Here is a probably a great time to start with my shopping rules for a new season. So I've already given you what I think is a capsule wardrobe but these work for every shopping occasion. If you tattoo this onto our eyelids you will never ever make another shopping mistake ever again.
Or you can do what I do, pontificate about them and then totally ignore them the majority of the time.
Clear as mud eh? I will grant that there can be exceptions to rule 7. We do all need to buy those things that are either super warm and snuggly and we would boil alive in wearing to the pub or a restaurant. Conversely there is always going to be that dress for that special occasion which people may be mistaken for thinking you were doing the walk of shame were you to wear it out during the day.1) Only buy something that you REALLY love2) You must be able to make at least one outfit from your new purchase with things in your wardrobe.3) You must be able to think of an occasion where you're going to wear it. Do NOT buy it "just in case".4) It must fit you and fit you well. Do NOT buy something to "fit into". Only exception to this rule is if you're buying something to be shortened.5) If it is in the sale - the Golden Rule is - Would you buy it in a cheaper shop if that was the price at full price? (or are you buying it just because it's a bargain....)6) Find a Colour Palette and DO NOT DIVERGE FROM IT. You can add a token colour at a later date but it MUST complement your original colour palette.7) In an ideal world (and there are exceptions to this rule but there needn't be....) most things you can wear during the day, you should be able to wear out at night, at the weekend.
However armed with these rules, I feel that we able to much more liberally peruse and salivate over the new stock as it comes piling into our inbox via emails or through the door via delicious little books of love making promises of a much cooler, hipper lifestyle than we could ever hope to have (aka catalogues - as I've said before, my mega downfall) without making ridiculous impulse purchases.
So I have spent all of last night and this morning looking through the delicious new collection from Baukjen, one of my favourite catalogue culprits.
The last two seasons I hadn't actually fallen head over heels in love with as much of it as I normally do. I *may* have in the past set myself the challenge of seeing if I could theoretically buy my entire wardrobe for work, play, dress down and dress up from there and yup, easily done.
Last season my credit card and I breathed a huge sigh of relief but this A/W I could easily play the "dress yourself head to toe in Baukjen" game again. (please tell me it's not just me who does this?......clearly I don't get out enough...)
So let's dive in and see what makes my Wish List.
Starting with a knit. This for me encompasses the perfect combo between a sweatshirt and a jumper. I should also start by saying that my colour palette is going to be a riveting riot of black, grey and navy. Stone the crows, not exactly reinventing the wheel there and god forbid an iota of colour should cross my threshold.... Accent colours, I'm still loving cobalt as I think it goes so well with all of the three neutrals I'll be predominantly wearing.
And not forgetting a tan and camel edge as well. Ditto khaki. All these colours above (taking out the cobalt accent) go really well together and make a ridiculously easy mix and match wardrobe. In a nutshell I shall be an autumnal mix of sludgy neutrals. Appealing eh?
Which is where this jumper comes into its own. Perfect for throwing on with drawstring joggers and wedge trainers or any form of sneaker for the school run but just as perfect to wear with a leather skirt and ankle boots for a smarter look.
Rye Funnel Neck Jumper £89
Whilst we're on the subject of versatile tops, this shirt has my name written all over it. Easy to wear with blacks, greys, tans and winter whites - I love the way they've styled it here. With black capri pants, the perfect dressier outfit.
Felsted Print Shirt £119
And to prove my point of things working together - hey presto, here is the shirt and the jumper in a combo, with, one of my favourite A/W staples, the jogger. Now like its partner, the sweatshirt, these have made the transition over the last couple of seasons from purely functional exercise or lounging about on the sofa attire to "being seen out in public is ok" trews.
I love these. Again, the styling of this I adore - being absolutely NO help to my future credit card bills but at least we're winning on The Rules front...
Bray Jogger in Neutral Taupe Melange £59
On to an obsession I know works for me to an absolute T and in fact, every top I've bought of in this design, I have kept for years and years. Obviously I'm talking about the good old Breton top.
And what better way to add life to old black classics than to add a new colourway version with camel.
Astley Striped Top in camel and black £55
And they also have a dress version. Astley Striped Dress in Camel and Black £99
An absolute A/W must for me are skinny jeans and this jet black pair look more than worth a try - they get amazing reviews which is always a great indicator.
Freja Super Stretch Skinny Jeans £89
Staying with the black theme and loving the look above, another absolute MUST is a Turtleneck (or polo neck as I call them....)
Essential Ruched Turtleneck £55 The Ruching of this round the stomach area hides a multitude of sins. Ideal for over skirts (I'm thinking my leather ones...) with a coat and blazer. Equally fab as layering piece for under sweatshirts.
Also super neutral in the navy £55
I am assuming that most of you reading this blog will be of an age to remember them. Well I'm hopefully not the only one who is scarred by the not doing up of one's body after a trip to the loo in a dodgy nightclub on a rather drunken student night out? (I would like to say this only happened once, but alas.....)
However they definitely have their place and since my days of frequenting dodgy student night clubs are long gone (again, slightly alas), I need not worry about flashing my flappy bits to the world.
These are genius in that they there is no extra fabric covering your muffin, nothing comes untucked (assuming you do remember to do it up) and you have a fantastic smooth line round your middle. Flattering to the core.
Mayfield Wrap Body in Black £65
And a fabulously useful stone melange which would go with all dark neutrals £65
Gotta love the totally functional and flattering hiding a multitude of sins ruching on these dresses.
Ruched Jersey Dress in Taupe Melange £99 I absolutely love this look with the sneakers - throw on a blazer and a cross body bag and that is my look for A/W..... In. Love.
However my ultimate must have which covers all my rules "polishes halo" and then some is this amazing shirt dress.
I love the print in the shirt but a shirt dress is something I can definitely make room for in my wardrobe. Love the idea of this dressed down with sneakers and ballet flats, with bare legs for now but with opaques and a blazer in the A/W. For nights out with ankle boots and a chunky coat over. (or for during the day with the Toga Pulla boots - ho hum, you see where I'm going here.... even though I know I know I'm not suppose to buy something so that it goes with something else I haven't yet bought. Details schmetails.....)
Felsted Shirt Dress £119
And I honestly could go on and on. I haven't even started on the Abington biker jackets or the Monmouth leather blazers (didn't even KNOW I needed a leather blazer till now - oh hell, here it is - how exactly perfectly would this work in my wardrobe?? I have been trying to kill myself finding a perfect leather biker jacket when all this time, all I needed was a leather blazer)
Monmouth Leather Blazer £389
Ok I now Officially have to stop looking and post this before my list gets totally out of hand. Haven't even started on the shoes or the jewellery. Oh go on have a look but DO NOT BLAME ME!
And I need to know what I've missed off my wishlist and what's on yours. I haven't had a magazine through so don't have a code yet but there's always one flying around usually - anyone else got one they'd like to share??! I'm sure no-one would be remotely grateful.......
Finishing with outfits from Saturday and Sunday. Super relaxed weekend, lunch with friends yesterday and family over in the evening for drinks. I have to say I am loving these hols at the moment although we are only one week in and are having a duvet day today. However the plasterers are here so this isn't perhaps the brightest move I've ever made. Chances of it ending in tears are high... Although the postman's just been and I'm betting there is at least one catalogue for me to salivate over so watch this space tomorrow.....
Linen peasant top - Massimo Dutti
Denim Shorts - Warehouse
Champagne and silver leather espadrilles - Penelope Chilvers
Black crepe sleeveless top - Zara
Paint splattered khaki trousers - Zara
Black and tan sandals - Clarks
Tan belt - Primark
Black Diego bag - Alexander Wang
Have a good Monday everyone xx
Now these black jeans look just the ticket (and very black which is actually hard to find) and that black/caramel breton is a must I fear (but a classic as I tell the husband!). Wish you would do a post on bucket type handbags along the lines of your Diego - you are so good at finding gems that I would otherwise overlook.
ReplyDeleteWell funny you should say that as I have suddenly realised that whilst I am WAY behind the curve and whilst I am over the budget big style on shoes and clothes - my accessories tally is woefully lacking... New bags posts coming up!
DeleteI LOVE the ruched dress - I have several James Perse like that and they are SO easy to wear x
ReplyDeleteThey are so so so you, that's for sure! Very flattering and so easy to dress up and dress down. These are much cheaper than JP ones here though! x
DeleteVery good rules. Here's one more for changing rooms (no use for catalogues, sorry): not to buy anything unless it looks better than the thing I was wearing before I tried it on.
ReplyDeleteThis changing room rule is my no.1 rule!
DeleteExcellent excellent rule. x
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ReplyDeleteJust wanted to say that I am really enjoying your blog. Your style is very similar to mine (but much more polished!)
ReplyDeleteI hate browsy shopping and much prefer sidling up to friends and acquaintances and asking where they got things, and this blog fulfills a similar function for me, so thank you. Plus your writing makes me laugh, so true about bodies and dodgy student night clubs.
Oh thank you so so much - what a lovely thing to read. Hope you carry on enjoying it xxx
DeleteWhat are your thoughts on "colour me beautiful"? Have you had your colours done or do you just pick what you like?
ReplyDeleteHmmm I think it works for some people and whilst I've had it partially done, I do think that most people are automatically drawn to what works for them. If there is a colour you love that you know you can't wear next to your face, simply put a colour that you CAN wear next to your face and wear your fave colour somewhere else. I"m also not a huge fan of COLOUR COLOUR and when I did have mine done (and from what I've seen from the people that have bought CMB franchises, they are into bright colours)
DeleteThis may just be the people I've come across but they certainly all advocate bright. Which just generally isn't me. Don't like it, dont' feel comfortable in it and so whilst it may suit me, I would like ghastly in it!
Does that answer your q at all? xxx
I'm lovin' the wishlist...some fabulous picks! The paint splattered pants and multi-tone sandals are perfection!
ReplyDeleteDebbie
www.fashionfairydust.blogspot.com
Thank you - I am a huge huge fan of them! Great sales buy x
DeleteGreat round-up of fall/winter clothing staples. I will pass on the bodysuits, I missed those the first time around and will abstain again now. I guess my rule is to wear all the things in my closet and to stop wearing the few items in heavy rotation. Love your peasant top in your outfit pic!
ReplyDeleteThank you! And yes, I see that rule but I think if you do wear something in heavy rotation then the trick would be to buy similar things in the future or find something else which you will love as much! x
DeleteI was doing so well ... skipping through your choices thinking 'meh - will look great on her and crap on me' ... so perfectly happy until I got to the leather blazer. Well bugger!! Am now obsessed :(
ReplyDeleteHA HA HA HA HA!! It is very you....
DeleteI would add the rule - will this stop me wearing something else that I love? I can overbuy in the same category (smart tops to wear with jeans is my worst) but I also want to wear the ones I already have and love.
ReplyDeleteVery good point - I agree with this & am equally guilty!
DeleteThis is an excellent point. I do think though that there is a point where you wear that one thing you love SO much that you need to try and get something similar so as not to wear the original to death. The danger is when you buy more of one thing that you actually don't wear very often. Which is why I do suggest that you try and buy something that you wear both day and night so you will get the opportunity to get more use out of it.
DeleteClear as mud?! xx
Oh deary me. I made the mistake of having a peak at the shoes. £119 later and I have ordered the Ash Virgin Boots. I was even following "the rules"! X
ReplyDeleteWell if you were following the rules then that is just fine! I have them - I've had them for about 5 years and they are honestly one of the best shoe purchases I've ever made x
DeleteNot sure I'm ready for bodies* again (those bloody poppers!!!). But... I have been increasingly frustrated at how tees are getting longer and looser around the hem, which is fine for layering-up but poor for tucking-in. So never say never...!
ReplyDelete*Because if they're coming around, we're only one step away from floppy velvet hats with sunflowers in the brim ;)
AHA you see I never did the floppy hat thing - I feel I've missed out now.... And yes, totally agree that tees are never *quite* the right shape - one of the reasons I've fallen in love with sweatshirts - perfect with a gathered hem for hiding a muffin top!
DeleteKat there is 20% off at Baukjen in the back of the new glamour magazine it is code GL814 dont think it starts until the 11th august and finishes on the 7th September. Technically if you leave it until the start if september you wont have broken your august ban :)
ReplyDeleteThis is EXCELLENT news - I shall keep this in mind, thank you xxx
Deletelong coat for women provide the modest yet stylish look.
ReplyDeleteIt’s fascinating to see how Kulture Products is integrating the latest seasonal rules with their curated Wish List. The way they emphasize both adherence to new guidelines and the excitement of fresh seasonal trends really captures the essence of the transition.
ReplyDeleteGreat article on the new season’s rules and the Wish List! It’s interesting to see how these changes are shaping up. As for the new rules, it’s clear that there’s a lot of thought going into creating a more structured and engaging experience. I’m especially curious about how these will affect the variety in kulture products and quality of the offerings.
ReplyDelete