image via pjinomaha
I had to run an errand today, and found myself next door to Anthropologie.
Oh, gee…twist my arm…I had to go in.
With two kids in tow, I did a quick loop around the store. I saw at least four or five items that sang out to me. I tell you, if I didn’t have the kids with me, I would have succumbed and tried something on. And if I’d tried several things on, who knows what I would have bought?
{Not only are kids good birth control, they’re also good for the savings account.}
Right now, I have no business buying new clothes. Not only are we trying to save money, but one of my 2009 goals is to analyze and then define my personal style.
A couple of weeks ago I read a post at On Simplicity about Mastering the Art of the French Five Piece Wardrobe. If you haven’t read it already, go read it now. The basic idea is:
Your wardrobe each season revolves around a handful of key pieces: a pair of well-cut trousers, an elegant shirt, a classic coat, a great pair of shoes, and so on. These are your staples, and you’ll wear them in and out, day after day. From this core of classic pieces, you add just a handful of new items into your wardrobe each season to keep it fresh. The end result is a closet that is minimalist but high on style.
To some people, this sounds horrible and confining. To me, it sounds wonderful and liberating. In fact, it’s something I’ve wanted to do for a while.
Seeing that I don’t work outside of the home, my key pieces won’t be as “fancy” as they mentioned in the original article. I don’t have much use for an elegant shirt…
I don’t want to force myself into a style. I want to find my own signature style.
image via V&A Friday Late
I think it would be fun to choose five key pieces and slowly start to build on them. Maybe add another piece each week or so. Yes, this is my idea of fun.
Shannon at The Daily Balance holds a Fashion Friday every Friday . I look forward to seeing everyone’s stylish outfits each week, but haven’t participated yet, myself. I have decided to play along in my own way.
This Friday, I’m going to post my five key pieces. Each Friday after that, I’m going to add another item.
{ 2 trackbacks }
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
This is a marvelous idea! You might also enjoy a great fiction read on this very subject: a lovely little chick-lit book called “Elegance” by Kathleen Tessaro.
Looking forward to seeing your pieces …
Oh yes, I want to do it with you! I am a good 15 kilos away from fitting into most of my clothes, and another 5 kilos from that from another “dream” portion of my wardrobe.
So, I am kind of starting from scratch too and very inspired to purge my overflowing wardrobe anyway - even WHEN I do lose the weight, I can´t actually wear all those clothes (at once, lol, or even over a few months!). Less is definitely more.
I love the 5 piece concept. A woman called Debra Ollivier wrote a book about about French women and their style but I can’t remember what it is called - lovely read though. Make you you give us photos of your new things!
it does sound like fun… I just can’t do the “adding” right now.
5 pieces? I wear 5 pieces of clothes every day - a different 5 pieces. When I was in high school (pre-microsoft excel) I kept a chart on the wall listing what I wore every day so that I wouldn’t wear the same thing twice in a month. How can you wear the same pair of pants every day?
I can modify this idea to have one week’s worth of items, that might work for me. But I also don’t like to do laundry too often, hence I have 5 white t-shirts and 5 black t-shirts and 7 pairs of everyday jeans, etc.
I’ll be following your blog to see how this works out for you!
@ Chania Girl~
Mmmm, the read sounds like fun. I’ll keep an eye out for it.
@ RML~
Oh goody! A co-conspirator! (sp?)
@ shoestring alley~
I will definitely post photos. I’m going to have to enlist my husband’s help, because I’m so worthless with the camera…
@ Denise~
I’m going to “add” from my closet…Does that make sense? I’m going to choose my “main 5″, and then add another “sub-key” piece. Also, one week, I might add an accessory or two. Once the weeks wear on, I may found myself “lacking” in shoes for example. (A good example since I’m not a shoe-girl. I tend to rotate between my gym sneakers, my flip flops, or my ugg boots.)
@ harriet~
I may have been a little vague in the explanation. (The link to the original post is definitey worth following, and she explains it better!) But you’re supposed to choose 5 key pieces to base your wardrobe on. For example, although you wear a lot of different pieces, do you find yourself gravitating to a few select “favorites?” Those pieces would be a good indicator of your 5 basics. Also, I’m allowing myself to wear other clothes in my closet, as this little project progresses…but it will help my define my style; therefore, helping me weed out pieces that I never wear, and helping me define what’s really me.
re the photos, I will probably just photograph the clothes laid out or hanging up :). I am not up for a fashion parade at present as I don´t really fit into anything post pregnancy
@ RML~
No problemo. I’ll be taking a photo of my current (ill-fitting) pair of jeans because I know that “jeans” is one staple. Not the particular pair that I have, but I’m not ready to invest in a new pair until I get my butt under control! Later on, I’ll reward myself with a new pair, and THROW OUT the old pair. (No hanging on to fat clothes, right?)
This sounds like a great idea! I’m very into fashion and I try to experiment with all types of styles. As you’re doing this, don’t limit yourself. I’m sure you’ll find a lot more works for you than you would think. Can’t wait to see what you come out with!
PS - I used to work at Anthropologie. NOT good for the savings account. Hahaha
K - I can’t believe you bought nothing. I would have bought it, tried it on at home, then returned it if I didn’t like it. That is my solution when I don’t want to take the time to try anything on
I can’t wait to see your 5 fav pieces!
K - I can’t believe you bought nothing. I would have bought it, tried it on at home, then returned it if I didn’t like it. That is my solution when I don’t want to take the time to try anything on
I can’t wait to see your 5 fav pieces!
I’ll be following your progress, as I love this concept. There will be no new clothes for me, as I’m behaving and not buying any
Also my bum is far too big to be on any pictures, it might crash my blog!
@ PP (Dani!)~
I think that finding my style will actually help my clothing creativity. It will be fun to mix things up with a scarf or a new way of mixing and matching things. (I worked a summer at Anthro, too. 40% off, baby!)
@ Danica~
If I had bought the 4 or 5 pieces, the bill could have easily been in the $400 - $500 range. I can’t use that tactic at Anthro. ; )
@ Laura~
Oh, I won’t be posting any pictures of my bum either. Just watch me use that “crop” feature! LOL (Good for you on behaving. You’ll be in Portugal, in no time.)
This is my first time to your blog, it is beautiful!
I have 2 children (2 and 10mths) and I have not shopped for clothes since maternity at Ross Dress For Less!
The last time I was in Anthropolgy I was childless, and working as a massage therapist at a large corporation. This post reminded me of the days I would stroll through there on my lunch break without a care in the world. Spend time in the fitting room, make 2 or 3 trips around the store.. after I would stroll over to Powelle’s Books, buy a coffee and a book and sit outside downtown with the sun on my face…..wow times were different then!
@ authentic mama~
thank you for you kind comments, and thanks for stopping by. I always love new readers! ; )
Anthropologie is its own little world. The way they merchandise everything and set up their displays,…it’s pure eye candy. And yes, life before children was a “different time.”
Sounds like a lovely idea. I totally feel like I need to amp up my style sometimes. When I do think twice about what I’m about to wear, I usually feel so much better that day. Looking good does make you feel good
@ Elina~
I agree — when I take the time to “put myself together”, I feel much better about myself. You should join us!