ooh I've heard so many bad things about their fit... did not know that the fit can be personalized. It sounds like you've had a great experience with them! Roughly how much surcharge did you pay on average?
How did you build your designer RTW wardrobe?
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I think it’s possible to get there. It’s just a slow and expensive process to refine, pare down, upgrade. .
But, the things you love last for decades
I aim to pick up fewer items than @Christofle. Perhaps 0-5 pairs of pants or skirts a season. Maybe one jacket or a sweater. I tend to let go of items less frequently than DH, so closet space is an issue. My downfall is outerwear. I love coats. But, I tend to only shop With SAs whose taste I trust and who know what I have already. I buy new items at retail price (only what I fall in love with in person) bc I tend to make enormous mistakes on sale. I hunt for deadstock vintage at a massive discount (which I do buy on line) bc I know my measurements pretty well.
So, if you average out my purchases, it works within my budget. A little sacrifice and a few rules (no more black or navy jackets or gray or beige pants) makes me appreciate what I do end up buying more
I try on with girlfriends, but I prefer not to purchase with them, bc they tend to positively enable everything. In reality, everything does not look amazing. (I take multiple action shots bc I don’t always trust the mirror in the heat of the moment lol. I do not want to come home thinking what the heck did I just buy lol. This is an issue bc I also make it a practice not to return. My favorite pieces end up being a three way vote btwn DH, SA, and me. I try on everything, bc I am sometimes surprised at what works.ETA: it’s also important that when I find and purchase something I truly love, I stop looking.
I don’t want to buy something unless I’m pretty sure it’s my new favorite thing, and I don’t want to continually second guess myself
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I also buy a retail price-“sales”= disaster buys!I think it’s possible to get there. It’s just a slow and expensive process to refine, pare down, upgrade. .
But, the things you love last for decades
I aim to pick up fewer items than @Christofle. Perhaps 0-5 pairs of pants or skirts a season. Maybe one jacket or a sweater. I tend to let go of items less frequently than DH, so closet space is an issue. My downfall is outerwear. I love coats. But, I tend to only shop With SAs whose taste I trust and who know what I have already. I buy new items at retail price (only what I fall in love with in person) bc I tend to make enormous mistakes on sale. I hunt for deadstock vintage at a massive discount (which I do buy on line) bc I know my measurements pretty well.
So, if you average out my purchases, it works within my budget. A little sacrifice and a few rules (no more black or navy jackets or gray or beige pants) makes me appreciate what I do end up buying more
ETA: it’s also important that when I find and purchase something I truly love, I stop looking.
But I don’t tend to shop with girlfriends, as I agree with you that they’re positive enablers.
I’m also trying to buy less, but all good..I’m trying to have a break atm, until I really need something or find something I can’t live without, although I DO want a new Saint Laurent GDP black blazer.
I think I need a few winter clothes, and also want a new coat.
But I’m already excited for the catwalk collections in September for Spring Summer 2024, and planning next summers wardrobe , since, after a hot June the U.K. summer has been a bit of a washout!
Good luck with your winter wardrobe shopping!
I loved reading this and especially everything in BOLD! I love coats too! Interesting about paying full price to avoid mistakes buying on sale. I have to always ask myself, 'if this was not on sale, would I still want it?' And most of the time it's NO! I also agree about the enabling but it's usually me that says 'that looks great on you' lol! But when I say it, I mean it too! I think your way is a great way to shop and make less mistakes and also not an impulse purchase...everyone should take this advice from you!!I think it’s possible to get there. It’s just a slow and expensive process to refine, pare down, upgrade. .
But, the things you love last for decades
I aim to pick up fewer items than @Christofle. Perhaps 0-5 pairs of pants or skirts a season. Maybe one jacket or a sweater. I tend to let go of items less frequently than DH, so closet space is an issue. My downfall is outerwear. I love coats. But, I tend to only shop With SAs whose taste I trust and who know what I have already. I buy new items at retail price (only what I fall in love with in person) bc I tend to make enormous mistakes on sale. I hunt for deadstock vintage at a massive discount (which I do buy on line) bc I know my measurements pretty well.
So, if you average out my purchases, it works within my budget. A little sacrifice and a few rules (no more black or navy jackets or gray or beige pants) makes me appreciate what I do end up buying more
ETA: it’s also important that when I find and purchase something I truly love, I stop looking.
I find it hard to stop looking once I do find something I love-that part is the hardest. It's like I enjoy the thrill of the hunt and then I'm on to the next thing...this is where I really need help (and this is both clothes and bags)!
Im trying to put together a wardrobe for the coming winter…
I have shearling coats and jackets , so I’m fine for outerwear.
I live in a very hot building-last year a lot of what I bought was too warm and I ended up donating pieces.
Im not really sure what to buy..im just taking it a month at a time, as I know there’s underfloor heating and don’t want to make the same mistake this year(it can be expensive , just giving away all of my unworn clothes!), it’s October, and although the U.K. is unseasonably hot, I have no need for knitwear at all, just leggings , jeans or trousers and base layers with linen tops, or tailored cotton shirts..
I haven’t yet seen anything which I think I’d be comfortable in all day here..as it warms up during the day..I think I’d rather invest in new pyjamas and a new satin dressing gown this month tbh..
Although I’m going to go over my annual clothing budget yet again-which I actually think is just a sign that I need to adjust my budget in line with inflation!
I have shearling coats and jackets , so I’m fine for outerwear.
I live in a very hot building-last year a lot of what I bought was too warm and I ended up donating pieces.
Im not really sure what to buy..im just taking it a month at a time, as I know there’s underfloor heating and don’t want to make the same mistake this year(it can be expensive , just giving away all of my unworn clothes!), it’s October, and although the U.K. is unseasonably hot, I have no need for knitwear at all, just leggings , jeans or trousers and base layers with linen tops, or tailored cotton shirts..
I haven’t yet seen anything which I think I’d be comfortable in all day here..as it warms up during the day..I think I’d rather invest in new pyjamas and a new satin dressing gown this month tbh..
Although I’m going to go over my annual clothing budget yet again-which I actually think is just a sign that I need to adjust my budget in line with inflation!
@880 you are a genius! Thank youIf you wish to multiquote,
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Hello! It’s been awhile, and I’ve also been slowly adding pieces to my ‘forever closet’. I’ve been very happy with where I’ve gotten to so far, with these on repeat this fall (mostly work clothes because that’s all I’ve been doing lately!). Shoes wise, I’ve brought out my 2000’s pair of red patent Lanvin ballerinas that is perfect for the pop of red trend, and bought some lovely repetto ankle boots during my trip to France this summer.
On another note, who else is disappointed with the new Phoebe Philo collection? I was refraining from shopping to wait and see what she comes up with, but didn’t see anything worth purchasing this morning that was a decent price - quality ratio. I was really tempted by the zippered trousers, but being just under 5 feet would mean completely replacing the zipper as it doesn’t look like it could be hemmed…
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Thank you! I previously posted that I was trying to purge my old coats and was on the lookout for new coats, and was fortunate enough to find that at the Nice airport MaxMara (although it was the only one in my size — I really wanted a longer coat).
I also added this vintage double face cashmere one from Alexander McQueen — a fab find from TRR!
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Like many I look at the current collections from designers that I favor, to see particularly colors,
shapes & overall lines.
I also think about what will add a dimension of interest & usually it is color (top, shoes)
I prefer very simple shapes (cocoon) is one of my favorites, leathers & top quality.
Fit is important to me & prefer to make purchases that don't require alterations (just trousers)
I've been lucky that one of the designers I favor just had a sale & I was able to pick
up some leather pieces , a couple of coats & several pairs of shoes.
I'm liking a color for a coat as opposed to black, but that is strictly personal
I also favor a jewel neckline in coats or a high collar for a coat & many of mine have
interesting closures so don't need more than that, Usually not a fan of lapel collars for me
I do like to look for vintage pieces that I might have missed along the way
Accessories add another layer of interest as well as colors. Personally, like a pop of color in
a handbag & even though I favor neutrals, seem to have a well rounded wardrobe.
shapes & overall lines.
I also think about what will add a dimension of interest & usually it is color (top, shoes)
I prefer very simple shapes (cocoon) is one of my favorites, leathers & top quality.
Fit is important to me & prefer to make purchases that don't require alterations (just trousers)
I've been lucky that one of the designers I favor just had a sale & I was able to pick
up some leather pieces , a couple of coats & several pairs of shoes.
I'm liking a color for a coat as opposed to black, but that is strictly personal
I also favor a jewel neckline in coats or a high collar for a coat & many of mine have
interesting closures so don't need more than that, Usually not a fan of lapel collars for me
I do like to look for vintage pieces that I might have missed along the way
Accessories add another layer of interest as well as colors. Personally, like a pop of color in
a handbag & even though I favor neutrals, seem to have a well rounded wardrobe.
Thank you, it means a lot coming from you! I told my husband that I want to be you when I grow up
Update my winter wardrobe …
I’ve bought-
A Sandro black shearling coat
2 pairs black J Brand jeans
Skims onyx satin robe (dressing gown)
Skims onyx hooded sweatshirt cardigan
Zara black sequin tuxedo blazer with Commando black sequin leggings
Zara black gabardine tuxedo suit-blazer, trousers, mini skirt
Zara black satin shirt/bodysuit
Still want
Another Skims cardigan-the same or knitted
More jeans:
Samurai or Momotaro from Japan, and
3Sixteen+
I don’t usually buy Zara-in fact I don’t have any other Zara clothes-but I found a whole load of things which fitted the description of what I was looking for.
I have shopping days out planned in Harrods booked in both December and January, which will finish off my winter wardrobe, then at the end of the winter I’ll go through everything and see if anything needs to go before I start my Spring Summer 2025 shopping.
I’ve bought-
A Sandro black shearling coat
2 pairs black J Brand jeans
Skims onyx satin robe (dressing gown)
Skims onyx hooded sweatshirt cardigan
Zara black sequin tuxedo blazer with Commando black sequin leggings
Zara black gabardine tuxedo suit-blazer, trousers, mini skirt
Zara black satin shirt/bodysuit
Still want
Another Skims cardigan-the same or knitted
More jeans:
Samurai or Momotaro from Japan, and
3Sixteen+
I don’t usually buy Zara-in fact I don’t have any other Zara clothes-but I found a whole load of things which fitted the description of what I was looking for.
I have shopping days out planned in Harrods booked in both December and January, which will finish off my winter wardrobe, then at the end of the winter I’ll go through everything and see if anything needs to go before I start my Spring Summer 2025 shopping.
I wore the black sequin outfit for a Christmas party (see picture).
I Did buy another Skims cardigan, a cozy knit, but the quality is terrible, it won’t last more than 2 winters..if that..
I’m having a pause now- having a mini clear out at the end of December to donate, things which I’m not wearing, and pieces which I’ve loved but want to refresh.
By the time I go to Harrods in January, I’ll have space for some new pieces…but as @880 said, fewer items..just better quality, from designers which I love, and will keep..I’d like some bespoke clothing again next year as well.
I Did buy another Skims cardigan, a cozy knit, but the quality is terrible, it won’t last more than 2 winters..if that..
I’m having a pause now- having a mini clear out at the end of December to donate, things which I’m not wearing, and pieces which I’ve loved but want to refresh.
By the time I go to Harrods in January, I’ll have space for some new pieces…but as @880 said, fewer items..just better quality, from designers which I love, and will keep..I’d like some bespoke clothing again next year as well.
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During this month I’ve added several pieces of RTW (Saint Laurent, Versace etc).
I haven’t had an end of season clear out, as summer will last another 2 months or so, but I’ve put a few pieces which I didn’t feel were flattering in a bag to donate next week.
I have shopping days planned on September and October, I’ll do the same thing.
I tend to stick to the same colour palette, and have around just under 100 pieces of clothing (for 4 seasons including outerwear), this works for me..
I Try to stick to a list of what I’m looking for each season, although it’s not cast in stone.
And Every year go over budget!!
I haven’t had an end of season clear out, as summer will last another 2 months or so, but I’ve put a few pieces which I didn’t feel were flattering in a bag to donate next week.
I have shopping days planned on September and October, I’ll do the same thing.
I tend to stick to the same colour palette, and have around just under 100 pieces of clothing (for 4 seasons including outerwear), this works for me..
I Try to stick to a list of what I’m looking for each season, although it’s not cast in stone.
And Every year go over budget!!