The 4-5 piece French wardrobe #5

[Nymphaea]

How horrible!

 

[eizhowa]

Join me in my happy-dance! I emailed and complained about the quality of the garment.

From the outnet:

"We are sorry that the Iris & Ink cashmere sweater has not met
your expectations.

We have created a return for you for a full refund and as soon as
we receive and process your return, we will credit 169.13 EUR to
your card."

I love these people I actually had to leave my work place and go do a happy dance in a secluded area I am smiling like a crazy person right now.

I really hope the receipt is still in the paper trash-bin, and that no one has come to collect it. I have some dumpster-diving to look forward to tonight. Thank God I recycle, I would hate to dig through proper trash

I still want that sweater though. I fell in love with the cut and the color.

 

[Trenchcoat]

Eizhowa

Im happy for you. At least they have good service!

 

[barbaraaa]

Whoa, at least there's a happy ending! I hope the trash digging won't be too troublesome.

 

[eizhowa]

^Nono, I found the papers at the top of the pile. Phew!

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ Maybe now would be a good time to adopt my receipt filing system ... see how it's better than Excel?

 

[Betinapple]

It have really been missing out on this thread, but I simply have not had the time.

@Twistelette: Thank you for the kind words about my parka. What excactly is a dress coat? Unfortunately my trenchcoat will need replacing as well due to the fact that it has gotten a very nasty stain that apperently cannot be removed. I loved that thing and would never have gotten another one if I did not have to, but now that I do I find it to be a nice opportunity to get something a bit more classic and "grown up". I wont do anything about this until fall though, I think, since it is too cold to wear a trenchcoat now anyway. Also I think I would like to add a classic (black) wool coat to my outerwear selection, since I would like a bit more versatility. Wearing the same jacket for months is not that exciting, but with my new parka, my wool cape, a new trenchcoat, a wool coat and two leather jackets, I should be covered.

@Eva: so glad to hear that you are feeling better. Love your coat. How did the blazers, the bag and the boots work out for you?

LBDs: I would like to find one that is simply perfect and that I would like to wear any day and for any occasion, but I have not been able to do so yet, so I have a wide selection instead. Most of them only appropriate for more dressy occasions though. I really like the one from FCUK that Eizhowa is showing, but I am not that crazy about the synthetic contents neither.

Trenchcoat: Nice coat - very good composition too, I think!

Eizhowa: have you reached a decission regarding the coat? Which looks lovely, by the way.

Not sure if they will be able to help you, but perhaps you could write the Outnet regarding the disappointing quality of the sweater. I think it sounds rather ridicoulous. My boyfriend has a sweater in a similar colour that have been lying in my sewing pile for ages since it has a tiny hole, maybe I should finally get to repairing it, since the colour is so lovely and I tend to borrow it sometimes :whistle:

EDIT: just saw that you will get your money back - so happy for you. Now you "just" need to find another perfect burgundy sweater.
Caramel: having shoes custommade sounds like both a dream and a nightmare. Cant wait to see what you end up with. I bought a pair of dressy shoes back in may, and although I am not wearing them a lot for quite obvious reasons (not that many fancy parties to go to on my part), it was a really good investment since I now never end up in a shoe crisis when attending an event.

Nymphaea: I would also go for a longer jacket. Doesnt Moncler make something similar but longer? A jacket that is too short would bother me a lot personally, so I do not think you should compromise.

Barbaraa: I aggree with the others. A pleather skirt can not be compared with a leather skirt. Both of mine are 2nd hand and cost me next to nothing, so I would search for a vintage version, like Eizhowa suggests, although it might take a while. If you really want one, I think it will be worth it.

Red: have you decided on what to do for your November item?

Ta-ta: In what manner is that skirt you want, not practical?

Adorefaith: great dress! Would be perfect with a leather jacket as well.

____________

I am still very happy with my parkacoat although I havent really started wearing it yet since it has been far too warm. I take that as a good sign since I started wearing my wintercoat in the beginning of October last year.

Also I dyed my pink leather jacket black. I am really happy with the result since it was staring to look very worn, and I wanted the black version right from the beginning.

 

[fashionista-ta]

betina, can you dye your trench, or take it to the cleaners? Usually there is no such thing as a stain that cannot be removed ...

The skirt is a pencil skirt with a zip all the way down the back and narrow (pinned to my wishlist). So it's a bit sexy for work, plus I prefer trousers in general for work these days. The fit doesn't seem to be quite perfect on the model, not sure what difference some additional curves might make. I have many other uses for my $$$ at the moment, so ... I am reminding myself that there will be other beautiful things ...

 

[eizhowa]

Betina: I had a lovely trench that was ruined by oil stains... I tried to fix my bike myselg on my way to school I am soooo handy.

A dress coat is basically just a pretty coat you wear over your dresses. If you wear full-lenght ones, you might have a full-length one, if you wear dresses to the knee, it should be a knee length one etc. It is basically a coat that will cover the hem of your favorite dresses, so that you don't feel awkvard about weird proportions. Also, it is a bit depressing to put on a sturdy, casual coat over a glamorous little number. I know A guide to elegance Elegance by Genevieve Antoine Dariaux has been discussed before, and slaughtered by some of your, but she has devoted a whole chapter to overcoats. They are a thing of the past, but they add elegance imo. I wouldn't recomend getting one that matched your dress, like they often did before If you are going to a wedding, it is nice to have a coat that doesn't detract from your outfit.

If you've seen My Fair Lady with Hepburn (Can't find a pic of the coat, sorry), she wore a red velvet cloak/overcoat to the Embassy ball. Very ostentatious to fit the occation, but you get the point. My overcoat is a simple knee.length, off-white one from Noa Noa. It is pinned on wardrobe-board.

Sweater: DHL should pick up the sweater tomorrow

I have already found some second-hand/vintage cashmeres I think I'll get. At least I know they are of quality that lasts (you know, seeing as they made it into adulthood)

Coat: I should recieve my J crew coat any day now

--

Boots:

I have a bit of a dilemma about my shoe situation. I ordered two pairs, with the intent of returning whichever I didn't like. However, I find that both boots have cons and pros. I can't decide

1. L'Autre Chose boots
+ More stylish
+ More stable
+ Better leather
+ Can tuck in jeans
- more expensive
- Zipper (what if it bursts?! It is very narrow cut)
- Chunky heel - not as flattering from behind?

Link: http://www.lautrechose.com/gb_en/shoes/boots-and-low-boots/black-nappa-leather-low-boot.html

Lautrchose

Crappy picture, sorry Pardon the mess. I had boxes scattered everywhere and I had to stand on blanket so that I could return the shoes after trying them on. Oh, and my kitten wouldn't go away.

My picture

2. Homer boots

+ Pulls on
+ More flattering heel
+ Cheaper (barely)
- More wobbely
- Need to fold jeans to fit above boots (or the boots look bad)
- not as cool

Link: http://www.zalando.no/homers-stovletter-sort-ho311c01x-802.html

Zalando

My pic (jeans folded up, with cat

I would really appreciate some input!

 

[barbaraaa]

About the zip - I've gotten zips replaced on leather boots before. Any cobbler could do that, if that worries you

 

[Jinadaze]

I much much prefer the first pair, it's gorgeous! I never found block heels unflattering, quite the opposite actually. They look very classic and chic imo.
The fact they are made of a better leather is a huge plus too.

About a burgundy sweater - if I recall correctly you are going abroad soon, is that right? I would recommend you checking the COS knitwear range, they really have a quality one. I own a burgundy sweater from couple of years ago and it's still like new. I should mention that I wash my wool sweaters in the washing mashine, because I never had any problems with it and I believe that knits should remain the same after washing in sensitive program.

Betina, respect for all your DIY projects, they all turned out so great. I am a little envious regarding your ability to do such things, even though I am creative I never did anything like it in the last few years. Except painting the heels black.

Regarding my shopping I received Mango wool trousers and they are just wonderful. The fit is great, they should be warm enough for winter (we have extremely high temperatures for late fall) and the material si great, as is the quality.
I have been quite satisfied with Mango quality in general, I am wearing their leather trousers for more than a year now and without any maintenance they are still without any visible signs of wear.
Not so sure about their jewelry line though, the magnets from the new bracelet fell off after just few days of wearing. But as I see there was not enough glue to resist the magnetic force. I won't bother returning it, but just glued it myself, it will not be seen.
After that I ordered black trousers in wool mix from some local outlet (they are from Zara) for a ridiculously low price. They had just one pair and it was in my size, and since I have just one formal black pair and I will hopefully participate in some inteview for a job they will come in handy. And if that happens I will need a new shirt in Nov., I lack of those.

 

[adorefaith]

eizhowa i agree that the first pair are (in my opinion) far better!

congrats on dying the jacket, Betinapple! it's really gorgeous… i have to say i much prefer it in black. i don't know if it's just the light but it looks almost like a really really deep navy almost black. anyway, it's badass! well done, that was brave of you.

 

[EvaH]

I vote for the first pair as well !

 

[Nymphaea]

Count me in for the first pair of shoes!
And wow, that leather jacket you've dyed Betinapple is awesome!

 

[fashionista-ta]

eizhowa, you had me at more stylish and more stable ... and I just prefer the look of the first pair on my own without the comparison. I really like a block heel for walking.

PS Hello, kitty!

 

[twistelette]

I agree with the others, Eizhowa. a shoe that's wobbly is not your friend

as for me, I just received some ankle boots that I ordered, these ones by Koos (in the colour 'umber'). I love how simple they are, and the leather is so nice it will only become more beautiful with age.
I did some wardrobe cleaning, and got rid of a few items. I'm beginning to love what's in my wardrobe more and more, and it seems like taking out a few items that are not working well makes everything else somehow work better. I can see more possible combinations without those distractions.
what I want to focus on: I have a number of skirts that I have just no idea what to wear with. I've even begun to think that I am just not that much of a skirt person anymore, and have started to prefer dresses. hmmn. perhaps. but perhaps I just need to find some good tops/sweaters/cardigans to go with the skirts I have. perhaps I even have the right tops in my wardrobe already, and I am just not seeing the possibilities?

 

[Trenchcoat]

I really want to do some shopping. But Im still waiting for the december month. I don't want to pay full price for good things. And I still want to lose three more kilos and then buy clothes haha. I already lost three kilos.

 

[Betinapple]

Ta-ta: I tried washing it (it should be machinewashable according to the label, which did not work although I used my best and otherwise always bulletproof stain-removing tricks. I will try taking it to the cleaners, but I am not sure there is much they can do. I am not taking it now though, since I can not wear it until the spring anyway.

I have considered dyeing it and I will probably do so if the stain can not be removed, but I will probably still want a new trenchcoat since I prefer my trenchcoats beige.

@Eizhowa: Thank you for your reply regarding dress coats. I think the combination of a nice trenchcoat and a dressy wool coat will do the trick for me. I used to wear my trenchcoat for that sort of occasions and I would like to be able to do so with a new one as well, but I will need something for winter too, hence the wool coat.

Glad to hear, that you are well on your way to finding a replacement sweater.

I really like the first pair of boots. A lot. Mainly because of the look but I also prefer zipped boots and I think the quality of the leather is very important. Also I would go for a sturdy heel for every day wear.

@Jina: Thanks a lot! I really do not consider myself creative.. And even when I have the idea for a project it will take me ages to actually do it.

I am glad that you are liking your pants! How did the Zara pants turn out, if you've recieved them? And exciting with a job opportunity.

@Adorefaith: Thank you so much. I think it is the lighting. It looks more black IRL - but still with some kind of "depth" that normal black does not have. I am really happy about it as well. Not sure how brave it was, since the jacket was not wearable anymore in the state is was in before I dyed it

@Nymphaea: thx!

@Twistelette: lovely boots! They look so comfortable and warm.

___________________________

I bought a scarf! Which is a bit funny, since that until within the past couple of months, I really haven't been wearing scarves for anything than outerwear. At the moment I wear a scarf every day. That is not why I purchased one though, since I have plenty of scarves, but a friend of my purchased the most gorgeous scarf and I instantly fall in love, in a manner that I rarely ever do. After dreaming and contemplating for a week I decided to get it, since it is not only beautiful but also would be perfect for most of my wardrobe and especially all of my black dresses. I simply love it!

I would have waited for November to get it since I am trying to limit my purchases to only one piece a month and I had already bought the wintercoat, but I simply couldn't.

BOSS "new wool scarf"

 

[barbaraaa]

^ Lovely! I definitely want something like that. I love houndstooth.

 

[barbaraaa]

I just got a white shirt I had ordered, after some issues with the courier. It's going back. It is very boxy looking (it was described as having a tailored cut), stiff and somewhat waitressy.

I suddenly have a winter coat in mind...