The 4-5 piece French wardrobe #9

[fashionista-ta]

^^^ Thanks

I notice that Eileen Fisher has a new collection of 8 pieces that they're advertising ... "each with a purpose," promoting the idea that by having a smaller wardrobe, you can make room for what really matters. (I don't know if we would agree that one's wardrobe doesn't ... I guess I would answer both yes and no to that question.)

It looks like the 8 pieces make 35 looks. Here's a video showing a model in all the looks ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ET9IuCylMBI

 

[eizhowa]

^I counted like 25 pieces but I don't know what Eileen Fisher is counting or not...

I seriously doubt I wear more than 25 pieces in a season (3 months).

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ I think I wear a lot more than that in 3 months ... and your saying that makes me want to count. How like you In a few weeks I wear probably at least 15 different pair of shoes.

I think they might be showing the 8 pieces in different colorways. The text gives the name of the featured piece. I'm not sure whether they are mixing the 8 with pieces from the main line or no ...

Speaking of shoes, I decided to discard my black Anna Sui floral applique ballerinas. They are stretched out to the point I have to work to keep them on my feet, and I was reading that this can cause muscle tears and damage to your feet. I don't need them, so decided to let them go ... this shouldn't happen with my newer shoes, as I am now only buying ballerinas that are elasticated, adjustable, or with buckles.

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[fashionista-ta]

PS Just did a little counting ... in the past 6 days, I wore 13 pieces, not counting shoes or activewear. Three of those are at or headed to the cleaners, so will be out of circulation for awhile. I counted another 20 pieces I've worn recently or will wear tomorrow. With shoes, I would say I probably wear about 55-60 pieces a season?

 

[Fewormany]

I'm impressed you know what you wore the last 6 days. I barely remember what I wore yesterday..

My wardrobe is in a quite place at the moment. I've got the basics sorted out and I'm not really missing anything. My favorite pair of jeans is at the point of becoming too distressed (I can handle a bit of wear and tear,but only when it comes from actual wear) so it probably will need replacing this summer. I also have an eye on a Ann Demeulemeester shirt on Yoox, which I really don't need. But I've got other priorities, so maybe next month (if it's still there).

Most of all my wardrobe needs better weather. I'm really sick of wearing sweaters and multiple layers, not knowing what the weather will do.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ I have a system so I will remember I have a hook on the outside of my bathroom door where I hang up my clothes after I wear them each week. So I just had to count what was there, look at what is waiting to go to the cleaners, and then remember what I'd taken to the cleaners already. This way if I repeat an item in a week, I know it. It doesn't prevent me from repeating something from Friday to Monday though

I too am keeping an eye on the distressing on my older pair of denim trousers I basically don't want skin showing. They are made nicely with a good inside seam, so where a lot of the wear is on the outside, there's another layer of denim inside. This is really extending their life. Nonetheless, they are hanging on by a thread ...

I imagine the reason I'm wearing more pieces is just a longer accumulation. That plus not putting these things in the washing machine for the most part (just for the occasional emergency). Even though I wear things out regularly, there's still a net addition of pieces in most years.

With the loss of my black top, though, the pieces I can wear during the spring and summer will change. Some of the pieces I counted in my closet were part of outfits I can no longer make in warm weather without that top. So probably next year I should look at some type of replacement for it ...

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[fashionista-ta]

Another black top has died This is the third one! All from about the same period as I think about it. This was 3/4 sleeve, and both the elastic at the neck and the elastane in the fabric have given up the ghost. I've demoted it to loungewear for the moment, but if it continues to drive me nuts like it did at work today, it's history! (No need to cover up straps at home. There are no straps )

 

[eizhowa]

I did a rough count, and if I include all the t-shirts I wear, belts, bags, scarves, sunglasses as well as occationwear I am definitely way over 25 pieces. And I also tend to borrow (sometimes with permission) stuff for short periods of times.

Oh, and I have some great news I want to share with you! My Ray Ban Wayfarers are turning 10 this summer (they grow up so fast) and you are all invited to the birthday party! Gifts are optional. No, I am just kidding. Gifts are not optional lol.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ I have learned the hard way that No gifts doesn't always mean no gifts :cool2: Happy birthday to the Wayfarers! I have never managed to hang on to sunglasses for anything like that long. I think they were stolen though

 

[Jinadaze]

Wayfarers are my favourite, although I don't have them for as long as you do, eizhowa (3 years now). They are very lightweight in comparison to some other sunglasses I own. I mosty wear these and Celine ones, which are a burden to my poor sinuses.

 

[Betinapple]

Congrats with your little ones, Eizhowa

@Ta-ta: seems like you need to stock up on black tops soon? Hopefully the cause of death isn't contagious

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What do you guys do with occasion wear?

We have 2 weddings this year and it has been a while since we had events like that, so most of my party dresses I have either sold or I do not feel like wearing.

One of them is my good friends wedding and she thought I should wear the 2nd dress from our own wedding last year, which I will probably do, since I love that dress and have so few occasions to wear it.

But I need a dress for the other wedding. I think ocassion wear is tricky since I want something that are more dressy than what I would wear for every day, but at the same time do not want to spend a ton of money on something I can only wear for parties - anyone else know that feeling? I think I might end up wearing the dark Ganni wrap dress and find a pair of nice shoes to go with it, since I will have more use of them than a fancy dress.

 

[eizhowa]

Betina, can you borrow a dress from a friend? I totally get how you feel about spending a lot of money on non-versatile occationwear.

 

[Betinapple]

Betina, can you borrow a dress from a friend? I totally get how you feel about spending a lot of money on non-versatile occationwear.

That is a good idea - thx! I'll try to ask some of my friends who wear the same size as me. I wish we had something like Rent the Runway in Denmark.

 

[EvaH]

Congrats with your little ones, Eizhowa

@Ta-ta: seems like you need to stock up on black tops soon? Hopefully the cause of death isn't contagious

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What do you guys do with occasion wear?

We have 2 weddings this year and it has been a while since we had events like that, so most of my party dresses I have either sold or I do not feel like wearing.

One of them is my good friends wedding and she thought I should wear the 2nd dress from our own wedding last year, which I will probably do, since I love that dress and have so few occasions to wear it.

But I need a dress for the other wedding. I think ocassion wear is tricky since I want something that are more dressy than what I would wear for every day, but at the same time do not want to spend a ton of money on something I can only wear for parties - anyone else know that feeling? I think I might end up wearing the dark Ganni wrap dress and find a pair of nice shoes to go with it, since I will have more use of them than a fancy dress.

A skirt. A maxi colourful skirt that you can dress up or down. If you tend to not have a lot of those events and/or your friends have semi-formal weddings then it is the best/cheapest solution IMO (after either renting or borrowing like Eizohwa said). If it is black tie then it is best to invest in some gowns and then switch depending on the guests you will see there. I do not know your field of work but in my opinion it is always good to invest in 4-5 gowns. If it will not be for black tie weddings, you might need them for gala / birthdays / work functions etc..

Edit: renting - check out bridesmaids / wedding shops. Bridesmaids dresses can do and sometimes wedding shops have evening wear options

 

[Betinapple]

A skirt. A maxi colourful skirt that you can dress up or down. If you tend to not have a lot of those events and/or your friends have semi-formal weddings then it is the best/cheapest solution IMO (after either renting or borrowing like Eizohwa said). If it is black tie then it is best to invest in some gowns and then switch depending on the guests you will see there. I do not know your field of work but in my opinion it is always good to invest in 4-5 gowns. If it will not be for black tie weddings, you might need them for gala / birthdays / work functions etc..

Edit: renting - check out bridesmaids / wedding shops. Bridesmaids dresses can do and sometimes wedding shops have evening wear options

Maxi skirt might be a good option - thanks! I definetely do not need to get a gown. Aside for my high school graduation ball, I have never had to wear a gown and within my current field of work it will not be neccesary either

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ I too have never needed a gown in the four decades when I could have been wearing one

I go with separates myself, like a black pencil skirt and a beautiful silk blouse. Both can then be worn with other things ... A dress is traditional, but I feel that tradition is a poor reason to do something, particularly when it means buying something that's not useful.

But I think your idea of getting new shoes to go with the dress you already have is a good one. Do you still have those red satin shoes? The shoes I got for my brother's wedding (black suede MiuMius) have really been workhorses. The heel is quite comfortable and I wear them to work as well as out on the weekend.

It does seem like a contagion in my closet ... but I'm practically certain that it's not

 

[fashionista-ta]

yoox

Yoox has a promotion right now (20-25% off selected items, which doesn't include many items that were part of the last sale), so I took a look around ... ordered a couple of pieces at nice prices, though they're not part of the sale. These are items from my list for fall that I believe will count toward next spring since I'm running a bit ahead at the moment ... the trousers are wool twill, not sure if they'll be comfortable for wearing now, but they definitely will be for fall. Let's hope these pants are actually in my size rather than 2 sizes too small like last time The top is a size larger than I normally order, but I think should be fine. These tops have a lot of stretch, and the ones I have are close-fitting. I will find out in any case ...

 

[Betinapple]

^ I too have never needed a gown in the four decades when I could have been wearing one

I go with separates myself, like a black pencil skirt and a beautiful silk blouse. Both can then be worn with other things ... A dress is traditional, but I feel that tradition is a poor reason to do something, particularly when it means buying something that's not useful.

But I think your idea of getting new shoes to go with the dress you already have is a good one. Do you still have those red satin shoes? The shoes I got for my brother's wedding (black suede MiuMius) have really been workhorses. The heel is quite comfortable and I wear them to work as well as out on the weekend.

It does seem like a contagion in my closet ... but I'm practically certain that it's not

Glad I am not the only one living a gown less life.

For some reasons skirts aren't really workingfor me ATM. Sounds like a really versatile look. I still have the red satin shoes. I love those, but both weddings are outdoors, so I think a block heel would be better (grass..). I've ordered a pair of dusty pink velvet sandals. Looking forward to seeing if they are any good. Also pulled the snap on a light blue polka dot wrap style dress yesterday.

How did your yoox purchases turn out?
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We've probably discussed this before, but how do you guys navigate between wants and needs? I am obsessed with the cult gaia ark bag atm - I cannot remember the last time an item spoke to me like this. Also I find it very timeless due to the vintage look even if it is a very "now" item. It is not very practical, my hubby thinks it is silly, and I can see that it is probably better suited for another climate than what I live in. At the same time I do not have any other things that I NEED right now and I firmly believe in buying what you love. I would love to hear the thoughts of you guys (gals )

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ Hopefully you can get the snap repaired? The same thing happened on my Patagonia coat ... I was so stoked that they repaired it for only $5!

Dunno yet ... still waiting for them to ship AFAIK

The bag is very cute. I love straw bags ... why not? Being rattan, it should be quite durable, so you should have it for many summers to come. And in your climate, I'm sure some differentiation between seasons is nice.

I too believe in going for what I really want, and if there's a more practical hole in my wardrobe that I stepped over to get it, I just have to live with that and work around it until I can address it. I'm not going to go naked after all--and I'm sure you won't either It kind of comes down to, Do I have the money to spend right now, and how many pieces have I bought already for the season.

There's something else on Yoox I like, but they marked it up above retail I believe more than $200, so now that they've marked it 'down,' it's just a few dollars less than its original full price and I just don't think I should be paying that much from Yoox. So, we'll see how things are looking once they actually mark it down.

In the meantime, I've ordered a chair and am getting a new roof this month, so those things come first ...

 

[eizhowa]

Speaking of gowns...I have made a very random vintage purchase. I found a 1930s bias cut silk wedding dress in my size and it was only 50 usd at an auction (probably because 1930s wedding dresses are not in fashion right now...I don't know whats wrong with people) so I bought it. I just couldn't pass it up. I am a little bit of a hoarder when it comes to pretty dresses that I never use