The 4-5 piece French wardrobe #7

[eizhowa]

Betina, where did you get your black silk slip dress? I have been looking for something similar to layer with my sweaters. I really liked the look of yours. Is looked more like a washed/brushed silk. Do you remember circa how much you had to paid for it?

If anyone see a matte black silk slip dress, mid-thigh length, about, please let me know And not crazy expensive, please

 

[Betinapple]

^mine is from Just Female or 2nd female, and it cost next to nothing. I bought it a looong time ago, though. It is made from washed silk, like you mentioned.

I spoke to a supervisor at Nordstrom today, and she refunded my shipping expenses immedtiately.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ Glad to hear it My second order has shipped--fingers crossed for better luck this time!


I also got my dishwasher today ... and the color is wrong. (Good Lord.) When I called, he could see that they had accidentally done it in a metallic finish, so they are going to make and ship a new front panel. The good news is I can have this one installed Thursday as planned, and just have the panel switched out when it gets here. Having a functional dishwasher is by far the most important thing atm


This is what I don't understand. I tend not to screw stuff up. My whole life, I am doing things right. So ... umm, shouldn't that be having some sort of beneficial effect? Why instead is everything effed up?


But I guess, looking at the bright side, this means I can take my custom color panel with me if I should sell my house, and leave the metallic one behind.

 

[fashionista-ta]

@eizhowa: I have a pair of black patent ballet flats from Bloch, and while I really like them they haven't gotten nearly as much wear as my regular leather ones. As someone else mentioned, I think the patent leather just isn't as comfortable to wear, and they also have a dressier look I think. If I had to choose between one or the other I would definitely go for regular leather ones.

An update on the heels I bought: they are sooo comfortable! The first time I wore them I had them on for more than ten hours straight with no problem at all. My feet didn't even hurt the next day! And I received tons of compliments on them, so I'd say they were definitely a success.

Glad to hear it It really is a challenge to find heels that are comfortable. The horribly painful you can generally weed out in the store, and certain features you can look for (like block heels or wedges), but it kind of comes down to experience which ones you can really be in all day ... there's kind of an element of luck.


eizhowa, maybe as a compromise you could look at getting cap-toe ones, that are a combination of regular and patent leather (on the toe). As you may recall, I prefer the cap-toe Lanvins. I also saw they have some suede ombre ones now, where it looks like they have just polished and dyed the front part. They look quite interesting!

 

[eizhowa]

^I have cap toed Chanel ballerinas. They are nice, but I actually find Porsellis more comfortable for walking around, so I would like another pair. The reason I want the Lanvin pantent flats are because I think they look so darn good... But I will have to wait until I move to the EU so that I can buy and try on a pair without worry about an insane tax bill:S

Betina: Thats good! I wouldn't mind paying next to nothing for a slip like that either

 

[Caramel]

Witch! Witch! (but thats good news for you)

I wouldn't be surprised if there was some kind of magic involved, I don't know how else it could have happened.

 

[Caramel]

Speaking of patent vs. regular leather... I have been eyeing the Baya t-strap heels from Repetto ever since eizhowa pointed me to them when I asked for shoe recommendations. I wanted a pointy toe then, but in the back of my mind I've been thinking that these would be my go to round toe option, eventually. However, they are too pricey to consider ordering them online (as we've established by now, returning things from Norway/Scandinavia is too much of a hassle), and until now all my ebay searches have been fruitless. Tonight however, a pair in my size finally popped up, in black patent leather, at a very reasonable price.

Without having given them too much serious thought until now, I had imagined I would get them in regular leather, so I am just slightly hesitant. I do like the look of the patent ones though, and I imagine if I don't get these I will be searching forever for another pair in my size. On the Repetto website I haven't seen any in size 35 since the first time I looked at them. But my doubtful side is also reminding me that I hate rushing a purchase, and that these shoes were on my things-to-get-eventually-wishlist and I certainly don't need another pair of high heels right at this moment. Still though...why oh why did I have to go on ebay tonight.

 

[eizhowa]

Well, the patent shoes I were eying were 1100 nok, while the black regular ones will be 1300 nok if I buy them/order in the EU. The price difference was not big, but I still considered them. The price matters...

I went throught all the outfits I would make with the shoes and decided if they would work. One of my favourite pants would not work with patent, so that was a strong agrument against the shoes for me. Will patent work for you?

 

[fashionista-ta]

Are the Lanvins over the limit of what you can buy on vacation? I'm not sure how it all works ... for me I think the limit is pretty decent? I could get VAT refunded, and then there's a pretty nice allowance for what I can bring back I think ... Probably your country has better protections, though, and it would be good if we did too. But first we should start making some better stuff here


PS What doesn't work with patent? I thought everything worked with patent ...

 

[Caramel]

I can't imagine that I have anything that wouldn't work with patent if it works with regular black leather...

Of course the price matters somewhat. The ones that I found on ebay are more than 50% off (full price is €359), but even more important to me is when I find something I like in my size...it happens so rarely that I almost feel like I can't not get it.

That being said...I was just commenting on how patent leather is usually not as comfortable as regular leather... We'll see. I won't rush it I think, and if they are sold quickly it wasn't meant to be. I just emailed the seller to hear about shipping costs.

Do you guys know if there is anywhere in London that has a good selection of Repetto (heels too, not just ballet flats)? That could be another option for me...

 

[eizhowa]

^Lanvins are a bit over my budget as a student, so ideally I would score a deal on ebay That would require me to live in the EU. Otherwise the tax bill might ruin me Even after tax deduction comming home from holiday, they are still more than I feel comfortable spending.

I think matte ballerinas would look better with my tobacco colored triouser

​

s but otherwise I agree that patent is very versatile

 

[Betinapple]

@Ta-ta: mine too. I hope we get what we ordered this time sad to hear that I am not the only one with bad shopping karma these days. Within the past months I have also bought a flawed chair (will be replaced in 3 weeks) a light bulb (a big one for my kitchen lamp), that broke within the first two days, bed linen with holes and a sweatshirt that started pilling after washing it one time. On the bright side, it has really killed my urge to shop

What colour is that custom panel? Sounds interesting.

@Eizhowa: it was a true bargain!

@Caramel: I think patent would be good now that your other heeled shoes are made from regular leather - assuming they go with your wardrobe, like Eizhowa mentioned.

Status on my shopping:
- Still waiting for the necklace (in case you didn't notice )
- Bought the shoes and returned them - they looked really matronly IRL
- Found a black wool coat (80% wool, 20% polyamid), for a reasonable price, that I really like.
- Still need to get that ACNE scarf - or do I? I have my BOSS houndstooth scarf from last year and these days I am still wearing my thinner scarves, so I haven't really been feeling like I need it, lately. I am thinking that might change when it gets cold though.

 

[Caramel]

^ That's a good point Betinapple. I suppose patent also adds a little more interest to my fairly neutral coloured wardrobe...

I haven't worn my Acne scarf more than a handful of times yet, the temperatures are still too mild here, but I think it will be really nice to have when it gets cold.

And I'm sorry to hear about all your bad shopping karma! I almost feel bad because I've been so lucky with my recent purchases! Also makes me wonder if perhaps I shouldn't push my luck, and hold off on any more purchases for now in case I've caught the bug too...

 

[fashionista-ta]

@Ta-ta: mine too. I hope we get what we ordered this time sad to hear that I am not the only one with bad shopping karma these days. Within the past months I have also bought a flawed chair (will be replaced in 3 weeks) a light bulb (a big one for my kitchen lamp), that broke within the first two days, bed linen with holes and a sweatshirt that started pilling after washing it one time. On the bright side, it has really killed my urge to shop

What colour is that custom panel? Sounds interesting.

@Eizhowa: it was a true bargain!

@Caramel: I think patent would be good now that your other heeled shoes are made from regular leather - assuming they go with your wardrobe, like Eizhowa mentioned.

Status on my shopping:
- Still waiting for the necklace (in case you didn't notice )
- Bought the shoes and returned them - they looked really matronly IRL
- Found a black wool coat (80% wool, 20% polyamid), for a reasonable price, that I really like.
- Still need to get that ACNE scarf - or do I? I have my BOSS houndstooth scarf from last year and these days I am still wearing my thinner scarves, so I haven't really been feeling like I need it, lately. I am thinking that might change when it gets cold though.

It does indeed kill the urge


The custom color name is pastel turquoise. The metallic finish lightened it up quite a bit so that it looks like a silver green. It's custom in that it's not part of their standard palette, but it's not a color mixed just for you, like what's on my refrigerator. I was just shooting for something in the same color family, but didn't try to match it exactly, as I figured that would be futile. Better related than just off ...

 

[reesewu]

Hi there. I'm a man but my frame is small (I'm 5'9 and 108 lbs) so I sometimes opt for womenswear items . Do you guys know where I can get a black tweed jacket with 4 or 2 pockets (like the Chanel style, but not Chanel because I can't afford it) that is really simple and not too girly? Thank you very much. I was looking everywhere but I can't find anything.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ Sorry, I have no idea ... I'm that age between very young and very old that I think shouldn't wear Chanel jackets

So my correct bag arrived today. It has no tag, and no storage bag. I'm going to contact them about the storage bag ... the incorrect bag had one, and I'm sure this one should have too. But yay, it's here ... and it has a really pretty copper-colored lining down toward the bottom. The leather handles also have an inner grosgrain piece that I couldn't see in the pictures. The coin is different than the one I had before ... it has a bronze rather than a pewtery center. Overall it looks good! Can't wait to put my things in it ... The chain is also quite heavy, and I think less of an antiqued finish than what I had before. It's pretty ...

 

[Melisande]

Oh Ta-ta, there is a HUGE difference between pastel turquoise and metallic silvery green ....good thing you could get it fixed easily!!
Pastel turquoise...is it like celadon ? I love that color. It's actually the only hue of blue or green that I can actually identify with. (I do like and wear blue and green, but it feels "foreign" to me...also yellow and orange and brown...does that make sense? Like that awkward friend's friend whom you admire and like but you know they'll still always be more your friend's friend than your own.)

Re. patent...I love patent flats. I don't know how many black patent flats I've worn throughout my life, and I usually opt for patent over regular leather because I wear a lot of black clothes and I like the contrast in texture and the reflective surface of black patent leather, which I find pulls a look together, especially with a pearl necklace. Patent also resists moisture and you don't need colored shoe polish.

I just got another beautiful full-length silk evening gown today, which is always great to find. But it's not nearly as satisfying as mulling over and finding just the right basic items that refresh and resolve wardrobe gaps just so, no matter how small or inexpensive. So even though they're more pricey, gowns don't really count as part of a wardrobe; you can also only wear them so many times.

 

[Melisande]

Hi there. I'm a man but my frame is small (I'm 5'9 and 108 lbs) so I sometimes opt for womenswear items . Do you guys know where I can get a black tweed jacket with 4 or 2 pockets (like the Chanel style, but not Chanel because I can't afford it) that is really simple and not too girly? Thank you very much. I was looking everywhere but I can't find anything.

It's grey and it's not tweed but I think this from Zadig et Voltaire could look cute on a smaller-framed guy :

http://www.zadig-et-voltaire.com/eu/fr/veste-femme-veste-joly-bw-anthracite.html

Zara sometimes has tweed jackets for women, as does Mango, but they may be more feminine...it's the kind of thing French brands like to do, so I did a quick check at Agnes b and Les Kooples and Sandro but they were a bit more feminine too...

 

[fashionista-ta]

Oh Ta-ta, there is a HUGE difference between pastel turquoise and metallic silvery green ....good thing you could get it fixed easily!!
Pastel turquoise...is it like celadon ? I love that color. It's actually the only hue of blue or green that I can actually identify with. (I do like and wear blue and green, but it feels "foreign" to me...also yellow and orange and brown...does that make sense? Like that awkward friend's friend whom you admire and like but you know they'll still always be more your friend's friend than your own.)

Re. patent...I love patent flats. I don't know how many black patent flats I've worn throughout my life, and I usually opt for patent over regular leather because I wear a lot of black clothes and I like the contrast in texture and the reflective surface of black patent leather, which I find pulls a look together, especially with a pearl necklace. Patent also resists moisture and you don't need colored shoe polish.

I just got another beautiful full-length silk evening gown today, which is always great to find. But it's not nearly as satisfying as mulling over and finding just the right basic items that refresh and resolve wardrobe gaps just so, no matter how small or inexpensive. So even though they're more pricey, gowns don't really count as part of a wardrobe; you can also only wear them so many times.

This is the color, though it looks more blue on my screen than in my swatch: http://ralcolor.net/ral-6034-pastel-turquoise.php I felt my possibilities were RAL6033, 6034, and maybe 6027. 6033/34 shared the muted quality of my refrigerator color, but 6033 was darker. The silvery green isn't terrible with it ... you can see my refrigerator on my blog. That color was matched to a piece of vintage pottery I sent.


It's interesting ... I have green in almost every room of my house (I realized after I got it that my refrigerator is just a shade or two lighter than the paneling in my dining room, painted by the previous owners). But I don't wear it very much.


One great thing about patent is how easy it is to clean. I use the same spray I use on my counters and a rag


Congratulations on your gown ... I have got through my entire life thus far without a single one, if you can believe it I'd like to take this occasion to thank everyone who hasn't invited me to a black-tie wedding

 

[Melisande]

This is the color, though it looks more blue on my screen than in my swatch: http://ralcolor.net/ral-6034-pastel-turquoise.php I felt my possibilities were RAL6033, 6034, and maybe 6027. 6033/34 shared the muted quality of my refrigerator color, but 6033 was darker. The silvery green isn't terrible with it ... you can see my refrigerator on my blog. That color was matched to a piece of vintage pottery I sent.


It's interesting ... I have green in almost every room of my house (I realized after I got it that my refrigerator is just a shade or two lighter than the paneling in my dining room, painted by the previous owners). But I don't wear it very much.


One great thing about patent is how easy it is to clean. I use the same spray I use on my counters and a rag

Congratulations on your gown ... I have got through my entire life thus far without a single one, if you can believe it I'd like to take this occasion to thank everyone who hasn't invited me to a black-tie wedding

Yep, it's celadon! It's gorgeous, there's something instantly calming about it. I just love your fridge BTW Do you have an Aga in that color too, by any chance???

Yeah, gowns...most black tie events you can at least wear shorter dresses; you could totally wear your Lanvin to a black tie! White tie is where you have to go all full-length My Fair Lady. It's fun though .