The 4-5 piece French wardrobe #9

[Nymphaea]

Some strange odours are hanging around in this thread. ink:

I've tried the cashmere belted coat from my wishlist and I'm not buying it. There are more negatives than positives. It's not lined so it can make clothes underneath pill, the fabric is rather thin, it takes some time to get the proper fit/drape (it's not a coat you can throw on fast and walk out of the door) and I'm worried the collar design will get old-fashioned fast and when the coat isn't belted it's rather plain. Overall it's just like the pic and looks nice. But when counting all the pros and cons and keep the high price in mind, it's not working for me. So I'm moving on.

 

[Fewormany]

It's a shame when an item doesn't live up to the expectations. Were you looking for a specific kind of coat, or did you just like this one?

 

[Nymphaea]

^No not looking for a specific one, liked this one because it's oversized and looking cozy.

 

[eizhowa]

The linen striped top I bought completely came apart in the wash. I even used a garment bag, but when it came out of the machine, it was full of holes I hope I just had some really bad luck. I can't keep going back and exchanging it for a new one every week, and it really was a lovely striped top...

Nympheaea: Shame the coat did not love up to your expectations! It looked so beautiful in the picture.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ Could you hand wash it?

Nymphaea, I don't think the shawl collar would go out of style ... but I can see that you wouldn't want to be fussing with the drape daily, though you probably would get quicker at it. I always become more expert at things as time goes on ...

Have you looked at Lanvin coats on Yoox? Typically there the drape would be built in ...

 

[eizhowa]

^It would be really inconvenient:/ And when it says it can be machine washed I want to be able to machine wash it!

 

[Fewormany]

It's so frustrating when you end up destroying a piece of clothing because the care label is wrong. I've shrunken several sweaters and shirts because the label said they could be washed on 30 degrees when it clearly should have been cold water.

 

[Melisande]

Oh that's soooo frustrating

RIP to my lovely grey cashmere sweater that lasted so long and never pilled, until it thinned out and gave way to three big holes at once.

 

[Betinapple]

@Melisande: Even though black is a very common color for clothes in Denmark, it is still not considered that apropriate a colour for parties either. Normal parties yes, but definetely not for weddings. I know some wear black any way, but I would not do it, even though I would not get offended if anyone wore black to my wedding. I wouldn't, and haven't worn black to a christening neither. That doesn't mean that I go totally colourful out of my comfortzone and get something that I will never wear again though. For my friend's daughters christening in December I wore my new floral Ganni dress, and for the previous one I wore my stripe Malene Birger dress.

@Nymphaea: is it the Narciso Rodriquez coat? It looks lovely, but I get why you don't want to spend forever putting it on. It would bother me as well. I tried on the Toga Pulla boots once and there is no zipper, only the buckles, and when I pointed out to the S.A. that it would annoy me, she asked how many times a day I take my shoes on and off not that many, but I don't want to anything that is a hassle to deal with.

@Eizhowa: Thank you for your compliments on my all black outfits truth be told, I think I rarely wear ALL black anymore - it just feels a bit much, and I think it looks better with black, grey, white and a little bit of colours mixed - at least that is how I feel more comfortable. Then I will just have to live with looking like a skunk! I don't mind all black for summer looks though - last year I wore my black slip dress, black birkenstocks and black Willow a lot, but I think it just looks a bit too massive during winter with boots, tights, coat, scarf put on top of each other.

I had that happen with the tees as well -.- only to cheaper clothes though. Hopefully the store will take it back. Which brand is it?

___________________

I really need to get back on track making lists and sticking to them. The past few seasons my wardrobe has been kind of settled - I don't need anything major and I can make do with what I have, so I have ended up just buying what I liked once I stumbled upon it, and while that is fine, everything seems a bit in-cohesive ATM since my style has become somewhat all over the place since I like a lot of different looks currently - one day I want everything all clean and classic, the next day I wanna pair a denim skirt with sneakers and a turtleneck sweater.

I think it might have something to do with the fact that while I love the polished looks with high heeled pumps, white shirts, pencil skirts, it does not really go with my every day life. Both my workplace, but especially my university is very casual.

I did do good in January though. I had some good thrift store finds when I visited my family

- A black party dress
- A kimono - I have been wanting a kimono a bit more casual than my sequined Ganni one, and I actually decided to sew one myself, but then this one was hanging there, I liked the pattern (usually they are too colourfull for me) and it was too cheap for it to make sense to make one myself. Also it was viscose - not polyester, which is also mostly the case.
- A perfect white shirt from Sand. It is made from linen and therefore doesn't crease, and the fit is perfectly loose, boyfriend style.
- A viscose floral dress for summer. I love the 90s look.

And after that I sat down and did a list of the things I had wanted for a long time

- An extra Lala Berlin tote in red or light blue
- A white ruffle blouse
- A denim skirt with buttons
- A shemagh dress

I already bought the tote (red) and the blouse. So far I have only seen expensive ruffle blouses that I liked, but then I stumbled upon this one from Mango which is perfect.

I think I have found a denim skirt that I like (I had problems figuring out the colour) and the shemagh dress I think I will make myself. When getting those item I should be covered for the summer season hopefully. I have really been hesitant to buy coloured clothes because I have felt like there wasn't any real consistency in what colours I like, but then I thought about the past few SS seasons, and I have been drawn towards light blue and nude for the past many years. So that is what I am going with, with a pinch of bright red, and of course white, grey and some black.

pics via mango.com, vila.com, poshmark.com and lalaberlin.com

 

[Nymphaea]

Thanks guys for your input! You can see my wishlist now I think with the coat on it Betinapple.

That's really annoying eizhowa. I've never experienced something extreme. A while ago I washed a bunch of clothes with a cahmere sweater and I didn't see it, so when the washing machine was done it came out the size of a child and it was a really nice heavy knit cashmere. I was not very happy then.

 

[Melisande]

Lovely choices Betina!

I've been wanting a denim button-down skirt too. I was looking for it to be a-line below the knee. But the idea got shelved for the time being, nothing urgent.
Very cute blouse! And red totes are the best, I use them all the time in summer.
I would adore a cute seventies outfit with the denim skirt, white blouse, red tote and maybe red Hasbeens or red ballet flats.

Just got back from yet more extensive travels for work and I'll hopefully have some time for a REAL staycation. Craving sewing!!!

I need to go on a search for another grey cardi...a dressier one this time. I've bought three grey cardis in recent years that I've worn and loved, but turned out to not be what I really needed for certain occasions. Grey is harder than black because I found that whereas black could often blend in even if it isn't exactly the right length or texture or fit, grey doesn't work at all like that.

 

[Betinapple]

@Nymphaea: ah, I see! Nothing to do about it though.

@Melisande: thank you most of the denim skirts I see are mid thigh - which is what I am looking for as well. I will let you know if I see anything below knee and thank you for the outfit idea! I actually have a pair of red suede ballet flats that would be perfect! I think a headband would be a nice addition as well.

Hoping you will find some time soon

what are you looking for in a cardigan exactly? Also I really get what you mean regarding black vs. grey.

 

[Melisande]

Thank you Betina!

Ooh red suede flats sound lovely. I love the idea of a headband too! Red headband? or long thin scarf maybe. And for me I'd personally add hoop or discreet dangly earrings. You do headbands really well! I haven't worn headbands lately...I went through a phase last year where I stomped around London with a black tulle sequined/embroidered scarf tied as a headband with a big bow on the side/top, with my big Givenchy cat-eye sunglasses and vintage long black dramatic cashmere coat with big shoulders, and undone Docs. That was fun and got many compliments but I'm in a different mood now.

I'm looking for a slouchy grey buttoned V-neck cardigan...importantly, with a low V (not a high V that buttons above the bust) and hits below the waist but not under the hips...not too expensive, maybe 100 euros, but hopefully I can still find something on sale!

 

[adorefaith]

these pants came home with me from a little trip last week and i love them they looked so cute with a short black tee and my leather jacket. i imagine there will be lots of different ways to style them.

i also finally replaced a pair of black jeans that had ripped and couldn't be patched, with the Jamie's at topshop. high waisted and cut at the ankle.. so far i love them and they've stretched out just enough. it feels good to replace a staple item!

what are everyone's thoughts on stan smiths.... too trendy?

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ Glad you're happy with your buys! I would call Stan Smiths a classic ...

 

[Fewormany]

I own a pair of Stan Smiths, one of the most comfortable and versatile shoes I have adorefaith.

This picture makes me want to stock up on light scarves. Before I this really didn't like them (preppy middle-aged men ruined them for me), but now I might want to buy some to layer them this way this summer.

menappropriatestyle.com

 

[Nymphaea]

^Great styling pic, the scarves are casual and chic at the same time.

Stan Smiths are very classic, you couldn't go wrong with them imo.

 

[eizhowa]

I think stan smiths can look very cool, but it all comes down to the styling (just like with every other piece of clothing).

Love the layered scarfs, Fewormany!

 

[fashionista-ta]

Haider is hot hot hot

 

[adorefaith]

awesome pic... go for it

and thanks for the shoe feedback i think i'll try some on this week.