I didn't get my bikini in time, so had to use two pairs from previous years which are still wearable and fit (that's a plus of having a constant weight ) and I was quite mad I didn't get it, so much I wanted to return them after coming back. But after I tried them at home they were too pretty to do so. XD I will go swimming in the olympic swimming pool later this month anyway.

ASOS delivery is so bad here since they got a courrier to do it. I was happier with my post office's service but I'm glad you had a "backup plan" and that you'll still get some wear out of your new bikini despite that trouble!


adorefaith: I have no experience with AA at all because of, like others said, the sleaze factor - but I see eizhowa has already talked you into a different bag I do not think chocolate brown with clash at all! Let us know what you decide.

@Barbaraa: It is so nice when you finally reach a place where you are perfectly happy with what you've got and do not feel the need to add a lot of items furtherly.

What blazer is it and could it be an alternate to the "cardigan" spot on your wishlist? It might be worth the extra splurge.

------

Also I am considering if I should try to dye this leather jacket. I like the colour but I do prefer my leather jackets black and it has started to "wear" and therefore look dirty. I was the black one i wanted all along (for almost 5 years if I recall) and I regularly search for it on secondhand sites. Even though it is a nice quality jacket I do not think it would have a resell value and since finding a black one in my size appears to be difficult, I might as well dye it, right?

I am indeed happy about it! More because I don't feel I have any obvious need. The cardigan and the blazer would fill different holes for me, unfortunately - I'm incapable of layering blazers under winter coats or things like that, unlike cardigans. Either is not an extreme need, however - I think a chunky cardigan is more of a thing that would be a nice complement, the thing with the blazer is that it was just so damn flattering it gets hard to resist. It's not every day one finds such a flattering piece!
I'm trying to not buy anything during September, however - one of the reasons why I don't feel like I have many holes right now is that I used the sales to fill them (although with well-pondered clothes) and I feel I went a little overboard.

About your leather jacket: I agree that you have nothing to lose if you dye it black and end up not liking that/wearing it, as you don't really wear it now. I also agree with eizhowa that if the dye job doesn't go too well, the jacket would look lovely distressed, as it has so much texture.

^The 6 items challenge is going fine. Thanks for asking I like letting my shoes and bags be the focal point of my outfit anyway, so I hardly notice. I find myself reaching for my other blazers though.

I did have one almost slip-up. I watched a Brigitte Bardot-movie, felt very inspired, and before I knew what I was doing I had finished zipping up my Hot Pink fitted 50s dress I was on complete auto-pilot. I've decided that didn't count though. Because I didn't wear it anywhere, I just tried it on when alone... (Decided not to sell that exact dress btw The hot pink BB dress needs to stay in my wardrobe.)

I've also decided not to buy any uneccesary items, like magazines, make-up etc. while I am at it. I have enought expenses related to school, and I adopted a feral kitten we found at work. That was not a cheap decision I see nowink:

Congrats on your kitten, even though it may demand a lot of your attention and money
I also find your challenge very interesting. I don't think reaching out for other blazers would be too bad - if it happens too often, and like you say, you miss wearing them, maybe you could add just one to the challenge?
About the hot pink dress - dressing up is decidedly not a slip. A hot pink Brigitte Bardot dress does sound like a real necessity too I was also thinking - how do you feel about powder pink? I feel that apart from the hair we probably have a similar colouring (the yellow undertone that makes blue a terrible choice), and I find that powder pink is a nice colour on me. Not too un-neutral, goes great with burgundy, which I know you're into, and with gray as well (do dismiss what Trinny and Susannah said! I've never seen anyone look bad in gray, although definitely some shades will flatter some people more than others).

About furs, I've always been a bit on the fence about them, but I can definitely see their practicality when it's below -10 c and you don't want to wear a down jacket, (or freeze). I think we have a thread about vintage fur either in this forum or in 'shop til you drop' about what to think about before buying vintage fur and what care to take of them.

Down jackets, when filled with real feathers, are quite far from cruelty free... so between that and a vintage fur, I'd probably go with the fur. While I'm not a fur advocate (and don't like its look all that much), I do think it makes a lot of sense in some weathers.

 

[eizhowa]

Betina: Thank you! The 6 items part isn't too difficult, but I am quite proud that I have managed not to buy anything. That is so unlike me...

Barbaraa: I haven't tried softer pinks in years. I am not really a pink person. I have two hot pink dresses, but I only think they work on special occasions in a Joan Holloway, explosion of colors, kind of way. Also, I have no dressy clothes in cognac shades, so the pink doesn't clash with my accessories. I think softer pinks would clash more with cognac, than burgundy would. I have yet to get anything burgundy though...

Tinetush: I could easily get by with 10 items. The point of sticking to 6 items is that it should really push your limits. Keep in mind that you could add another, identical item, to keep you going while you launder. I have two grey tees. And you can add a coat if it gets cold. I count my blazer as my coat, and 8th item, because we had a blizzard/rain storm at the begining of the month. So you can have 8 items + all the accesories you want I added a dress (item 6), because I had a wedding to attend. Othetwise I could have made do with 5 items + blazer + duplicate. I think it sounds more dauting than it is. There are several different challenges like this though. Living on only 30 pieces for 3 months (or 30 days if you are a chicken), including shoes, uniform, occationwear etc. I choose the 6 items challenge because it doesn't last too long

 

[Jinadaze]

Tinetush, for a COS sweater I suggest you wait till the beggining of the second week of October, they will have a mid-season sale then.

Eizhowa, I see, I prefer shorter skirts/dresses for FW winter too, and a little longer for summer.

 

[barbaraaa]

^ Thank you for that info about COS... one of the pairs of trousers I'm considering (highly considering, may I add) is from them:

cosstores.com

 

[fashionista-ta]

Hey, it's quiet in here Bought a sports bra this afternoon and looked unsuccessfully for walking shoes ... the ones I found were the shoe equivalent of mom jeans ink: Will keep looking ...

barbara, were you looking for Hunters? Saw some pretty purple ones today ...

 

[eizhowa]

^I know! I've dropped by twice to double check that I didn't actually unsubscribe by mistake... Apparently we have become so good at this that no-body buys anything or has any questions any more

Announcement: Taking new recruits!

Walking shoes: Do you need shoes for walking in nature, or for commuting? I have walked for hours in my Ecco Lilles on pavement, but my feet have never felt tired. All other ballerinas make my feet "tingle" after a while. I would recommend those, but I don't know if they are available to you, or if they still sell them, or if you like ballerina style shoes:/