The 4-5 piece French wardrobe #7

[fashionista-ta]

A COS has very recently opened in here! I've been excited about it but have been avoiding it because I think I'd rather stay away from it before the sales season

Regarding that dress I bought - I'm still considering keeping it, as I like how it looks on me and the fabric is really nice, but I think the cape is too formal a detail. My mum says the cape detail makes it look horrible
And I was thinking whether it would be worth it to have the cape removed? I mean... I feel weird about buying items to have them altered in such a way, but on the other hand, it is rare for me to find a dress that I think fits my body and isn't too short on me... It would be a nice sleeveless dress that way.

Couldn't you wear it for a nice dinner? I will also sometimes wear something a bit more formal (but not revealing) to work if I'm going out after.


Nylon I believe makes wool wear better ... about 5% should be plenty. I don't wear merino as I find it too scratchy on my sensitive skin, but what I've seen has never looked fragile. I would pass that by ...


I like the shoes, Caramel.

 

[Fewormany]

I discovered that my new favorite lightweight sweater has 22% nylon in it. To be honest I didn't noticed it until I was about to wash it (usually I check the label in the store). It feels like it's pure cotton (which is the other 78%) and it breathes like cotton as well. I think it helps to keep the sweaters shape better, especially since it's partly ribbed.

I like the shoes a well Caramel, the wide strap makes them more interesting. Not everything has to be thin and delicate.

 

[Caramel]

That's true Fewormany. I could surely use a few pieces in my wardrobe that are not too sweet.

 

[Jinadaze]

I don't wear merino as I find it too scratchy on my sensitive skin, but what I've seen has never looked fragile.

Which kind of wool are you wearing instead? I love merino wool just because of that, it is much softer and finer than other types of wool (not counting cashmere obviously).
Uniqlo makes some really good extra fine merino knitwear (very affordable too) and it is machine washable, which is a big plus for me, because I just can't be bothered to wash all my wool pieces by hand. Call me lazy , but I prefer wearing low maintenance clothes in the last years.
I am very satisfied with COS's merino knitwear too, but is a lot more expensive for it's quality. Also their prices increased in the last couple of years, I noticed that the same sweater I have for a few years costs about 20-25 % more now.

Also, must show you a new member of my hand party, a leather bracelet from Ted Baker. I love it's versatility and despite being a bit more girly than my usual accessories, I know I will be wearing it plenty.
Do not mind a mosquito bite.

my pic

 

[Caramel]

So, I'm probably late to the party, but I downloaded Stylebook for my iphone last night, and man! Why did I not think to do this sooner? It seems brilliant, if just slightly addictive. Anyone else using it?

Love the bracelet Jinadaze!

 

[eizhowa]

* googles stylebook * Aha, not for android. Nevermind

Jinadaze: My hands are constantly covered in cat scratches so don't feel bad about your invisible mosquito bite Btw, I also walked into a doorframe today (and then fell down) and I now have a big blue bump on my forehead. Every outfit needs some personalization!

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ Just put some mascara on it ...

Jinadaze, I don't wear very much wool, actually. Sometimes furblend ... usually I wear some kind of blend (like silk) that just has a little wool in it, and that way I'm fine. A lot of my sweaters are cotton ... Very expensive ones bother me a lot less, so I guess quality has something to do with it.

 

[Nymphaea]

The boots from my wishlist have arrived, what do you guys think?
my pics

 

[eizhowa]

I think you can make a lot of interesting silhouettes with the boots. I think it looks chic with the black trousers, but I think the look with the skirt is a bit unflattering from the side. I am very self conscious about my calves and ankles myself, so I might be projecting... I seem to remember you have very good legs, so I don't know if this would even cross your mind or bother you at all. They look very good from the front. Are you going to try to pair them with a midi skirt, like in the picture you posted, as well?

 

[Nymphaea]

Thanks eizhowa. My only worry is that maybe it looks a bit too wide in the upper part from the side... I discovered I don't own a midi skirt!

 

[Nymphaea]

That midi skirt idea of you eizhowa is working out wonderfully. I forgot I've made a skirt that's almost midi, stupid!

 

[Trenchcoat]

Can anyone tell me more about alpaca wool? I found this jumper from Mango from alpacowool. But Im not familiar with these fabrics.


mango.com

 

[Fewormany]

I have a scarf made of apalca wool, it was a gift and even though it looks quite nice it itches like hell.

 

[Caramel]

Yeah, alpaca tends to itch a lot I think. I haven't tried any store bought garments made from alpaca, only hand knit ones, and they are too soft and unstructured for my liking.

 

[Betinapple]

I have a sweater that contains alpaca wool and it is insanely warm - I can only wear it on really cold winter days - it is a heavy knit though.

@Nymphaea: I really like those boots!

 

[la veronika]

Alpaca wool is the highest quality wool that exists. If it is real, it is usually very expensive. About the itching all wool itches, and wool should be never worn directly on the skin, so for a sweater, put a shirt underneath.
It is the warmest ever, highest quality, most expensive and most loved wool usually used for sweaters, not for scarves, though you may find some.
If you get your hands on some real alpaca wool price, buy it. You will be forever thankful, because it will keep you warm though it may n look to thich of a fabric, as some are very delicate.
The more delicate the fabric is, the more expensive it will be.
Hope that helps.

 

[Nymphaea]

I haven't got a clue about alpaca, I would categorize the wool as the same as camel etc. They seem nice though.
Update on my wishlist. I've tried on the black suede dress, but the fit at the waist isn't great and the dress is rather bland especially compared with the price.

 

[Melisande]

Caramel: the ankle-strap pumps are gorgeous. The straps are very sexy
Very similar to what I'm looking for too and I'd totally get them (in nubuck), but I'd destroy those heels with the first cobblestone, being clumsy that way.

Thanks to your suggestions I was inspired to pay COS a visit, looked through it thoroughly and liked the quality and price point and concept, except I didn't find anything, sadly it wasn't really my style. Maybe I'll look into Massimo Dutti next.

Now I need two evening dresses again.

 

[eizhowa]

That Mango sweater is 50% viscose, 45% polyamide and only 5% alpaca. They probably only added the alpaca so that they could call it an alpaca-blend... It is basically a viscose/polyamide sweater.

@la_veronica: Why shouldn't you wear wool directly on the skin? If I wear a tee underneath, I find that I sweat more (and have more laundry)... Does it affect the longevity of the wool?

Melisande: I am joining you in that search... I would love one evening dress that fit me just right I have a dress for christmas and new year. I need an evening dress for going out and such (i.e. shorter...).

 

[Betinapple]

That Mango sweater is 50% viscose, 45% polyamide and only 5% alpaca. They probably only added the alpaca so that they could call it an alpaca-blend... It is basically a viscose/polyamide sweater.

@la_veronica: Why shouldn't you wear wool directly on the skin? If I wear a tee underneath, I find that I sweat more (and have more laundry)... Does it affect the longevity of the wool?

Melisande: I am joining you in that search... I would love one evening dress that fit me just right I have a dress for christmas and new year. I need an evening dress for going out and such (i.e. shorter...).

I aggree with you, I do think, however, that the Alpaca will add some warmth.

I think that the thing about wool is that it will insulate better when being closest to the skin - that is why I layer woolen l/s tees under my clothes during the winter at least.

___________________

I ended up buying those Adidas shoes anyhow. Good thing too, since I love, love, love them. I have barely taken them off since I got them.

I've also recieved a wool blend l/s tee and drape skirt in black as a blogger-present and I think that those two styles will serve me really well during the winter.

My next purchase will be the ACNE scarf (this month) and next month I am thinking about getting a grey l/s tee - preferable with some wool in it.

pic via sneakershsop.dk