The 4-5 piece French wardrobe #5

[Jinadaze]

@Jina:
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.

The delivery will be on Monday, can't wait! I don't have any pictures since they are sold out and removed from the website (which rarely happens) but they really looked and sound promising.
Yes, I am very excited about this, today I was invited for a job interview next week! It was my first apply for a permanent employment and I did a student internship two years ago at this firm so I really hope to get in.
So my next purchase will have to be a shirt, maybe as soon as in a week or so. I checked my selection of formal shirts with long sleeves and I have just three of them, from which two are white. I will most definitely need a black or navy one, I already have some in mind.

What a gorgeous scarf! Where did you get it? I've been wanting something similar (or in a different b/w pattern) but everything I've came across was acrylic which I cannot stand.

barbaraaa, I hate when this happens, most tailored shirts tend to look weird on me anyway, which is frustrating. Even though I have a narrow hourglass figure they are too wide at the waist and hips and too tight around the chest. And it's not like my proportions are off, the cuts are. ink:

 

[fashionista-ta]

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?

Maybe you can do what barbara did on Pinterest ... post things & ask for input

 

[Miwi]

I've been needing a pair of biker boots for a long while now. So, here they are, my new favourites.

 

[twistelette]

Maybe you can do what barbara did on Pinterest ... post things & ask for input

that's a good idea, thanks!

betina: lovely scarf! and thanks for the compliments about my new boots. they are fab. I got a pair of sandals by Koos this spring, and that was just about the best purchase of the year. these boots do not disappoint either. also, and I said this in another thread already, but great job on dying your jacket. it really looks fantastic, creative or no
barbaraas: too bad about the shirt...
jina: good luck with your job interview, so exciting!

 

[twistelette]

EvaH: very good to hear you're feeling better. are you out of the hospital?
Ta-Ta: how is everything going with your thumb/hand? did it heal alright?

 

[barbaraaa]

barbaraaa, I hate when this happens, most tailored shirts tend to look weird on me anyway, which is frustrating. Even though I have a narrow hourglass figure they are too wide at the waist and hips and too tight around the chest. And it's not like my proportions are off, the cuts are. ink:

I'm also a hourglass (albeit hardly narrow ) and that happens to me too... so I usually try to get a number above the one I usually wear (for shoulders and chest to fit) and hope it won't be too bad at the waist/get it taken in. This one was very stiff, however, and it looked all wrong!

Good luck with the job interview, also

 

[Jinadaze]

(albeit hardly narrow )

I meant to say narrow as describing my figure as thin, but still, the smallest size in tailored shirts should fit, right? I am not too fond of oversized shirts (or tops of any kind) in particular.

Thank you!

 

[barbaraaa]

I got what you meant! I used to be a swimmer and thus have broad shoulders, which makes it harder for shirts to fit, I think... a lot of things look off. I've learned to like looser shirts (button ups) for this reason, but for that I prefer them to be thinner/lighter.

I finally managed to get a job! I will be working at a conservative environment (I'll be managing a special social security system that is part of a state-owned bank). I will spend the next few weeks trying to see if the wardrobe I've been building is up to that challenge!

 

[Jinadaze]

OMG, that's amazing news, congrats!!

 

[twistelette]

congratulations on your new job, barbaraaa!

 

[fashionista-ta]

I got what you meant! I used to be a swimmer and thus have broad shoulders, which makes it harder for shirts to fit, I think... a lot of things look off. I've learned to like looser shirts (button ups) for this reason, but for that I prefer them to be thinner/lighter.

I finally managed to get a job! I will be working at a conservative environment (I'll be managing a special social security system that is part of a state-owned bank). I will spend the next few weeks trying to see if the wardrobe I've been building is up to that challenge!

Yay, good for you!!!

Don't know if it's the same there ... here banking is pretty conservative. I guess you have a feel from interviewing what people are wearing?

 

[eizhowa]

I've been needing a pair of biker boots for a long while now. So, here they are, my new favourites.

Those are great! I like the chain detail very much. I also like the color of the buckles - much easier to wear when they are so neutral.

--

I receieved my coat from J.crew (and Norway forgot to charge me Duty fees). It is described as mid-thigh, and I choose the petite size, but it is still almost to my knees It doesn't look bad, but I have given up trying to understand why everything looks so long on me, when I don't look short

I took your advice (which I really appreciated) and decided on the block-heeled ones. However, I have a cut on my ankle that is healing, so I can't wear boots for a while. I'll probably order the boots a size up to see which one is better. I have time, seeing as I can't wear my new boots anyway.

Very off-topic, but I have to give my kitten it away, and I really don't want to. I start crying when I think about it So I just keep putting it off, which isn't good either I feel so bummed out these days because of it:/

Tata: The dress code for bankers where I live seens to be smart-casual. I am quite certain they wear jeans and a nice top. Maybe a blazer if they are very ambitious Of course, I have only meet the bankers who deal with regular customers. Sounds like it is very different where you live!

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ In branches, I see 'business casual' on some employees (which doesn't really inspire confidence in me when it's sloppy ... the investment people dress up, like expensive shirt/tie/jacket off) ... but in bank HQ, I know places where people still wear suits. Or at least did a few years ago ...

 

[EvaH]

In large cap/corporate/investment banking and private banking (goldman, jp morgan, morgan stanley and dutsche bank, credit suisse etc) they always always wear suits and there is no such thing as casual Friday. I never saw my bankers in anything else than a suit.

This is very different from retail banking where the dress code is smart casual. And I think that's what you are talking about.
BNP for example has a investment bank component but the dress code there is really different from the retail component (that have those local branches that most visit)

Anyway, IB is probably the least fun place to work if you want to spice up your wardrobe (you can't before you are at least a VP/executive director) so everyone looks the same.. From the louboutin to the Prada tote and always in black.. My friends always complain about that..

Congrats to you Barbara !!!

 

[eizhowa]

^Makes sense. I don't think we have many investment bankers in my town. Thats probably why I've never seen any in my banks. I guess they are all in the capitol or something.

Hope you'll enjoy your new job, Barbaraa!

 

[barbaraaa]

Thank you, everyone I had the interview in the headquarters, and the HR lady was very informally dressed... I saw a bit of everything while I waited. I will be working at the administration rather than the actual bank with customers and all, starting tomorrow!

 

[adorefaith]

congrats on the job barbara. i hope you enjoy it!

eizhowa i'm so sorry to hear about your kitty. sending you lots of love.

 

[Betinapple]

@Barbaraa: thank you Me too! I am considering finding my houndstooth shirt at my attic and finally get the sleeves shortened.

Congratulations on your new job - I hope you are going to be really happy about it.

What coat are you looking at?

@Miwi: lovely boots!

@Twistelette: thank you for your nice words on my coat and my scarf. They are both favourites currently. It is so nice when you finally find a shoe brand that really suits you needs. Sounds like that is what you did with Koos.

@Eizhowa: so sorry to hear about you giving up your kitten. I can understand how hard it must be, but you should be proud that you took the wellbeing of your pet into consideration instead of just doing the easy thing and keeping it.

_________________________

Since I bought the scarf and somewhat considered it my November piece I contemplated not going thrifting with my mom as we usually do when I visit her, but I really enjoy spending that kind of time with her, so we went anyway. I did not find anything though - except a dress for her.

Then I sort of settled on making November shopping free, but I think I've found the perfect black full-skirt which is my top priority (or nearly my only priority) left on my AW list, and since I sold some of my old stuff the other day for the excact amount of what it costs, I might buy it tomorrow, if it is good IRL.

My only concern is that is is made from wool and has an acetate lining. Wool is perfect for most of the year due to the cold danish weather, but I am not sure how good it will be for summer. I know that wool is warm during winter but can also work for summer since it temper according to the temperature. I only own wool cardigans, and my thin cashmere ones, I also wear during the spring and summer, but I am not sure how it would work for a skirt. I only use my current wool skirts for winter, but they look very winter-y (they are in thick wool qualities) so I guess I would be able to wear this for spring and early summer? And I am not even sure that it would be a problem since I mainly wear dresses during the summer, and rarely ever skirts.

What do you think?

 

[RedandNavy]

Barbara: Congratulations on your job, that's awesome!! I hope you're wardrobe is going to work out well. I'm curious about how you'll feel!

November item: It may sound crazy but I bought a down coat. I'm totally happy with my APC Parka from last month and I've been wearing it nearly everyday to all kind of situations - from work to walks in the woods. It works perfectly fine, but I do think it simply won't be warm enough for the very cold days. Since I don't need anything else really urgently, I decided to buy an additional coat for the minus temperatures. It gives me flexibility and the posibility to adapt my outerwear. Fact is, weather is ugly and cold for half of the year here. I own four different spring / summer jackets, why should I only own one winter option? So now I have the Carven wool coat I bought last year, which is reserved for work and nights out/chic dates. Then I have the parka, which can be worn for anything as long as the temperature doesn't get much colder than 0 degrees Celsius. Plus the down coat, which is for the snow and the real cold. I feel very happy with that selection.

The coat is Duvetica and the color is a darker grey which for me seems to be very versatile.

I also bought another swimsuit which I won't count as an item on my list I still go swimming quite a lot and I need some options there as well. It's from Melisha Odabash and in my eyes it's practical and nice at the same time.

Pictures: stylebop.com, net-a-porter.com

 

[Trenchcoat]

ZARA

I think that I made my final decision. I'm going to buy this coat. It's from ZARA. It's 75% WOL, 25% POLYAMIDE. I saw the Massimo coat in real and didn't like the fitting. What do you think of this one.