Fall 5 Piece

shedev

the 5
1. the Vince cashmere hoody, this has already been a workhorse
2. True Religion jeans, also a workhorse
3. White House Black Market top, I'm probably wearing this for Christmas
4. Rundholtz top, undershirt sold separately but I wanted to show the slit, shirt buttons up top and bottom
5. Porto asymmetrical gilet. I really didn't think I would find a long vest that fit my body let alone my style persona

the basics
1. Guess leggings with mesh inserts
2. navy cold shoulder sweater
3. Porto slate mesh overlay top
4. c&c California leggings

This was my first 5 piece that incorporated a budget. I went $40 over, but that's not bad considering that 4 of these were spendy (for me) investment pieces. The budget is pretty bare bones considering the cost of some of the things that fit my style persona. I decided to skip shoes this season so that I can get wear out of my awesome collection.

I am really wanting these RO pants. They represent a signicant portion of my winter budget so I would have to really be careful with my spending.

Nordstrom

Vince Jumbo Cashmere Hoodie

$275.00 $164.98

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Bloomingdale's

True Religion Halle Super Skinny Jeans in Lead Grey

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White House Black Market

Cold-Shoulder Surplice Top

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DRKSHDW By RICK OWENS Denim pants

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8 years ago

Shopping

23 replies

Latest reply was from Style Fan

El Cee

Veteran

This is a really fabulous collection, shedev. The TR jeans are amazing -- a real signature piece. I also love the two cold shoulder tops. I bet they look stunning on you. As for budgeting, I do not see a $40 overage as being a big thing, especially considering the quality of the pieces you purchased. You stayed pretty close to your plan. Kudos!

8 years ago

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

FANTASTIC! This is such a well-edited capsule. I admire your discipline. Get the RO pants.

8 years ago

Meredith

Veteran

Way to go! Inspiring!

8 years ago

Brooklyn

Veteran

Well done! I love the gilet and the cold shoulder tops.

8 years ago

shedev

Veteran

El Cee, I don't see the overage as a big thing either. I spent a lot over the summer, so I wanted to reign it in, and I accomplished that. So I think my budget was actually a success.
Coco, thank you, gotta at least try the pants.

8 years ago

Ginger

Veteran

I love your 5-piece capsules! These are all wonderful, and even the "basics" are so interesting. They really fit your style perfectly. As do the RO pants. Would those be part of another capsule?

8 years ago

cheryl

Veteran

Gorgeous! I love it all and would happily wear this capsule.

8 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Wow, Shedev, this is AMAZING. These pieces are absolutely stellar. I can see how much thought you are putting into every purchase now and how well they cohere with your style goals. I'm with Denise -- get the RO pants! You deserve 'em!

Can you explain a bit the thinking behind the 5 piece? Is it "five stellar statement items" plus 5 core essentials (if needed) each season as your upgrades?

That gilet is sensational. Where did you discover it?

8 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

I love this, Shedev! You have found some really amazing pieces. I LOVE the jeans.

8 years ago

Anonymous

I think once your wardrobe reaches a certain point, the five-piece wardrobe is the way to go for some people. I have followed your journey with interest and intend to try it next Spring. I am curious. How do accessories fit into the plan? Does a purse count as one of my five purchases?

8 years ago

Sal

Veteran

Yes I agree with the others, a really tightly edited but amazing collection.

I would like to move this way too - accepting there are pieces that just plain wear out (leggings, basic jeans etc) and then upgrading with a few very choice pieces...

Love the gilet for you and I think the cold shoulder tops will look great on too.

8 years ago

peacechick

Veteran

Very cool capsule, and I can see how they effortlessly fit together. My fave is the asymmetric gilet too. Look forward to seeing the outfits you put together!

8 years ago

bj1111

Veteran

Great discipline pays off. Love the tr jeans.

8 years ago

shedev

Veteran

You asked for it. Here is the rundown on the 5 piece. info is from who/what/wear
limit purchases to 5 nonbasic items per season, s/s f/w
the key is to buy things you really love

a basic is something that
1. I can wear over and over till it falls apart
2. goes with everything I own
3. I pretty much can't live without
4. made of a good material that will last for a very long time
then they show the kind of stuff Angie would call essentials

cons
1. requires a good foundation of basics
2. requires a defined sense of style and limits experimentation
3. rules are very vague
4. it might be boring for fashion lovers

benefits
1. naturally creates a trend proof closet
2. allows splurges on statement pieces and classics
3. guidelines are adaptable

not super helpful
their definition of basics sounds a lot like my statements
here are my thoughts
-I split up fall and winter, so I have a season for each of my temperatures- cold, warm, and transitional
-vague rules allow you to define it in a way that works for you
-its only as boring as the pieces you choose
-it helps to have a defined sense of style
-as far as the trend proof closet, I like trends, talking about them, seeing WIWs, but I only try the ones that I think work with both my body and my style persona. Unless your style is trendy fashionista, you will likely be able to indulge in the trends you are truly drawn to

I struggled with defining basics, especially with a non basic non classic style.
thank you all for your positive comments, I'm really feeling the love
Ginger, the RO jeans would start my winter 5
Suz, I decide on my number of basics by need, I had no holes this season so it was a small amount. If I needed more, I would choose more. I'd also adjust the budget to accommodate the extra items.
Sterling, I think it depends on the purse. If it is a statement or investment purse, it would be a 5p. If it is more utilitarian, it would be a basic. A money threshold really helps.
I forgot to say that I have a darker version of the jeans. I passed up the sale pairs and got the wash I really loved at full price.

8 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Thank you, Shedev -- that is super helpful. Somehow even though I followed some of the earlier 5 piece conversations, I missed the definition. I really like the way you have adapted it to fit your circumstances. I think if I did something similar I could also manage -- I might need to break it down into 4 seasons but maybe 3 would do it for me.

I couldn't have done this until I had a good core working wardrobe but at this point it would make a lot of sense. It really makes you think hard about your purchases.

8 years ago

shedev

Veteran

Suz, since you change your colors, you could do 4 seasons. I don't do seasonal colors and my spring and fall seasons can be really short so I don't need 2 seasons for them.

8 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

That's a good point, for sure. And really, in terms of weather, I do have 4 or 6 seasons to contend with, depending on the year.

I'm going to mull on it some more and maybe refine for my own purposes. It seems to be bringing you lots of clarity.

8 years ago

Sara L.

Veteran

Great pieces! I'm partial to cold-shoulder tops this season and like your choices.

8 years ago

Anonymous

Hmm. Just came back to read this after commenting on your most recent post . This is really interesting - I was about ask about the diff between the 5 and whatever the other basics are ....but I think I get it now . This is going to force me to actually put some thought into my wardrobe , which may be an indication that hell truly has frozen over .

7 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

These are quite cool.
They are both statement- y and versatile, or maybe wearable.

7 years ago

Veteran

Very helpful to see this put into words. I'm trying to build towards this -- cover the basics with quality pieces but have the discipline to identify what pieces you love and must have. And come to grips that this might take a search and have the discipline to complete the search vs. settling. And I agree, if you love pieces with drama -- there is nothing boring about it. Love your selections! Thanks for sharing.

7 years ago

Bijou

Veteran

This is a wonderful post and something that I am sure that I could put into practice too. The 5 piece concept allows you to buy those items that you love and not feel guilt, because they are restricted. You have selected amazing pieces which I am sure you will love beyond one season.

7 years ago

Style Fan

Veteran

This is very helpful. Great pieces. Not sure how I missed it the first time.

7 years ago

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