The 4-5 piece French wardrobe #6

[eizhowa]

^I picked up two used mens basic sweaters (one 100% merino and the other cashmere) from uniqlo on Ebay. They are much longer, but they look good on a female frame as well The ones I bought in London are too short to wear with my spring-jeans, becuase the rise is much lower, but these I can pull down over my hips if I try

Elle_s'ennuie: My scarf is charcoal, and not really grey-grey, so it definitly has a slightly purple undertone, like the one you see in the picture. I don't think my scarf looks as purple in real life, but that could be the light (maybe light is less purple in my part of the world?), and my own coloring.

 

[elle s'ennuie]

A purple undertone, you say? Then I really must have it! The Dutch store I emailed hasn't replied yet, so I might end up doing as you suggested and emailing Becksondergaard to ask about stockists. Thank you for all the help

 

[Fewormany]

I just bought the orange Acne sweater. I really like the color, and I just realized it goes with all the bottoms I have.
Oh the joy of having a color palet and sticking to it.

I also bought a new pair of running shoes. A really nice combination of bright blue with a dark mint (does that even exist? ) lining.

 

[fashionista-ta]

When looking for stockists, you can also just try Google I typically find something helpful that way. Farfetch can be good too ...

 

[elle s'ennuie]

I was elbow-deep in google last night But most places only seem to have the printed scarves, or if they do have the solid scarf, it's in the wrong colours.

 

[eizhowa]

^I can't find any either:/ And I consider myself to be a very accomplished Googler

 

[Trenchcoat]

A purple undertone, you say? Then I really must have it! The Dutch store I emailed hasn't replied yet, so I might end up doing as you suggested and emailing Becksondergaard to ask about stockists. Thank you for all the help

Which store did you email. I really like the scarf!

Eizhowa. How much was the scarf?

 

[Betinapple]

@Fewormany: love the sweatshirt! So nice with a pop of colour, and as I recall you have a lot of navy items, and I think orange would look great with those. Perhaps you could use that tropical print shirt underneath it? Then you would't see so much of the print

@Ta-ta: perhaps Anyhow, soaked in LUXURY is kind of an exaggeration in regards of that brand..

I aggree in regards of impulse purchases. Most of my purchases are planned in some order, and impulse purchases are the items that ends up being wrong most often.

@Eizhowa: DON'T! I would see if you could wear it as it is and, if not, sell it.

What is the style name of the scarf you got? Something similar but in powder pink might be perfect for my wardrobe.


@Elle's'enuine: cute tee! I really feel you about the trenchcoat hunt. Not doing so great myself either.. Oddly enough everything is too big, which is really weird since I do not usually have problems fitting into clothes (besides from sweaters and trenchcoats appearently..). I did see a bunch of cute grey/stone trenchcoats at Zalando - not sure if they ship to your region?

@Nymphaea: I am so sorry, but a polyester/spandex comfy really does not sound good or summer apropriate to me

@Caramel: I understand your concern regarding a classic trenchcoat. I think one should be careful buying things that are classic just because they are "a musthave in any womens wardrobe". I once bought a classic white shirt - not for me. I felt wrong, and a crisp white cotton shirt is just way too "stiff" for me. I like classic style and there are certain "wardrobe musthaves" that are great for me and my lifestyle, like good LBD(s) and a classic trenchcoat - others, not so much.

@Juliette: nice to "see" you again! I love your new purchases, but you know that

_________________________

So, I returned the Sibin Linnebjerg sweater, the black one. It was just too long. I have decided to stop searching for now and instead wait for fall, since woolen sweaters hopefully will be to warm soon. Although it has been awfully cold the past few days. I have a couple of brands in mind, and if none of those work out I will allow myself to buy the same Benneton model again, even though I really want something that will last me longer. The stripe sweater is fantastic though, since it is just delicate enough for me to tuck it into my skirts - I think I mentioned that.

The trenchcoat hunt is hopeless as well it seems. I ordered what I though was the perfect one from Zalando, but it was way too big on me, although it is a size EU34. Sigh. Such a shame, the quality seemed so nice and it had some nice detailing. The "cape thing" and the button detail on the back of the belt really bothered me though. So if anyone sees something that does not have those features but the rest of the package, please let me know

I did however try one on last week at an outlet store in a nearby store that was pretty perfect besides from the fact that the belt was just meant to be tied, and could not be ... belted? I am not sure wether I should settle though, since I am not in any way planning on wearing a trench belted, I just think a tie-belt (or whatever you would call it) looks a bit ... sloppy? Even though you are not closing the coat by belting it.

Really, I would want a Burberry trench, but even if I was able to find the 10000 DKK for the style I want, I am not sure it will be such a great investment, when my previous trenchcoat suffered death from a stain..

Piz via zalando.dk

 

[elle s'ennuie]

Trenchcoat I emailed sjaalmania.nl, the grey scarf costs 79€ in their store. They do ship to some EU countries but not mine

eizhowa I'm a pretty obsessive googler when I'm considering a purchase. There's always that Singaporean online store, but it just feels completely wrong to buy an item by an EU company from there and pay import duty on it...

Betina Zalando doesn't ship to me either (I'm in Estonia, for the record ). I think my problem with the trench is that I'm kind of undecided about what I want. There is nothing so perfect that it calls out to me as a must-have, so I end up having many 'it's ok, it would work' options. And when I try to whittle down the choices, I start nitpicking and eliminate them all.

 

[Betinapple]

Also, I am having the hugest spring-wardrobe-blues. My wardrobe feels boring, everything looks worn and like I have seen it a 1000 times before. I think it is just a result of being mentally ready for spring/summer clothes, while the weather still being so cold that woolen sweaters, boots and winter jackets are needed.

Trying to just wait it out, since shopping is not the solution. The only exception is that trenchcoat, since I think it will add a little spring to my wardrobe, not matter what else I am wearing.

Other than that my current wishlist consists of

- A black skirt to go with everything
- Black jeans (not sure if my size is stable enough to buy jeans though, and if I will need/wear them if I have a good black skirt)
- Black sweater (not buying that until fall)
- Wool scarf in a solid color. Perhaps ACNE canada in grey (not buying that until fall either until I find one 2nd hand at a good price)
- Black wool coat (not until fall)

I am also considering:
- A new wallet - will need that at some point, but I want a Mulberry one, and I am too stingy for that ATM
- A grey jersey maxi dress for summer - I wanted that last year as well, but I think summer is so short, so I am not sure if I will get my moneys worhth from buying one..)
- A black blouse with a nice back detail - I really thing I need to add a few tops, since I mainly have sweaters - not so practical for spring/summer)
- Perhaps a blue shirt, for the same reasons as mentioned above, but this is definetely not my top priority

 

[eizhowa]

Trenchcoat/Elle_s'ennuie: I think my scarf was NOK 699. They probably have more. I'd offer to be your supplier, but our postage fees are really ridiculous. They start at 270 NOK... And that doesn't even include full insurance

Betina: The scarf: http://www.becksondergaard.com/shop/woman/simply-solid Thats all I know!

Juliette: It is so nice when you stop by our thread You should do it more often

 

[eizhowa]

Question for the EU-natives: In Norway, if you are sold a faulty item and complain, the company can try to repair it twice, and then you can demand your money back. Do you know what the rule is in the EU? I sent the Hobbs jeans back, and I won't accept a gift card We don't have Hobbs stores in Norway, and after taxes and duty fees, I will be left with 4-5 GBP to spend, out of the original 79... Trying to navigate EU law when I have never used it before is a very daunting task...

 

[fashionista-ta]

Betina, I have spilled coffee on my trench numerous times, and everything has always cleaned out. It's good fabric ...

Also, you want it to be a bit oversized IMO. That way you can continue wearing it for 20+ years, as I have, and also it gives you room for sweaters underneath. That drives me crazy about my other coat ... I have to be very careful what I try to wear under it. Any future coats, I'll be thinking about that issue ...

Do you have anything interesting to pull out of the attic?

 

[elle s'ennuie]

eizhowa I have no personal experience of a similar situation, but I found this article on EU and British law on returning faulty goods:

If goods are not of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose or as described, you are entitled to a refund, repair or replacement. However, you can only claim a refund for the first few weeks after purchase (the Law Commission is proposing a 30-day cut-off period) after which you are deemed to have "accepted" them and it's up to you to prove a manufacturing fault.

I don't know if you were within that period in returning, but I think you did return pretty soon? Are they claiming the jeans are not faulty?

 

[Betinapple]

@Eizhowa: not sure if it is EU law, but it is the same in Denmark

@Ta-ta: sounds good in regards of cleaning. In terms of sizing, of course will want something that I can wear a sweater underneath and that wont get too tight if I gain a little, but most things I have tried have made me look like I a 5 year old playing dress up. Not excactly the look I was going for

 

[Trenchcoat]

I will wait with buying sweaters for fall untill fall haha. But now I want blouses. Im really hapoy with my saint james breton (thanks eizhowa for the tip). That is THE brand for breton. Now I want to know soms brands for blouses. I want a taupe one. I know apc has good blouses but those are 150 euros. So i will wait for sale. Do you know other good blouses brands. Why dont we all list the garment and best brands.

Trenchcoat: burberry
Breton: saint james
Blouses: apc
Jeans: cheap monday
Jackets: isabel marant
viscose tees: topshop!!!!

And im looking for a grey blazer. Who can help me with the taupe blouse and grey blazer?

 

[Juliette]

Betina I just have to tell you, judging by your outfits and the pieces in your wardrobe I think you have a gorgeous set of pieces, amazing style & are far from boring! I hope the blues go away soon and you get re-inspired again.

eizhowa Thank you so much! How sweet. I put this thread in my bookmarks at the top of my browser and will check back more often hopefully, it inspires me so much!

My orders from COS and GAP have been shipped and I hope they arrive this week, because I'm going away after that ... And I want them now, hehe! In other news, I'm putting together a fashion notebook where I write down all of my purchases, outfits, wishlists, everything, it's so much fun! But then, I was always a writer at heart. So with the help of my notebook, I have decided on these pieces:

• A black leather or faux leather jacket. I'm too big for my old one which I got when I was 16 (!), it was from Primark and I wore it to death, then sold it - it still looks amazing. Crazy!
  
• A silky top. I would like maybe a camisole in black and a vest/shell in a hot pink color. 5
  
• A black skirt, fitted. I have plenty of pleated midis and flared skirts, but I want something a bit more tight, since I feel a bit more confident now. Can be leather or not.
  
• Sandals/heels for spring. Possibly a combination of both.
  
• Black maxi dress. I think they're so cool, and want one that is a little bit sexy as well. Have my eye on a few already.
  
• Sunglasses. I have none, except for a vintage pair which belonged to my great grandmother, but they are too small for my face.

That is all I am planning to buy for spring, - I put together one of those 20 pieces 20 outfits list and that is what is missing, and maybe two more dresses - we will see. These things should be versatile to fit into summer as well, maybe even the colder months? I really need some basics, because all I have are statement pieces. I would love suggestions as well!

 

[eizhowa]

Thank you Betina and elle e'ennuie for your input I emailed Hobbs after 28 days and reported the fault. I also send them pictures and told them I would pay for the return IF they refunded my money. They then told me to send the jeans in. That should mean they accepted to refund my money as far as I am concerned. It is not my fault if they can't read the big print I am waiting for their reply.

Blouses: I still think my Joseph silk shirt was amazing. But of course, that had to be the one UK size 8 I couldn't fit into! I think I sold it at a profit though

 

[Betinapple]

@Juliette: thank you - you are so sweet. I do know it is mostly in my head and that I just need to get creative insted of wearing the same 5 outfits constantly. I've just gotten really perfectionistic and comfy about my clothes, so I only want to wear things that i feel 100% good in, and therefore I experiment less.

Seems like a good - and short wishlist Maybe I should try doing that 20 pieces, 20 outfits thing - sounds like a good way to reflect on your wardrobe needs.

@Eizhowa: quite often I feel like people in customer care centers do not read emails very thoroughly. I have often gotten answers to something completely different than what I asked..

__________

I bought a trenchcoat - yay! It was the one that I tried on last week in the outlet store in the town where my friend lives. Went there today to try it on again, and it is perfect - it actually fits, the sleeves as well. On many of the other coats I tried on, the sleeves where both too long and so wide that my arms could fit in there twice - not a good look for me. Also, the belt didn't bother me although it has no buckle. Generally, it fits the description of my perfect trenchcoat perfect; double breasted, not too light coloured, lenght just above the knee and actually fitted although I am petite. Also the fabric is very soft, which I think is great. Very happy! It really needs to be ironed though..

 

[eizhowa]

^I need to see this perfect trench of yours! I know what you mean about the sleeves...