Spring/Summer additions and what I am still looking for

Hi All

This year my shopping has fallen into a different pattern. It has been a little more deliberate and a bit more out of season. So in winter I added white jeans and a black knit dress.

So in Spring so far I have added:

Camel trench coat (consignment shop on sale), Sportscraft brand
Cognac bag ( on NZ online auction site TradeMe)
Cream Rollies (online)
Black Tuesday two piece (online from Look Book)
Navy tee and a black tank (in store on holiday)
Black shell top (consignment store - second hand, Country Road brand)
Cognac sandals (instore Mi Piaci)
Grey summer jacket (Instore Verge brand)
Jade linen top (instore Ezibuy)

So in summary

Three second hand (none thrifted though)
Two online
Five at retail

The first four I have shown previously and worn. The coat and bag are definitely trans seasonal pieces for me.

The three tops are essentials....two new from a tee shirt retailer As Colour, and one from a consignment store.

I have been wanting cognac low heel sandals for a while - I saw these in store and they were perfect - that balance between trendy, casual and classic. I am delighted. I removed some tan flat loafers that were very tired.

I also had been looking for a jacket to wear over the two piece dress, a sea green dress and for summer nights. Whilst I was thinking black or blush in my mind - when I tried this on the style was great and the colour works. I loved the neckline (I don't like collars!!) It replaces my satin bomber.

And the last addition is for long days at summer sport - I might also wear it with jeans (white or blue) or even over my swimsuit. I liked the colour and the style is very simple and classic. It replaces a pink shirt from last year that is now in the gardening capsule!!

I seem to aim to look at 20 pieces per year but end up around 25 items.....(clothing/bags/shoes) so I don't want to add much more this year. My only need is a smart hat, and am open to one or two new additions - maybe a dress or culottes. Any ideas for me?

Thanks!!

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5 years ago

LaPed

Veteran

Nice round-up, very disciplined! Your secondhand cognac bag looks gorgeous. I prefer to buy leather goods used when I can.

Sal

Thanks La Ped - I have had great success with bags second hand....off our EBay equivalent. Definitely my first point of call. I have added second hand shoes but I try to just buy styles with longevity.

I had an unplanned trip yesterday to Auckland and checked out Zara (only one store here) and did some wildcard try ons...nothing I could not walk away from but high waisted culottes were better than I thought they might be.

Suz

(website)

Ooh, what a disciplined and thoughtful set of additions to your closet! I love the new bag and sandals and they will bookend your hair beautifully. Glad you found a black tank to replace your workhorse one that you mentioned was getting worn.

Is the new jacket linen? I can see how it might look great with the dress. I'd love to hear other styling options for it.

I'm in favour of culottes if you can find some that you like. Or a complete wild card, because you've been so organized up until now.

Suz - thanks! The jacket is cotton (97%, 3% elastane). It looked great with the column of black I was wearing at the time too. I bought it for dresses mostly - I have four it will work with (three of which I no jacket for). I will try with pants - I suspect looser fit pants or jeans will be better.

As I have mentioned I struggle to get jackets and tops/dresses to work. I have really cut back on statement tops for this reason - I think the trends are changing though and with more statement skirts/pants/culottes etc and simpler tops it will be easier for me. I have had lots of jackets I love, lots of tops I love - but nothing that went together. I guess that would be the beauty of adding entire outfits.

Yes I think wide leg pants/culottes or something similar would be fun. I will likely catch up with my friend who is a designer prior next month so I often get wildcards from her. She made my winter culottes and I was wondering if she might do a summer version!!

I have tried to be more disciplined - we will see if it makes my closet more cohesive. I think it has- although it does not mean everything is a winner.......

Jenni NZ

It's a fantastic set of items. I would like to emulate the way that you shop. Having reduced my closet down I am still trying to wear everything I have left- I have shifted the winter items into the new house and tried not to shift what I haven't been wearing... except my mother's 1964 red coat which I love but should consider passing on... can't do all the buttons up, it will be a whole post. Oh, and my 1989 Irish tweed jacket which I can fit but not wearing much, I could probably go on. I've realised I just still have too much to actually be ABLE to wear it all in a season if I'm trying to wear the regular stuff 30 times in its life. The summer wardrobe is looking thinner which is good... I've been out looking but we are finally getting a holiday next month after a year of building a house and we are going to Bali for the first time ever! So I might be tempted there!
I think it is good to have plans and cohesion but at the same time it can take some of the fun out of it... I am happier overall with my post-YLF shopping though. So maybe one wild card for fun?

Brooklyn

Good planning. I can see you in culottes. You know I’m going to suggest floral ones, don’t you?

What about a wrap skirt?

So far I’ve only added a skirt for Spring/Summer (which is asymmetrical floral of course). And a pair of sneakers (not that exciting, but a necessity). I really, really need some super casual summer clothing. Like shorts and tees. I am down to one pair of casual (denim) shorts and they are 3 or 4 years old. Uh-oh. But I am feeling totally uninspired. I would much rather shop for velvet jackets

Angie

Fashion Stylist

NICE, Sal.

Organized, disciplined, and effectively refreshed.

What is a smart hat? Any wild cards?

Thanks Jenni - I think you are doing very well with less shopping amidst a move. Bali sounds a wonderful break!!

Brooklyn - funny we do like shopping for different seasons - summer clothes are so much more appealing to me and I know you love the autumn/winter gear. I like your new skirt - very nice indeed!

Thanks Angie. Haha smart hat is not a very good desciptor. I have two straw hats that are beachy or garden appropriate, and I have a cap (for walks) and I even have a gorgeous fascinator. But my paper hat with a black band was marked and misshapen. I want a trilby or panama hat in a light cream/straw colour ideally with a black band that I can wear for town outings. Our sun is fierce.

My floral two piece was a wild card really although I did have a midi skirt on my list. But I am open to seeing something that I love and desperately want......that is fun!

Jane

They are lovely additions. I like the jade colour and the cognac sandals and bag are really super.

I got so much wear of the fitted striped dress from CM, and looking at your pieces I wonder if something like that might work?

by Jane

Stagiaire Fash

Nice! Those cognac shoes and the two piece dress are great!

As for culottes, I'm going to be more of an irritant than the other folks so far and ask what you'd wear with them. You mentioned needing to think in outfits so that your tops and jackets will go together. Can you pair some of them up, and then look for bottoms, whether culottes or not, that work with that set?

AHA, a dressier hat. Got it! Nice.

Anonymous

I too admire your thoughtfulnsss and discipline - and setting a target number for new pieces for the years sounds like a good way to keep a wardrobe under control .

Sorry I got distracted and never got back to people.

Thanks Lisa - I find a number more helpful to stop me buying more....the price is not immaterial, but not the main consideration. I do try and get a mix of NZ designer, chain/mall/mainstream brands and thrift/consignment.

Angie - I have seen a couple of hats but I need to try them on instore as I have a large head and hats are a tricky fit. Sometimes mens ones are easier.

Fashintern - fair comment actually....I am tending to shorter tops at the moment or tuckable ones so I have a few that could work. I have three black ones, a couple of florals and one or two striped, depending on the colour and pattern I choose. Cropped pants are good for our weather - where they can be worn almost all year.

Addition - I have worn the grey jacket Friday/Saturday/Sunday/Monday/Tuesday. Sunday and Saturday only for short periods. It is a perfect topper for spring - I could have possiby sized down but it is comfortable and seems to blend with everything I own which was my goal. I wanted something super versatile.

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