https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dk-and-the-5-piece-french-wardrobe-and-possible-new-shoes Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 19 Apr 2026 12:46:21 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dk-and-the-5-piece-french-wardrobe-and-possible-new-shoes#post-1604491 Tue, 19 Jan 2016 22:17:05 +0000 texstyle 1604491@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is trailing but still related. Sometimes I will create an outfit that I really love and think to myself "I'm going to wear this one a lot." And then, you know what? I forget what the outfit even was!&nbsp; My closet isn't huge either but I do have options - and apparently enough options (or just too much on my mind) where I just can't always track what I wore and what I loved so I just have to rely on instinct and mood to a large degree.</p> <p>Sure, I could take pics - but I likely won't look back at them anyway and I'm not one to post pics of outfits in my closet. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dk-and-the-5-piece-french-wardrobe-and-possible-new-shoes#post-1603784 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 16:15:47 +0000 Ginger 1603784@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So much wisdom in this discussion! Shevia, you hit the nail on the head for me in one pithy comment: <i>My future self is a moving target and I haven't had much luck outguessing her.<br /> </i></p> <p>My future self is just like that, too. I tend to buy more rather than quality, a spread of things I like now, filling holes when I can, and seizing on good buys that I think I can make work. Not the best habit! But in practice I have always ended up with a few real winners that stay in rotation for years. What I want to do is identify those winners ahead of time instead of a month into wearing the purchases.</p> <p>I like unfrumped's idea: <i>...only be shopping pre-season with the concept not of<br /> "wardrobe holes" but, to find one item in each category (pants, shoes,<br /> skirt, sweater) that I feel I'd like to wear </i><u><i>right now</i></u><i>, not next year, or next.</p> <p></i>I really needed to see this put into words. I need to stop trying to dress that moving target. The odds are very very good that what I'm thinking now will change in the intervening seasons. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dk-and-the-5-piece-french-wardrobe-and-possible-new-shoes#post-1603702 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 12:18:38 +0000 Jaime 1603702@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very interesting thread and Gaylene and others have fascinating thoughts on this. My future self is a moving target and I haven't had much luck outguessing her.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dk-and-the-5-piece-french-wardrobe-and-possible-new-shoes#post-1603638 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 05:24:34 +0000 Sally 1603638@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is such a fascinating topic. I have times when I'm minimal and times when I'm not. I can get away with about 5 dresses for work especially in winter. I just change the jacket and shoes. At the moment my wardrobe is quite full due to having a lot of time to visit consignment shops, op shops, online shopping and getting clothes for Christmas. I find it quite stressful having lots of clothes because i find it hard to remember everything i have and feel under pressure to wear it. I actually don't feel guilty about the op shopping even if i don't wear that much because the money goes to a cause. The other clothes i feel i like to get bang for my buck. When i went back teaching after being home for 3 and half years and having nothing to wear, i went out and bought 3 beautiful relatively expensive items, brown boots, a black wrap dress and an anorak. I wore them to death. I had to throw the anorak because people said they didn't recognize me without the coat, the boots i still have and i need to resole but i still get compliments 7 years later. I had a few other things. Anyway i didn't feel deprived with such a small wardrobe but as i got more time with my son growing and more money, i built my wardrobe and bought a lot of superfluous stuff, probably don't need it all and I've chucked out heaps as my size and style changed and some things wore out.<br /> My thoughts are now that you should buy for what you want now and for me, it's better to have a few things i enjoy.<br /> And Rachylou I know teachers like your history teacher. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dk-and-the-5-piece-french-wardrobe-and-possible-new-shoes#post-1603637 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 05:20:42 +0000 Sal 1603637@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><i>Knowing my clothing is transitory doesn't make me want to give up my cashmere sweaters, but it does make me realize I don't need a stack of them, or that one or two pairs of quality, well-fitting pants is sufficient at any point in time--and maybe I need to concentrate on wearing the heck out of my stuff RIGHT NOW instead of adding more. Which is maybe what that whole "French" wardrobe thing is really about? It's not minimalism as much as realizing when enough is enough.</i></p> <p>Gaylene wrote this, and I totally agree. &nbsp;Buy things you love and <b>wear wear wear </b>them!! &nbsp;</p> <p>I created a look in November that I really enjoyed wearing and thought - "this will be a real workhorse look this summer."</p> <p>I have worn it once more, and whileI have two more months of wearing summer clothes ahead, I will likely wear it another two-three times maximum. &nbsp;</p> <p>I have worn the individual pieces other ways. &nbsp;</p> <p><b>Why is this? &nbsp;</b>Well because I have plenty of other options for smart casual workwear, and we've had summer holidays so I have been very casual, and plenty of other reasons. &nbsp;But I think this is typical of many of us....even a well loved look may only get worn four times a season, and especially in summer when many of us have time in very casual camping or similar gear. &nbsp;</p> <p>I have come to the conclusion that one-three of many things is about right. &nbsp;I have three pairs of cropped pants, two pairs of harem pants and two pairs of shorts. &nbsp;I have two summer maxi dresses, two summer casual day dresses, two lovely cocktail dresses, and two smart work dresses. &nbsp; The crop pants and day dresses get worn much more than the cocktail dresses but it still works for me. &nbsp;My top situation is more extravagant and I have been trying not too add too many here while I work out what I do actually need. &nbsp;I do not need any more until one of these does not work for me for some reason.</p> <p>Thanks Unfrumped - this has been a very helpful revelation!</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dk-and-the-5-piece-french-wardrobe-and-possible-new-shoes#post-1603634 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 04:50:10 +0000 unfrumped 1603634@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Love rachylou West. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dk-and-the-5-piece-french-wardrobe-and-possible-new-shoes#post-1603633 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 04:45:02 +0000 rachylou 1603633@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Can't take credit. I'm paraphrasing Mae West </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dk-and-the-5-piece-french-wardrobe-and-possible-new-shoes#post-1603630 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 04:28:20 +0000 BrieN 1603630@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>rachylou --&nbsp;wear out, not rust out. &nbsp;Thats a great saying. &nbsp;I've never heard that expression before but I will be quoting you from here on out. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dk-and-the-5-piece-french-wardrobe-and-possible-new-shoes#post-1603577 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 00:56:32 +0000 Gaylene 1603577@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've been thinking this over (can I say I LOVE threads like this one!) and I don't think "consumable" means fast fashion or foresaking quality, thoughtful purchases. </p> <p>I'm also thinking, along with La Pedestrienne, Angie's idea of "Essentials" can be helpful here. Angie's list of Essentials certaintly doesn't resemble the generic "Fashion Base Zero" list--iconic white shirts, LBDs, black jackets, pencil skirts--all those pieces usually offered up as examples of investment dressing, but, looking over her list, I realized, if I had Angie's Essentials in my closet, I equally wouldn't know what to do with them. Following that train of thought made me realize I've always got the most bang for my buck when I focused on getting exactly the right "Essentials", or foundation pieces, for MY STYLE. If those Essentials were there to hold everything together, my wardrobe worked. If my Essentials looked good, then my Statements shone. Money "invested" in the right Essentials--MY Essentials--was almost always money well spent. </p> <p>The other big revelation in Angie's post was realizing those Essentials aren't static. Stocking up on quality Essentials that fit my current style is like buying a 50lb bag of flour at Costco. I might use it up before it goes stale, but I'm just as likely to have to dump 3/4 of it. If my lifestyle or body changes--or I just feel like I'm in style rut--those Essentials could end up on hangers in a holding area waiting for consignment, making me feel guilty if they had been hardly ever been worn. Which brings me back to the whole idea of clothing as a "consumable" with a limited shelf date. Which makes me hesitate about having more in my closet than I can reasonably "consume" at any point in time. </p> <p>Knowing my clothing is transitory doesn't make me want to give up my cashmere sweaters, but it does make me realize I don't need a stack of them, or that one or two pairs of quality, well-fitting pants is sufficient at any point in time--and maybe I need to concentrate on wearing the heck out of my stuff RIGHT NOW instead of adding more. Which is maybe what that whole "French" wardrobe thing is really about? It's not minimalism as much as realizing when enough is enough. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dk-and-the-5-piece-french-wardrobe-and-possible-new-shoes#post-1603541 Sun, 17 Jan 2016 22:52:35 +0000 LaPed 1603541@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>BTW, unfrumped, do you read unefemme.net ?</p> <p>She just wrote about style shifts and questioning the balance between "classics" and dramatic/wildcard pieces. Good read on the appeal and limitations of the "french" wardrobe... And I also have to wonder where the Marie Kondo notion of sparking joy comes in when we talk about versatile/classic/essential pieces... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dk-and-the-5-piece-french-wardrobe-and-possible-new-shoes#post-1603540 Sun, 17 Jan 2016 22:23:02 +0000 Alassë 1603540@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Again, great thread, Unfrumped. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dk-and-the-5-piece-french-wardrobe-and-possible-new-shoes#post-1603508 Sun, 17 Jan 2016 20:39:48 +0000 LaPed 1603508@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I actually don't see the French 5 piece method as inherently minimalist, because it's really just about limiting how many trendy/statement pieces you add each year/season. At least in my understanding. I've never had a minimalist wardrobe, because I'm hard on my clothes and always feel like I'm scrambling to replace basics. Every time I turn around, seems like something gets demoted to chore/lounge wear, KWIM? So for me, adding 5 non-basic items per season would feel, well, extravagant. Looking back on last year, I purchased about a dozen basics (pants, long sleeve tees, a couple everyday dresses and skirts, a new softshell--where does Gear fit into the French 5 anyway? ) and added maybe 2 or 3 of what I would consider part of the "French 5" -- not strictly necessary to get me out the door fully clothed, but purchased solely to revitalize my existing wardrobe and make me more excited about what's already in my closet (burgundy ankle boots, red sweater, maybe summer-weight linen blazer falls into this category too?).&nbsp;</p> <p>For me it's hard to see where my basics end and where my statement pieces end (this ties in with Angie's "Essentials" post too, come to think of it). I'm not quick to jump on trends, I mostly shop for my own body and colouring, rather than what's "in" at any given moment, and for the most part purchase a garment only if I know it's something I'll enjoy seeing on myself for years to come, not just months. And when it comes to replacing basics, I can be pretty picky about finding something "just-right" and that takes up enough of my shopping energy that I'm not left with much time or budget for the kind of impulse-buys or fast-fashion purchases that I suspect the French 5 is intended to curb. Sometimes I think I'm a little to PPP for my own good, and end up with a shrinking wardrobe rather than a stable one.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dk-and-the-5-piece-french-wardrobe-and-possible-new-shoes#post-1603506 Sun, 17 Jan 2016 20:37:21 +0000 abc 1603506@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>ETA something else came to mind re shoes as an example. If you like them and they fit and go with what you have why not? Think of Angie in this example - she has her budget and if it's in budget she doesn't look back. Perhaps I am projecting but maybe some of your angst is coming from feeling like you're on a constant spend cycle. But if you did what Angie did you wouldn't feel that self-inflicted angst and pain. Don't know but sometimes I feel that way bc I buy in cycles and when the cash outlay I feel tinges of guilt but really I am ok. Just rambling but food for thought. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dk-and-the-5-piece-french-wardrobe-and-possible-new-shoes#post-1603503 Sun, 17 Jan 2016 20:34:08 +0000 abc 1603503@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like what Cheryle and gaylene said. You have had some real humdinger posts lately -- my way of saying you're making me think so like Tina said, thanks for putting your thoughts out there. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dk-and-the-5-piece-french-wardrobe-and-possible-new-shoes#post-1603500 Sun, 17 Jan 2016 20:31:05 +0000 Anonymous 1603500@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rachylou - Men have it so easy. I think of Steve Jobs and his black mockneck and jeans. Could you imagine the simplicity of life if that's all you ever wore. You'd have to come up with a new past-time with all the time you save not thinking about clothes! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dk-and-the-5-piece-french-wardrobe-and-possible-new-shoes#post-1603499 Sun, 17 Jan 2016 20:29:23 +0000 unfrumped 1603499@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Gaylene, you are the original inspiration for this whole idea! But, I seem to have been struggling with figuring out how to make it work for me.<br />I do think there is a line between "lust" and love for clothing--so that is where pausing to think,&nbsp;walking away from some things and coming back later,&nbsp; &nbsp;and just good-sense restraint fits in.&nbsp; </p> <p>My French connection is just that--a connnection to just one part of an idea, and countering the "investment" wardrobe in terms of investing in longevity, from investing in usefulness, enjoyment, quality insofar as quallity often adds to good fit and performance,&nbsp; fun and being able to enjoy it for without its falling apart before you've gotten very good use out of it. So it is not minimalism per se, but more the opposite of storing up a lot of "long-term" items that aren't&nbsp;frequently &nbsp;worn (realizing seasonal and special occasion issues, of course). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dk-and-the-5-piece-french-wardrobe-and-possible-new-shoes#post-1603498 Sun, 17 Jan 2016 20:28:03 +0000 Anonymous 1603498@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I just don't think you can predict what you're going to like in 5 years, nor can you predict the subtle fashion changes that might make your 'classic' blazer dated in the future. </p> <p>I think a good reason to buy higher priced items is more about the look: the nicer materials and constructions will help elevate the outfit visually--I think people take notice of quality materials (I do). As well, the cuts are right on trend (vs a year or so behind) so you get to be the fashion setter as opposed to follower. (I would love a fashion-forward blazer or leather jacket.)</p> <p>But my feeling is, I can still achieve a 'chic enough' look at a cheap price-point, especially since my look is basically jeans + a top. AND I can get more clothes, and if I tire of them, there is FAR LESS GUILT, right?&nbsp;</p> <p>Maybe we can be sister fast-fashionistas :-)</p> <p>Shoes and bags are a different story. I think the leather quality goes a long way to upping the whole look of a wardrobe, and I think the extra expense is worth the wardrobe elevation, even if I want to discard the shoes after 2 years. Also, having a 'status' bag and shoes do elevate a look quite a lot in many people's eyes (see the thread about the Chanel bags).</p> <p>So cheap pants and sweater but expensive bag and shoes. -- That's my formula.</p> <p>Of course, if you can afford designer clothing, go for it! I would love to be in this boat.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dk-and-the-5-piece-french-wardrobe-and-possible-new-shoes#post-1603495 Sun, 17 Jan 2016 20:21:56 +0000 rachylou 1603495@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The ultimate practical-ist I've ever known was a high school history teacher of mine: a shirt for summer, a shirt for winter, a pair of pants... Probably 30 years old already in my day, shiny with washings. He was European, no doubt a youth in WWII. </p> <p>I guess my reaction to this is, wear out, not rust out. Maybe not to this extent, but... I do feel like loving to wear something is better than loving its potential... If that makes sense. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dk-and-the-5-piece-french-wardrobe-and-possible-new-shoes#post-1603472 Sun, 17 Jan 2016 19:50:08 +0000 Gaylene 1603472@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It took me a long time to quit the "Oh, this fits, looks flattering, and is such a classic, I'll be able to wear it for years so it is worth the investment" syndrome. What changed my attitude was a thread on this forum years ago where we discussed the idea of clothing as an "investment" and Ms.Mary pointed out that, to her, it was more accurate to think of clothing as a "consumable". </p> <p>That comment opened my eyes. If I thought of clothing as having a "best before" date, then why wouldn't I be wearing it when it was at its peak freshness? Admittedly, some consumables do have more staying power than others--flour lasts longer than milk, for example--but even flour gets stale after months of lanquishing in the back of the cupboard.</p> <p>I'm not particularly sold on the idea of "French" wardrobes or minimalism, but thinking of my clothes as "consumables" was a turning point for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dk-and-the-5-piece-french-wardrobe-and-possible-new-shoes#post-1603440 Sun, 17 Jan 2016 19:10:14 +0000 cheryl 1603440@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would definitely buy what you love now and not worry about it being classic or fashionable next year or five years from now. I think fashion is so individual these days that most items have a very long longevity factor anyway. Buy now, wear now, be happy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dk-and-the-5-piece-french-wardrobe-and-possible-new-shoes#post-1603346 Sun, 17 Jan 2016 13:53:49 +0000 unfrumped 1603346@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Catseye, right!<br /> And of course, " French" is just making use of the current rage for that concept.<br /> And not any strict mimimalsim count. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dk-and-the-5-piece-french-wardrobe-and-possible-new-shoes#post-1603344 Sun, 17 Jan 2016 13:27:30 +0000 catseye 1603344@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think this is more French than you think. Typically, people from other country have a big tolerance for repeating outfits and have smaller closets. They may wear something year after year but doesn't mean they are buying things just to wear next years. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dk-and-the-5-piece-french-wardrobe-and-possible-new-shoes#post-1603341 Sun, 17 Jan 2016 13:23:22 +0000 Anonymous 1603341@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Unfrumped. &nbsp;I read every word of your post. &nbsp;I was too tired yesterday to post a comment that would make sense. &nbsp;I just want you to know I am turning over what you said in mind. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dk-and-the-5-piece-french-wardrobe-and-possible-new-shoes#post-1603339 Sun, 17 Jan 2016 13:21:25 +0000 unfrumped 1603339@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Staysfit's, thanks. Currently I sm the opposite, meaning, I am not " wearing out " many of my items. A few of course. Or maybe relatively. </p> <p>I think what I tend to do is out too much emphasis on," oh, this is probably classic/ has longevity" and not enough on, is it fabulous RIGHT NOW. ideally for me would be both. And I'm not promoting fast/ disposable fashion.<br /> I'm talking about dressing room decisions and reactions and " why buy?"<br /> And how that connects to " why wear?". </p> <p>It's as though I should use more emotional input rather than less, as long as it's PRACTICAL. That sounds like a contradiction, doesn't it! I mean, is it wearable for one of my roles. So I think it boils down to criteria of super item love + avoiding the imaginary lifestyle trap. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dk-and-the-5-piece-french-wardrobe-and-possible-new-shoes#post-1603311 Sun, 17 Jan 2016 11:00:45 +0000 Staysfit 1603311@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I admire your thought process. I could never have a minimalist closet. My clothes wear out too quickly. It's not due to poor quality, it's due to my high activity level and they also get stained. Working with children in schools means paint, ink, and food stains! (I admit the food stains could possibly be my own ). It also means I am sitting on floors, short chairs, and in any combination of places, but nothing consistent. Hmm, maybe this is actually an argument for a minimalist wardrobe? Perhaps I should only purchase a months worth of clothes, wear them until they are ruined, and only replace when that happens?! You always challenge my thinking,.....always............ </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dk-and-the-5-piece-french-wardrobe-and-possible-new-shoes#post-1603225 Sun, 17 Jan 2016 03:09:00 +0000 Tina 1603225@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have no advice for you. I just wanted to chime in and say how I appreciate your writing and thought expression! It is utterly entertaining:-)<br /> I really do hope you get it all sorted. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dk-and-the-5-piece-french-wardrobe-and-possible-new-shoes#post-1603211 Sun, 17 Jan 2016 02:53:09 +0000 shedev 1603211@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't really know for sure what I will want to wear next year, so I use the 5 to buy the things I really want to wear this year. So far the things have made an outfit each season. So far they have broken down to,</p> <p>fall- 1 dress, 1 shoes, 1 pant, 1 tunic, 1 jacket</p> <p>winter- 1 sweater, 1 pant, 1 shoes, 1 boots, and most likely the last item will be a coat.</p> <p>I also buy a few basics that compliment the 5. The fall 5 began a shift into my aspirational style so I bought more basics than usual. I'm shooting for about 10 wears a year for each of my catagories. It It breaks down to a biweekly wear for half the year.&nbsp;I don't mind for a couple items that don't get a lot of wear if they are needed to be appropriate for&nbsp;occasions. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dk-and-the-5-piece-french-wardrobe-and-possible-new-shoes#post-1603147 Sun, 17 Jan 2016 00:46:55 +0000 DonnaF 1603147@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>When I take a trip, my wardrobe selection is much more restricted.&nbsp; After nine or so days, I don't want to wear those clothes for quite awhile even if I basically love them.&nbsp; This tells me that if I had a choice, I wouldn't be a minimalist.&nbsp; How about you?</p> <p>Also, FWIW, my clothing choices of the day are very temperature/weather dependent, and even five degrees can make a difference.&nbsp; Some years are warmer/colder/wetter than others, so certain items rarely get worn.&nbsp; The drought started the year I bought tall rain boots.&nbsp; :(&nbsp; I keep my house thermostat set at 59 degrees, and sometimes turn it up to 62 or 64 if I get really cold.&nbsp; (Sun coming in during the day almost always raises the temp above 59, however.)&nbsp; Since virtually every other indoor place will be warmer, I wear my lighter layers when I am out and about.&nbsp; </p> <p>Btw, I'm generally not a loafer lover, but I LOVE those Halogen loafers, esp. for you.&nbsp; I hope they will work out. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dk-and-the-5-piece-french-wardrobe-and-possible-new-shoes#post-1603133 Sun, 17 Jan 2016 00:13:02 +0000 unfrumped 1603133@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think my new criterion for new items should be, do I feel like I could almost wear this every day?</p> <p>So where does Donna Karan fit in, and where does the 5-piece French wardrobe come into it, and what about the shoes ?</p> <p>(And how does any of this get the Holding Zone organized, inquiring minds would ask).</p> <p>I decided to try these DK tweed pants on a whim. Kinda cray but wanted to see what might be different about the DK construction and fabric.<br />Well, the ones I got were too tight and I probably will not try sizing up because I think they may be too...everything. Even sized up they may be cut too straight through the hip, too pegged, also disappointingly not lined, so too itchy, and too expensive IF.</p> <p>If being, if I would only wear them occasionally. Or, if winter is half over and I may only have another month or 2 to wear them (since they are tweedy).</p> <p>But what if some pants like that fit so well and were so versatile (went with several types of tops and footwear) and fit my mood of the season, so that I&nbsp; happily wore them once a week for 16 weeks , not worrying about whether I might not feel the same way in 6 or 12 months?</p> <p>Which gets me back to:</p> <p>I have never figured myself for a minimalist, but I do at times wonder if I am still stuck in keeping a larger wardrobe consisting of items that I am not going to wear enough in a given season, even <u>though I like them,&nbsp;<br /></u><u></u>because somehow there&nbsp;is always a subgroup that I like the most.&nbsp;&nbsp;But, &nbsp;I always <u>feel</u> like I am selecting items that I will/should want to wear for several years, and so that somehow justifies buying more of them, if that makes any sense whatsoever..</p> <p>So, should I only be shopping pre-season with the concept not of "wardrobe holes" but, to find one item in each category (pants, shoes, skirt, sweater) that I feel I'd like to wear <u>right now</u>, not next year, or next. Okay, I guess that does include wardrobe holes, assuming that each time there are going to be some items from the year before that I really do feel like wearing.</p> <p>Should my wardrobe consist of only&nbsp;15 &nbsp;or so items (making up numbers) that I wear each one once a week and practically replace each season or year with whatever is a new 'love' then. Might that not be as economical as having items purchased for "longevity".</p> <p>Is this the actual <u>opposite</u> of the French wardrobe--not building a group of long-lasting "classics" --or <u>similar</u> in buying very few, of-the-moment-wear items. I don't mean trendy, but,&nbsp;just-right- for-now items (body shape, mood, lifestyle). So numbers matter here to make the economics work.</p> <p>This is probably another rendition of "buy fewer, better quality " but it's potentially different because I always felt those things should be wearable for several years or I was making a mistake. <br />So the difference may be, buy fewer,&nbsp; happier.</p> <p>Enter, these Halogen loafers had been out of stock but re-stocked in my size. I think they are going to stay, but had to check on some things about the&nbsp; fit on my R foot, which is larger than L. Hence am trying the freezing water trick and walking about a bit because they are happy otherwise. But the point is, I love how they look with some of my "same old" pants and skirts and I wanted to wear them right out of the box (style-wise).</p> <p>It&nbsp;all comes back around to setting the bar higher, I guess. Everything added&nbsp;might &nbsp;be so much fun that you can hardly bear to put it back away; you'd almost wear it daily, and then you do.</p>