Recycle

As previously mentioned, I cleared out my closets lately.

Clothes, bags and other accessories shipped across France and the world to new homes, sold on eBay and through consignment stores.

But I also welcomed a few  items via the same ways.

I don't know what's gotten into me because suddenly all I've been craving for were some Isabel Marant and Etoile oldies.

Here's the result of what I gathered.

- 2 flirty Summer dresses:

I admit that I don't remember seeing the fuschia dress in stores. In fact I don't even know wether it's from the 2009 collection or maybe the previous year. But it doesn't matter really. I do remember seeing it on Reese Witherspoon who looked so cute in it and thinking how it would not look too bad on me either! 
I love the color so much, it's a great tint. I feared it would be too bright when in fact it's the right pop of color. Not too sweet nor flashy.

I've wanted a LWD for a long time now but they were often too girly and frilly. This one is not actually white, it's a few shade darker which is even better, with nice details but not overly embellished.

-  A blouse:

This blouse was from the 2009 SS collection. Like with many expensive clothes, I tried it over and over again but couldn't bring myself to buy it and I thought hoped I'd find it during sales which of course didn't happen.  I did luck out this time on eBay.

- a skirt:

That's one mini skirt that I actually owned a few years ago.
I had bought it during sales a size bigger and when I shed a few extra kilos, no matter how I rolled the waist or pinned it, the skirt simply didn't fit anymore so I reluctantly sold it.
So glad I could get it back again.

Aside from Isabel Marant's oldies, I acquired a bag that I've wanted for a long time. Here's my Céline cabas.

So simple and versatile in any season, no visible logo aside from the tiny inscription on one side, barely identifiable, big yet light, wearable on the shoulders provided that the outerwear is not too heavy.

As always, its price in stores for such a basic product put me off and thanks to these alternate shopping circuits, I got it for a bargain.

Side effects and resolutions

The benefit of traveling to Africa is that it kills all consumerism fever in me (for a little while).

Getting home, I want to get rid of (almost) everything, key to my ebay riddance.  All I've been thinking about is how to go back, find a job and leave Europe behind. 

 

Week 2 of my return: The effect is wearing off though because I made my first frivolous purchases this past Saturday. 

Ah, saturdays... That particular day of the week is also prone to side effects. After the monday to friday hassle, it feels like you deserve a little treat, an escapism and,  like many, I often get that quick rush of pleasure by handing my Visa card in exchange for a little something to add to my closet. 

My back from vacation resolution is to avoid that trap by: 

a) socializing more: calling up on family and friends.

b) watching movies, reading even more (meaning spending at Amazon instead of Zara...)

c) deliberately eluding critical Paris areas and shutting off the web.

That being said, I failed miserably last Saturday and came home with these below. 

I guess all that spending could account for another side effect or back to reality drawback but could also be justified as: 

1)  Brogues were on my Spring shoes list. So why not these well made buttery leather pair from New Look at such a decent price ?

(New Look)

2) After cleaning out my closets and getting rid of shabby clothes, I realized I needed a new grey tee. So why not this cute Petit Bateau tee with a deep back décolleté?

(Petit Bateau)

3) My bags are a constant mess. So how about a lovely nude pink leather pouch from Zara to organize its contents...

(Zara)

I'm done with my half hypocritical justifications and resolutions usually don't last long with me but I feel like surprising myself!  

The Copy vs The Original

A few weeks ago, I was considering Spring accessories. 

The two tone ballets flats by Minelli (bellow) were among my shoes selection. 

I tried them on and though they looked good, the sole was very flimsy and the model on display already showed signs of quick deterioration. 

Naturally, I was quite disappointed but another idea was nurtured

a) from years of from afar crush and craving on the ultimate two-tone ballet,

b) and revived by creating a set on Polyvore on an idle Sunday afternoon.

So I took my time, went to the store and department stores corners, watching again, trying a selection of ballets flats, leaving, coming back and at last, voilà!

What made it to my closet in February

There were no "outstanding" purchases in February, it was more about restocking basics.

1- Tops

• A white shirt (Zara). I hesitated to get this one as I found it expensive for a high street buy but after searching an equivalent to no avail, I finally bought it a few days ago. It's made in soft viscose, not (too) transparent and has a flattering cut.(03/12 update: Returned. I was too dubious regarding the quality of this item)

• 2 marinières (stripped tees) at Uniqlo:  red on white/ white on navy. (03/12 update: Returned, too much stripes kill the stripes...)
  

• natural loose knit (Isabel Marant Etoile) : a basic for everyday.

2 - Bottoms

• Dark grey slim cargo (Uniqlo) for casual days.

• Black ankle trousers from Zara, nicely cut for everyday.

• H&M chinos, a real bargain at 10 euros and a perfect slightly loose cut.

3- Accessories

• H&M white canvas/black leather tote. It's always a surprise to see in real life an item you wanted based solely on pics. With H&M it's often not a good one (I still remember this Winter long awaited and awfully made shearling jacket) but this one didn't disappoint.

So I was able to instil a little novelty in my work wardrobe  and cross items from my days-off list:

• a slim denim or chambray overall to wear underneath my Isabel Marant Bator and later with the Etoile grey jacket.
• red stripes
• h&m black leather and white canvas tote
• slim cargos in grey.

Something Marant this way comes

I've joined the band wagon and got this Etoile knit today. 

I also wanted to get the blue, red and white chiné knit and a cute printed blouse but they will have to wait for the pay to drop.

Mytheresa

 

Worthwhile

Days-off : The shopping

I finally did a bit of pre-Spring shopping and found items for my days-off:

• red stripes

• dark grey skinny cargo

Both from Uniqlo

Dure à cuir

Considering my latest purchases, one constant jumped out: most of them had a bit of leather.

Out of recent incursions in h&m, I got a leather jacket from the new collection. 

Honestly it was an impulse purchase and, judging from the recent drop of temperatures, one I won't be able to wear quite soon.

What drived me to get it was the colour between a light pink and beige, the mix of  materials (leather and suede), the fit with 3/4 sleeves, narrow shoulders and a reasonable price. 

I'm sure this little leather number will be in heavy use come warmer (and drier) weather.

This bag (again) from Gap (again!) joined my collection. It's a mix of canvas and leather with lots of pockets,  an adjustable strap, very functional. 
At the same occasion, I also got the long searched for trousers. 

And this sales find, a leather trimmed wrap skirt by Isabel Marant. 

mercredi et jeudi

A lot of work lately with tough deadlines, Dutch lessons, diners out and movie nights meant I got home very late, tired so no time for outfit pictures. 

"Luckily", h&m's displaying the new collection and I couldn't resist trying on a few things , just for fun, during wednesday and thursday lunch breaks. 

As I'm mainly making up drafts of proceedings right now, my office look is more relaxed. 

I'm just adapting my usual motto: layers but with oxford shirts instead of plaids or tees, lots of greys and army greens, a tailored or slim piece to put it together and, sturdy heels for that boost of height and attitude.

mercredi:

Parka, vest and bag : Gap

Grey v-neck: Uniqlo

Scarf: Cos

Trousers: H&M

Boots: Colisée de Sacha

Jeudi:

Coat: Zara

Dress: Balenciaga knits 

Shirt (underneath): Loft 

Scarf: Cos

Bag: Gap

High heeled boots: André

Tenue du jour - Last weekend

I bought the Gap vest at the start of the sales and immediately started wearing it. It's very warm and a very useful layering piece. 

It's sporty and casual but also lightweight and less voluminous than the fur-like vest which leaves room to wear it underneath a coat or a jacket.

Jacket: Asos

vest: Gap

knit: Etoile IM

scarf: Accessorize

jeans: H&M

bag: Balenciaga

boots: Isabel Marant

So far these are my 2 sales purchases : Gap vest and Etoile knit.

The list: Final follow-up

Back in August 2010, I settled on a list of items I wanted to get for the Fall Winter season. 

Here's the original August list:

• (Saving for) a Balenciaga city classic
  
• pleated skirt
• new trench
• tweed jacket/coat
  
• wedge boots
  
• knee high flat black boots
• and if I find a decently cut and not overpriced one, a shearling coat/jacket.

Then in September I made a first follow-up :

• (Saving for) a Balenciaga city classic
  
• pleated skirt
• new trench
• tweed jacket/coat (technically the Etoile one is not tweed but it fits the bill!)
  
• wedge boots
  
• knee high flat black boots
• and if I find a decently cut and not overpriced one, a shearling coat/jacket.

I'd given up on the shearling coat/jacket and was considering instead a duffle-coat. Otherwise I was still saving for the Balenciaga and looking for the knee high flat boots.

By December I had the money to get the City but could not go through with the purchase and after a long search, still couldn't put my hands on the perfect coat.

Now, I'm done with this list:

• (Saving for) a Balenciaga city classic : bought the Daria by Alexander Wang instead.

• pleated skirt: Zara

• new trench:  Zara

• tweed jacket/coat : The Isabel Marant Etoile jackets.

• wedge boots : Got a pair from Minelli and then in André and New Look...

• knee high flat black boots : realized my knee-high biker boots and Isabel Marant-like flat ones were enough.

• a duflle-coat : Couldn't find one that met my expectations and except if I find one in sales, it's not a priority anymore.  I actually bought a Kookai camel peacoat which is nothing I was initially looking for but has a classic cut and is so nice to wear in the midst of all that greyness. I think it'll be also very useful come the transition season.

I didn't get everything I had in mind back in August. 

Reality got in the way (budget really was the heart of the matter on most purchases),  I changed my mind on some items (the shearling jacket/coat, the flat knee high boots) and added more wedge boots than I truly need (but each model has a different purpose... hem...)

As the sales are about to start, I'd like to add up a few items (more on that later) but nothing worth getting anxious about.

 

Let the right one in

After my Balenciaga City fall out, I nonetheless still wanted a new black bag which pretty much all the City requisites in terms of size and style. 

And here's Emmy posting her gorgeous new Alexander Wang bag, my heart skips a beat and I remember with a lurch that I saw and tried that bag at the Printemps early in the season. 

All the signs of lust fill me and I want that bag.

It reminisces of the SC for LV but with that tough and cool touch, just what I was looking for in the Balenciaga City and at a price under my money block.

The Paris dept store was a dead end but not La Garconne which put it on sale and after checking every possible questions I had in mind with their gracious customer service, I ordered it.

And voilà my new bag.

Side note: entry title taken from a great Swedish movie.

Just in case

Safety first. Style later??
Here's my latest footwear purchase, the infamous Sorel Caribou boots.  
For French readers, you can find them Au Vieux Campeur at a much cheaper price than online stores not to mention Colette....with their 1000 euros galuchat boots! Crazy...

The perfect coat : Follow-up

A promising lead on ebay from a popular French brand (Comptoir des Cotonniers) that seemed to fit the bill turned out to be quite disappointing (it didn't fit properly, breast pockets were too small) and was put back to the market.

So now, after weeks of search, I feel like this perfect coat really is a chimera and maybe I should make do with:

a) the ASOS

b) the Topshop, if it ever comes back in stock

The simple fact that I'm hesitating makes me realise that I probably won't buy either. They're great but just not what I want/need and I have a hard time buying online and negative recounts on Topshop's customer service have always held me back from purchasing from this site.

Anyway, a duffle-coat would've been useful this week with all the rain, wind and cold we're having. I'll keep my eyes open but the obsession has subsided...And I think that's for the best.

In the meantime, I bought a hooded scarf from COS.

 (asos, topshop, cos)

Best buy ever

I don't wear these Isabel Marant boots as often I'd like due to the fact that they're made of suede and I'm careful not to ruin them too much.

They're at least 3-4 years old, were called "Dake" at the time and are one of those possessions I put in the in the pantheon of  my "best buys ever".
I also own the black leather version of the boots that I got later but these are my favourites.

I don't know what's about them, really the shape is banal especially now that there are copies at every corners, but whenever I put them on and whatever's the rest of my outfit, I feel good. 

I'm not joking they have the power to make me feel cool, even when I 'm wearing such a basic outfit as a trench (Zara), navy cashmere knit (Zara), grey scarf (COS), jeans (H&M) and Balenciaga Day.

What made it to my closet in October

This month's purchases were rather about basic filling.

- With the cold I suddenly realized that new warm knits were very much needed. I have lots of cardigans but sweaters are scarce. Lucky for me Zara had these great round neck cashmeres, got one in kaki and in red. It goes pretty well with against my dark clothes.

- Talking about contrast, COS once again proved to be the place to avoid for some unexpected and yet classic clothes. 

I just grabbed that red dress for fun, you know thinking I need a few dresses but I'll never wear a red one so there's no risk trying it. 

Of course, I fell for it and thinking of my slew of grey and black dresses didn't help. It was like a fashion rebuffade, the need to inject bright vivid colors into my dark closet. 

It was before I won those red boots and got red crazy but you see the beginning of a pattern here. Thanks to COS.

- Well, I came back to my senses quite quickly and added yet another little black dress from Etam (our French  mass-market clothes chain).
I liked its shape, it has a bit of mod-retro cut. Plus I plan to wear it as a skirt too, the faux wrap detail on the bottom is original. Makes me think of an Acne skirt from last winter.

- When cold hit hard mid October, I also realised that it was time to spend some cash on protective  warm and yet fashionable accessories: gloves and a warm scarf in cashmere. 

I can't help but rave on the Bompard gloves, they're perfect, warm, tightly knitted, soft, resistant too because I can be pretty clumsy and they hang on. 

C&A, a Dutch clothes chain, isn't exactly on my fashion radar to say the least but they have a decent cashmere line at the moment. That's where I found the grey mittens. 

- Finally, thanks to Ida on The Fashion Spot's H&M thread, I was on the lookout for that grey chunky sweater. Found it yesterday. It's a great piece for some casual layering... It's very much alike the one worn by one of my favourite sources of inspiration, the Marie-Claire US editor Mrs TaylorTomasi-Hill.

November 4th EDIT: I'm taking back the H&M sweater. It lovely but the sizing makes it hard to wear for me. It's not working. I feel quite shapeless in it and not a bit like the way Taylor looks.

November 15th EDIT: I returned the red dress to COS. I liked it but don't need it...See, impulse purchases =  no good!

(hm.com, stockholm streetstyle)

That's a wrap for October!

Cold necessities

Eric Bompard

I've wanted long gloves for a long time. I just couldn't find simple knitted ones. COS had some in grey cashmere but they were too loose. 

A few weeks ago, I received Eric Bompard's Fall Winter catalogue, I spotted those which are exactly what I wanted. Today, I decided to purchase them in black. Pure cashmere, perfect to keep hands warm. I'd like to get them another pair, maybe in red...

Next purchase: cashmere socks... They're the perfect remedy to cold feet.

For Me Formidable

My new "Formidable" boots by André. Great name indeed !

The list: Follow-up

A little over a month ago I posted  a Fall Winter wish-list .

Items I felt were essentials and/or would help me achieve the looks I had in mind. Here is what I had listed:

• (Saving for) a Balenciaga city classic
  
• pleated skirt
• new trench
• tweed jacket/coat (technically the Etoile one is not tweed but it fits the bill!)
  
• wedge boots
  
• knee high flat black boots
• and if I find a decently cut and not overpriced one, a shearling coat/jacket.

 I found most of what I was looking for and didn't (completely) ruin myself while at it....

more after the jump

The fast is over

No internet at home induced a hiatus in blogging which was at first irritating then turned out to be unexpectedly restful.

This past Saturday shop browsing outftit was meant to be comfy and warm because of the crazy weather.

I brought back the Isabel Marant sweatpants, added a black woollen hoodie from last winter by H&M, beloved years old Gap motorcycle boots and to twist it all, put on this new plaid jacket (Divided H&M) and Vanessa Bruno sequins tote.

I made 2 purchases at Zara yesterday: a pleated black skirt and a mohair knit.

(zara.com)