Thursday, March 27, 2014

spring 2014 wardrobe inventory

via dead fleurette
**update 04/16

For the minimalist fashion blogging world, dead fleurette's wardrobe inventory has become a sort of golden standard.  It's admirable to see your favorite bloggers practice what they preach, and her wardrobe inventory proved that you can be seriously fashionable with few loved and versatile items.  One of my goals for 2014 was to wear only what I love, which sounds easy, but is particularly difficult for me as I struggle with holding on and saving items I love to keep them in pristine condition.  While I'm particularly good about frequent closet cleaning and parting with items I don't wear much, it was hard cutting the tags off and scuffing up some of my favorite items.  With that said, I thought it would be helpful to take a page from dead fleurette's inventory and perform a similar inventory of my own closet.

I probably do not have as many categories of actions to split my clothing into for this season as I had just recently done a closet cleanout.  However, I marked in red items that I do not intend on replacing once I wear them to the bone.  Those that I have left in black are staples and favorites in my wardrobe that I hope to keep for a long time.  Strikethroughs mean I have already purged the item from my closet since posting.
Outerwear
Zara wool coat
A.P.C. parka coat
AllSaints leather jacket
J.Crew utility jacket
rag & bone blazer

Shirts and blouses
Uniqlo polka dot blouse
Uniqlo white blouse
J.Crew chambray shirt
8.15 white oxford shirt

Long sleeve tops
J.Crew stripe shirt
Saint James navy/white
Saint James white/navy
Saint James white/blue

T-shirts and tanks
Madewell print tee
3.1 Phillip Lim tee
Saint James stripe tee
Barney's Co-op tee
Everlane white tee
Everlane navy tee
Everlane gray tee
AllSaints gray tee
Everlane black tank

Knits
Complex Geometries sweatshirt
AllSaints cowl neck sweater
AllSaints moto sweatshirt
Madewell sweater
Eric Bompard cashmere sweater
AllSaints wrap cardigan
J.Crew open cardigan

Jeans
AllSaints black skinny jeans
J.Brand navy skinny jeans
Adriano Goldschmied boyfriend jeans
Madewell skinny jeans
rag & bone skinny jeans

Skirts and skorts
Zara skort
Rebecca Taylor midi skirt
Brandy Melville maxi skirt
Etoile Isabel Marant tweed skirt
J.Crew sweater skirt
J.Crew linen skirt navy
J.Crew linen skirt khaki
Theory silk skirt
Etoile Isabel Marant jersey skirt
Zara silk skirt
Madewell eyelet skirt

Dresses
A.P.C. printed dress
T by AW maxi dress
AllSaints jersey dress
AllSaints slit dress
AllSaints sweatshirt dress
AllSaints s/s sweater dress
J.Crew chambray dress

Accessories
AllSaints knit scarf
Express print scarf
Ray Ban sunglasses
Chloe sunglasses

Footwear
Corso Como black boots
Salvatore Ferragamo black Vara
Valentino slingbacks poudre
Stuart Weitzman black pumps
Acne Pistol short boots in black
Isabel Marant boots in natural leather
rag & bone Harrow boot in black
Nike Free in black
Superga sneakers in white
Dieppa Restrepo Cali in camel
Alexander Wang sandal in olive
Frye ankle boots black
rag & bone Aiden sandal in black
Sam edelman camel/leopard sandal
Sam edelman sandal in natural
Sam edelman sandal in black
Dieppa Restrepo lace-up boots black
Rachel Comey ankle boots black

Bags
Loeffler Randall rider bag in camel
3.1 Phillip Lim med pashli in black
Balenciaga Classic mini city in black
Kate Spade mini essex scout in red
Rebecca Minkoff 3-zip in black
Fjallraven Kanken backpack in black
= 72 pieces
goal 50 pieces

Going through this, I realize I have a lot of "life"in my closet.  I need to start wearing more and more of these essentials.  It's quite astonishing Fleurette is able to come up with super fashionable outfits with only half the amount I own, but I guess that's what comes of wearing only well-loved, versatile pieces.  I do plan on trimming the fat - particularly around skirts and dresses that I've been wearing less and less.  I aim to have a smaller, but more well used wardrobe come fall time.




Wednesday, March 26, 2014

march wardrobe wishlist

Eric Bompard sweater


Those who know me know that I've gone through quite a drastic style change lately.  I went from a complete dolled-up maximalist to a Kinfolk-loving, mariniere-hoarding aspiring minimalist.  While I do have a not-so modest income to be thankful for, I've also spent a little past my limits in acquiring this new wardrobe.  Now that I feel I'm about 90% of the way to owning a perfect timeless wardrobe, it's time to seriously consider my next purchases.  Here are a few things I've been lusting after lately:

(1) A navy cashmere sweater
I've heard so many good things about Eric Bompard and hope to pick up this timeless piece on my trip to Paris.  I haven't owned anything cashmere before, and in a classic navy, I'm sure it'll be a keeper for a long time.

(2) Smooth cowhide lace up boots
While I'm particularly fond of the lace up boot by A.P.C., it is also unfortunately sold out everywhere.  Boo.  I'm also a huge fan Dieppa Restrepo's Rustys, but really open to any well-made, somewhat lady-like boot.  

(3) Grey or navy elasticized waist skirt
Looking for one in either cotton, linen or a cotton/linen blend.  J.Crew factory makes a pretty good one, but I'm interested in what else I can find.

(4) Balenciaga Giant 12 Nickel Mini City Bag
Ahh, the classic little black crossbody.  I'm quite satisfied with my purse collection now, but I think once I wear my collection in a bit more, it'll be time to splurge for this baby.  Thankfully, it won't be going away for a while so I'll be saving up for it!

I'll have to remember not to pay attention to items not on this list, as old habits die hard.  I'm excited to acquire these as time goes on, but for now, I also have to remember to be content with what I have until I have the money and the needs for these items.

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

allons-y a londres et paris!

via purduecal
I have been even more restless than usual all week because I am headed to Europe for the first time this Friday evening.  Even though it will be a short, one-week trip to the city of dreams and the city of light, my boyfriend and I plan on hitting up everywhere and doing everything.  Oddly enough, though it may not be some's cup of tea, one of my favorite things to do is packing.  Or rather, planning what to pack.  When friends see my suitcase (or lack thereof), they are often surprised by how light I pack.  Both my boyfriend and I made it a week in Asia with carry-ons only (one backpack and one suitcase each), but this time, I think we can do it in one suitcase and one backpack all together.  Without further ado - here are my his and her's packing lists:

Electronics:
- DSLR + battery charger + 2 memory cards
- iPhone, iPad + chargers
- Wall Plug adaptor (essential for any international trip)

Personal:
- Wallets with cash
- Subway maps
- Eurostar train tickets
- Notebook + pen
- Book (for reading on the plane)
- Umbrellas (that darn London weather!)
- Some OTC meds (just in case)

Toiletries:

For him:

  • Toothbrush & toothpaste
  • Hair product
  • Cologne samples
  • Deodorant
  • Shampoo/Conditioner sample packets (in case the hotel doesn't provide what you like)
  • Small comb
  • Face wash

For her:

  • Toothbrush & toothpaste
  • Dry Shampoo
  • Perfume samples
  • Deodorant
  • Shampoo/Conditioner sample packets (in case the hotel doesn't provide what you like)
  • Hair Brush
  • Cleansing Towels
  • Makeup Remover
  • Moisturizer/Cream
  • Makeup
    • As far as makeup goes, everyone's essentials vary.  Mine are:
      • LORAC Pro Palette + eyeshadow brushes - you can do any neutral/smokey eye look with this
      • UD Eyeshadow Primer
      • Pencil Eyeliner - love my dual-ended Sephora in brown/black for this
      • Stila felt-tip eyeliner - I swear by this baby!
      • Etude House BB Cream - I love the lightweight coverage and sunscreen in one!
      • Anastasia Eyebrow Pencil
      • Anastasia Brow Powder
      • Anastasia Eyebrow Gel - I swear by this trio to get my brows perfectly groomed.
      • Nars orgasm/laguna duo + blush brush
      • Benefit Watt's Up highlighter (sample)
      • Fresh lip polish in Petal (for a natural pink look)
      • Stila liquid lipstick in Dolce (for a nude lip)
      • Bite lip crayon in Pomegranate (a bold red lip)
      • Buxom in Menace (a wine lip)
      • Tweezers
As far as clothes go, I like to pack items that are easy to mix and match.  Both mine and my boyfriend's closets are pretty well curated and have a single color theme, so thankfully, choosing what to take isn't too difficult.  If you have a lot of clothes in many different styles, I highly recommend sticking to a few colors for travel.  Starting with the "for him", since guys have less options.

For Him:

- (How many days you travel) + 1 pair of underwear
- (How many days you travel) + 1 pair of socks - you can't skimp on packing these!
- Sunglasses (my guy swears by his Ray-Bans)
- Watch - he's in love with his new automatic timepiece from Steven Alan
- 2 sleepshirts
- 1 pair of sweats
- 1 scarf - he's taking a classic black wool one from Barney's 
- Utility Jacket 
- Lightweight hoodie - he has a fantasticly thin one from AllSaints
- Thin puffer vest - J.Crew makes the best ones!
- 2 pairs of jeans: skinny black pair from Gap, and a skinny dark wash pair from AllSaints
- 2 v-neck sweaters: a gray one from Gap, and a turquoise one from BR
- 4 undershirts/tees: 2 grey ones, 1 black one, and 1 slate one
- 2 button-downs: 1 light plaid one from Frank & Eileen, 1 dark plaid one from AllSaints
- 1 heavyweight l/s tee: a mariniere from Saint James (only fitting for Paris)
- The most comfortable pair of sneakers you own - his are Nike's

For Her:

- (How many days you travel) + 1 pair of underwear
- 1 pair of tights
- 5 pairs of socks - you have to plan a bit more than guys depending on the footwear/bottom you plan on wearing
- Sunglasses - I love my cat-eye Ray-Bans
- 1 sleepshirt
- Bras - but at least one black and one nude
- 2 pairs of leggings - for the plane and train ride
- 1 scarf - I'd go for a lightweight neutral one that goes with everything
- 1 pair of jeans - my trusty dark wash J.Brands!
- 2 skirts - a white silk Zara one and a jade-colored Etoile Isabel Marant jersey one
- 5 tops - a white v (AllSaints makes a perfect tissue slouchy one), a black tank (Everlane's Ryan is great), a mariniere (J.Crew has a nice tunic-length one), a silk blouse (Uniqlo's is not too expensive and classic), and a sweatshirt (AllSaints Ridley goes with everything!)
- 1 pair of sandals - for dressier days I love Sam Edelman's Sutton sandal
- 1 pair of sneakers - my trusty black/white Nike Frees
- 1 day purse - my Loeffler Randall Rider holds and goes with everything!

Even though some items will get more than one wear, a bunch of different outfits and looks can be created from the above.  I can't wait to give all of these outfits a go - and still have some room to bring back some goodies. :)



Monday, March 24, 2014

heaven on earth

via zero1magazine
One of my favorite stores I've recently visited is Totokaelo in Seattle.  I've seen their lookbooks on Pinterest and a few blogs for a while now, and was always curious what the store had to offer.  My trip to Seattle over the New Years' this year opened my tutu-wearing, lace-frilled self to the beautiful world of minimalist designs.  For years, I felt that minimalism was boring, for tomboys, or old people.  I've long been in the school of crazy loud prints, doll-like details, and that more is more.

It's hard to say if my weight gain, my age, the fact that it takes too long to plan what to wear, or Totokaelo inspired this craving and aspiration to become more minimalist in not only dressing but all aspects of life, but it's been a good three months of simplifying my life.  I'll get into more detail about my progress, my purchases, and my wardrobe in the upcoming posts, but I'll leave this here - for anyone who has ever considered changing his/her style to a more streamlined yet unboring look - visit Totokaelo.  You won't regret it.