The 4-5 piece French wardrobe #6

[heyitsrachelle]

Hi, long time no see. I've been checking this thread daily, yet haven't said anything in the longest time. Oops. Probably has to do with my strict "don't buy anything" rule right now.

Colors: I swear this has been the hardest part of trying to start planning. But given time (I think it took a few months honestly), finally got it. I'm envious of those of you who had some sort of idea on what colors you like to see in your wardrobe and what works.
As it is the middle of winter and very, very cold (always below freezing), fall and winter color palettes have been on my mind. Enjoying the talk of green a few posts above as that's one color I struggled with. I wasn't sure if green would work, but given I have green eyes and dark brown hair, I think it'll help. Dark green really fits in with the rest of my colors.

Zara: I've only been to Zara twice because the nearest one is a few states away. Can't say I was all that impressed with one of them, but it was during a sale. I just remember a really nice coat that was out of my budget, but I think the quality wasn't all that great on it. Sadly, I can't remember.

Progress: I'm still in the planning stages and working things out. Honestly the part I've enjoyed the most was really going through everything that I own and deciding whether or not it was worth staying. My poor closet looks so empty, but each item is something I enjoy wearing and feel amazing in. The only downside is the lack of color in there though.

Hope you all are well! It is quite the enjoyable time reading about each person's experience. So thank you all for that. : )

 

[Juliette]

Hello Rachelle! I'm an everyday lurker too, I just forget to post sometimes.

I have a question for you lovely ladies - any good fashion/style book recommendations? I know a few have been mentioned in the thread but I seem to have forgotten them all!

 

[Betinapple]

Caramel: Ah I see. I can understand that. On the ones I've got the bottom part of the heel is leather - it stretches if your wear it in rainy wether. I had a plastic pieces put underneath mine instead since I can not be sure that it wont start raining when I am wearing them.

I want to steal my boyfriends sweaters sometimes as well - he has the most lovely one in burgundy - but I have the same problem as you do

Rachelle: nice to hear from you again any particular reason that you are not buying anything ATM? Looking forward to hearing more about your progress. Do you know how many pieces you've got at this point? I am curious.

Juliette: I have heard good things about Nina Garcias "The Style Strategy". Haven't read it myself though.

 

[eizhowa]

Juliette: I have heard good things about Nina Garcias "The Style Strategy". Haven't read it myself though.

I bought that book yesterday We must be hanging out in the same place in the blogosphere

I really liked the chapter on style in "orchids on your budget". It was written during the recession in the 1930s so it has a lot of tips on how to make a unified, small wardrobe.

 

[eizhowa]

Rachelle & Juliette: I would be really interested in hearing about your purchases/wardrobe progress since we last heard from you as well

Trenchcoat: I hope you will be satisfied with your jeans! I know you have wanted a pair for a long time. What kind of black jacket did you get?

 

[Trenchcoat]

Rachelle & Juliette: I would be really interested in hearing about your purchases/wardrobe progress since we last heard from you as well

Trenchcoat: I hope you will be satisfied with your jeans! I know you have wanted a pair for a long time. What kind of black jacket did you get?

The one that I've showed you a while ago (couple of months) on polyvore. But I'm done with buying at zara. I love their trousers (perfect fitting), but their blouses, shirt etcetra are of very minimal quality. I've promised myself to buy more expensive things from better brands. I still want a blazer from Filippa K. And maybe something from COS.

Eizhow what do you think of the quality of COS?

 

[heyitsrachelle]

Betinapple: Easiest way to put my no buying anything rule is I'm unemployed and I don't see a point in buying anything right now when hopefully in a few months it will be too big. Of course, accessories would be excluded, but they're covered under being unemployed for the time being.

eizhowa: Wardrobe has been cleaned out except for the basic pieces I wear everyday. Most are terrible quality if I'm honest, but they're holding up surprisingly well. The only real additions have been a couple sweaters from H&M from Christmas that are way too big, but unfortunately I don't have the receipts, and a pair of leather boots from ASOS that I'm hesitant to wear because of the weather conditions. Snow and road salt don't sound like a good combination.

 

[eizhowa]

Trenchcoat: I hope the quality of COS is decent... Only time will tell, really. However, I did like the cut and materialof most of their sweaters. I haven't worn any of it enough to know if they are of good quality or not. I'll give you an update when I know more

Rachelle:Given your situation, I think waiting to get anything new seems like a good plan. I have outgrown items that were supposed to be investment pieces and I know how much it sucks Especially when on a tight budget...

 

[Juliette]

Betinapple Thank you! I do love Nina Garcia (I'm partial to a season or 12 of Project Runway, haha).

eizhowa Well, I honestly have not been spending that much (though my money seems to have vanished anyway, sigh). I have noticed that I buy the same type of things, over and over again. I have possibly around 15 scarves and jackets. Really unnecessary, but I think I'm trying to compensate because I've gained so much weight and nothing besides those things looks good on me. Having a bit of a pity party, sorry about that. Also my budget was incredibly low since I was unemployed. Now I have a job, but it isn't full time (yet). So come March I'll be able to spend a bit more - I work for a magazine and started working on the March issue, so I only get paid then. I have started wearing trousers more, though! So proud of myself, if you remember, I only used to wear skirts and dresses. Unfortunately I'm still terrible at managing money. If I don't spend it on myself, I buy gifts for the whole family (and the in-laws). I really want to save up for some nice pieces. Also why I came back into this thread, it's been so helpful in the past!

 

[Fewormany]

what do you think of the quality of COS?

I think they have a great price/quality ratio, at least their mens wear. The items I bought at COS are lasting multiple years so far.

Regarding the color for menswear, I must say I agree with all of you. Often when I walk through the womens department (a necessary in most stores unfortunatly ) I see a lot of really loud or cheap looking colors. The mens department has very nice deep colors, and even pastels for men look better somehow. The colors are much more 'grown-up', I always feel like lots of womenswear (especially highstreet) is more juvinile in it's style, cut and color.

And about the trenchcoat (the item, not the person posting here ), I really like them as a classic item for both women and men. But not for me, I've tried one and it doesn't look right. It looks like I'm playing dress up, not really the look I'm going for.

 

[eizhowa]

I think they have a great price/quality ratio, at least their mens wear. The items I bought at COS are lasting multiple years so far.

Regarding the color for menswear, I must say I agree with all of you. Often when I walk through the womens department (a necessary in most stores unfortunatly ) I see a lot of really loud or cheap looking colors. The mens department has very nice deep colors, and even pastels for men look better somehow. The colors are much more 'grown-up', I always feel like lots of womenswear (especially highstreet) is more juvinile in it's style, cut and color.

And about the trenchcoat (the item, not the person posting here ), I really like them as a classic item for both women and men. But not for me, I've tried one and it doesn't look right. It looks like I'm playing dress up, not really the look I'm going for.

When visiting London I was actually surprised to see how many of the stores have mainly mens clothing on the entrance level. I never noticed this before. I think they do so that you won't be scared away by all the juvenile colors My father only shops every 5-year, and he would never go through the womens section to get to the men's... I think it sounds like a good salestactic, and I predict that we will see more of this development. All of the new designer shops in my town have the men's department by the entrance as well, come to think of it.

I hope what you are saying about COS is true for womenswear as well, especially considering how many sweaters I bought there

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ It's very common in the US ... but I guess a few stores like Gap have the menswear in the back?

 

[Fewormany]

I have COS cardigan that I've been wearing for the 4th winter now, the colour faded a bit but otherwise it's still great. I hope you'll have the same luck/experience eizhowa.

On the last few days of the sale I spotted a shirt and sweater I've been eyeing for a while. I ordered both. The sweater is quite basic (grey, with black stripes on the sleeves), the shirt not so much (white with black botanical print). Pinned both of them.

 

[Caramel]

Regarding the color for menswear, I must say I agree with all of you. Often when I walk through the womens department (a necessary in most stores unfortunatly ) I see a lot of really loud or cheap looking colors. The mens department has very nice deep colors, and even pastels for men look better somehow. The colors are much more 'grown-up', I always feel like lots of womenswear (especially highstreet) is more juvinile in it's style, cut and color.

I think you're right about this. Maybe this is why I have always had such a hard time with colour...

And regarding trench coats, I feel like they are very either/or. Some people just look/feel at home in them, while on other's it feels like they are trying to dress up as a spy. Not necessarily a staple for everyone.

I have put together some pintrest boards for my SS14 and AW14 wishlists. Having it laid out visually does really help to create a focus.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ I think trenches should be treated casually. I often leave mine open, and you definitely want to knot the belt if you close it. Using the buckle is very Niles Crane ...

 

[Jinadaze]

^
I am always using the buckle, because I couldn't be bothered with unknotting it (I already have enough problems - first word problems indeed - with earphones cable). It is so unordinary buckle that I didn't how to use it at first though.

 

[eizhowa]

^You know you can knot it so that you just pull one of the ends and the knot undoes itself, right? It is the same safety-knot we use with horses so it comes natually to me Does not work on earphone cables though...

Although I quite liked Niles Crane...

 

[barbaraaa]

I am very bored with my wardrobe.

Since I got a job I have had to go out every day, which means wearing something other than my PJs every day - which meant I needed more clothes. This had me buy more shirts/blouses now during the sale, out of necessity and I tried to buy some "fun" shirts, things in nice colours and prints, but I'm still bored. I'm not sure if it is because it's winter, which means I can't wear anything lighter, or I just feel like I'm in a suit every day and that is, let's be real - boring.

I'm not sure whether this happened because it is winter, or because I am indeed in a suit every day. To be fair, I have the option to wear whatever I want to - even jeans if I feel so. Should I try maybe dressing down a little (and, even though it is allowed, risk looking not so good to my superiors)?

I was also thinking that maybe I could add a printed or bright blazer/jacket, or some shoes... outerwear and shoes seem to me to be some nice pieces where you can be "different" and make a statement.

 

[Juliette]

barbaraaa I totally feel you - I'm at home most days and when I do go out I'm completely at a loss with my outfits. How would you feel about browsing some blogs and maybe getting some ideas? I'm just writing a post for my blog and linked some of my favourite reads. I can send it to you - the outfit posts might prove to be inspirational. You don't have to dress down if you don't want to, by the way!

 

[eizhowa]

Barbaraa: Since it is winter, I understand that removing layers is not really an option, but how about adding a pullover in a beautiful color? What color is your suit? I quite like the idea of a navy suit with a light blue shirt and a deep burgundy pullover, and maybe some accesories to emphasize the burgundy. That way you will still be in a suit and shirt... When I was in London I saw a lot of well dressed men who wore burgundy pullovers, and it looked very stylish and it really brightened up a dull outfit. Just an idea. I am really into layering at the moment I am trying to perfect the two wool sweaters on top of each other look right now