On a Burberry trench quest

So I finally decided to get myself a Burberry trench. I did my research and spent many hours trying on different trenches to find The One.

I wanted the classic cut, mid-length, light khaki in color - Burberry calls this color the trench. Most coats I liked would come in 3 colors: black, honey, and trench. In reality I'd like one in every color but my budged does not allow that, so I've decided to go with my first choice.

Here are some photos of my Burberry trench journey:
















I even tried on the packable trench, hoping it would be perfect for travel but didn't like the material, plus size 2 was way too small.



Other trenches in size 2 were perfect but left little room for a thicker sweater which saleslady graciously provided. So, considering that I need to drive plus chase my 3-year-old, I have decided to go with Marystow in size 4.


This way I can wear it with a sweater and even add a lining if I choose to wear it during winter. Anyways, I am very happy with my new trench and it is going to be perfect addition to my wardrobe for the upcoming trip to Paris this September.

5 key pieces to try this spring

Here are my favorite 5 pieces for the spring:

1. Shirtdress
   
   
   
2. Nude skinny jeans
   
   
   
3. Over the knee socks
   
   
   
4. Army jacket
   
   
5. Oversized scarf
   
   
   

What are yours?

Wardrobe staple - striped top

I have an unhealthy passion for striped tops. It comes from the time when I was skinny with narrow shoulders and only benefitted from wearing them. Now, when my body suffered a temporarily setback caused by pregnancy, I need to be more careful and so I try to minimimize the negative effect of striped tops by "breaking" the horizontal stripes by wearing either a heavy pendant necklace (like on photos 7 and 8), or a scarf, or simply a blazer to create more slimming look

Questionable versatility of black pumps

Lately I keep wondering more and more about the versatility of black pumps. it seems to me they are not as versatile as most people believe. Take for example basic colors: black does not look good with navy or brown, then if we take bright colors, personally, I'd prefer nude pumps or perhaps silver or other metallic. With white I like to take an opportunity to wear bright shoes. So that leaves a lot fewer options for pairing up with black shoes even though I love them dearly.

For example today I've worn my black pumps with white pants, black t-shirt, and camel cardigan and added a bright silk scarf in orange to liven up my face, since black near the face is not an option for my skin tone.



For example today I've worn my black pumps with white pants, black t-shirt, and camel cardigan and added a bright silk scarf in orange to liven up my face, since black near the face is not an option for my skin tone.



Camel is pretty much the only color, besides the black itself, that I like to pair up with black shoes. So, if you think about it, the versatility of a black shoe is questionable. IMO

Top 10 of my wardrobe

1) Cashmere sweaters

2) Cardigans

3) Trench coats - I have them in two colors: khaki and black

4) Striped sailor shirts - I am a big fan, I have them in various styles and colors

5) Pencil skirts in variety of fabrics, from denim to wool

6) Shift dresses, again, in a variety of fabrics and colors ranging from neutral to solid brights

7) Pumps in black and nude

8) Crew neck, v-neck, round neck and boatneck t-shirts in black, white, nude and also in variety of shades of peach, apricot and green apple

9) Boot cut jeans

10) Plaid pants - I ALWAYS have at least one pair in my wardrobe and keep it untill it's completely worn out

French striped sailor shirt

One of the must have in any wardrobe is a french naval striped shirt. I have a variety of striped shirts, most of them in classic cream/navy combination. Striped shirts are definitely one of my favorite wardrobe staples, in spite of its bad reputation due to its tendency to visually widen your silhuette but I cannot resist it's charm anyway!


French striped sailor shirt originated from French sailors' uniform, originally made by Saint-James, French company that started making striped sailor shirts. I also read somewhere that even before Saint-James stripes were worn by American prisoners, symbolizing prizon cell bars, therefore being considered embarrassing. Later, in 1917, Coco Chanel admired so much the shirt's simplicity and charm and made it part of her wardrobe. Chanel was the one who introduced the shirt into the world of fashion and thanks to her I am enjoying wearing it today.

Trench coat for a baby

I got this itch to get my son a trench coat so that this fall we both could be wearing trench coats, the mother and son. Turns out it's not that easy to find one in infant size. The only one I liked was a Burberry one and it was very expensive, I felt bad buying him something he might not be able to appreciate while there are so many things he might enjoy that I could spend this money on, so I was hesitating to get the Burberry one and kept on lookng.

And finally today, when I went to get sushi at lunch time, I stopped at this store and saw the cutest baby trench coat for 6 month (He will turn 6 this fall!) and I absolutely fell in love.

Here it is:

Trench coats

trenchcoats
Originally uploaded by capoeirawardrobe

I have a strong passion for trench coats. I really don't feel a need to have more than one, but I could never pass by a cute trench without taking a closer look. I just can't...

The other day my husband took me to the mall and as we were walking through Bloomingdales, I've noticed a cute trench coat. So I dragged my husband to go check it out.

-"I don't like it that much" he said "and anyways, why are you even bothering yourself with it, you already have a perfect trench coat"

I took a moment coming up with a perfect analogy (I tend to use analogies whenever I need to explain something to a man).

-"You see, trench coat for a woman is the same as women for a man. You can spend your life searching for the perfect one and if you are lucky you won't be too old to enjoy it. So if you are a man who found your perfect woman, you marry her (and if you are a woman who found your perfect trench coat, you buy it), but it does not mean that from that moment on you will ignore every other woman for the rest of your life.

Sometimes you will just take a look, sometimes more than that... Sometimes you will look and think to yourself "mine is so mucvh better", and sometimes you will be tempted to "try it on", sometimes you will think that certain one is almost as good as yours and you will be tempted to add to your "wardrobe", but then again, you will always come back to your perfect one and ralize that once you have one, there is no real need for a second one. But even after that realization, you will now and then, you will at least glance at what's out there."

My husband enjoyed that analogy :)

Harper's Bazaar Great Style

First chapter of the book is dedicated to talking about the wardrobe basics.

Key items as building blocks of your wardrobe:

1. Dark lean suit
2. Pencil skirt or a-line skirt if more suitable for your body type
3. Crisp white shirt
4. Great pair of jeans
5. Little black dress

In addition to basic building blocks, the book talks about classics that are worth having regardless of current trands, such as white t-shirts, cashmere cardigan, white jeans, trousers, shift dress, tuxedo, bouclé jacket, trench coat, and camel overcoat.



Then there is a list of items worth splurging on as well as the items one could save on.

Splurge list: Coat, chunky knits, such as cashmere sweaters, dressy blouses, furs, cocktail dresses and evening gowns.



Save list: jeans, pants, skirts, button-up shirts, lightweight knits, tank tops and t-shirts.



I totally agree with saving on t-shirts since in order to look good, they need to be replaced often and thus are not worth splurging on. Although personally, I prefer white t-shirts and tank tops from quality cotton even though I always avoid paying much for them, trying to catch them on big sales.

For the most part I found advice in the book reasonable and useful but a few things were not to my liking. Like, for instance, the calendar on when to shop for what. The calendar in the book recommends to shop for seasonal items BEFORE season starts when seasonal clothes are the most expensive. I believe that if one is not in search of the current trends but is stocking up on timeless classics, it's better to shop for seasonal item AFTER the season has began, or towards the end of the season. this was you will have exactly what you want for much less. For instance I shop for winter coats and cashmere not in october, as calendar in the book suggests, but staring in Mid-January, early February. I barely ever pay full price and my closet is full of cashmere and I always have a nice fur jacket or two that were a real bargain.

I agree that when you see an item that you absolutely love, you should grab it since later it might be gone, or when you want to get some trendy pieces. In that case yes, shopping before season begins is the only option, but when stocking up on basics I prefer end of season.

Next chapter talks about personal style and various style personalities:

The Classicists (Jackie O)
The Bombshells (Sophia Loren)
The Bohemians (Jane Birkin)
The Ladies (Grace Kelly)
The Mavericks(Kate Blanchett)
The Minimalists (Kate Winslet)
The Eclectics (Gwen Stefani)



Then another chapter is dedicated to what is most appropriate by age group (20s,30s,40s etc.), followed by a chapter on what's most flattering for various shapes. The fact that "pregnant" was added as one of the shapes, on top of regular "curvy" or "boyish" made me especially happy.





then the following chapters talk about

Office wear




Evening wear



Casual wear

Chapter on casual wear again has a number of different casual style types:


Preppy
Glam
Sporty
Urban
Country
Jet-Set
Boho
Romantic
Rocker












The last two chapters talk about accessories and lingerie.



Every chapter is generously illustrated with celebrity photos

Style Clinic

The book starts out talking about a distinction between the concept of style and the concept of fashion. Style is different from fashion in the way that fashion trends come and go and style is timeless. It helps knowing exactly what works for your body type and your style personality. What pieces worth splurging and what to buy cheap. What needs to be renewed often and what will last. The book also talks about classics - the pieces that will never go out of style. I especially enjoy that part since I prefer timeless pieces over new trends. Trends come and go and there is no need to follow each one, especially considering the fact that not all trends will work well for a particular body type. As the book mentions, if one looks great in boot-cut jeans, there is no need to get into unknown territory of skinny jeans just because they are trendy at a particular time. there is no need to deviate from what has worked well for you in the past. The basic moral is - Fashion makes you desire things you should not. Shop your style, not the hottest fashion trends.




Also the book lists some timeless classics, such as trench coat, LBD, tuxedo suit, good jeans, classic knits such as twinsets, turtleneck and v-neck sweater.



Personally I am a big fan of trench coats, cashmere, good jeans, twinsets, pearls and LBD.



Then the book goes into what should be kept in your closet and what should be discarded. The more you buy, the less it seems you have to wear. Buying a lot does not mean that everything you buy will work for you, most of us buy impulsively on a whim and then end up with disfunctional wardrobe. And that's where the Style Clinic comes in.
It helps you to decide what to purge from your wardrobe and what is worth keeping.

Next subject is wardrobe basics - white shirt, cardigan in your favorite color, suit jacket that goes with your skirt, 3 pairs of pant: jeans, tailored work pants, and smart day-to-evening pants, classic LBD, couple of casual t-shirts and tank tops, dressy round-neck top as a dressy alternative to a t-shirt, day skirt, 3 pairs of shoes: boots, ballet flats and a pair of high heels.



The list of basics is followed by details about each item, how to pick the right one and what to wear it with.


Also there is plenty of advice on how to find the perfect fit for your body, on using colors and prints in order to emphasize or camouflage, dressing appropriate for your age, and some successful shopper tips. Such as CBS: coat, bag, and shoes formula and other useful rules.

Second part of the book talks about each piece of clothing (jeans, skirt, dress etc.) more in depth, what to wear it with, what kind to choose for each body type, how to build a coat capsule, how to select a perfect pair of pants, a skirt, dress, accessories etc. Well illustrated with pictures of celebrities that fit a particular body type and/or wearing particular article of clothing.




I'd highly recommend this book since it has a good advice for any occasion

Playing up the knee boots

P1020292
Originally uploaded by capoeirawardrobe

Improvising more with the knee boots. This time I tried them with beige Vertigo mini skirt. Added some color with coral top and accessories are the same as in previous post. Below is the back view

Brown knee boots with pencil skirt

One out of the 100 items every stylish woman should own is knee boots. If the boots are knee length, they are best worn with a skirt right above the knee.

I like wearing knee boots with pencil skirts. This one is a brown striped Bebe pencil skirt with a front slit. I am also wearing Lucky Brand jewelry and B. Makowsky bag. The white shirt is by Patrizia Pepe. Personally I prefer wearing the shirt out instead of tucked in, but this shirt is way too long for that. I guess this outfit could definitely use a belt. I'll probably think it over and add some color to amke the outfit more fun.

By the way, the brand of the boots I am wearing is Ditto by Van Eli. Made of stretchy material with leather trim. Perfect for a cool sumemr or fall evening