The 4-5 piece French wardrobe #9

[fashionista-ta]

Thx for letting me know - they look really nice, but I have sort of given up on loose(r). I just don't find them flattering on me.

@Jina: I have that stripe tee. Got it 6 years ago - I wore it out a long time ago, but it is soooo soft, so it still lives in my loungewear drawer despite having tons of holes in it


__________________________

I set a monthly spending limit for clothes in the beginning of 2017, and so far I have actually managed to keep it, despite experiencing a somewhat large increase in my earnings. For some reason all of the more expensive items I have been looking at just don't feel very interesting ATM. Feels good.

Good for you!!

I think I do better with limiting the items, since it's hard to know for me what 'an item' is going to cost.

In preparing to go to the tailor today, I discarded another (Elie Tahari) black top I bought some years ago. It has this smocked neckline with a raw-edge trim, and the smocking was originally elasticated. That gave out, so now the neckline is bigger by several inches than it's supposed to be I decided the fabric wasn't in good enough shape to justify attempting a repair.

The tailor is going to stitch down the pleats on the grey silk trousers in addition to hemming them.

I've been having fun putting together outfits with my new items. Yesterday I really liked my outfit ... new white T and black skirt with ivory/black polka dot cardigan and red patent heels (with red lipstick). The sweater looked a bit dalmatian print or ermine-ish against the high-contrast black and white ... it was one of those days that really called for a kick-a$$ outfit, so I was glad I was able to put one together

I have had a lot of difficulty trying to shop the runway ... I guess it all comes down to the samples often being quite different from what is eventually produced. And, if you pre-order something, it makes you (me anyway) feel more obligated to buy it (regardless of whether it truly fits or is flattering) than if I were just trying something on. This was the case with my Bottega grey linen skirt, but I did eventually get it tailored so it fits like I want it to, and I really enjoy wearing it ... great details and fabric.

Save​

 

[fashionista-ta]

PS I found a small cross-body bag on Yoox that I like ... however, it has a cut-out in the flap that I'm not sure about. It would be nice if I'd ever seen this style of bag in person. I'm not sure about the sight line into the bag, as well as potentially an exit path for small items in the bag ... hmm, doesn't sound too good as I describe it.

 

[Betinapple]

Good for you!!

I think I do better with limiting the items, since it's hard to know for me what 'an item' is going to cost.

In preparing to go to the tailor today, I discarded another (Elie Tahari) black top I bought some years ago. It has this smocked neckline with a raw-edge trim, and the smocking was originally elasticated. That gave out, so now the neckline is bigger by several inches than it's supposed to be I decided the fabric wasn't in good enough shape to justify attempting a repair.

The tailor is going to stitch down the pleats on the grey silk trousers in addition to hemming them.

I've been having fun putting together outfits with my new items. Yesterday I really liked my outfit ... new white T and black skirt with ivory/black polka dot cardigan and red patent heels (with red lipstick). The sweater looked a bit dalmatian print or ermine-ish against the high-contrast black and white ... it was one of those days that really called for a kick-a$$ outfit, so I was glad I was able to put one together

I have had a lot of difficulty trying to shop the runway ... I guess it all comes down to the samples often being quite different from what is eventually produced. And, if you pre-order something, it makes you (me anyway) feel more obligated to buy it (regardless of whether it truly fits or is flattering) than if I were just trying something on. This was the case with my Bottega grey linen skirt, but I did eventually get it tailored so it fits like I want it to, and I really enjoy wearing it ... great details and fabric.

Save​

Limiting by items used to make sense for me, but these days limiting by money is just better. Maybe because I want to spend less on clothes so I can spend money on other things. If I want something more expensive than the amount I have decided, I will just get it one month and not get anything the next (or vice versa). Of course if I was to buy an investment piece like a bag, I would have to save up the money for it, but that has always been the case. But it is easy right now since I am not really wanting anything that expensive ATM.

I can see what you mean in regards of shopping the runway. However, I mainly buy Danish brands, and things pretty much look the same on the runway as in store. Also I never preorder, I just keep track of when the new collections arrive.

Sounds like the bag you are talking about is a nogo.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ Yes, it was I went to Bottega Veneta this afternoon and bought a cross-body bag ... it's not the one I thought I was going to get. When I tried them on, the smaller bag with the chain strap didn't fit nearly as well as a somewhat bigger bag with a leather strap. Irritatingly, the website doesn't have the color I bought, a bronze (not far from rose gold) metallic, so I'm going to have to take my own picture Sorry about the rotation, it was right side up when I took it

I am counting this toward Fall ...

Save​

 

[fashionista-ta]

PS Bottega has adjustable ballerinas in two colors, one of which just happens to be red! The SA seemed to think he could get hold of my size ...

eizhowa, they are also less expensive than Lanvin for the level of detail IMO. Probably the structure is more like your Porsellis rather than the internal wedge the Lanvins have.

I looked around to see what Lanvin has in red right now, and it's not much. I seem to recall that before Neimans had several pages of their shoes ... now it's less than one. I wonder if foolish Madame Wang is beginning to realize she has shot herself in both feet ...

On Bluefly I think there's a red suede with patent captoe ... nowhere does it say what color the toe is, but I think it's ... purple?! Very 80s, but not tremendously useful in 2017 ...

 

[Nymphaea]

Wow, that color of your BV is amazing fashionista-ta, congrats, I like it very much.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ Thank you I wanted a color that was interesting but would hopefully go with everything, so metallic is probably the perfect solution ... the ultimate neutral I will also be able to put my whole wallet in this--I was thinking I might need to use the little piece that just holds credit cards (if it has a name, I can't think of it right now ).

 

[eizhowa]

Ta-ta, very pretty bag. I have always loved the woven leather on BV bags. Thank you for your recommendation, I will check them out. Not sure they can top the irrational affection I have for Porsellis or Lanvins though

The seller with the back Ganni kimono decided to let the kimono go after all (Did I mention that she changed her mind back in early march?), but I am taking 24 hours to mull it over. One one hand, the kimono is very difficult to find on the second hand market, it is very versatile and I really need occationwear. On the other hand, the occations I might need it for are far away, and I will be unemployed in 2 months from now when I finish university...

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ Thank you

If you feel the style is timeless, then I think you should go for it Assuming you won't have to resort to the food supply under your bed for sustenance in coming weeks

Did I mention the BV ballerinas have intrecciato on the toe? It seems he managed to find them in my size, so I will try them on this weekend. I had been planning to shop for some red flats in the June/July timeframe, but these are showing sold out in my size online, so ... the time is now. I set some $$$ aside from my tax refund in case he did find them. The other thing I like is they have black grosgrain trim around the top & drawstrings ... the contrast is nice. I will try to remember to ask what is in the lookbook for fall in this style while I'm there ...

 

[fashionista-ta]

Have been giving a bit of thought to my wishlist for fall ... for some reason I like to think about my wardrobe while I'm driving

• Red ballerinas to replace the ones I discarded some months back
• A pair of trousers to replace the denim ones that are about to wear out--but probably not denim. Brunello Cucinelli?
• Black long-sleeved top for layering
• A statement sweater. Maybe traditional leopard??
• Black boots?? Pinned a pair I like awhile ago, but not sure how well these would integrate with my wardrobe. I don't really need them.
• Another Armani T in a different color? These are useful year-round for layering.

 

[barbaraaa]

Came back from Manchester two days ago and I loved & Other Stories. We don't have it in Portugal, nor do they ship here, so I had to take advantage of the fact that I was there...

otherstories

I also bought a dress that I can't find on their website

manutd.com

And other recent buys that I haven't shared:

asos

oasis-stores

I think that is all it's been a while since I've last been here

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ Really pretty cheerful print on that blouse at the top Reminds me of Liberty.

Just stopped by to say that I'm wearing my new cross-body bag this weekend and really like it. I don't know if you can see this in my fabulous picture but there's a leather pad under the buckle at your neck, and the bag feels weightless at that point--no pressure. Instead the weight is distributed across your body. Really like the color, and the way the bag sits. The way it's constructed, there's just the intrecciato, and inside a suede lining. By itself it weighs very little, but it fits my whole wallet and several other things.

The only thing about the design that doesn't really work is the phone pocket. It perfectly fits my iPhone 6, but when other things are in the bag, it creates this unattractive bump--so I'm not using it.

 

[Betinapple]

@Ta-ta: that bag looks divine - and the padding on the strap sounds great. My theory bag is really light weight too - I had no clue it could be so comfortable wearing a cross-body bag.

As someone who has black boots as a staple it is really funny to read how you are doubting whether they will fit in your wardrobe ink:

@Eizhowa: did you get the kimono? I really love mine and find it very versatile. I can wear it layered over a slip, as a dress or over a pair of jeans and a plain tee, depending on the fancy-ness of the event I am attending.

@Barbaraa: nice you see you here. Those tops look great! I think &Other Stories has a lot of great things.

______________________________

I really want a new dress of some sorts. I have a Ganni dress from AW15 that I have worn several times every week since I got it, and I want more things like that, that just always works no matter the event and always makes me feel great. I am eyeing several options but can't seem to make up my mind.

Also, I am really bored with my wardrobe ATM, so maybe not the best time to go shopping..

 

[fashionista-ta]

bottegaveneta

^ Thank you I've never had a cross-body bag before ... it's a bit of a revelation!

It's not black boots per se, just the pair I had pinned. They're a bit military and formal. They would go well with Nymphaea's wardrobe I think I did find another pair I like better for me though ... but haven't tried either of them on.

Do you have anything you can pull out of the attic to make things exciting again? The sweater I'm wearing today and wore a couple weeks ago, I don't think I had worn it in a couple years or so. Now I am loving it with the things I've recently bought ...

Or maybe a new scarf ...

I did get the red ballerinas ... they're pretty comfortable. A bit low to the ground, though. I'm interested to see what the durability is like, but figured I might as well try. There are other colors coming for fall, like Pacific blue, and burgundy ... red is what I was really missing though. They have a pink (dusty rose) pictured on their site that wasn't produced.

 

[Betinapple]

^ Thank you I've never had a cross-body bag before ... it's a bit of a revelation!

It's not black boots per se, just the pair I had pinned. They're a bit military and formal. They would go well with Nymphaea's wardrobe I think I did find another pair I like better for me though ... but haven't tried either of them on.

Do you have anything you can pull out of the attic to make things exciting again? The sweater I'm wearing today and wore a couple weeks ago, I don't think I had worn it in a couple years or so. Now I am loving it with the things I've recently bought ...

Or maybe a new scarf ...

I did get the red ballerinas ... they're pretty comfortable. A bit low to the ground, though. I'm interested to see what the durability is like, but figured I might as well try. There are other colors coming for fall, like Pacific blue, and burgundy ... red is what I was really missing though. They have a pink (dusty rose) pictured on their site that wasn't produced.

Ah, I see- they look really nice though

Not sure my attic will be able to help this time, unfortunately. I really cleared out a lot of stuff within the last year.

Really pretty ballerinas! That shade of red is real nice.

 

[Betinapple]

So, I ended up making a decission and got what spoke to me the most, although it might not have been the most practical of the options I had in mind. But I think I will be happier with this in the long run.

It is the same model as the navy one I bought in February, just in another print. It was pretty much the last one in all of DK and I haven't been able to scoop up my size online, so it was a good call - and a birthday present from me to me B) wearing it today over my light blue kickflares and a white tee.

Pics via net-a-porter and stoy

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ Very pretty print and color

 

[eizhowa]

Barbaraa: The ruby red dress is beautiful!

Betina: I am spending easter at home with my family, so I won't recive the Kimono until I return to my apartment next week.I look forward to playing with styling ideas The green wrap dress is lovely. I'd also like to point out that it is important that you keep doing what makes you happy, and not only what is practical if you want maintain the reputation of Denmark as one of the happiest countries (* insert joke about german practicality here *)

Ta-ta: Those ballerinas are very pretty

 

[Betinapple]

Barbaraa: The ruby red dress is beautiful!

Betina: I am spending easter at home with my family, so I won't recive the Kimono until I return to my apartment next week.I look forward to playing with styling ideas The green wrap dress is lovely. I'd also like to point out that it is important that you keep doing what makes you happy, and not only what is practical if you want maintain the reputation of Denmark as one of the happiest countries (* insert joke about german practicality here *)

Ta-ta: Those ballerinas are very pretty

Thx! I'll remember that the next time I need an excuse to buy a pretty dress

Looking forward to hearing how you like the kimono.

-------------------

I'm heading to Hamburg tomorrow. Any last minute shopping advice will be appreciated!

 

[eizhowa]

I had to google where Hamburg was so I can't give you any tips Hope you have fun!


I feel pretty happy with my wardrobe atm. I have good shoes and jackets and a decent amount of basic tops and trousers that fit well.

I would like to add a few pieces to complete the look though:

1. Black leather belt with a brass buckle; to wear with my J brand corduroy kick flares, so that the shiny gold button will be concealed.
2. Black shorts; to wear when it is too hot for jeans.

I will probably try to thrift both items.

I would also like a pair of low/mid rise black trousers, but finding a pair in a good cut, material and at a price I can afford sounds like a herculean task to be honest. Trousers are always either too high in the rise, to long in the legs or too wide in the legs or too narrow at the calf.