The 4-5 piece French wardrobe #6

[heyitsrachelle]

See, I did the pinning of outfits I like and realized that street style doesn't work in a foot of snow and -20 F/-30 C weather.

Speaking of sweaters and layering, how does everyone go about layering with sweaters? I love the look of them, but I can not seem to make them work with keeping me warm. The warmest combination I can come up with is a cami, my burgundy sweater that's kind of thin, and a thin black cardigan over it.

 

[eizhowa]

^I'll tell you;
First layer: underwear (Can't go braless in this weather. You just can't!)
Second layer: Camisole
Third layer: Wool sweater
Fourth layer: Wool turtleneck
Fifth layer (optional, helps keep the wind out Wool blazer
Sixth layer: Wool coat/puffa coat

And then you wrap a smaller wool scarf tight around your turtle-neck and wear an even bigger scarf on top

Last winter I wore a black cashmere turtleneck under my grey turtleneck. I stayed very warm, but my cat chewed a hole in the black sweater so it had to go

I don't own any wind-proof pieces and right now the wind speed is 16-18 m/s and it is a real pain... I really just depend on layers...

 

[barbaraaa]

I don't know, to be honest. I just like items and wear them together

I don't live in cold weather, but about layering, I usually do the following combinations

1)
Jersey, thin knit or button up
Thick knit
Winter coat

2)
Button up or thin knit
Thin cardigan/knit
Blazer
Winter coat

When there were cold waves, I sometimes would wear a thin knit with a cardigan on top and a thick knit on top of that.

 

[Fewormany]

The problem with that is that I rarely ever see outfits I like or that inspire me or that would work on me... Not trying to say I'm a special snowflake, but it just seems to happen that way

You're not the only one .
I sometimes see parts of an outfit I like, usually color combinations or a silhouette. But I rarely like everything I see.

Winter just seems to pass us by at the moment, so no need for lots of layers. But last two years I didn't leave the door without a tank, thermal long sleeve, thick sweater, coat + big wool scarf.
I don't like wearing too much layers, because it may keep you warm outside but inside you'll have to take of at least half of what you're wearing. I'm quite warmblooded so I don't get cold that easily.

 

[Betinapple]

@Eizhowa: we sure must Please let me know how you like the book. I am considering putting it on my wishlist for my birthday.

@Trenchcoat: I have a basic l/s jersey top from COS. It has hold up very well. Looks very good still, even though I have worn it a lot.

I have a few different designer bags. A Marc Jacobs Stam, a Mulberry Bayswater and a YSL mail clutch. Let me know if I can help you in any way I am in no way an expert but I did write a post on picking the right bag last year, I can find that and translate the main points, if you want to read it.

Have you considered buying a back 2nd hand? That way you will get a better bag for the same amount of money. I bought both my Stam and my Bays 2nd hand. If you want a new bag I would recommend you looking at Milli Millu bags. I have one of their bags and the quality is great. I haven't had the bag for as long as my Mulberry or worn it as much, but I do think that the quality is almost just as good and they should be within your pricerange.

@Rachelle: ah I see. Very good points. I actually find it pretty easy not to shop, when I really do not have the money. Not much to argue about.

@Juliette:: project runway is one of my guilty pleasures as well

@Fewormany: I do not think it is just you, regarding the trenchcoat-thing. I can not imagine any man that would look good in a trenchcoat, really. What is your pinterest name? Would love to see that shirt

Trenchcoats:I have always used the buckle on my trenchcoat as well. The belt on my trench is not long enough to be knotted, also I have the Viktor & Rolf for H&M trench, and the buckle is heart shaped, and I have no clue how I would be able to make a knot to close the coat, even if the belt was long enough.

@Barbaraa: I do not think you should dress down if you do not feel like it. I like Eizhowas idea about adding a sweater. Other than that your own suggestions - getting some fun shoes or a different jakket (maybe a pretty bouclé jacket or a tartan blazer?) is a good idea. You could also add a printed shirt or something with an interesting collar?

I would wear black with navy with no worries - I find it very classy. Especially paired with a white shirt.

Really like the blazer you bought. If you do not feel comfortable about wearing jeans, I think the idea of wearing sweaters (perhaps with a shirt underneath) is a good solution.

Layering: how cold is it where you guys live? It is pretty cold here in Denmark these days, but I am getting through it just fine by just wearing a thick sweater (merino/alpaca blend), with a regular cotton tanktop underneath and my Peak Performance down jacket on top. I have hardly had any use of my Fjällräven coat yet.

I generally do not layer anything over my sweaters. The only exception is my leather jacket.

__________________________

I have been shopping. Again. I think I am declaring February a shopping free month. I have been a bit too lucky with the sales and in general, this month.

My boyfriends cousin and some of her friends had a private second hand event today and I actually just stopped buy to show my support and speak to my mother in law, but ended up with a few things.

The jacket I have been eyeing before and actually I went home a tried to find it on Trendsales (danish equivalent to Ebay), once I saw the previous owner wearing it. We are the same size and it fit me perfectly.

The scarf I saw in this thread during fall but I had just bought my BOSS scarf and thought it would be too much buying two scarcf fitting the same purpose at once. I have worn the BOSS scarf so much that I decided it would be good to have one more to alternate with.

For fall I think I want an ACNE Canada scarf, since I wear a big, warm scarf every day and I would like to have one in a solid colour as well. Does anyone in this thread have any experience with that excact scarf?

 

[Fewormany]

@Fewormany: I do not think it is just you, regarding the trenchcoat-thing. I can not imagine any man that would look good in a trenchcoat, really. What is your pinterest name? Would love to see that shirt

I'll PM my Pinterest.

The shirt turned out to be (way too) loud in real life, so I tried to return it. But when I tried to return it there was a stain on it. No idea where the stain came from, but they didn't want to return the shirt. I'm gonna try to clean it and return it again.
And if that doesn't work I'll have to think how I'm gonna wear that shirt..

I really like your 'double plaid' scarf btw!

 

[eizhowa]

You're not the only one .
I sometimes see parts of an outfit I like, usually color combinations or a silhouette. But I rarely like everything I see.

Winter just seems to pass us by at the moment, so no need for lots of layers. But last two years I didn't leave the door without a tank, thermal long sleeve, thick sweater, coat + big wool scarf.
I don't like wearing too much layers, because it may keep you warm outside but inside you'll have to take of at least half of what you're wearing. I'm quite warmblooded so I don't get cold that easily.

You are lucky. I haven't been truly warm for months...

I did consider getting thermal underwear, but they always show underneath my clothes. They only work with my turtleneck sweater, which means all my V-necks and most of my crew necks are off limit...

Betina: I found the book a bit blah to be honest. I only have the kindle version though, so the layout is really weird, but it didn't really teach me anything I didn't already know... Maybe the book version is more inspiring...

And it is the wind that is killing me these days. I am half-sobbing when I need to go somewhere these days...

Acne scarf: I have one and my sister has one. I think they hold up well, although I think my other large scarf (the brand does not give you any hits on Google for some reason) has held up better. My Acne scarf pills a little. They are warm though...

--

I think I'll make February a non-shopping month as well... I just bough some rings on sale to add insult to injury. Once I start spending, the money start to just fall out of my wallet... I really did want the rings though. My scratched up hands (thank you, cat) really need something to pretty them up. I have no idea if the rings will fit though. I tried on a ring in the size 48, and it fit great, but when I measure my fingers, that's not even close to the measurement I get I ordered a US 6 and I figure I'll just wear them on whichever finger(s) that fits I also hope the colors will go with my navy/burgundy pieces.

delezen@etsy

 

[eizhowa]

I'll PM my Pinterest.

The shirt turned out to be (way too) loud in real life, so I tried to return it. But when I tried to return it there was a stain on it. No idea where the stain came from, but they didn't want to return the shirt. I'm gonna try to clean it and return it again.
And if that doesn't work I'll have to think how I'm gonna wear that shirt..

I really like your 'double plaid' scarf btw!

Are you sure the stain wasn't there when you received it? Did you inspect it?

My unworn Porsellis were scratched along the sole when I collected them from the cobbler after he had added a thicker sole. I didn't complain to the cobbler, because I wasn't sure if the scratches were there when I first got them or if they were added by the cobbler... I never checked before handing them off to him. And Nymphaeas jeans were already damaged when she received them...

 

[Fewormany]

Are you sure the stain wasn't there when you received it? Did you inspect it?

I didn't see it when I opened the package. And knowing myself it's not unlikely I accidentally stained it myself..

 

[Betinapple]

@Fewormany: thank you

Thank you for the nice words about my scarf. I think I'll wear it to work tomorrow.

Shame about the skirt. I would try to write an email to COS. I can't see how you could have stained the shirt by just trying it on.

@Eizhowa: Hm. Perhaps the book is not worth investing in then.

It IS cold here as well but I can manage. It is worse at work than outside, since I think I would look ridicoulous standing in a store wearing my jacket..

Thank you for the advice regarding the ACNE scarf. I will try to look into what else is on the market. It is a very basic thing, so I could easily get it from another brand. The ACNE scarf is made in Italy though, and that is a huge plus for me.

I feel your pain in regards of spendings this month. I partly blame the great sales that has been going on and me just being plain lucky finding what I wanted/needed, but also that I might subconciously has been trying to cure my blues.

I really like the rings - I think they will work great with your colour scheme.

 

[eizhowa]

Ferwomany: Betina means "shirt" hihi...

Betina: Thank you! I also think part of the reason I went so overboard in London is the fact that I can never find sweaters made from natural fibres where I live, so I really tried to stock up... It was such a luxury to be able to try things on for a change...

 

[Betinapple]

Ferwomany: Betina means "shirt" hihi...

Betina: Thank you! I also think part of the reason I went so overboard in London is the fact that I can never find sweaters made from natural fibres where I live, so I really tried to stock up... It was such a luxury to be able to try things on for a change...

Did I mentions that this is NOT my week? So sorry, Fewormany. If you check my pinterest account, you can see that I have skirts in my mind.

I can see why you wanted to splurge, and really it is fine. I have accepted that my shopping tends to clutter up. In comparism I bought nothing during December and August.

.. And to add insult to injury I just found a dress that I am not sure I can live without.

 

[Betinapple]

I am hugely confused by FCUKs sizing. Maybe I just have a really odd bodyshape? I am approx 86-62-95 and I have no clue as what size to get that dress in, if I am getting it. From the sizing scheme I am thinking a size 10 (which is the same size as my other FCUK dress) but I am almost always a size xs/EU34 ATM. Also I am worried that the dress will be too big at the waist since the waist measurement for a size 10 is 8 cm. biggers than what I have to work with. It is an a-line dress. Mostly fitted around the bust and loose(r) around the waist and the bottom. What size would you get?

http://www.frenchconnection.com/content/help/sizing.htm#womenswear

 

[eizhowa]

^Do you have a link to the dress itself? It is hard to judge a dress' size by only looking at the measuring chart. I measure approx. the same as you (so I don't think you have an odd shape at all), and in London I was always a UK8 (even in Topshop), but of course, these things vary.

You could always try to email them for the exact garment measurements... or look for listings on ebay with the measurents or something similar.

 

[Betinapple]

^Do you have a link to the dress itself? It is hard to judge a dress' size by only looking at the measuring chart. I measure approx. the same as you (so I don't think you have an odd shape at all), and in London I was always a UK8 (even in Topshop), but of course, these things vary.

You could always try to email them for the exact garment measurements... or look for listings on ebay with the measurents or something similar.

Thank you for your reply - I am glad to hear that my bodyshape it either not weird - or that I am not alone

It is the black dress on my wardrobe inspiration board, that you liked earlier this evening.

All my other dresses in UK sizes has been 8 or 6 (I was perfectly sure that a size UK6 was the same as EU34, but apperently not). I was actually pretty surprised that my FCUK dress is a size 10, but is is more tight-fitted, so I guess it makes sense.

 

[eizhowa]

Hmmmm... I would probably go for the size 10. It is supposed to be a bit loose... On the US site that is a size M btw

Do you have any way to return it?

I always assumed UK4 = EU 30, UK6 = EU 32 etc. etc., seing as both are the smallest sizes... It has been a while since I saw a EU 30 anything though, so things might have changed. I have a pair of jeans in a UK 6, and they are a EU 34... I actually think norwegian sizing is different from Danish/european sizing.

I like the zipper detail on the dress-sleeves. I didn't notice that at first.

 

[Betinapple]

Hmmmm... I would probably go for the size 10. It is supposed to be a bit loose... On the US site that is a size M btw

Do you have any way to return it?

I always assumed UK4 = EU 30, UK6 = EU 32 etc. etc., seing as both are the smallest sizes... It has been a while since I saw a EU 30 anything though, so things might have changed. I have a pair of jeans in a UK 6, and they are a EU 34... I actually think norwegian sizing is different from Danish/european sizing.

I like the zipper detail on the dress-sleeves. I didn't notice that at first.

Thank you - excactly the answer I wanted since the size 8 is out of stock I really like the zipper detail as well - and the pockets. Now I just have to figure out wether that kind of dress would look good on me. Hmm

I must admit I am totally confused about figuring out the different types of sizing, after this conversation.

 

[eizhowa]

I think the main problem is that there is no correct conversion... A US 8 is sometimes a UK 10, or a 12. A EU34 is sometimes a UK6 or a 8... I've sort of given up on trying to decide what size I am

 

[fashionista-ta]

My Lanvin bag has been returned for a long time due to the hardware issues I had with it (which I understand have since been resolved) ... I exchanged for Marc Jacobs, and I also have Valentino and Kate Spade. Also Michael Michael Kors (the diffusion line). Kate Spade is a good mid-price brand ...

 

[barbaraaa]

There is no single "EU size" either; most of my garments have PT/ES/FR separated from German and Scandinavian sizes... a PT 40 is a German 38, for example. Then there's also Italian sizes, where I think I would wear a 44. So complicated!