The 4-5 piece French wardrobe #5

[twistelette]

I also expect my shoes to long enough to go in and out of style at least once

words to live by this made me smile

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ I agree, very funny ... I am definitely seeing this with block heels and pointed toes being back. I remember when round toes were big but hard to find, I had a pair I'd had for years that I fixed up with shoe ornaments salvaged from another pair--I got so many compliments on those! (Brown leather pumps with camel suede camellias.)

 

[RedandNavy]

Funny comment about the shoes I don't really mind my shoes going out of style... Some shoes have lost their appeal on me for a few seasons and then suddenly I like them again. With shoes I am Patient. If they are good quality I just store them until I feel like wearing them again.

I'm back from a week long holiday at Lake Geneva. Funny how women dress differently from those in Zurich. More elegant and "French". They seem to care much more than those in the German speaking part of Switzerland. Definitely an inspiring week.

I'm once again trying to save one of the most annoying problems of dressing...: A warm all-weather winter coat. Probably down or a warm parka. This is soooo difficult for me! I thought I had solved the problem last year when I bought a down jacket but sadly the quality wasn't made to last... And now I am back to wear I was a year ago.

 

[Miwi]

I had a very successful day today. I stayed within my budget and still got everything I wanted. I also found the perfect pair of leather biker boots.

 

[misstarshine]

The Manrepeller just posted this blog post about being inspired by Paris fashion week and coming home to shop within your own wardrobe.

http://www.manrepeller.com/2013/10/because-its-saturday-2.html

This is something I love about going away and being inspired by well dressed women. I love suddenly being inspired to wear an item I already own in a way I hadn't previously thought of. Especially if they have been sitting there unloved in my wardrobe.

 

[Betinapple]

I'm once again trying to save one of the most annoying problems of dressing...: A warm all-weather winter coat. Probably down or a warm parka. This is soooo difficult for me! I thought I had solved the problem last year when I bought a down jacket but sadly the quality wasn't made to last... And now I am back to wear I was a year ago.

I can really relate. It is the third year in a row that I have to buy a new wintercoat. The first got too big and the one from last year is looking really worn in the coating, so I am rather annoyed. Have you thought about what to get?

 

[eizhowa]

I can't figure out this coat conundrum either. I have only found one coat made of 100% wool/cashmere this season, and I didn't like the color. I don't feel like I need an "all weather coat", however. I mean, sheep stay out in all weathers and they are fine

I've just retired my ballet flats, and started wearing my winter boots again. So depressing. The ballet flats are so nice and delicate, and the boots big and chunky I think a pair of winter boots that doesn't make me want to cry everytime I leave the house should be high on the list this season. I didn't think I needed new boots, but I have changed my mind.

My one month spending ban is over, but I still haven't bought anything. I had my eyes on a LBD and a pair of jeans, but the dress was sold out 4 hours before my ban lifted, and the jeans are also sold out

• Grey herringbone/tweed blazer
• Narrow boots, flats or small heel.
• Little black dress
• Grey skinny jeans
• Lined gloves
• Winter Coat

I have also decided to sell my camel ACNE scarf. Everyone is wearing it here. I've also decided that camel as a color does nothing for me. Sometimes I wish I didn't have so contrasting colors. I think it is much easier to find good basic colors for people who are more muted, and soft, in their coloring:/

Example:

My cousin has medium blonde hair, medium tanned skin and medium dark eyes. She looks terrific in camel.

My sister has ashy blonde hair, a light tan and grey/green eyes. She looks terrific in charcoal and green.

My mother has cool brown hair, tanned skin and cool brown eyes. She looks terrific in browns and purples.

I have red hair, pale skin and warm brown eyes. What do I look good in? No idea....

So, now I have no idea what color scarf to look for. Maybe I'll just stay inside this winter.


Sorry for the wining, but this weather...

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ Have you looked at the color books at the library? There are several different theories ... I think they're at least a good starting point. Some of them leave out colors that IMO shouldn't be missed, but they're a good starting point, I think. They're not going to recommend bad colors ...

 

[eizhowa]

I have looked through some of those books. Didn't care for any of the colors listed... They were very "light". I don't like pastels... not very fall/winter like. I don't have a problem with my S/S wardrobe colors. Finding colors that suit grey weather and a pasty winter complexion is a much bigger challenge.

Also, all guides seem to suggest I wear blue or green - whatever matches my eyes...

I like myself in browns and mossy greens, but try to find that in the store...:/ I look great in hot pink, but thats not even an option

I am planning to get some more literature on the subject. Can't give up at 21

 

[fashionista-ta]

I was able to wear my new leopard sweater yesterday for the first time all day as we had a lovely fall day ... the fit is just perfect. Wore it with my Lanvin black pencil skirt & MiuMiu suede pumps (and with black pants and new black walking shoes for getting my hair cut & going to the farmer's market). Making a mental note to tell the cleaners to block it so that the fit remains perfect ...

Not sure if I will wear it to work yet or not, but if I do, I will layer it. Many years ago I had a boss who always, I mean without fail, wore slacks at work. On Fridays she would sometimes bring a skirt to change into for going out after work. At the time I thought this was insane, but now I really get it. I still wear skirts occasionally, but I have a strong preference for trousers. I might feel differently if I didn't have to deal with difficult people at work ... but does anyone not have to deal with difficult people at work?

 

[blackcoffee]

eizhowa you could try this
as a quicker alternative. by the way i'm katharinium on pinterest

i feel like i got better using my existing wardrobe pieces in new combinations. sometimes just adding a belt really helped me to fall in love with old dresses again.
overall i'm happy with what i have for fall/winter, almost nothing's missing.
so far i got

• black riding boots - i've been wearing them non-stop
• grey suede buckle boots - second hand
• suede pointed ballet flats - second hand
• a black double breasted padded cotton parka
• a light beige trench coat - second hand
• an all weather parka in khaki (i couldn't live with my bright red jacket anymore... i got it with 15)

all that's left on my "need" list is:

• medium everyday leather bag (maybe grey or blueish) - which i'll get as a birthday present, thanks to my mum
• a pair of dark wash or grey jeans

about the "winter coat problem"
i usually wear my parka with a thick wool cardigan underneath and then a jumper etc on the really cold days, i just don't like padded coats/down coats. it gets really cold here as well.. but i just layer as much as i can without looking like a complete idiot - at least i hope so...

 

[eizhowa]

^Ohhhhh... Fun toy. Thanks for the link I knew katharinium was someone on tfs! I tried and tried, but I just couldn't remember who... Thanks for the reminder

By looking at your purchases, I must say I want that second hand store in my town! Wish I was as good at finding second hand bargains. Do you have any specific bags in mind?

 

[blackcoffee]

it's not a vintage store, i searched a website called kleiderkreisel.de (clothing-circle), people can sell/swap/gift their clothes/shoes/accessories. i know it's available for austria germany and switzerland. but i'm sure there are similar websites in you country.
the boots i got on ebay.

i couldn't sleep one night and it ended in 3 second hand orders on kleiderkreisel and ebay....
but all things i wanted to get for a long time

i have one bag in mind, but it just comes in black and mint. if the mint bag was more grey it would be perfect... i haven't seen it in real life so i might order both and then decide.
or maybe search on... i would prefer silver zips on the bag... i don't know yet, i still have 2 months to decide

 

[RedandNavy]

Winter coat: I think I will try a parka this winter. I'm not really feeling the down coats anymore. They are great regarding the warmth but just not very chic. Of course, a good cashmere coat is the chicest Option... But I regularly cary two children with shoes covered in dirt on my back. I just feel too much for the cashmere coat when I do that. So I need something really practical and yet I don't really want to go with one of those real outerwear brands like Mammut or whatever they are called. It's a real challenge to find something practical and yet not too bad looking. Betinapple, did you find one in the end? I remember you wear looking for one but since I've been away for a bit I don't know if you found your parka.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ What about a Barbour, how warm are those? Have you looked at Patagonia? It is obviously a sports brand, but I think their styling can be very good (and I'm not the only one who thinks so, I've seen their down coats featured in magazines).

 

[Jinadaze]

years ago I had a boss who always, I mean without fail, wore slacks at work. On Fridays she would sometimes bring a skirt to change into for going out after work. At the time I thought this was insane, but now I really get it. I still wear skirts occasionally, but I have a strong preference for trousers. I might feel differently if I didn't have to deal with difficult people at work ... but does anyone not have to deal with difficult people at work?

I don't know what happened with me, but I was a real skirts/dresses girl years ago, with the exception of 2-3 winter months when it was too cold to wear anything but velvet trousers, I wore it all the time, a whole year.
But that just changed about a year and a half ago, I am practically living in trousers. Never thought this would happen, especially since I have so much troubles finding a pair that's long enough and that I like to look elegant. Not saying that you can't look like it in trousers, but they are not so feminine. Even in summer I prefered shorts to skirt and dresses and I have enough of them.
It actually crossed my mind that I bought just one skirt and zero dresses in the last year and a half ... I think that just became a habit though, I was wearing a LBD for my Grandpa's birthday last weekend and felt great. So a grey dress remains on my list.

Eizhowa, my imagination is telling me that you look great in camel, as you do in grey/charcoal, brown and dk green, so selling an almost brand new scarf would be a mistake.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ You should post some pix & let us advise you on the color thing

 

[Betinapple]

@Red: I sort of did find one. Actually I purchased it. The Fjällräven one I have been going on and on about. It is on my pinterest board with AW wishes (the long one) I got it in navy but I was contemplating getting the green one really.

However, I think navy goes with more and is a bit more classic, and even though the green colour suits me a bit better, I felt like changing it up a bit since my last two wintercoats (parkas) has been green. My boyfriend thought I should go with the blue one as well.

I think it is a great coat but it is too short for some items in my wardrobe. Like my new cardigan and some of my dresses, but I can't wear a wintercoat that is longer than this one since it would look ridicolous with my height, so I am not quite sure as of what to do.

 

[Caramel]

caramel rest assured you are absolutely not the only one feeling these things! the highlighted part of your post is something i still wrestle with. the thing is, even with a very deliberate, curated wardrobe, i believe there are always going to be items that are seasonal/trendy/transitional/basics in some way... things that aren't necessarily investment pieces and aren't intended to be such... and then i think as long as they do exactly what you said (fill a gap in your wardrobe, multiply outfit possibilities, enjoy a lot of wear) then they have a purpose and are justifiable.

or maybe this is just what i tell myself... but seriously, i think the point is just to think and plan more before purchases, and to really find the gaps in your wardrobe and then fill them with intent, rather than just shopping for the sake of it. i still beat myself up for those cheap, lower quality purchases... but i think it's silly, really. there is a place for them. in general, i think i am putting more thought into my purchases and the building of a wardrobe that's consistent and versatile and hopefully (mostly) good quality. i think that's all you can ask of yourself.

I am glad I'm not the only one, and I do think you are absolutely right.

As far as the cardigan, I will see how much of a staple it becomes this winter, and then consider searching for a better quality one next season.

I am still torn about the boots, whether to keep them and see if they grow on me, or try to sell them and look for something better right away...I really like the pair that betinapple has from MDK (seen in the combinations thread) - does anyone know where I could find something similar?

Aside from this I the pieces I am looking for are:

• Black skinny jeans
• Scarf - I am thinking either a camel one or a plaid in greens/blues
• Cashmere sweater
• Raincoat - maybe

 

[Nymphaea]

After the talk here about a winter coat, I also realised I want a coat that is easy and especially warm, but also elegant/feminine. I've searched the internet and tried some coats on, for example this one, but it is still too sporty. But it felt really warm.

columbia
Most of the time in autumn and spring I wear a basic waterresitant coat with a fleece jacket beneath it. Although it's very comfy and easy I find it rather too casual/sporty and I want to change it a bit in the direction of elegant/feminine, but those coats are often not that easy in the rain and/or on a bicycle.

I'm still looking for a cashmere sweater. I would like one or two black quality trousers. And further black jeans, warm mittens and black ankle boots.

@eizhowa: you could also look at other (famous) people with the same coloring and see what they are wearing and determine what you like/don't like.
@fashionista-ta: would love to see your outfit!
@Caramel: curious how your boots look.