The 4-5 piece French wardrobe #7

[fashionista-ta]

^ I do not ... I have the generic white Whirlpool that came with my house, which works fine. However, I have been thinking about changing that But I have a lot of higher priorities--that would just be fun, it's not necessary. I really need to redo my bath ... that's what I'm thinking about at the moment.


In that case ... why am I not being invited to any black-tie weddings?!?! Things really aren't too formal here. What people wear to the concert hall, symphony, etc. is mixed, but nowhere I go demands a gown.

 

[Melisande]

^ I do not ... I have the generic white Whirlpool that came with my house, which works fine. However, I have been thinking about changing that But I have a lot of higher priorities--that would just be fun, it's not necessary. I really need to redo my bath ... that's what I'm thinking about at the moment.

In that case ... why am I not being invited to any black-tie weddings?!?! Things really aren't too formal here. What people wear to the concert hall, symphony, etc. is mixed, but nowhere I go demands a gown.

Yeah, why not, people??!! I was going to say, it's definitely regional as well. It would totally be dressy enough for black-tie events in Tokyo or Paris. Perhaps not in certain other countries I've been... It was interesting to attend a black-tie event in a certain country where a well-known French woman was dressed in beautiful discreet (but long) Issey Miyake, while Dior-haute-couture-clad-surgically-enhanced-socialites were telling me that they thought she looked like a schoolteacher (What the hell is wrong with resembling, or being a schoolteacher, anyway, Miss Elderly Botox Barbie...? ) OK that was mean to those ladies, sorry...it's just sad...

 

[reesewu]

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...

Thank you very much. I didn't know most of the sites you referred to, so maybe I'll start keeping my eyes on them until the ideal jacket appears!

 

[barbaraaa]

I'm looking into incorporating more yellow into my wardrobe - yellow isn't much my colour, but I've been growing fond of it lately (I even want to buy a yellow car ) - I'm thinking mustard yellow rather than anything bright or pastel, but I've been looking into my usual websites and it doesn't seem to be very "in" right now. A skirt, a dress (I'm growing fond of these too), maybe a scarf would be ideal. Has anyone seen anything like that recently? (you know my budget is always on the small side )

I'm also looking into new shoes... possibly brogues once again.

Sad to hear betina and ta-ta's Nordstrom problems! Hopefully everything is or will be fixed soon enough!

 

[eizhowa]

I think mustard is the most beautiful of all yellows I really love the color, and I wish it looked good on me. I will keep my eyes open, Barbaraa!

Btw, do any of you know where I might find a lipstick in "my color"? Preferably a matte or satin-t rust shade. No shimmer...

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ I have the color, but it's shiny and shimmery, so ... for matte, I don't know. I would look at a lipstick line that is all-matte ...

 

[eizhowa]

At this point I don't care what line it is from. I have not seen any lipsticks in that color tha have not been discontinued.

I don't need a complete matte, but the ones I have found have been more metallic/bronzed with a lot of shimmer, and that would be way too dressy for everyday wear for me.

Most listicks are pink or red-based and do not look good with my colouring and color scheme. I need something browny-orange.

Oh well, it is no rush...

Reesewu, I will keep a lookout for a jacket for you as well I think a boule jacket that is not so cropped will look less feminine. I will let you know if I stuble across something.

Melisande: Issey Miyake has made discreet dresses? Maybe I am interpreting "discreete" wrong. Do you mean covered up or understated?

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ Yes, typically that color is always made with shimmer. I like it that way The one I have right now is from MAC, it's the line that is very shiny, almost like lipgloss, so I know you won't want that one. If you find a line (and by this I mean a sub-line, I think MAC has one) that's all-matte, it should have a selection of colors & you should be able to find something appropriate. Do you have Sephora? Personally I will walk a mile to avoid matte lipstick, so I am so not the person who can help you


Reese, maybe you could have something made? The only challenge would be the fabric ...

 

[EvaH]

So sad news of the week...
The sales assistant told me to re-sole my Lanvin flats after wearing them 2-3 times maximum. I forgot... Now the sole is quite thin and the shoe repair guy told me he can't do anything about it... I am going to stop wearing that pair although it is perfect condition for now .

Ta-ta, did you follow that rule? How long did you wear your lanvin and how long after you got them did they die? They are still in top condition etc but since the sole is thinner (especially at the heel) I don't want it to get too thin and then see the stitches give out..

 

[eizhowa]

Eva, have you tried to get a second opinion? Last winter I wore my Chelsea boots until they got a hole in the sole... The cobbler could still fix it.

Fashionista-ta, no sephora, unfortunately.

 

[EvaH]

Eizohwa, no I haven't. I asked the local Londoner cobbler so I think I will bring those to France and ask the cobbler I am used to work with.
Btw, I join the waggon of the "looking for an appropriate matte lipstick" and it is a pain that Sephora does not exist in the UK.. I need to move back to France (it is the best beauty counter I have ever seen, boots does not even come close. They have EVERYTHING and more!)

Another question about heels: do you guys have any recommendations for 6cm heeled sandals? I can find good/cute/comfortable 6cm pumps (btw I must admit that Ivanka Trump does really good courthouse shoes along with LK bennett - too bad hears are often too high) but not sandals...

I absolutely loved the Stuart Weitzman nudist range (especially in gold) but let's be honest, I don't last long in those. I haven't tried his "nunaked" (basically the lower nudist) but I don't really like the colours available for now and I would love to branch out to other styles of 6cm heels.

Ta-ta I remember you said that you rarely wore heels those days but when you did, did you have a go to brand that provided really cute 6cm/kitten heels?

Caramel, I can't seem to trace back to the pair of heels you are talking about when you said you wore them for 10h straight and they were uber comfortable. Could you please point them/the designer to me? Thanks

 

[fashionista-ta]

So sad news of the week...
The sales assistant told me to re-sole my Lanvin flats after wearing them 2-3 times maximum. I forgot... Now the sole is quite thin and the shoe repair guy told me he can't do anything about it... I am going to stop wearing that pair although it is perfect condition for now .

Ta-ta, did you follow that rule? How long did you wear your lanvin and how long after you got them did they die? They are still in top condition etc but since the sole is thinner (especially at the heel) I don't want it to get too thin and then see the stitches give out..

I've never, ever heard of it being impossible to resole any shoe or boot. I've had mine for almost 2 years and the soles are in perfect condition. That little heel insert may need to be replaced soon ...


The most comfortable heels I have are Miu Miu and Dolce & Gabbana block heels, but I believe they're higher. I believe in go high or go flat I believe the MM are about 85 mm and the D&G are 100.

 

[Caramel]

Caramel, I can't seem to trace back to the pair of heels you are talking about when you said you wore them for 10h straight and they were uber comfortable. Could you please point them/the designer to me? Thanks

Of course, it's the Okala pumps from Sam Edelman, you can see them here. Both the leather and the sole were super soft and required no break-in at all. I have tried ballet flats from Sam Edelman before and they seemed to be the same, so I am very impressed with the brand in terms of comfort.

Re. the Repetto Baya shoes I was looking at on ebay, they sadly disappeared before I could even think about making my mind up, so I guess it wasn't meant to be. I'm kind of kicking myself over it...

@eizhowa: Have you looked here at the different MAC colours available?

 

[fashionista-ta]

I called Nordstrom last night ... I started by asking if my bag came with a dust bag ... then I had to tell them I know for a fact it does! They admitted it should have ... and kept me on hold for 20 minutes while they called stores still open on the west coast. They found one in a larger size, couldn't seem to locate one in the size that should have come with, though they are having the warehouse look for it. When they mentioned sending a Nordstrom dust bag, I had to put my foot down and say that for the price of this bag, I should get a Lanvin dust bag. Oh, one of the early suggestions was to send it back and exchange for the same item and see what I got. I quickly assured her that that was not going to happen!

I begin to wonder if Nordstrom is up to playing in the luxury space.

All that aside, I am enjoying the bag. It is flawless, the leather is really beautiful and soft. It has a logo printed on the inside in gold that's really pretty. When I unpacked it at work, a coworker picked it up and held it up, probably trying to spot the logo--with no luck. I love that it is virtually invisible (Just the coin medallion, which almost no one can recognize.)

I am getting used to the weight of the chain handle ... or maybe it was just walking around the museum with it over the weekend for nearly a couple hours was too much. Perhaps it will help me build muscle So much for bag trivia

I scheduled my 10-point shopping day Thanksgiving weekend at a different Nordstrom with a stylist I've only spoken with briefly when I was looking for a pair of shoes. At my preferred store, I can't seem to escape a stylist I really don't want to work with anymore. I sent this one my shopping list--we'll see how good she is!

 

[fashionista-ta]

Caramel, I pinned an eyelet blouse on my recommendations board ... it looks like it would need something underneath, but I like it. Barbara, I pinned several yellow and mustard things for you ...

 

[fashionista-ta]

I bought something this week I forgot to mention ... two pairs of socks at Target They are the fuzzy socks I like to wear in the wintertime at home, as I have hardwood floors and no rugs (thanks to my dogs convincing me that was the best policy). I was there to buy other things (lightbulbs and a bath pillow), but the display roped me in. One pair is short grey leopard, the other long teal green with white polka dots (which I am wearing now!). I have other polka dot ones that are hot pink. Usually I wear out a couple pairs each winter.


It's gotten cold again here, but only for about the past week. I haven't had a chance to wear my fall clothes enough to discover anything I need. Has anyone discovered gaps in your wardrobe?

 

[fashionista-ta]

@eizhowa: Have you looked here at the different MAC colours available?

I was curious, so looked at MAC's website ... they have actually discontinued the lipstick I just recently bought in this color, it looks like, which was Sheen Supreme Can't Resist.


You can search by finish, and it looks like Chili is what you want. A matte brownish orange-red.

 

[eizhowa]

Thank you for the link, caramel! I think chilli is the one closest to what I want, but I need to check it out in person, because I am not sure it will look right IRL.

I purchased two vintage mens paisley scarves, to add some color/pattern to my outfits. The first is a grey/white/black one, and the other brown/orange/white. I will post pictures later, because I am very happy with them! The season to wear them is over for this year, but I think I will get a lot of wear out of them I certainly did with my burgundy one.

I was able to create a fringe on the paisley scarf I purchased earlier, but I decided the colours were too muted in daylight. I won't be able to wear it on the way I planned to.

I still haven't found any holes in my wardrobe, but I could do with some thin wool socks that end just above the anklebone, to wear with ankle boots. I haven't found anything like that yet, though.

 

[Melisande]

I called Nordstrom last night ... I started by asking if my bag came with a dust bag ... then I had to tell them I know for a fact it does! They admitted it should have ... and kept me on hold for 20 minutes while they called stores still open on the west coast. They found one in a larger size, couldn't seem to locate one in the size that should have come with, though they are having the warehouse look for it. When they mentioned sending a Nordstrom dust bag, I had to put my foot down and say that for the price of this bag, I should get a Lanvin dust bag. Oh, one of the early suggestions was to send it back and exchange for the same item and see what I got. I quickly assured her that that was not going to happen!

I begin to wonder if Nordstrom is up to playing in the luxury space.

All that aside, I am enjoying the bag. It is flawless, the leather is really beautiful and soft. It has a logo printed on the inside in gold that's really pretty. When I unpacked it at work, a coworker picked it up and held it up, probably trying to spot the logo--with no luck. I love that it is virtually invisible (Just the coin medallion, which almost no one can recognize.)

I am getting used to the weight of the chain handle ... or maybe it was just walking around the museum with it over the weekend for nearly a couple hours was too much. Perhaps it will help me build muscle So much for bag trivia

I can't believe Nordstrom keep messing up, how frustrating!! You certainly should get a Lanvin dust bag, good for you for putting your foot down. Other than that...swoooooon.... it sounds just gorgeous.

Eizhowa, men's silk paisley scarves sound great for you; I had one from my grandfather, which is gorgeous. Now I have a cream cashmere paisley scarf from Etro which I love. Paisley done right is underrated I think, but that's a very good thing, so it remains looking fresh

I went and bought a pair of black leather ballet flats. They're pretty much essential when traveling/hotel living, especially as I'll be traveling to some warmer countries.

 

[eizhowa]

Thank you, Melisande You make buying black ballet flats sound so easy

Do any of you have any experience with dying suede shoes? I have a pair of grey/blue pumps from Noa Noa. They look like Repetto Bayas, but the color is holding me back. If they were black, they would go better with my wardrobe.

There are a lot of online guides and it doesn't look too hard, but I don't want to end up with suede dressy shoes that "bleed" all over someones hardwood floors...