Frugal Follow-up

[FrugalFashionista]

We've hopelessly lost the old thread. How are you doing ladies?

I need to reawaken the thread as I need to get back on the wagon. I decided to temporarily suspend my shopping ban - it's summery here and I've started wearing summer clothes and I decided to make some purchases now so that I can wear them all season long (in low 20s it's still a bit too cool for my routine sleeveless dress/bare legs summer look). Most of my old summer clothes are in great shape but this is what I needed to update them -

1. white jeans (have lots of denim shirts and blue tops) - straight-leg, non see-through
   
2. colorful printed cigarette pants (my wardrobe is mostly solid colors - I want to wear prints but not near my face) - found a pair in my favorite colors from MSMG
   
3. sandals (bored of ballet flats and Havaianas) - black cage wedges, low-rent child-friendly version of the Altuzarra look
   
4. slingbacks (found a lovely two-tone white/taupe pair on sale)
   
5. a few bracelets to liven things up
   

I'm still looking for a couple of high-quality white or cream tops, scoop neck if possible. They seem to be the hardest item to find, but my refound Zara poly-viscose top is surprisingly versatile. Still thinking about a long and narrow snakeprint silk scarf in my best blues and also need to make a decision regarding nude/taupe courts (to go with my summer cocktail dresses).

Spring lasted for 3-4 weeks here and coincided with my 1-month shopping ban. By thinking a bit harder and digging a bit deeper I was able to find all spring outfits I ever needed without any spending! Summer will be around until the end of October so I hope that I will get quite a lot of wear out of my mix of old and new. But I think I'm almost done with wardrobe updates and might go back to tight-fist mode very soon

[teta]

Some insightful and thought provoking conversations tonight.Violet if its cost-neutral and something you will wear a lot,its ok.Sorry to all the posters who have had losses.Clearing out sounds so incredibly difficult.Interesting concept about wardrobes reflecting their owner.I think mine will just reflect my schizophrenic tendencies,changes in size and circumstance and climate.Colours are so much more vibrant in the tropics compared to the uk.I had a lot of clothes i never wore in the uk.In contrast most of school uniforms in parts of Asia are pure white[must be a nightmare for the parents].In the business capitals though, dark colours are always worn,even in the burning heat of high summer.Lady can you fit a window box?.Or failing that those wall mounted plant pots?Even when i live in a flat i grew bourganvillia[sp] on my balcony.

[FrugalFashionista]

Thanks for your very thoughtful post Violet!

Day 6 of the new shopping ban, and no shopping urges at the moment. I love fashion, can't help it, but will try to limit myself to restyling looks from my existing wardrobe. The ultimate aim is to gradually wear out the excess and end up having a functional and streamlined wardrobe to save DDs from a lot of grief and heartbreak when I'm gone.

My very stylish and fashionsmad mother stopped buying clothes about a decade ago - she had a walk-in closet and a basement and a full wall of wardrobes full of mostly unused clothes. She realized that her plan to hand things down to me was backfiring - we are very different sizes and I can't wear her glamorous 1970s open-toe stilettos and 4" heel boots.

Not feeling particularly stylish today. White jeans (have just remembered that they were my mother's signature look in the early 1980s - I feel very cozy and maternal in them - 'mumsy' in the best possible sense) are in the washer and I'm wearing blue-toned floral skinnies with a coral cashmere V-neck sweater and Havaianas and feeling frumpy. The silhouette is all wrong - can't shake the long johns associations and the top is too slimline. Will need to do some ironing and wardrobe organizing to find something nicer to wear...

It sounds great OneLittleLady that you have a wardrobe that reflects you

[OneLittleLady]

I do believe I am a winter FF. Winter colours just seem to work for me over any other so if I ever have my colours done officially and I turn out to be a summer, I'll eat my own shoes!

Today I'm wearing a sale bargain River Island dress (£12!), it's white and navy polka dots with a shaped panel around the bust area. It succeeds in making me look very slim and busty

[DigWeedSow]

There's nothing like a trip to the tip to show how wasteful our society is! Planned obsolescence has a lot to blame for the increased turn over in all consumer goods. How many times have you read on these boards about the quality of certain clothing chains diminishing? Yes, it's partly to do with cutting manufacturing costs but I also think that the general loss of quality is intended to encourage us the replace our clothing more often. Jumper bobbled after a couple of wears? No problem! throw it away and buy another, they're only a few pounds after all. Clothing has become throwaway and the only winners are the manufacturers.

[QueenofWhatever]

DigWeedSow I completely agree with you about the planned obsolescence and I hate it. I believe it is a conscious strategy by the fashion industry, and not a by-product of changes in clothing manufacture etc. I just don't want to be part of it, which makes buying clothes quite hard.

I have had a constructive few days and am starting to put together some more interesting colour combinations from my existing clothes. We went to a concert last night and I wore a dark denim pencil skirt with a purple jumper and my Missioni style scarf. I also wore petrol coloured tights with my calf length brown boots, set off by a petrol/turquoise bangle I found in the charity shop.

Not a colour combination I would have tried before getting my colours done, but I have to say it really worked. Same purple jumper today with frugal's blue wide-legged trousers and blue suede Nike. The main problem is that it's still ridiculously cold despite being nearly May.

I had to take DD to Brownies at Hobbycraft at some godforsaken shopping centre last night, but bought some replacement buttons for my winter coat (one is missing), so will sew them on tomorrow. I've also ordered some Amazon Green Dylon dye so will be entering the world of home dying when that arrives.

[FrugalFashionista]

The planned obsolescence is definitely going too far! It's burning out designers too (Zara etc don't innovate - they do knock-off designer stuff - the more you follow fashion the scarier the near-duplicates look) - they have to produce an insane number of collections and many clothes look dated before they even become available... They keep up for a while under tremendous pressure and then they burn out like Alexander McQueen or John Galliano.

I think the only possible counteraction is trying to identify a permanent personal style and sticking to it. It is not easy - and most of the cues around us seem to be working against it and the messages are always mixed. ('Find your individual style' and 'Update your look' - but then 'Refresh your wardrobe' - 'Experiment') Even here - try being a classic dresser on MN - no you are 'frumpy' and 'mumsy'

I'm deeply internally conflicted I'd like to be frugal and never-changing but I also get bored really easily...

Nina Garcia's book on wardrobe classics, 'The One Hundred', and 'A guide to elegance' by Genevieve Antoine Dariaux are good reading for anyone in the search of true style. Also, if your local library has 'The Triumph of Individual Style' (out of print), it has a lot of useful info on proportions and body shapes.

QoW your looks sound great and very inspiring!

[teta]

Me too,i also get bored easily.But i do think there must be a market for good quality,classic basics.Maybe someone could construct a capsule collection for different body shapes too.What is the point in buying throwaway clothes though?Apart from the fact that shopping has become a pastime in its own right.Why are so many companies manufacturing almost entirely in viscose?[with the exception of Me and Em's modal which i love].
I have been thinking about buying some linen t shirts and jumpers.The only ones i liked were from Me and Em[expensive] and Wrap.I've just ordered a couple from Brandalley from a brand called Charli[they were very discounted].Is it any good?I know i can return if they are unsuitable but the long delivery time does bug me.Sorry to mention buying things-but these are a planned purchase and will fit a hole in my wardrobe.

[FrugalFashionista]

No experience of Charli Teta and I haven't succesfully solved the everyday top issue - have just found lots of poor choices - except that I'm starting to think that maybe fitted t shirts are not the right look for me any more. Why don't you buy one expensive Me&Em top and see how it works - if well, maybe add gradually a few more? (I find I often exaggerate the number of items I need.) My ideal top would be a soft white or cream scoop-neck, fitted but not skin-tight, in mercerized cotton or silk-cotton. Not thin and not sheer or semi sheer and no lace.

I've started to realize that non-jersey non-t-shirt materials look much more flattering on me. A slightly heavier weight fabric and tailored shapes - my favorite everyday white top currently is this one from last year, works with all of my trousers and flatters my shape. Still need something to wear under jackets and have not found it, maybe a silk shell or a silk cotton top.

I've almost given up on high street (my winter purchases from Zara mostly really disappointing quality - miss the time when they had lots of pure silk and cotton - COS have been much better but it's very difficult to buy them online - you really need to shop instore). Benetton and Esprit can still sometimes have decent basics and sometimes I find good items in department stores (knitwear and my 50? thick snakeprint silk scarf!) but I mostly buy discounted high-end (Yoox and Outnet; Yoox is mainly Italian and quality generally noticeably better than on Outnet; Matches when on sale) or 2nd hand. I'm picky about raw materials and have very few synthetics.

Sorry about trigger-laden post, the bottom line anyway is that finding good basics is increasingly difficult and that's another good reason for me to stop shopping and starting to wear what I already have in my wardrobe

[teta]

I often buy high end but always at Tk Maxx.I really have to try things on due to tummy issues.Charli is a similar price point to Me and Em at full price so i shall wait[21 days!] and see what the fit is like.I was tempted to also buy from Zara too but was put off when the Birmingham shop looked like a jumble sale.I've got funny skin and a lot of synthetics irritate me[memories of convent school with so-itchy crimpline dresses].Have saved Yoox for future reference.
I have a brilliant cream silk shell from Reiss[via tk Maxx] and silk trimmed cream t shirts from a shop that has since closed down.I bought about 5 as they were such a good shape.

[DigWeedSow]

Every day tops are the weak point in my wardrobe too. At the moment the shops are stuffed with the wrong colours for me and don't get me started on quality!

I took a peak at the linen t's in Zara last week, they are very loose fitting but in a good range of colours. Unfortunately no good for me as I need a fitted top as my waist disappears in anything too loose and I look bigger than I am.

teta I love the anticipation of shopping in TK Maxx as I am forever hearing of people snapping up great bargains. The reality is that I rarely find anything, my DH on the other hand has had some great buys.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Tk maxx is online though, I look through the gold label stuff to drool over costume national and Pucci.

I bought 3 square neck vests from zara, black, white and a dark blue, there only £10 each but the neckline makes it look like I have a bust. They are nylon though, but I had them before in 2005 and they do flatter me.

[FrugalFashionista]

Atrocious weather today - tried to go running and got soaked. So lounging in black leggings, black long-sleeved cotton tee and a blue men's chambray skirt. Which is my version of the classic men's white shirt. Which got me thinking -
Which 5 items are your indispensable wardrobe basics?

You often see lists like the one below in magazines and style books:

• a white t shirt
  
• a white men's shirt
  
• a pair of blue jeans
  
• a LBD
  
• a cashmere cardigan
  
  But does anyone really wear them? What is your version?
  
  If I had to stick to that list this would be my version (right now):
  
• a white peplum top
  
• a blue chambray shirt (have several)
  
• a pair of jeans - white this season but I might also pick bright ciggy pants
  
• a LBD - not a daily basic for me but I do like them. Red would also work.
  
• a cashmere cardigan - I'm not really a cardie person, I'd prefer a jacket, blazer or a simple V neck sweater in cashmere, merino or cotton (have loads of each)
  
  The 5 items in my wardrobe that currently get most wear?
  
• white long H&M 3.99 spaghetti-strap vests
  
• cream loose-knit poly-viscose top
  
• one pair of jeans, difficult to pick a favorite pair
  
• black full length bamboo running leggings
  
• oatmeal Celtic sheepskin houseboots
  
  Share your lists ladies!

[FrugalFashionista]

Okay not really lounging in a men's chambray skirt

[QueenofWhatever]

Good question frugal. My five basics never correspond with those endless lists in magazines. No LBD, no men's shirts, no 'killer' heels (all they kill are my feet).

My staples are cardigans, knee- or calf-high boots, thermal tops (I feel the cold so much) and some kind of slouchy trouser. I'm also partial to a crossover top or dress, but have to be careful not to veer into mumsy with those.

Today I'm wearing the Zara Breton top I got on holiday (off white so the right colour for me) and am wearing a grass green short-sleeved crossover top over the top. Not a combination I've tried before, but they just happened to be hanging together in the wardrobe and they work well together, especially with the green glass pendant DP gave me for Valentine's Day. Denim flares on the bottom with a turquoise Van Gogh belt from Amsterdam.

[QueenCadbury]

. So glad you're getting on with your colours. Your belt sounds lovely. I love Van Gogh. Dh still can't get to grips with the red lippy and absolutely hates it which is making me doubt it too.

My basics are jeans (bootcut, straight legged, flares. Skinnies do nothing for me), grey/navy/white tops and cardigans. Since having my colours done i've realised that I can do white and have rediscovered my love for a very old blouse. I think I had it pre dc and so the shape looks a bit wrong on me now and makes me look pregnant so I'll be on the lookout for a replacement I think. I have just had a very unfrugal purchase of a white top for going out (I like to separate my day clothes from going out clothes). Part of me feels guilty for the amount it cost but it looks fab, it's classic and I will wear it loads so I'm trying to put the guilt aside and just enjoy it.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Finally ordered white skinnies. I am done now for summer.

I just need to flog all my old stuff to pay for the sales.

[FrugalFashionista]

I had a feeling women's mags know nothing about how real women dress and you are proving the point...

QC the going-out top sounds great - sometimes you just have to purchase something lovely right when you see it. Fluffy if you ask me, an occasional TJ Maxx Gold label purchase is more than justified! (One way of being frugal is mixing high and low - outlets and discounters are great for finding expensive items for much less.)

I'm very good at impulse shopping - and actually often the intuitive, of-the-moment finds can be very good - but not very good with planned purchases. I've had some planned purchases on my list for several years and still haven't found the right item!!!

QoW outfit sounds fab. I'm more and more into individual dressing. Am a bit bored of cookie-cutter looks - here almost everyone is stylish but people whom I really register on the streets wear something unexpected, quirky, unique. (Some weeks ago, a very old lady paired an art deco type fur coat with a luscious nude lipstick instead of the standard demure matte brick/slightly frosted rose - still thinking about it). And it's not always about visual punch - low-key perfectly balanced pairings can work too. Yesterday during my run I saw a superb example of no-effort casual that totally worked - gray marl sweatshirt, olive green straight chinos, navy short padded gilet, brown loafers, boat shoes, nude makeup and glossy brown freshly blow-dried hair. Sounds dull but everything complemented each other, the balance was just right and it looked superb.

White jeans are back in action and I'm wearing my blue chambray/oxford men's shirt (size S, so slightly slouchy but I'm not drowning in it) over my white H&M vest with white jeans, white leather slip-ons and a silver mock-Tiffany chain bracelet. This outfit makes me feel so good - the blue is one of my best colors - feels like resort wear, I feel very relaxed and casual but still a bit groomed. The curved hem is the key - the outfit would be too boxy otherwise. During the past months I've started to notice that small details like this make a huge difference.

Have had a fully shopping-free week (thanks for the support!) and will try to have another. Will travel abroad for a few days at the end of the week, so if I happen to see the elusive white/cream top, will make an exception for that, but otherwise I should just continue exploring how my recent purchases can transform old staples.

It's a lovely day here so will return outdoors and try to tan my ghastly pale legs a bit...

[Hopefully]

Apologies for randomly popping up - I lurk here occasionally... Just wanted today re the 'top five' and Nina Garcia's The 100, I had quite a good time going through the 100 the other day and pencilling in what my own equivalent was for each item, and then assessing if there was anything else I needed that she didn't have on her 'list' (swimsuit, as well as the already-included bikini, was one of them, there were a dozen or so) or anything she had in her 100 that was not remotely relevant to me. Was really interesting .

[teta]

I am a really good shopper at Tk Maxx.I can spot a bargain at 1000 paces.Which is why i'm on this thread.Its only a bargain if i havn't already got multiples of said item.You know shopping addiction i think runs in my genes because my Mum buys multiples of everything too[think 7 glass juicers].
This winter my 5 basics have been Brora thermal tops,crew necked t shirts in black/cream/grey/navy,Very long vest tops,M&S Jeggings and wedge ankle boots or over the knee tan Duo boots [plus cashmere boyfriend cardigan].Ok that is actually 6!
I am actually wearing a skirt today.Hush midi skirt in shadow with long marl grey vest top plus slightly sheer modal pale grey t shirt on top.Rather monotone but easy to wear.

[FrugalFashionista]

Hopefully thinking hard about the 5 basics and your personal versions of them may very well have been your idea on some of the old threads - if so , thank you , is it has been a revelation for me. Some of the classic staples just aren't my thing (white tees and white dress shirts for example - not even in the right softer white). I love The One Hundred but if you have time to share some of your substitutions (or blog about them!) that might be really enlightening too!

QC I'm a die-hard lipstick wearer (have been for 25 years...) and pure reds are some of my most flattering clothing colors, but for some reason red lipstick isn't my thing. It accentuates every tiny discoloration in my skin, my teeth don't look completely white, and overall I think it's just a bit too harsh, even aging - even in the most carefully chosen cool-red tones! Men ime love the no-makeup look or nudes or very natural shades. Rosy tones and cool raspberries and muted fuchsias look fantastic on me - (this is the darkest and brightest tone I can pull off). You might want to experiment with sheerer formulas or berry tones?

I have to confess I've never actually been to TK Maxx (I think it's called TJ Maxx in the US), but know other similar discounters way too well. And like Teta, I need to avoid them now. They are very good for an occasional browse for someone without impulsive/compulsive tendencies but I have committed more shopping mistakes at outlets and discounters than anywhere else. It's easy to get a bit starstruck (Dolce &Gabbana - just one size too small, never mind... Prada - never mind if they pinch!) I can distinctly remember a maroon top (not my color) and a ruffled one-shoulder party dress (ugh) and lots of other things that never ever got worn But I've found many very good things too - a lovely Missoni scarf and many great party dresses.

[DigWeedSow]

A weekend catching up on some gardening jobs so a very unstylish weekend here!

My winter top 5 basic items have been
A denim pencil skirt
Dark jeggings
V neck fitted sweaters
Long layering t's
Knee length chestnut leather flat boots

Not sure what will come out top for spring as there has been little chance to wear much of it so far but I'm guessing
Dark denim straight leg jeans
Stone empire line mac
Navy/ivory Bretons
Stone chinos
Ballet pumps

Frugal I also find red lipstick ageing, my best colours are pinky browns but anything too dark looks harsh.
Loving the talk of white jeans, they sound very glam. I live in a semi rural location/farming community and a lot of the colours in my wardrobe are very earthy. It got me thinking about how where we live influences our choice in clothing. I also wonder if that's why I tend to dress very classically as the nuances of high fashion would seem very out of place here. this article sums up what I mean.

[Parisisalwaysagoodidea]

I have never found anything worth buying in TK Maxx, though another thread proclaimed my local one pretty dire!

My top 5 wardrobe items are

1. Grey v neck t shirt
   
2. Grey sweatshirt
   
3. Boyfriend jeans
   
4. White blazer
   
5. NB trainers

[OneLittleLady]

My top five most worn items are :

Skater style sleeveless dresses
Long or 34/ sleeve cardigans
Blue/black/burgundy skinnies
Black opaque tights
Long black low heeled boots

I'm quite happy to wear these things all year round, I've found my shapes and now I'm sticking to them. Luckily for me, the skater style dresses still seem to be popular so I can load up on them in various colours/patterns for when they fall out of fashion again

[CeeceeBloomingdale]

Just going back to day tops. Last year H&M did 100% linen tees introduced at £7.49 then £14.99 full price. The are long
and quite fitted which is not a great shape on me (short apple) but might work for others. Also in the past Primark have made 100% cotton slub tees which have lasted years so I don't always think basics need to be expensive brands.

[daimbardiva]

My staples:

• skinny jeans
  
• red checked lumberjack style shirt
  
• brown ankle boots
  
• black m&s spaghetti strap vests (am always cold)
  
• grey cabled cadhmere mix cardigan (ad above!)
  

I am sick to death of cardigans, I have to say. I always end up bunging one on over whatever I'm wearing and often feel it ruins the look I was going for. But unless I either become more tolerant of the cold or move somewhere warmer, it's just a fact of life!

I'm wearing black skinnies, an olive green v neck and brown brogues today. I'm at work so it's smart enough but doesn't feel 'me'. I totally struggle w keeping an element of personal style ehile at work and im not sure why as I'm not particularly 'out there' normally but I do feel dull at work. ..