The 4-5 piece French wardrobe #8

[Betinapple]

I was just thinking the other day, that I might wanted to do a month without shopping, since I feel like it can add a new perspective to things. Then I realized, that I had not bought anything since the beginning of September, without even noticing. I have been busy with work and my studies.

I think I shop when I am bored. Not as a direct cause, but since I spend more time looking at webshop and windowshopping, when I don't have projects that I am working on - mainly in during the summer holiday. I will try to be cautious of this. Also I feel like being so happy with my wardrobe ATM, I don't feel like I need anything. Feeling like that it is a lot easier to avoid shopping, since it feels silly shopping when I know I don't need anything.

 

[eizhowa]

I haven't bought anything for a month, but it is only because there is nothing interesting in the shops...

 

[Nymphaea]

I'm also on a fashion low, but that's partly because of my recent purchases, having almost nothing on my wishlist and it's getting colder. Also SS16 was een very disappointing season. So I'm not really in the right mood now for fashion. Next please.

 

[Melisande]

...and I who could go a whole season or two without buying anything have bought 4 items in a few weeks . Today I finally found a pair of basic black suede booties (crazy how with all the black booties out there it can be so hard to find ones you like), and also finally replaced my running shoes (a pair of Asics rather than Mizuno this time.) So far my purging/minimalist experiment has been going well, the only inconvenience being frequent laundry but no pressing needs any more other than a warm puffer or fur for later months. A few more sweaters, skirts and l/s tees would be nice just for variety, but I'm really enjoying the minimalist thing for now.



andré.com

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ Can't see the pic unfortunately, but glad you found some you like!


I have been inspired by the new Gucci designer (words I never thought to type ) to layer/wear more rings. I've paired an antique rose gold/garnet/seed pearl ring with a contemporary yellow gold/white pearl/twist setting. They kind of nest together. I want to also wear another antique rose gold/garnet/seed pearl ring with these on my pinky, but need to get it resized. I'm also thinking of buying another antique ring--maybe something wild like a snake or lion's head. First I have to find it

 

[eizhowa]

...and I who could go a whole season or two without buying anything have bought 4 items in a few weeks . Today I finally found a pair of basic black suede booties (crazy how with all the black booties out there it can be so hard to find ones you like), and also finally replaced my running shoes (a pair of Asics rather than Mizuno this time.) So far my purging/minimalist experiment has been going well, the only inconvenience being frequent laundry but no pressing needs any more other than a warm puffer or fur for later months. A few more sweaters, skirts and l/s tees would be nice just for variety, but I'm really enjoying the minimalist thing for now.



andré.com

Love the suede boots! I would like some just like that, but with a slightly higher heel. There are lots of suede boots here, but they are all wedge boots

 

[Melisande]

Ta-ta that sounds great, I love wearing a bunch of silver rings, three on each hand.

Eizhowa thank you! The heels do look lower in the photo--they are about 7cm--I didn't want more than that because I walk a lot in Paris. Funny, conversely I was looking all over for wedges but couldn't find any I liked, and fell in love with these instead!

 

[eizhowa]

^Interesting... Where are they from? andré.com is not a website adress my computer understands

 

[clarissea]

Hi there!
I've been reading this thread for a long time now and discovering your closet adventures with a lot of curiosity and envy. I've first heard of the '4-5 piece French wardrobe' thing on the blog 'Wide Eyed Legless' and since then, I try (yes, try) to buy 'better'. I used to buy 'a lot', especially from places like H&M, cheap and 'good-looking' but as I age, I'm more and more annoyed by the low quality and the hazardous cuts. I really want to build a great wardrobe that fits me and will follow for more than one season but I must say that even if I try, I fail miserably. I've never been the girl who puts lots of money in her clothes, I mean for one piece but in the end, I think it may be better for my bank account even if I bought more expensive pieces but obviously less. Still, I have this difficulty with the price range of clothes as my 'too expensive' limit seems to be quite low... Well, I know this is a lot of blabla, the point is, I would love to join you and be better at purchasing my clothes (and also, know better about the 'rules' of this 'wardrobe'). I suppose I'm still struggling a little bit with my style too (and my body confidence), so this may not help buying what fits me. Not to mention that I just had a baby and ugh, where's my body please? ^^

So do you have any advice for a beginner like me? Thanks in advance!

And about the André shoes, the website is andre.com, it's a french shoe shop

 

[fashionista-ta]

clarissea, you might try reading some articles that explain why good things cost so much You could also set an overall budget for clothing per season, and think of what you're going to spend building your wardrobe more than cost per item ... perhaps that will help?


One thing I like to think of is the lifecycle of an item. If you buy something well-made and maintain it well, it might never look run-down. But if you buy 10 cheap ones, they will only look good in the very beginning, moving towards ratty, till you're at the point where you can't stand it anymore. The cheap way, you spend a good amount of time in the ratty part of the cycle, whereas with something good quality, it should continue to look good for the vast majority of its life, right up until it's ready to discard. So not only have you saved yourself all the time and effort involved in locating and bringing home the 10 cheap things, you've also upgraded the whole experience--not to mention your appearance. You're taking the whole shoe (or shirt or skirt or pants) owning experience to a higher level.

 

[fashionista-ta]

PS I think we have a thread around here somewhere (I know I have posted to it in the past) about buying things that work when your size fluctuates. Maybe you can dig up that thread ... I suspect it would help you. There's a lot you can do short of elastic waistbands to facilitate clothes fitting you at various times, let's say if the amount of water in your body varies significantly during the month. A good tailor also helps ... I've had things altered both ways. This is particularly worth doing with skirts.


I would say that the first thing you should do is observe the holes in your wardrobe. Get a little journal and make notes about what you wish you had, what's bothering you, etc. over several weeks, and then make a wish list based on those notes. Once you have that, you can post it here, and ask for advice about whatever you like You should probably do this once in each season till you get the hang of it ... maybe warm weather, cold, and transitional. Your needs will be a bit different during each.

 

[eizhowa]

Andre.com redirects to a site selling Russian visas for me

Clarissea, Welcome! Always nice when someone new joins!

To start I would try to list the basics I would need for a wardrobe to work (eg. grey jumper, black jeans, white tees, black shoes etc.) and then try to think of a few items to make your basics more interesting, like a scarf and a nice jacket. The idea is that as you go along, you can add more fun pieces Maybe you even have some great pieces?

I would try to find 2-3 silhouettes you like, and analyse them to see what kind of pieces you need (and which you can wait to get).

Not all items need to be very expensive though. I focus on good, but plain shoes, and I have one very good bag, some decently priced tees and all my cashmeres are from uniqlo or second hand.

If I were you, I wouldn't buy too expensive basics, because your body is likely to change a lot i you just had a baby

Oh, and try to identify which colors you love to wear! When starting to build a good wardrobe, you might not have that much to pick from, so it would be even more important that everything goes with everything.

Have you read the post linked to in the first post of this thread? It explains the most basic and important "rules".

 

[floodette]

Melisande, great boots! I love suede shoes, but always afraid they will become wet. Do you treat them with something?

Today I went to a new place to repair the heels of my tory burch wedge. The new place is quite cheaper than my usual place, but the service is good and they give one month warranty. II think I'll bring my repairs there next time.

 

[floodette]

Betinapple how are you? I remember you when I first came here. Thank you for your kind words. Will try to wear more color, as ppl said it looks good on me. Oh courage.... courage....

Thanks ta-ta and eizhowa for the nice words on the lotus subeng. Come to think of it, this brand has interesting snake rings. Will try to find pics.

I have the bondage snake ring. So unusual and quite comfy to wear. The earring is my favourite (my year sign is snake, btw).

 

[fashionista-ta]

adin.be

Thanks, floodette--great snake ring! Sadly I am from the year of the sheep--not too exciting. I found this ring I like--Georgian French with black enamel and a diamond--and for nearly $5000 it could be mine. I'm thinking I can do better ... hope to visit a local antique jeweler this weekend.

 

[eizhowa]

^I was born in the year of the monkey. HOW RUDE! I was so offended that I have never bothered finding out what that is supposed to mean.

I am so jealous you are a snake, floodette... It is all so unfair!

Very pretty ring, Fashionista-ta! I hope you will share a picture if you find one even lovelier.

I used to have a snake ring that I loved. I wore it for years without taking it of when I was a teenager, and I convinced myself taking it off would be bad luck. I even had a nightmare I took it off Then it broke and fell of and I didn't die, so thats good

 

[Fewormany]

I like the idea of stacking rings, gives instant personality.

clarissea, welcome!

The last items I bought are 2 months ago (3 sweaters) and the only purchases I have planned for the next month(s) are a draped cardigan in light grey and a pair of tapered light blue/greyish jeans.

I'm from the year of the rabbit by the way, how exciting.

 

[fashionista-ta]

My Western zodiac sign (Leo) is much, much better, so I just go with that


I should be able to post a pic now that I have my magic smartphone!


I too had that experience of a ring breaking off my finger. It was my grandfather's beautifully-worn signet ring from when he was little. Had I realized I was in danger of losing it, I'd have had it reinforced. Now I know ...


I read that snake rings used to be common (Queen Victoria had one) as engagement or wedding rings because it symbolized eternity/commitment. So there should be a lot out there to choose from ... we'll see what I find.

 

[barbaraaa]

Andre.com redirects to a site selling Russian visas for me

I was intrigued so I googled it and it turns out to be andre.fr

 

[adorefaith]

Hi there!
I've been reading this thread for a long time now and discovering your closet adventures with a lot of curiosity and envy. I've first heard of the '4-5 piece French wardrobe' thing on the blog 'Wide Eyed Legless' and since then, I try (yes, try) to buy 'better'. I used to buy 'a lot', especially from places like H&M, cheap and 'good-looking' but as I age, I'm more and more annoyed by the low quality and the hazardous cuts. I really want to build a great wardrobe that fits me and will follow for more than one season but I must say that even if I try, I fail miserably. I've never been the girl who puts lots of money in her clothes, I mean for one piece but in the end, I think it may be better for my bank account even if I bought more expensive pieces but obviously less. Still, I have this difficulty with the price range of clothes as my 'too expensive' limit seems to be quite low... Well, I know this is a lot of blabla, the point is, I would love to join you and be better at purchasing my clothes (and also, know better about the 'rules' of this 'wardrobe'). I suppose I'm still struggling a little bit with my style too (and my body confidence), so this may not help buying what fits me. Not to mention that I just had a baby and ugh, where's my body please? ^^

So do you have any advice for a beginner like me? Thanks in advance!

And about the André shoes, the website is andre.com, it's a french shoe shop

welcome!

i can completely relate.... i still get sucked into the h&m/zara/topshop world and still can't really wrap my head around paying hundreds of dollars for one item, even though i know i am purchasing quality. well, i hope. that's the other thing... i have bought more expensive sweaters etc only to have them pill and lose shape. super disappointing.

i don't know how much i have to offer as i am only just embarking on this as well, but i wanted to say hi and you're not alone!