I *think* I may have cracked it.....

.... ish.

So the dilemma was....Spring/Summer 2015.  What sort of look was I going to go for?

Now - a slight step back.  I appreciate that this sounds like I have disappeared somewhere up on my own wannabe fashionista jacksie, but there is method in my perceived madness.  I am not just being a flakey blah (which makes a change). 

By identifying which tribe you want to belong to (ok I am just throwing myself at the mercy of fashion poncey lingo for one day only.  You have been warned.  Cringe Klaxon), you are being a clever dresser. 

The advantages are as follows:-

• You can make better use of things that you already own
• You will need to buy less to add to your own wardrobe to make a wider variety of outfits
• It will be so much easier to mix and match things that you own and so getting dressed and feeling good will be quicker and far less painful
• You can write a wishlist that you can work from through the coming months
• You should make less mistakes with impulse purchases 
• It's easier to identify which things in your wardrobe you do wear year in, year out and what it's worth investing in

I am also prone to the odd obsession.  Now sometimes these are themselves odd, as in strange, not as in occasional - let's take dungarees as an example....  However I've done some soul searching and do you know what?  I think that's ok. 

I have finally accepted that I'm not ever going to belong to one fashion tribe, I am too much of a schizophrenic shopper and with my magpie tendencies, I need to change my outfits up a bit every now and again. 

There is always that random thing I see, that doesn't fit into any traditional fashion rule book, that I love.  I remember once, an interior designer told me - always start furnishing a room with a couple of things that you love.  And the rest will work itself out, so long as it ties in with those pieces.  You will end up with a room that works for you, because there is nothing in it that doesn't go with something that you love. 

I also love William Morris' quote - "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful" - and I think you can apply the same to your wardrobe.  I think I'm going to change the useful to flattering though.... that would definitely work.  

"Have nothing in your wardrobe that you do not know to be flattering or believe to be beautiful"  

The key to this, of course, is that one person's perception of beauty differs greatly from someone else's and so we end up with personal style.  Your own personal style, which, so long as you follow the above newly acquired rule - will work for you. 

So where am I going to start?

With listing my outfit essentials and taking it from there. 

And the conclusion that I've come to, is that there isn't such a thing as fitting in with one tribe or one specific look.  It's about cherry picking aspects from a couple of looks that work together and work on their own.  Which means being organised and knowing what works with what and what you need to buy to have an even more comprehensive wardrobe with more outfit options. 

Thinking about the different outfits you can put together from an extensive (and in my case this is a very extensive...) set of basics.

It also does mean a lot of experimenting as what works in your head and looks great on other people and in magazines, may end up looking like a crock on you.  Don't take it personally - I have forgiven peasant style boho dresses for detesting me with a vengeance. 

And it may be that you have a slightly different edge from Spring into Summer.  I have neglected to include warm warm Summer at the mo, as frankly, one step at a time.  I do think if you try and bite off more than you can chew. that's when it becomes confusing.  

So here is the list.

• Jeans - skinny, flares, boyfriend and straight leg rolled up.
• A selection of Breton tops.
• Logo Tees.
• Silky plain blouses
• Silky print blouses 70's style
• Thin knit jumpers
• Fitted jackets
• Cocoon coats/mid thigh jackets
• Shirt Dresses
• Shift Dresses 
• Linen tees
• Cargo trousers, chinos and khakis
• Black skinnies
• A line skirts, mini and midi
• Selection of scarves - print and plain
• Ankle boots 
• Skater shoes
• Flat pumps
• Sandals

For me, with all these bases covered, I have the perfect wardrobe.  I'm also going to throw in dungarees as they, bizarrely, work with so much of what I already have (who would have thunk it?) 

As an example - three different outfits for three different occasions, all with one of my very beloved breton tops.  Yes I do have a pretty good selection but seeing as I've proved how useful they are, I am definitely in the market for a black and white one.  I honestly don't think you can have too many. 

Starting with classic navy and a classic Breton make - Saint James.  

Saint James Meridien Navy Jersey Breton top £55

Saint James Minquiers Black Jersey £42 This is obviously a different top from the one above as it's so much cheaper.  Probably a lighter fabric?

The reverse navy stripe in the same style as the black one so cheaper than the original. 

Minquires Navy stripe top by Saint James £42

Toast Breton Stripe Cotton t-shirt in red £49

And in a slate blue which I think is more of a grey.... a really useful colour to have in your wardrobe.  £49

Dropped shoulder at Hobbs and again we have a red shade.  When I bought my dark red one above, I didn't think I'd get that much use out of it but it honestly has been one of the most worn tops in my wardrobe. 

Red Haley T shirt from Hobbs £35

A more unusual pale blue now.  I love pale blue with black.  It also goes so well with greys and navy.  This with a black blazer over indigo jeans would be amazing. 

Hobbs Haley T-shirt in pale blue and ivory £35

And the classic navy 

Now these are slightly different but still tick all the Breton boxes in my book. 

John Lewis Zip Back Breton Stripe top £25

And in the raspberry - this would look fab with black.  Or with indigo and camel....

So there we have number one on my Wish List - a black and white breton top.  How is everyone else going with theirs?  First item you're planning to get?  

Finishing with outfit from today.  It's still chilly chilly, isn't it?

White longline tee - Baukjen
Navy Off Duty Jumper - Boden
Cable knit oversized cardigan - Nicole Farhi
Tie Dye jeans - H&M
Boots - Toga Pulla 
Black Diego bag - Alexander Wang

I can't wait to hear how everyone else is doing with their Spring wardrobes and what they're looking for.  I'll be back tomorrow with my Wish List for Spring.  I also need to get cracking on Summer Occasion outfits.  Will I be able to find ones that also work with my larger than usual capsule Spring wardrobe??