A Girl And Her Wardrobe

I know we have had many conversations on the Forum about the
concept of the minimal wardrobe and how some of us have been working towards a smaller, carefully curated wardrobe.

 My wardrobe numbers are much smaller than when I first arrived at YLF, yet despite the smaller wardrobe I still find myself having a bit of internal conflict over just how much I have and the merry-go-round of continually seeking out new things. I love fashion and do spend a considerable amount of time pouring over magazines and online. It’s fun but it does eat into my time . 

On one hand I love having variety but on the other I want the simplicity of less. I have consciously made the move to buy less but buy better, but can see the opportunity to take this further. So in the light of this, I have been wondering about the Five Piece French Wardrobe concept.   I wonder if I could be happy adding only 10 new items per year?

As I understand it, the idea is to buy just 5 new items each season. The info I read suggested that since there are two seasons in fashion you would work to those i.e. Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter.

Basics, underwear and accessories (up to a certain $ amount) don’t count. But you can set your own ground rules.

I do think that this could work for me on a number of levels, given I am naturally a planner when it comes to my wardrobe, and I  have a limited budget for clothing.

So this leads me to my question. Do any of you do this, or a variation of
this. How does it work for you and has it been a positive step. For those who don’t work this way, what does
work for you??

xxx Deborah

Hi Ladies,

I was given a gift voucher to my friend's beautiful shoe store.  While I adore her shoes, very few of them are 'me'.  I came home with these shoes by Isabella called "Galicia" in black.  They are an Australian company, the leather is beautiful and I could walk in them all day.

Now the shoe is different for me.  I spent a couple of days considering and surfing Pinterest and the net for inspiration (ie. are these shoes frumpy or cool lol) and decided to take the plunge.

They have a hidden wedge of 7cm wedge and a 2cm platform (also hidden).

I am not a fan of 'sandals' so these could be a good shoe for warmer winter days right through Spring, Summer (not high summer tho) and Autumn.  

I would like to know what you think, and I know it's difficult when you haven't seen the shoe styled.  I am wanting to stretch my style a little, not too much lol, but I wouldn't have picked this shoe up, it was the SA who knows me a little who showed it to me as she thought it would work well with my general style.

Thanks for your thoughts.

xxx Deborah

Hi Ladies,

Motto is a lovely Australian brand based in Melbourne which make gorgeous clothing.  Lots of stretch fabrics and all washable.   Well, they have just opened a store in my home town and I popped in today for the opening sale and bought the most amazing jacket with some birthday money (yes I am stretching it out as far as I can lol).

Came home to find the jacket on line to add to my finds and while browsing discovered Motto are releasing a skirted leggings this month and thought I should share:)  Based on the quality of the garments I saw today these should be lovely.

http://www.motto.com.au/pants/.....1_1001232/

And the jacket I bought today is in #2/#3

xxx Deborah

Hi Ladies,

Home from a lovely weekend in Melbourne. I had such a lovely time with my closest friends (4 couples we have know for many years, and shared many of life's ups and downs with) and my mum and sister. And I was overwhelmed by the generous gifts I was blessed with:)

Of course they all know my love of style so most of my gifts were geared in that direction:)

No outfit photos yet but I thought I would share some things via my finds:)

#1 Oasis Poppy Leather Clutch. A gift from my mum. It's lovely and soft, nice size and has a strap and can be used as an across body bag. Used it today and it looked great.

I was also gifted a couple of Metalicus Gift cards and DH gave me some spending money, Wohoo. My Budget doesn't usually allow me to buy more than one or two things at a time so it was lots of fun to have a little more freedom.

#2 The Tube Skirt by Metalicus. This is from their Basics range and I had planned to buy this as it means two other skirts will exit my closet with this one taking their place. It works for both casual and dressy, and can be worn knee length or midi.

#3 Sia Crop Waterfall Cardigan by Metalicus. So warm and perfectly draped. Short at back and front with longer length at sides. I wore this today and loved it. Another garment that dresses up or down very easily.

# 4 Preen Cropped Pants (Culottes) by Metalicus. These are lovely. Will work thru Autumn/Winter and Spring but will be too warm for Summer. I have two other pairs of culottes that I will now pass on.

# 5 Ladybug Tunic by Metalicus. This has a lovely shape and can be layered under or over. I was thrilled this worked. Metalicus use this fabric composition quite a lot and in the past the one size fits all just hasn't worked for me ...it does now!

#6 Sheer Back Longline Shirt from Sussan. The sleeves are also sheer with the cuffs in cotton. I have been wanting to add some interesting white shirt /tunics to my wardrobe (inspired by Accidental Icon) and was thrilled at how this looked. I anticipate layering over it :).

I also received a most unexpected gift of a beautiful Coach handbag. I was almost speechless:). It was a very generous and unexpected gift from my longest standing girlfriend and her partner. She knows me very well and I think that the classic simplicity of the bag is going to be perfect.

I do feel like a little girl whose Christmases have all come at once!

And Lyn D if you read this, yes I am still planning to shop with you in July lol. There is always room for more Metalicus right? :)

Any thoughts on styling the culottes would be really appreciated:)

xxxDeborah

Hi Ladies,

New colour story from Metalicus.. and I am quite liking it:)  

http://www.metalicus.com/colle.....rigin=home

I am loving the Nile Short Sleeve Dress but just can't think about it as we are only in Day 4 of what is seemingly a very cold winter!!

xxx Deborah

PS.. it comes in black too.

Feel like I am hogging a bit today :(

I had a credit note at a local store and have been popping in to see what they have and today I actually used my credit and bought this cardigan/jacket.  

I have just popped it on over today's outfit.

It's essentially a knit cardigan with faux leather sleeves.  Long and draped at the front and short at the back.  I think this will be great for my days off when I need something warm to throw on and I think it's nice enough for the office, which is freezing!  

What do you think?  Does it look ok?  I think its a bit of a typical purchase for me but I put it on, took it off, put it on again, etc and each time I found I liked it more:)

Thanks for looking.
xxx Deborah

Hi Ladies,

Had a little shop today!!  

#1- #4 is a metallic knit top.  Nice square boxy shape with fluidity.
Made me think of some of the EF tops I have seen.  This is a keeper, unless you see something I don't :)  Not styled btw :) Just wanted to show you.

#5 - #9 is where I need some validation lol!!  I have been keen on adding a long cardigan for winter.  They are everywhere but very few are quite what I want (too thin, too thick, too shaggy etc).   Don't be shocked but I actually didn't want black as I already have a few long draped style cardigans and I wanted something almost coat like.  Not styled here but I did add a scarf as I imagine that is really how I will wear it.  I would also be more inclined to wearing a heeled boot for some height.  

Master 12 was with me when I bought it and said it was awful:(  He is often right in his assessments but I thought it was worth bringing home to try and to see what you all think.  If it helps, it would be a casual piece, and is SOOOOO warm and comfy.. but if i have ventured into frumpsville please tell me... it can be returned.

Thanks so much
xxx Deborah

Hi Ladies,

I have shown you how the first garment turned out that you helped me choose some time back in this post!

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....-me-choose

And this is the second thing I chose. It's a drape short coat and is a wool blend.  Nice and warm and comfortable. I think it will be great for my work commute over my winter work pants outfits:)  It can be worn open, tied, or with the collar adjusted into a funnel style:)  

A belated thank you for helping me with this.  Hope I 'did good';)

xxx Deborah

Hi Ladies,

Something I have been wanting to add to my Autumn/Winter wardrobe is one of those 'blanket wraps'  And there is a chance I may actually add more than one (don't tell anyone lol).

Please note this is not styled.  Just popped it on when I got home:)

I was particularly inspired by the pic in #5.  I know I don't have her height, model looks or colouring... BUT...sometimes it's fun to take a little step away from your 'usual'.

You may need to sit down as this is the first thing in a long time that is not all black!  It does has some black in it tho:)  I am not sure how well the colours are coming up but it has black, navy, redish brown, taupe and a green.  I think it is very Clint Eastwood from his Spaghetti Western period and I am not big on brown tones but I actually really love it.    I also prefer the blanket stitch as opposed to the fringes that are on a lot of ponchos and wraps this season.

What do you think?  Have I lost my mind??  Of course I will wear it with black:)

Thanks for looking.

xxx Deborah

Hi Ladies,

Working through my wardrobe for our coming Winter, and keeping in mind my new job, I find that I don't 'need' for very much... which is good.  However one wardrobe hole I have felt I have had for a while is for a pointy toe black pump.  This would be worn particularly as a work shoe, with my straight leg and wider leg more corporate pants.  

The problem in finding these has been that many of the pumps have a stiletto or kitten heel. which just doesn't gel with my style.

Today I found these on line.  They are Wittner shoes, leather, and I seem to fit my criteria.  The block heel makes them much more 'me'.

What do you think.  I know they are a little more conservative than my norm but I think the would work.

BTW, I am not a big 'shoe" wearer in Winter as I prefer boots but there have been times when occasions have called for a pump and it just hasn't been there :(

Thanks for taking a look.
xxx Deborah