A Girl And Her Wardrobe

My Shopping Goal aka Fell off the wagon!!

July 29, 2015

Hi Ladies,

I have been processing this 5 Piece French Wardrobe concept in my mind, and, of course, I have fallen off the wagon spectacularly within days of deciding it could work for me!

However, my essentials and basics are in good shape, so I did stay on track by purchasing (for me) slight statement-y / special pieces to work with my essentials.

Find #1 
Metalicus Mali Long Sleeve Jacket.  This jacket is light weight and has snaps on the shoulder and the side.  It can snapped closed so it creates a cowl neck and drapes, it can be worn open and it can be worn as in the picture.  Versatile, dramatic but softened by being black and white.  I had been eyeing this since it came out a short while ago.

Find #2
Zara Brogue Ankle Boots in Navy. I have decided to move my cobalt boots on as they just were not doing it for me.  These caught my eye and I loved the navy tone, the patent finish and just the overall look of the boot.  I don't have anything like these.  And they will work nicely with my slowly growing collection of navy items.  They are a lower contrast than the cobalt (and not black) and I think this will make them a very positive addition to my wardrobe.  In fact, I am wearing them today with an orphaned pair of navy ponte skinny pants:)

Find #3
Zara Long Knit Cardigan in Navy.  This fits more into my essentials category.  It's a typical garment for me, but I don't have anything like this in navy.    It can be worn as in the picture, or the lapel can be draped upward and secured at the neck to create a more funnel type neckline as shown in the other pics attached to the Find. I wore it that way yesterday and I LOVED it.

So, this post is really about accountability!!  I have done enough shopping in the past two months, much of it funded by birthday money (the Metalicus jacket was purchased using a gifted voucher) but there are only so many days in a year right??

My goal is to move more to the 5 Piece French Wardrobe (5PFW) concept starting in August.  I need to replace my black skinny jeans (they died) - these are a wardrobe essential for me and as we move into Spring, my ponte skinny pants will be too warm -  and Metalicus have a great Super stretch Jegging in Black.  I would like to purchase a pair at the end of August, and I would like them to be my only 
purchase in August.  I am also looking at spending more on these than I would have in the past, hopefully attaining a better quality item that will stand the amount of wear they will get.

So, I am happy to be kept accountable:)  Feel free to ask the hard questions if I weaken, and to encourge me as I resist the temptation of so many lovely things that I don't need :)  BTW, I don't want this to be too ridged, it still needs to allow for some flexibility, but ultimately I see it being a good way for me to operate.

Thanks for reading!

xxx Deborah

Ps.. LynD if you are reading, forgive me!  I had a last minute opportunity to go the Melbourne on Monday and managed to wangle a drive by Chadstone:)

Posted in the Shopping category
This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

19 Comments

  • carolbee replied 8 years ago

    Ooooh, lovely goodies. The jacket looks devine, much more your style than the other jacket you showed recenty. Can't wait to see it in action.

  • dashielle (Ann) replied 8 years ago

    We should all fall off the wagon so gracefully Deborah! You may tire of hearing it, but you sure do know yourself and your style. These pieces are so 'you' and well, 'me' too, so I know from whence I speak. I'm kindof at the same place in feeling that I am done for a while, having found some key HEWI over the last few days (coulottes aside). Maybe we should make a pact ;-)

  • Deborah replied 8 years ago

    Dashielle, I am in!!  And don't discount the culottes, I really like them :)

  • Maneera replied 8 years ago

    If you fell off the wagon for these beauties, you were so right to do so!!!! 

    Ok, I may be the biggest enabler in the world, but EVEN I AM moving towards a simplified wardrobe that is cohesive and functions well without becoming boring. You already have all these things figured out Deb! Like Dashielle says - You do know yourself and your style like very few other women do. Don't fret! 

    So as long as you keep a close eye on what needs to be replaced and plan it in a way to keep it to 1-2 purchase a month (or zero for some months when you're good), you'll be fine. I agree that being rigid is a tad too much....it makes it harder to have fun with fashion when you're pining for a stunning piece but can't buy it until next month (risking it being sold out) because you promised yourself a One A Month policy.

    My personal goal now from August onwards is to shop with restraint....if I feel a piece can truly elevate some existing pieces in my wardrobe and keep them from turning into orphans, I will buy it. But I will not buy new pieces just for the heck of buying new things. Also, in order to keep the plan flexible, I am going to allow myself 2 new purchases a month so that I can indulge in one basic and one statement piece every month. It won't be a hard and fast rule...if I see or need neither of those in a month, there will be no shopping....as simple as that! 

  • Lyn D. replied 8 years ago

    Forgiven, but not off the hook for another visit soon Deborah :) :)
    I do love your new Mali jacket too.
    Now, if Metalicus would stop having such good sales, and we could stop being such good stalkers,  1 item per month might work ;)
    Who am I trying to kid??

  • anne replied 8 years ago

    OK - going forward I'll try to keep you accountable. Honestly this all seems very hard for you!! I'll be amazed if you do it (My sceptism is meant to spur you on btw, :-)

  • Astrid replied 8 years ago

    I love the Mali Long Sleeved Jacket! I think you probably need to stop looking, if you want to keep the item count down. Especially with your favourite brands - you're always going to find something that looks great, you know?

  • donnat replied 8 years ago

    That metalicus really has gorgeous stuff. That Mali jacket will be beautiful on you.

  • Word Lily replied 8 years ago

    These boots are better fit for you than the cobalt, that was a good decision. These are all such amazing pieces, perfect for you! I think you have a good plan, moving forward, too.

  • kerry replied 8 years ago

    Deborah, you're inspiring me to create some shopping limit too. I've briefly looked into the Five Piece French Wardrobe after your mention of it. Looks intriguing. I think I'd like to try something much more restrictive this season and then try it for next year. Thanks!

    Love your new items!

  • Transcona Shannon replied 8 years ago

    Gorgeous purchases Deb! I've been giving the 5 piece wardrobe thingy a lot of thought myself after spending significant $$ on some EF and Danier pieces. I'm of the opinion that when the perfect item comes along (and they don't often, do they?) it's worth purchasing them if budget allows and they work with the rest of your wardrobe.This is smart shopping IMHO.

  • shedev replied 8 years ago

    Deb, if you are not starting until August, then you haven't fallen off the wagon yet. I can't wait to see that jacket on you. I'm starting after NAS. Until then I'm shoring up my wardrobe with a few things I know I'll need. I don't think its a good idea to go into this already lusting after a bunch of things. I am being as picky as I would if it was one of the 5 things.

  • Susie replied 8 years ago

    shedev makes a good point, it's not August yet so there's still hope for a lot of us!

    I see these as really good additions to your wardrobe. I too have been adding a few pieces in navy, which feels like a good update. I still have navy boots from Zara (the same ones that Angie has) and this will be the third or fourth season for them. Navy boots/shoes aren't easy to find and I love this style your chose. I think they were a wise replacement and that you'll get a lot of wear from them.

  • Suz replied 8 years ago

    OMG, I LOVE all these pieces. Each one is fabulous!! Who cares if you are off the wagon? LOL.  

  • Peri replied 8 years ago

    I might look at that Zara one since the Vince didn't work for me! I think you don't shop "wastefully"...you always nail it, and wear and love the things you buy. Don't let some arbitrary number rule you when you are already doing excellently. 

  • Angie replied 8 years ago

    Debs, before I comment - what is the 5PFW all about, and how does the strategy differ from your regular style strategy? 

  • Deborah replied 8 years ago

    Angie, busy day so apologies for getting back so late:).

    Here is the explanation I am working from.
    The idea is to buy just 5 new (on trend/statement/special) items each season. Since there’s just two seasons in fashion, that’s about 10 pieces a year. Basics and Essentials don't count. Shoes count. Accessories under a predetermined amount don't account (you decide your budget).

    I am inspired by this on a couple of levels. Firstly, I have a very lovely wardrobe, full of items I wear, that are reflective of my style preferences and are of good quality. I don't "need" anything. My social conscience has me questioning my consumer attitude and need to continually purchase new clothing when the reality is that there are only so many days in the year to wear them;). Note there is no judgement here, just something I am working through.

    Secondly, I have discovered that my most successful purchases are the ones I research and plan.

    Thirdly, I would like to manage my budget better.

    Fourthly, I don't want a huge wardrobe.

    And finally, I have really established my essentials and would now like to focus on adding some "special" items.

    The difference to how I currently shop is minor, but I think this will add some further structure and intention to my shopping. I spend a lot of time browsing on line, which inevitably leads to purchasing:). That's a lot of time I could be using for other things. I think I am looking for a happy medium. I am rather obsessed with style and of course still want to enjoy it and have fun but would like to make some room for other things as well.

    This is still a work in progress so I hope this makes sense:).

  • Angie replied 8 years ago

    Super, Debs. Thanks for the explanation. Sounds great. As long as you have fun along the way - I'm sure you'll be in good shape for this challenge. 

  • replied 8 years ago

    This was an interesting post Deborah.  Funny, I was thinking about you last night when I couldn't sleep (that sounds weirder than it was) and how I wish you would do a post on "how to wear this layering piece 5 ways" or something to that effect.  Which has nothing to do with this post other than I like your comment about now having the essentials you know work for you , and turning to adding in the quality stunning extras.  This resonates with me a lot, and in fact was one of the goals I had set for myself when I first came on board here at YLF. I lost that directive along the way - but this 5 piece French concept, along with others of that ilk, is still something I want to read more about, and start to think about when I have room in my life to do so.

    Thanks for being such an inspiration.

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