The 4-5 piece French wardrobe #7

[Trenchcoat]

other stores than uniqlo

 

[fashionista-ta]

That's what my sister says: "Don't try to make what you need into what you want; make what you want into what you need."

I like that saying


My view is this ... everyday you have to wear something. It can just as well be a statement piece as a basic ...


True, there are days you don't feel like the attention you will get when you wear a sweeping tangerine dress. And there may be professional requirements, that kind of thing. But otherwise ...


I might not choose to wear polka dot pants on certain occasions, but I can definitely make sure I'm taken seriously in them

 

[Melisande]

Yeah I totally agree with all of you!
My issue was more re filling wardrobe holes (no matter how flamboyant), vs. impulse buys for the n-th jacket I really don't need.

 

[eizhowa]

I still feel like I have everything I need to get through the upcomming season. It is a very good feeling to know I don't need(/want) anything, for once.

Instead of shopping, I've been making a list of wardrobe projects I want to complete his fall. (I love lists.)

In order of priority:

1. Clean the vintage corduroy blazer I bought in June. It smells very vintage right now

2. Add protective soles to my Balenciaga Chelsea boots and Suede Porsellis

3. Clean, conditon and water proof all leather shoes (9) and bags (2)
(This is a good reason to own less shoes and bags I've realized...)

4. Donate unworn and unloved items. This is a tough one... I will keep occation-wear and such, though. I don't want to risk purging to the point where I feel like I need to buy new stuff...

5. Go over my pieces with a needle and thread and look for minor repairs I can do myself.

6. Make a list of items that are worth taking to the seamstress.

Turns out, I have a lot to do, even without looking for new stuff to buy

 

[Caramel]

^ I like that list.

I spent the whole day yesterday installing new wardrobes, and going through all the clothes I own I realized I still hold on to way too much junk.

 

[Trenchcoat]

is anyone familiar with benneton? i found this cardigan 100 % wool


benneton.com

 

[Caramel]

I've had good experience with lambswool sweaters from Benetton. I think they are pretty decent quality, especially for the price. I'm not always a fan of the fit though, their sweaters tend to be very short on me.

 

[Betinapple]

I had a wool sweater from Benneton that I was quite happy with. It only lasted me for two winters though, and it was quite short since it fit me perfectly.

 

[Fewormany]

Nice to-do list eizhowa, I can imagine that improving the things you already own will be more satisfying than buying new items.

My main two purchases for upcoming months will be a new pair of jeans (dark blue) and a scarf. The jeans are the main priority right now, because my current pair shows too much wear (and not in a good way). I blame my telephone that I carry in my pocket, you can see the shape faded and now also with some wear marks in the denim fabric. Although I don't complain since I've worn them for about 4 years now. I will be buying the same brand again (Nudie), but I'm not quite sure on the fit yet. I might try something slimmer, but on me there is a smal line between slim fitted and man on two sticks. :roll eyes:

For the scarf I've pretty much decided on an Acne scarf (unless the fabric is really disappointing in real life). I'm torn between basic heather grey or the printed scarf below. At the moment I'm leaning toward the printed one, since my wintercoat is already quite basic and bulky it would be great to have something to make it a bit more interesting. First world dilemmas..

acnestudios.com

 

[Trenchcoat]

I had a wool sweater from Benneton that I was quite happy with. It only lasted me for two winters though, and it was quite short since it fit me perfectly.

Why did it last for only two winters? Because of bad quality?

 

[Caramel]

I had a wool sweater from Benneton that I was quite happy with. It only lasted me for two winters though, and it was quite short since it fit me perfectly.

As is the case with most brands these days, I think the quality is worse than it used to be. I had a Benetton sweater that I bought in middle school, and 15 years later it looked as good as new. Though it wasn't my most worn piece of clothing, that's still pretty good. However, the same type of sweater I bought three years ago is starting to look quite worn, and I only ever wear it at home now.

 

[eizhowa]

I think Betinas sweater got a hole? They are not very thick.

 

[Melisande]

@eizhowa, I love the list too. I really need to do my fix-ups too.

@trenchcoat I think Benetton seems good, at least all of my Italian friends swear by it and I like their fit. No experience regarding durability of their wool though.

 

[eizhowa]

Gosh, I've thrown out so many tees while going through my wardrobe! I only have one (of 8) of my Monki tees left... All the others had a hole (in almost the same place, oddly...It is like they had a meeting and planned it together).

Getting rid of some of my old and unworn items has been much easier than I thought. What I couldn't let go off in 2012 or 2013 feels easier to donate now. I think it is because I have forgotten how much I paid for the things I now only have 1 box of dresses, while I before had several

I will only be selling 4-5 pieces (no, not those 4-5 pieces). The rest goes to charity, which isn't too bad, I guess... Selling things is too much of a hassle, and I just can't be bothered. It would just stay in my wardrobe forever if I tried.

Going through my stuff, I found a few more items that needed some tlc, but it feels good to know none of my clothes are dying in my wardrobe due to negligence. I also found some stuff I had forgotten I owned...

 

[fashionista-ta]

I like the animal print, Fewormany.

I like to keep up with my repairs as I go, that way I never have to deal with a long list

 

[Betinapple]

@Trenchcoat: it got some small holes several places. It is not that even that delicate, my new Uniqlo sweater is more delicate and I sense it wont happen to that one, but I can not know for sure.

@Fewormany: I am really a solids girl, but that printed scarf is so great! I vote for that.

 

[Caramel]

Fewormany, I am also a solids girl, but I say go for the print too!

I have been looking high and low for a dress, with little results. There might be more choices available as we get closer to Christmas, but I need something for mid-late October. I originally wanted a sheath/pencil dress, and were looking for colours such as black, navy and maroon/plum. I think I may end up sewing something like that instead, since it's difficult to both find something I like style-wise and something that also fits me (wide hips, narrow waist, short-ish torso), but I don't have time for that at the moment.

Meanwhile, I stumbled across this dress that I remember crushing on a while back (last year? in the spring?) from FWSS that I am considering. I have been trying to find something more grown up, and steer away from the girly full-skirted look, but I feel like this is a little less girly than a lot of its kind? Would you agree?

hoyer.no

 

[Melisande]

Caramel I totally totally feel your dress dilemma! I also have the same small waist-hip thing as you, which makes it extra hard. Gave up, started to make one in Japan, but didn't have time to finish it and left it there

I really like that dress! The color, silhouette, everything. You're right, it's got a schoolgirl look (in the best way!) but it's austere, and if you style it with grown-up hair and accessories it will look quite sophisticated. The skirt would be above-the-knee for me, but maybe it hits knee-length on you? That would make a difference. And where will you be wearing it?

 

[Caramel]

Thanks for the feedback, Melisande. Yes, it would probably be about knee-length on me. I'm thinking styled with pointy toed pumps (like the Sam Edelmans I'm considering, for example) it will look more sophisticated/less girly. On the other hand, the styling possibilities may be a bit limited with this dress..? I'm very drawn to it, but I don't know if I am just desperate/frustrated.

I haven't thought of one specific event for it, but I have several in the coming months that require something dressy. A family (in-laws) event, a birthday party, work party, and then Christmas parties, etc. With only one dress in my wardrobe that I feel comfortable in I need at least one new.

 

[Melisande]

Yeah I was thinking of the Sam Edelmans too.
As for limited styling possibilities, you may be right...(but then again, that's the nature of many dresses unless it's one of those dresses that are more like a lush backdrop for various accessories.) You could go with pearls, or you could go with gold. And black. But if you only have one dress right now, I understand your need for versatility...maybe you could do like me and look for dressy separates? Or you could try the dress on maybe and see if you absolutely love it. For the events you mention it would not be too girly I think.