I've been looking at my frock situation with a curious eye after last week's extreme closet purge. What criteria am I applying to clothing these days? What is it exactly that is deciding which frocks exit and which ones remain?
Fabric
As you know I am very picky about fabric. If an item has some sort of lining that feels slippery, off it goes. If the fabric itself is full of man-made fibres it's not going to breathe properly and I won't be able to stand wearing it. It's almost like fabric claustrophobia.
My favourite fabrics are silk, silk interlock (a jersey which is slightly stretchy and doesn't wrinkle), cotton, linen and cashmere. I've been editing out any items that don't fit into my fabric criteria as I just don't end up wearing them... this is why my wardrobe has become quite a bit smaller!
I have added a couple of things in this year and surprisingly these items are from Tory Burch.
Tory Burch does some of her frocks in that gorgeous silk interlock, this fabric might be my favourite (at least for a dress) and I just discovered it this year. (I believe
Diane Von Furstenberg designs some of her dresses in this fabric as well.)
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Tory Burch dress in silk interlock jersey.
Manolo Blahnik dark brown slingback pumps. |
I bought the patterned dress above just before Christmas when it finally went to sale. I love the art deco inspired print and the subtle colour palette. I am moving away from prints with the exception of very bold botanicals or leopard prints... it's just what my eye is lighting on these days.
The silk jersey is a dream to wear, it is so comfortable and luxurious on the skin.
MrBP bought me a leopard print brown and navy Tory Burch dress this past summer which I also partner with those Manolo's... this dress is constructed of rayon so it isn't as comfortable.
I'll continue to wear it as I love the print and the fit but I do require a slip underneath to avoid that "chew my arm off" feeling.
I gave most of my older dresses away in my recent Frocktastic Purge but I did keep two in black.
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Ancient JCrew shift dress in wool with silk lining.
Made in the USA |
This ancient shift dress is so comfortable, and for $35 on ebay it was the Deal Of The Year. I had it tailored to fit perfectly and I wear it all the time.
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| Leopard print silk taffeta jacket by Red Valentino. |
I like it with my leopard print jacket.
The Salvatore Ferragamo black pumps were another good buy this year though there was no deal. I find them to be the perfect black dress shoe however so the cost-per-wear on them is already looking pretty good.
The other dress that "made the cut" was another ebay find, this time a silk frock by
Miu Miu. This dress was made in Italy and has a full and flouncy skirt that comes to the knee. I almost always wear it with my black cropped
Brora cardigan.
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| Detail of the black silk Miu Miu dress. |
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| Black cropped Brora cardigan and those Salvatore Ferragamo pumps. |
At this point I could justify adding in a couple of more frocks, and if I'm looking for more of that luscious Tory Burch silk interlock jersey I have a couple of options during the current sale (with an extra 25% discount with free express shipping to Canada).
Colour Story
I've finally figured out that I grow tired of a colour story after approximately 3 months. All fall and early winter I was wearing shades of brown with corresponding accessories and I am so tired of that colour palette. I've put my brown things away along with some of the purples and golds... just now I am attracted to black and navy.
This could have something to do with the fact that my new winter boots are in a sturdy black suede with full black shearling lining.
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Brora beret in french navy and black.
Brora cashmere stole in black. |
Of course it can't be a coincidence that my Christmas present from MrBP also fits this theme!
The navy alpaca is super-warm and perfect for the cold we'll be facing for the next 3 months.
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| Brora did one of their beautiful Liberty cotton linings. |
The coat has a neat, tailored fit, my regular size fit me perfectly though in the online reviews I noticed many women were sizing up. I have a narrow shoulder span which accounts for the size 8 fitting so well.
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| Look at the cozy alpaca. |
I'm planning another closet edit this week. As you may know I keep the items I currently wear in my small bedroom cupboard while the rest is stored in my storage closet. This system works really well for me as I can see everything at any given time. It will also allow me to be ruthless with the next edit as I have everything hanging up in that storage closet just now.
My last edit of 25 items included emptying out two drawers of clothes I had referred to as "the archives"... or should I say "archives of a hoarder"? No more storing things away for use at some later date, if something isn't being worn now or anytime during the upcoming four seasons it should really go to a better home... before it dates itself completely and is no use to anyone.
Would you like me to photograph my next edit with notes on criteria, fit and colour story? Planning any edits yourself?
xoxDani
