11 years ago by
I don’t know what’s gotten over me these past few months but I’ve gotten so tired of my clothes.
I think it’s in epidemic actually. A lot of my friends are saying the same thing. Tired of accumulating stuff and of bling bling wear. They want simplicity, to buy less but better, and to be able to wear the same clothes from one season to another.
Maybe it’s this orgy of streestyle & fashion weeks we’ve been in for the last few years? Maybe…
In any case, I changed a lot of things and I can feel the difference. I’m traveling lighter, I only buy clothes I’ll actually wear (yeah, definitely wasn’t always the case before) and I love refining my wardrobe every season instead of having to redo it each time.
And so here they are! My new commandments of style. #thisgirlhasfiguredoutthesecretoflife
#1 – Fewer choices = More creativity
I got rid of a lot of clothes from my closet (I actually just got rid of all the clothes I never wear, which was a ton) and I only kept the best of the best which means I can finally SEE what I actually have and mix the things I love whereas before I had to go through ten piles of crap before I got to anything useful.
Result: I have fewer clothes yet wear more clothes.
#2 – Perfect piece = Eternal joy
Like, for example, I’m looking for the perfect t-shirt right now.
I have a very precise idea of what I’m looking for and I know it’s going to take me forever to find it. But it’s fine, I like the research, and also there is such pleasure in finding the article of clothing or the accessory that fits you perfectly. It kind of becomes a signature.
That’s what happened with my Porselli ballet flats, my Valextra bag, and my Wayfarers (even though I lose them all the time)…
I should add that once I find a perfect piece, I stock up on it.
Okay, I’m not going to be able to stock up on Valextras anytime soon. But a well cut t-shirt? Yes. A perfect pair of jeans? (Well, with this one I’m still looking for. I beginning to think my ideal jean doesn’t exist.)
Totally. Why?
CAUSE THE GOOD STUFF IS GOING AWAY (Are you getting that this girl is a little PO’d? Yeah. You’re right. Gap used to make the best white t-shirts in all the land and then suddenly, they stopped. It’s been three years and I’m still in mourning.)
#3 – Quality = Longevity
I’m not super into buying vintage (I dunno. I always feel like I look frumpy) but I love watching my clothes get some patina over time. Whether it be a shirt (Equipment shirts get softer with every wash), a pair of shoes (I have a pair of Dries Van Noten heels that get prettier every year)(and they’ve been caught in the rain more than once…) or a sweater (That’s a little more rare. A good cashmere, outside of Bompard, I have yet to find)(tell me if you have any leads).
But to have an article actually age well, it’s gotta be top quality. That doesn’t mean it has to be super expensive (I have Zara stuff that I’ve had for years) but it does mean taking the two seconds to touch the piece and look at the label.
Sometimes, we’ll mess up and oh, “luxury” doesn’t guarantee quality. I know it’s VERY annoying – but with time, we all have to learn that.
#5 – Gisèle = Not me
Certain clothes…
Just will never work for me.
GET OVER IT G, a high waist is not for you.
#5 – Buy less = Buy better
This one here is almost too easy for me to explain it.
But since I love talking about every last detail of my life, here I go!
Since I was buying too much, I lost the high.
The shopping high, which is important. It’s like a mini-multiple orgasm. No no no, actually, it’s more like a love-story:
– There’s the first time you lay eyes on the perfect article. Thunderbolts.
– Then the purchase, which hurts a little, but we quickly forget.
– The arrival at home when you first take your new treasure out of the bag, your first intimate moment together = the high.
– The first night you spend together (Don’t even try and tell me you haven’t slept with a pair of Louboutins before.)(Totally kidding.)(Well, but that totally describes what is the high)(I actually have thought once or twice about sleeping with some of my shoes, I swear.)
– The first time you go out, officially together.
– And then… Of course, the first Instagram.
Now that’s what I call the high! Like little butterflies in your stomach for an outfit! The emotion!
And I had lost it. I treated my new clothes like a sac of potatoes I just bought at Gristedes. Get home, put them in the closet, no excitement, no afterthought, and that was it. Zero.
Since I’ve started buying less, the high is right back in it and it feels good. I almost, almost, slept with a pair of shoes in bed the other day.
You have to protect your clothing love stories. It’s important.
—–
Okay, seeing as I just told you every last detail of my life once again, we’ll stop there for once. My other commandments will have to wait until next week. Deal? You’ll see, we’ll even cover neon pumps.
Translation : Tim Sullivan
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I did 3 major closet cleaning this year already I was sick of seeing tons of clothes and nothing to wear. So now I am actually paying attention to the stuff that get a lot of use and stock up on them. I am so much happier now.
xo
http://pinksole.com
Buy less but better! KISS (Keep it simple stupid) is my motto!
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Xoxo Cory
great tips :)
http://littleaesthete.com
Tu as raison. Plus c’est simple, mieux c’est.
http://www.younglington.wordpress.com
http://www.thefashionmellow.tumblr.com
le kiff du vêtement…
je vois exactement ce que tu veux dire! à chaque fois qu’on voit et remet tel vêtement fétiche, c’est le même sourire sur le visage; on se sent plus confiant
pour le jean parfait, moi c’est Replay`par contre je suis à la recherche du sac parfait…
ps : moi aussi, j’ai déjà voulu dormir avec des chaussures… les dernières que j’ai achetées, je les montre à tous les gens que je croise hahaa ^^
Le jeans parfait Levis bold curve. ( malgré son nom ridicule. en français courbe audacieuse….) fini pour moi le cauchemar de l’essayage de jeans. le t-shirt parfait Everlane ( superbe qualité. pas cher. encolure en V parfaite).
Chantal ah c’est drôle ça fait plusieurs fois qu’on m’en parle – une copine m’a dit qu’après le lavage ils avaient rétrécit et étaient devenus trop courts – as-tu eu ce problème ?
Amen! I do think this is a feeling that’s in the air lately, I know it’s not just me (and you) but it seems like everyone is having the same realization. I think it’s a backlash to the total fashion mania of late, all the blogs, all the coverage, all the hype… People want to slow down, savour things, know the story behind the brand, purchase thoughtfully and ethically… I think it’s a wonderful wonderful thing to be re-discovering!
http://www.nomadicd.com
Je suis 100% d’accord. “Less is more”…c’est l’avenir!
I’ve been on the warpath to reduce the amount of junk in my closet to the bare minimum for the past 5 years. Unfortunately, it’s so minimum that I don’t have stuff that I should have. Anyways…… I’m slowly getting my shopping mojo after feeling bored to death with fashion, thanks to the over-saturation of street style and fashion week.
I need to clean out my closet asap. I can’t see anything and I’m wearing the same rotation of things because I can’t see anything. A couple of bloggers have done posts about cleaning out their closets. I think it is time for me to do the same.
In terms of the perfect white tee. I have found mine, its called Market Ts in the Milla fit. It is the perfect boyfriend t-shirt without actually being too big or frumpy. It comes in a number of colors but I only buy it in white and black. They used to have a website but it is no longer there. I am scared because I have a feeling they might have gone out of business. Revolve clothing is still selling their t-shirts I just hope they didn’t buy up their last stock and once they sell them it is all over. OHHHH PLEASE NO.
Great post!
xo Quinn
Quinn Cooper Style
I think that the website that you are looking for is that: http://www.market-ts.com
Am I right?
I’m also looking for THE perfect t-shirt so it’s great to share new brands.
Mais comment fais tu pour toujours publier le post qui répond à ce que j’ai en tête pile en ce moment !!!
Pareil, je pense faire un “jettage” de fringues de printemps (ou d’automne vu le temps sur Paris..).
Ma nouvelle devise : moins, mais mieux ! Pour rekiffer à nouveau au lieu de laisser ce que j’achète dans les sacs pendant des semaines…
Au fait, les résultats de l’autobronzant ? Je pars sur Londres ce week-end et je veux essayer les produits St tropez que tes lectrices reommandent (Kate moss, égérie, elle se trompe jamais elle hein ??!!)..
BISOUS
Garance, que Dieu te bénisse!!! You are so right and I so agree with you! Thank you for this post!
Garance, retourne chez Gap! Ils ont une ligne de t-shirt de base absolument géniale et qui après le lavage sont restés parfait. À redécouvrir absolument!!! Everlane, j’en ai acheté à mon homme et ils sont restés très beau après le lavage. Je compte bien essayer leur cachemire sous peu!!!! J’attends avec impatience tes prochains commandements!!! Bonne journée à toi et ton équipe!
great post! intelligent shopping! almu
http://www.mavieenroseblog.com/
I’ve never slept with new shoes on, but I do put them beside my bed at night in the perfect angle so I can look at them as I fall asleep, pure love! This is actually a kind of ritual since I’ve been doing it since I was a kid, haha
Bonjour Garance,
Toujours été dans le crédo acheter peu mais acheter bien même si j’ai succombé quelques fois à l’appel de l’achat compulsif et non pas coup de coeur !
La notion de kiff comme tu dis est primordiale ! Et moi j’y rajoute le petit délai d’attente de livraison en bonne accro du shopping en ligne.. ce petit laps de temps qui fait monter le désir et qui intensifie la première rencontre !
Je me retrouve totalement dans l’histoire d’amour que tu reprends pas à pas et surtout dans le premier Instagram ! C’est un peu comme l’officialisation d’une relation qui va durer !
Enfin voila, j’ai adoré te lire !
Belle journée
C
Ma marque pas glamour du moment pour des débardeurs (tanks) géniaux, c’est Loft! Et ils sont à 10 dollars en ce moment alors je stocke! Je crois aussi avoir vu mes tee-shirts blancs préférés de retour chez Gap!
http://curiosites-futilites-new-york.com
Ah Garance, contente que tu aies fait ce dressing cleaning ! C’est tout à fait la bonne philosophie à adopter, acheter peu mais acheter bien !
Avec les années j’amasse des vêtements c’est sur, mais j’ai essentiellement des basiques, que je mixe avec un bel accessoire qui fait la différence, ou une pièce vintage (on peut trouver des merveilles, sans avoir l’air Deschiens !).
Et le kiff du nouveau vêtement, c’est EXACTEMENT ça ! chaque année quand je m’achète une belle pièce, ça me fait cet effet !
Merci pour tes histoires et ces bribes de ta vie, c’est toujours un plaisir que de prendre le temps de te lire, même un post à rallonge ! :)
Haaa ! Vous ne le saurez jamais, mais nous avons tant de points communs, c’en est troublant ! Sauf que moi, aux fashions weeks je ne suis jamais invitée ! Snif !
Et si tout simplement nous avions besoin d’un retour à l’essentiel, à la quête de sens ? Notre société en manque cruellement en ce moment…
great post!!! i so agree with you…..less is definitely more…..in so many aspects of our lives xoxox
Confessions Garance, the best shoes go right next to the pillow the first night, such love! It is a relief to hear that I am not the only one <3 T
Je trouve ta réflexion très juste. En ce qui me concerne, j’ai toujours plus ou moins fonctionné comme çà…. Je préfère acheter moins mais de jolies pièces. Bon, ça m’est aussi arrivé de me faire des craquages , mais souvent, ce sont des vêtements que je ne porte qu’une fois et que je donne l’année suivante à des associations ( autant que des personnes dans le besoin en profite! )
Mon dernier coup de coeur, des lunettes de vue ( que je porte habituellement seulement devant mon ordi )
Des Dolce Gabbana à la monture poudre mat ?… Du coup je les ai très souvent sur le nez!
I am also looking for a perfect white tee. I am looking for a shirt that reaches right above the button of my jeans and is not too thin and the sleeves have to be just right so my arms look and feel heavenly in them. I feel that once you go into a store with a mind of what you already want, then it is just that easier. I have been doing that and while it is odd to only buy one specific shirt from this place and then walk over to another store to buy shoes specifically from that place, it feels good to look in my wardrobe and see those separate, but cohesive pieces there.
Yes, t-shirts these days are too thin…can’t figure out how to wear them without multiple, awkward layers. Hardest with white T’s, I think.
Garance, you’re French. I thought you were born knowing this stuff.
Marsi : Lol, you’re right. Then I forgot them, then I remembered them ;)
Oui, oui, oui, oui et re-oui! Je suis d’accord avec tous ces ‘commandements’ et je les garde bien en tête moi-même chaque fois que je me dis que j’aurais bien envie d’aller faire du lèche-vitrine. Je me laisse moins tenter et je fais du ménage de garde-robe à chaque saison. C’est tellement satisfaisant!
I agree with every word. In particular, I have also noticed the times when I have ruined the fun of shopping as a result of purchasing too frequently. The trick is to stick to your disciplined ways after you have realised this! Notice that I said I have noticed the times (plural)?!
Garance!!!
You have to get the scoop v- neck t-shirt from the Australian brand BASSIKE—or at least try. I have a hard time finding shirts that don’t look like a bag on me (big on top, small waist and lots of hips) but when my aussie friend kindly lent me her white T, I’ve had such a hard time giving it back. It fits magnifique! If you can mange for someone to pick up a couple for you from Australia then do so, otherwise you can follow this link http://www.bassike.com/shop/women/sale/scoop_v_neck_t.shirt/1368/GRYM
Good Luck!
Tescia
Bassike tshirts are my go to, great cotton and lovely fit – but the best bit (as a very short person) isthat they are not hemmed on the bottom so very easy to chop to your perfect length. Lucky me, their Avalon store is just around the corner
Perfect Jeans and T-shirt – Saint Laurent. It’s the quality that makes them so perfect. They are expensive and will last a very long time. Other perfect t-shirts are from The Row and Rick Owens.
Ca sonne un peu comme les valeurs du mouvement Slow Fashion.
Je sais pas si tu connais ..? Qu’est ce que tu en penses ?
Bises :)
Ah! Another fantastic (and timely) post, Garance! I have always been about quality over quantity. I lost my job a couple of months ago, so no new purchases for me as of late. But I have vowed that as soon as I’m back in the game, I am going to invest in better pieces, no more bags or shoes that fall apart after a couple of seasons. Seems like such a waste, of time, of money…
In fact, I am going to go clean my closet out right now….
Chère Garance,
je suis tout à fait d’accord avec toi: je préfére une belle pièce à une accumulation.
Je rajouterai mm un truc : quand je peux la payer moins cher, je le fais encore plus gaiement. Hier, il y avait les ventes privées au corner de Sandro à la RInascente. J’ai dit à la vendeuse : je veux un ensemble mais seulement à -50 :)
Les meilleurs cachemires restent ceux de Bompard en effet, mm si la qualité s’est altérée selon moi. Je prends hyper soin de mes fringues rien qu’aux lavages.
Moi pour les Tee SHirt j’adore ceux de chez Sandro en coton ample et allure rock, je n’aime pas que cela me colle au bide. Et puis ils sont pratiques pour la superposition, et ceux d’American Vintage aussi.
En Italie, j’ai découvert une marque super chou E-go, tu devrais aller voir, rapport qualité prix imbattable et vraiment mignon !
Bon je te laisse, je retourne au lavoro :)
Baci
You wash your Equipment shirts?!!!! They’re a staple in my wardrobe too but I live in fear of washing them as I’m afraid they’ll shrink…any laundry secret?
I particularly love it when my shirts are so old, the fabric begins to disintegrate.
But anyway, please please Garance, tell us the secret to how you wash you Equipment shirts – I hate dry cleaning chemical hell.
Also – Have you tried MiH jeans. The Paris style?
Or Gap?
Summer regards
R x
moins de choix=plus de créativité-c’est ca la vérité
Ah! Que ce billet est doux dans ce monde de l’hyper consommation…
My favorite jeans are from Agnès B!
I think cloths for me have been a way to feel good, instead of bad, I also think, when one really evolves (including myself) the need to have cloths as way to keep people at bay or to feel less depressed goes away.. and then ones really shines not matter what clothing they are wearing…. I am on my way….
This makes a huge amount of sense. And, perhaps, when designers/retailers see which garments actually *sell,* they’ll cut down on the complete crap.
Eh. Perhaps not.
But still – it’s made my wardrobe a much nicer place, this philosophy…
xx
Je trouve ça génial que quelqu’un d’influent sur la mode fasse passer ce message… ouais!
C’est dingue!! J’ai eut la même conversation concernant cette boulimie d’achat de ‘vêtement que l’on ne porte pas’ avec ma meilleurs amie hier soir! Sujet de grande envergure internationalle ;-)
Pour les pulls en cachemire, la ligne de vêtement Monoprix propose de superbe cachemire, très bien coupé, et tiennent très bien dans le temps et aux lavages. Il vallent vraiment les Bompart et sont beaucoups moins chère!
Les cachemires Paris-Yorker !
À ce qu’il parait, sur toute leur vie ils font trois bouloches qui finissent par se résorber d’elles-mêmes.
Gorgeous illustration – love the shoes!
http://illustratedlines.blogspot.co.uk/
Je suis déjà un peu comme ça, à mûrir un achat, y penser, retourner voir s’y ça me plait toujours et un jour comme une gamine avec mon argent de poche, paf je casse la tirelire la peur au ventre mais heureuse. Le problème c’est que la mode change trop vite à mon goût, pas le temps de vraiment se l’approprier, de la faire sienne que ça change déjà. Et pourtant c’est ça qui est sympa avoir des habits de sa mère que l’on va pouvoir remettre au goût du jour comme si de rien n’était et là, la texture, les couleurs ressortent parce que c’est de bonne qualité et que les habits ont mûrit eux aussi.
En tout cas c’est pas méchant, mais je trouve que ça se sentait un peu dans tes post cet achat à la chaîne et je regrette un peu. Même si j’aime beaucoup tes découvertes, ton regard sur des marques parfois peu connue, ton goût. Reviens à du simple ;) c’est tellement beau !
I so agree with all this. You are right! I also prefer to buy less, but good quality stuff, basics that can be used on and on. I definitely have been successful in not buying too much although I guess I should splurge more on certain objects, particularly now in crisis times I think certain brands I used to buy no longer do reasonable quality anymore. Who do you get your clothes from then? Maybe that will inspire me to check them more often for quality clothes.
Tout a fait mon genre de post !
J’adore trier, faire du rangement, non seulement au niveau vetements mais le reste y passe : vaisselle, bouquins, “knick-knacks”, etc…..
Revenir au basics c’est comme faire un spa, on se sent purifiee, ha, ha……
Quand j’etais une petite fille, (il y a 100 ans) j’ai dormi avec des sandales d’ete rouges……..
How timely!- I’m on the anti-stuff warpath too. From now on, I want to really think about what I want to wear, as opposed to continuously buying new stuff in the pursuit of the perfect wardrobe. I want to develop my perfect style, to be perfectly me!
P.S. Ce post me fait penser a Ines de la Fressange. La beaute et l’elegance dans la simplicite. (J’aime et j’admire son style parfait.)
Je suis à 100% d’accord avec ces commandements, qu’à chaque entrée de saison, je me répète en mantra ! Je fais le tri, donne, vends, me dis que là c’est sure je vais aller à l’essentiel, que des belles pièces qui vont me suivre d’année en année etc…et puis Boum, je ne sais pas où ça déconne mais ça finit toujours par déconner, envolé les grands principes place au n’importe nawak…je suis d’une faiblesse crasse :-(
http://www.mode9.fr
Garance,do try DL1961 denim – they are Amazingggggg with a capital A.I am a strictly no-jeans girl (because none are flattering on me, ever.) until i tried theirs – 4 way stretch technology. It does not sag or loses shape because of the fabric. Personal favourites – Emma or Angel cut.
C’est exactement la même chose pour moi depuis quelques temps. Depuis que je suis partie vivre trois mois à Nice en fait.
Ca a commencé à New York, où je suis partie pour un an juste après le Bac. J’ai accumulé un nombre incroyable de pièces et lorsqu’a sonné l’heure du départ et le ” non, on ne t’achètera pas une autre valise, tu te débrouilles ” de ma mère, ça m’a déchiré le coeur de devoir laisser 6 kilos de vêtements aux copines / associations etc. Du coup, lorsque je suis rentrée à Paris, tellement frustrée je me suis ruée dans les magasins, pensant affirmer mon style mais finalement je ne faisais que de le brouiller. Ce cirque a duré deux ans. Jusqu’à il y a trois mois. Avant de partir pour mon stage de Journalisme à Nice je me suis dit: Bon c’est une nouvelle région que tu vas découvrir, comment veux-tu que l’on te perçoit à la caméra ? Et là j’ai commencé à trier, trier, trier. J’ai jeté, donné, vendu, mis de côté, jusqu’à ce qu’il me reste que des pièces intemporelles. Qui reste ma “signature” mais que je me vois porter encore dans 5 ans. Comme cette petite robe noire (pourtant Zara !) achetée à Milan, qui ne me quitte plus depuis plus d’un an. Ma petite robe noire, ma signature finalement.
Ou comme mon jean parfait Massimo Dutti, la qualité de leurs blouses est nulle mais leur jean… Malgré lavage sur lavage, ils restent intactes. (J’essayerais un Current Elliot bientôt).
Je crois que nous développons toutes le ” Dead Fleurette “, peut-être qu’en fait à forcer de se cacher sous des tas de fringues nous avions fini par nous perdre.
Vive notre nouveau nous !
Garance, you hit me with all of your commandments!!!! You speak my mind!!!
– on white tee shirts: it is impossible to find the perfect ones. Once I find the ones I love, I either ruin them (with food sauce or wine) which I cannot remove or I ruin them in the washing machine (somehow, I perpetually make the mistake of washing impeccable white tees with colour and get them totally RUINED)
– closet staple: I have been telling myself I need a Chanel jacket (which should last for ages) to complete my wardrobe. I have been having such a difficult time finding one I really like. I hope to find it when I visit Paris in July.
– Shoes: they give me the best thrill!!! And I just snapped a pair of Manolos from the sale in the States. Can’t wait for them to arrive in DHL….
– I am have been telling myself to BUY LESS = BUY BETTER… so far, I think I am doing well.
I am so glad someone FINALLY mentions that luxury does NOT (necessarily) equal quality. There is nothing I hate more than falling for the hype of dishing out more for the sake of quality and ending up with pieces that last me no longer than your average H&M. I’ve had Alexander Wang t-shirts that developed holes or shrunk with the first wash, no matter how delicate the spin cycle (and I refuse to go down the road of hand-washing an effing t-shirt – if that’s what it takes, its not worth any price) and American Apparel ones that have lasted me years and still look like new (hello deep-v neck grey tri-blend tee, love you!).
I am obsessed with the linen-cotton blend tees from J. Crew. Very glam/yet casual, great fit, great texture. For whatever reason, they make me feel more feminine.
J’ai un peu de mal à trier mon placard. je m’y suis resolue pas manque de place l’année dernière mais je n’ai pas été aussi radicale : j’ai gardé quelques vêtements que je ne mets plus du tout depuis plusieurs années / je les appelle mes vêtements souvenirs – ce sont en généralement de belles pièces (principalement des vestes) que j’ai beaucoup mises à une époque et pour lesquelles j’ai gardé de l’affection un peu comme un ex. Sinon dans le style Gisèle = pas moi – j’aime beaucoup les débardeurs avec un jean boyfriend genre fille un peu sportive – j’en ai toute une collection et bien la semaine dernière en me voyant en photo de profil (de face dans mon miroir ca allait) je me suis rendue compte que cela ne m’allait pas du tout (ca m’épaississait le dos) et j’ai jeté tous mes débardeurs !!!! Bref maintenant en général j’achète en 2 temps sauf si je cherche un truc bien précis (en ce moment la chemise blanche parfaite) je regarde, j’essaie – je sors du magasin – et je m’oblige à attendre quelques jours avant de l’acheter – dans 80 % des cas je ne retourne jamais dans la boutique – comme quoi!!!!
Moi c’est surtout que j’achète plus un vêtement parce que je l’ai croisé dans une boutique et qu’il donne bien, mais parce qu’il correspond à ce dont j’avais envie-besoin-en tête depuis plusieurs mois-semaines-jours.
Un jean boyfriend sans délavage ni trou / des bagues précieuses dorées fines / un gilet court à boutons à col rond noir / une chemise en jean très claire mais à la couleur uniforme et aux poches pas trop petites / une ceinture noire en cuir à accroche dorée.
Et après bim-bam-boum les assemblages se font easy. Plus besoin de réfléchir, d’assortir, les choses se tiennent ensemble.
j’ai eu (et ai encore, mais comme achetés trop grands à l’époque , je dors avec) des tish GAP des années 1996-98. Ils étaient géniaux, juste épais comme il fallait, enfin bref, pourquoi ont ils arrêté ça???
C’est une très bonne idée de vouloir vider son dressing, tout le monde devrait le faire, ça n’apporte que des bonnes choses que tu as parfaitement décrit dans ces cinq commandements!
http://www.laurablogmode.com
Tres tres sage!
http://www.modeskine.com
L’achat d’un truc qu’on aime, the thrill ! Génial ! Par contre je ne partage pas l’engouement pour les Bompard, je n’ai que des expériences négatives qui ont rapidement pris le chemin de la poubelle.Je préfère les cachemires Chloé ou Loro Piano.
My style has been very eccentric for quite some years. First, I was totally happy with my look. But lately I just crave simplicity, quality and chicness(!!). I think my view of fashion has been raped by Tommy Tons photographs and bad bloggers. So yesterday I bought a Stella McCartney black evening jumpsuit and the satisfaction is waaay higher than some vintage crap. Baby-steps :)
ps. you wash your equipment shirts??! I’ve been taking them to my dry-cleaner for years now (that shirt has cost me more than my Loubs)
I am so with your Garance. I have no patience for anything that i dont wear or doesnt fit just right. It is removed from my closet. I went on a shopping fast during lent and as a result i buy less clothes. I love wearing the same thing over and over now. Because i love that item. Somehow i have been purchasing more skincare and makeup. So my face looks great every time i repeat my favorite outfit. :)
I love these commandments!! This is helpful to us ladies and I’ve been doing the same lately- weeding things out that no longer work and focusing on a few key pieces in my wardrobe. Here’s a fun blog post about taking a second look in the closet: http://thebeaublogblog.wordpress.com/2013/05/29/playing-dress-up/
JCrew makes great t-shirts every season!
Maybe the reason we’re all sick of our clothes is because this has been the longest winter imaginable! In Paris I still see people wearing down (umm, including me) and it’s June in 3 days!!! And people who switched their closets to summer clothing are freezing their asses off :)
This is EXACTLY what I’ve been going through. I shop and for some reason buy *SIGH* something that I feel rather ehhh because I feel …ehh…about everything I see these days. It seems like simple quality is becoming harder and harder to find… I’ve just reduced my wardrobe by about 50% and it feels great! great!! I am also searching for that perfect t-shirt and jacket!
I’ve come to the conclusion that men’s clothes are so much better than women’s – in the UK, anyway. They’re better quality, and it’s still possible to buy something classic that will last. And men’s clothers are warmer too – I couldn’t find a decent wool jumper or coat all winter but saw lots of great men’s ones. A woman’s clothes shop that made classic, well made clothes that will last would do so well – or would it? I guess the whole industry is now built on clothes NOT lasting, so that we’re forced to buy more…
Try The Kooples!
Je suis complètement d’accord avec toi et suis rassurée de voir que je ne suis pas ( n’était pas plutôt ! ) la seule à changer ma façon d’envisager l’achat de fringues ! Comme je déménage, j’en profite pour bazarder et donner plein de vêtements que je ne mets jamais jamais jamais pour garder les fidèles que j’adore et maintenant quand j’achète, c’est parce que j’ai vraiment un coup de coeur et surtout je regarde de plus en plus où c’est fabriqué et me dirige de plus en plus vers des marques qui fabriquent en france ou qui font des efforts envers l’éthique et l’éco-responsabilité !
Garance, my favorite tees are made from “three dot.” Great weight in substantial cotton baby rib. My favorite is the boat neck, three quarter sleeve -so flattering. My other favorite is the high neck crew neck tee – very clean. Wear the black tee with white pants is so Jackie O. Also, the high neck protects the chest area from sun damage. They are not expensive compared to designer tees (sold at Bloomies I think).
PS – please tell us how you wash your equipment shirts. Do you dry clean or handwash? I bought a white one and it got stained (makeup, sweat,) arrgh! I feel like why bother ever wearing anything white!
“Perfect piece = Eternal joy” yep, I sooo agree… hehe btw I found the “Gisèle = Not me” pretty funny. :)
I like wearing my favorite pieces over and over. Somehow they do get softer and better with time.
http://www.FashionSnag.com
tout ça c’est normal et je vois de plus en plus de personnes penser comme toi. J’ai bien aimé le billet de Marionrocks en début d’année sur ce sujet.
Dear Garance, I love, love, love this post! A agree and can relate to every single detail! We just moved to our new house and I got rid of many pieces, clothes, shoes and accessories and it really made me a bit pensive…. it’s crazy what I bought and even more crazy is the fact that many of the things went unworn to charity…. less is more and better quality is important! I really enjoy my lighter and smaller wardrobe! It feels so refreshing and I hope that my shopping attitude will change! xxx
I’m going through exactly the same process right now! It’s funny how we are always on the same wave! :)))
For real, I really identify myself with your sensibility!
Ana
Recently I have stopped fashion binging as well and I have never felt better. I am sick of giving bags of stuff away twice a year. Just seems wasteful. I am on track with the buying less but better quality. Having less things and combining them in cooler ways – so true. And the fashion high.. number 5… well I felt like someone was inside my heart/head describing my love affair with my items. For me the first date is always an amazing memory… and I also associate certain nights with whatever special thing I was wearing in my mind…. ;) I think that when I wear something that I love.. (like heart beats faster when buying it type thing) I feel like I just radiate!
My perfect t is a v-neck James Perse. fitted but loose.. hugs all the right places and hides the ones we want to cover and the v is the perfect depth. Not to mention super soft and doesnt get little balls after you wash them 32905842390 times.
i love love love LOVED this post. BACIO
Nous aurions tendance que c’est une question d’âge…
Mais ce n’est pas que ça – après avoir connu la vague de vêtements bon marchés, en se faisant plaisir certes mais de courte durée et souvent frustrant par rapport à la qualité de courte durée aussi –
on veut la qualité, le bon tissu, la bonne coupe et une provenance pas obligatoirement française mais qui garantit un respect du personnel dans la fabrication…
Donc plutôt une belle pièce que l’on varie selon les accessoires !
Mais pas à n’importe quel prix non plus
I somehow always want to live by these same commandments, but still so many trips to Zara end up with buying things I’ll only wear 1-5 times. Yep. And I’m also sick of gathering sooo many stuff in my closet, it’s just too much and a bit insane.
xx
http://gita-oddsandends.blogspot.com/
Hi Garance:
It is as if you have read my mind. This month I have cleaned up my closet twice and taken clothes to the consignment store (I am making some money with them!) and also to Good Will. I have also decided that I will mostly buy ethical clothes, non sweatshop, so my choices are SO limited now. Buy H&M, Zara, Gap, J. Crew, Anthropologie, etc. I think I only have online shopping and few stores in my city. I feel so light and also I am saving so much money!!! Love.
Beautiful illustration! My eyes automatically go to the Valentino flats and after reading your article … I think it’s a signal and I should buy them. I love everything you say because my mother always told the same when I was a teenager … buy less and buy better. I never paid attention. Now at 28, I always try to do this and I need less space in my wardrobe for clothes, shoes and bags. The most important thing is that I know that I’ll never get tired of them. But… I miss the Rockstud ballerinas! :-)
http://heelsandpeplum.wordpress.com/
Yes! I purge my closet a few times a year (there are lots of places to donate clothes in DC, so that gives good incentive). And it’s simple, but I realized keeping my closet *really* clean made all the difference to dressing smarter/better! Now it’s one of the most organized spots in my house :)
http://www.anna-bird.com
I love how you say that it ‘hurts a little but quickly forget’ hahaa..
Brunette Letters Blog
I sold all the clothes and shoes I no longer wore this winter, which is really liberating. Now my closet isn’t so messy, and I’ve only got stuff that I like. And it’s such a good reason to whine and say I’ve got nothing to wear (and go buy gorgeous new stuff).
The perfect t-shirt – COS. They are the best. great shape and fabric. every time i’m in a place that has COS (israel doesn’t) i buy a few. check it ou – – http://www.cosstores.com/Shop/Women/New/Short_sleeve_t-shirt/365246-5287374.1#c-5287375
C’est du coup un eco post… ;)
Toujours un plaisir de te lire ! Autant tu as tout à fait raison, autant je ne suis pas encore psychologiquement prête à changer cette boulimie de fringue !
xx
Pile dans le mille! J’adore quand tu racontes ta vie Garance (je me sens moins #laseulefilleaumondequiracontesavie ;))
Je trie depuis 1 an!!! et je lis bcp à ce sujet (super bouquin par exemple sur les basiques pas Ines de la Fressange: “La Parisienne”.
Car j’ai un peu de peine à identifier LE BON basique quête parfois sans fin… je suis en ce moment même en recherche du T-shirt blanc kon peut laver 100 fois qui reste doux et garde sa forme (ca existe??) et du trench coat (j’hésite à capitaliser chez Burberry)
bref dans ton prochain article what is your basic wardrobe “must-have”?
Merci!
quel superbe dessin :)
sandy.
http://www.taimemode-fashionblog.com
Try Everlane for t-shirts. I have looked forever for the perfect white tee with no success until now. V neck, thin, super soft, longer length, narrowish fit, and only $15. Cannot be beat.
sounds like une épidémie globale :-) i’m literally in the middle of throwing out clothes and reorganising my closet. my new best companion is “La Parisienne” (Parisian Chic) by Ines de la Fressange. should spring eventually decide to come to Europe, i’d love to spend a few days in Paris and check out a few of her tips. otherwise i might invest in a pair of fashionable wellies and a stylish raincoat.
I’m finally listening to that little voice in my head that KNOWS that even though I may like something, even love something, for whatever reason I will not wear it. Some things can be appreciated but don’t need to be bought and owned! I live/buy somewhere in between rules #2 and #3 — it’s a balance between only buying stuff I absolutely love (I make myself leave it and see if I think of it again!) and knowing when something may be perfect/utterly practical for me and may just be the thing I end up wearing all the time, which can be rather surprising (enter leopard print, pony hair with slight gold-metallic-finish loafers).
My favorite tee: the ‘Artist Tee’ from JCrew. Simple, soft cotton with a bit of linen-like texture.
trop beau post ;-)
I feel the same, Garance. Life would be much better if we could keep everything simple and basic. It’s not always easy, but it’s so nice to read what you write, and feel so close to what you say, even being so far away, almost in another world (I live in Brazil and my job has nothing to do with fashion…). Thanks for sharing your words with us!
I totally agree with you with every aspect, especially with “buy less=buy better”.
Excellent post Garance!
Cristina
Hey Garance,
I feel like a lot of bloggers and fashionable people feel exactly this way at the moment (I guess minimalism is totally trending, no?), and I am no exception. Actually, I have been trying to do the whole “buy quality, not quantity” thing for quite a while now, but I think it’s not always so easy because you get tempted quite a lot when shopping and especially when reading blogs. But I am getting better at it :-)
Thanks for sharing your experiences :-)
Génial article comme d’habitude !
Et voilà ma version sur comment arriver à appliquer ces commandements !
http://comptoirmode.blogspot.fr/2013/05/fashion-rehab.html
Merci pour ta vision toujours drôle et pertinente !
Julie
Amazing. It’s as if I’m reading my own opinion. Exactly the same things happen to me! With the jeans and how some brands stop making good stuff!
Love your blog ? :*
I totally agree with your new commandments. after going through a few years of crazy clothes shopping, I have come to my own rules. Now I treat buying new clothes as an investment, first ask myself : do I need it ? seldom since I have lots of clothes; if not, then ask myself : do I love it ? can I live without it ? generally I want to get a lot of wear out of it for at least 5 years as a reward for my investment, if not, then it must be one of a kind, so special piece that I can keep for life and wear on some special occasions like a Gucci little black dress I own but don’t wear often. I find myself invest in classic quality clothes that don’t go out of style such as little black dresses. It’s very important to exercise discretion when shopping for clothes, last time I did a major cleanup of my closet, I kept over 80% of my clothes (good quality, classic, one of a kind and wearable ones), and that’s a sign I am a wiser shopper now. It’s definitely an art, a growing process for a woman.
American Apparel has great white (men’s XS) T-shirts, I roll up the sleeves. Cute and simple, very french.
Huhu Garance, I guess buying less but more quality is trending;-). I am so exited to read the same thoughts I have had for a long time here. I totally agree in every point. Kisses from Germany
Garance, please advise!
When you mentioned washing Equipment shirts, I snapped to attention. I must know…. how exactly are you washing them? I have had some bad experiences in the past. When I have washed OR dry cleaned silk with that wonderful, soft “washed silk” texture, the silk sometimes takes on a shine that wasn’t there before, or loses softness.
I asked my expert dry cleaner (who also does wet washing) and she shrugged and said it is to be expected with that fabric. So I panicked, and my gorgeous Equipment shirt dress waits, unwashed.
J’ approuve. Peux pas dire mieux.
Petite question : j’ai donc été voir ces MAGNIFIQUES chemises Equipment que je ne connaissais pas… par contre c’est écrit lavage à sec… Tu dis que chaque lavage les rend plus douce… en sortant du pressing ? ou dans ta machine ?
Merci d’avance, me réjouis de lire les 5 prochains conseils (et d’aller a Milan pour m’acheter des Porselli) !
Baci xx
I was just talking about this with my sister last week, I feel like I need a fashion palate cleanser. For some reason, having so much so easily became boring and overwhelming. I want great fallinloveforever basics and statement pieces, I want to feel like I am investing in my wardrobe instead of throwing away my money on fast fashion.
J’adore ce post et j’attends avec impatience les cinq autres commandements.
Je commence à penser comme toi, acheter moins mais de la qualité, j’ai déjà commencé cet hiver, en achetant uniquement deux pulls en cachemire. Je suis tentée par les Bompard mais je lis souvent maintenant que la qualité n’est plus aussi bonne…
perfect t shirts for the win! i love sunspel’s t shirts… if they’re good enough for johnny depp and daniel craig, they’re good enough for me!
Love, love, love your blog, thank you!
Ok I’m a designer so I can’t really go ahead and say this, but ok I agree with you. I realized I had not shopped in more than 6 mos, and I did not feel like it at all. Even a designer needs to buy other clothing, and I think I suffered the same blah when it comes to making purchases, no high. I’ve become more critical and I have raided all my closets and had gotten rid of bags and bags of clothes that don’t fit, don’t wear, or are in taters( I’m a sentimental hoarder?) even when I did shop, I would return it bec its just so blah and unexciting. But today I bought a pair of margiela shoes from the Barney’s sale and I am VERY excited!!! I keep looking at the photo hahah
Quoiiiii? tu as dormi avec des pompes fluos? elles n’étaient pas trop lumineuses dans ta nuit? :-)
Purge carefully…never get rid of something interesting (unless it will never fit you again…) Sorry sad for giving away…Anvers Sweaters, Randolph Duke coat (from his tiny store front on Columbus Ave.) 1980’s Stephan Kelian shoes — what was I thinking!!!! I mourn all these things :(
I really need to abide by these commandments! I buy a lot of stuff for cheap that I don’t end up wearing after a while! Must be more wise about my purchases and make better investments. :D
https://newbornfanatic.wordpress.com/
Couldn’t agree more!!
The buy less > buy better has always been my motto! So much better to buy one thing that you’ll use and love forever than lots of things that will likely be forgotten next season…
http://www.marcelanapoleone.blogspot.com
Quality over quantity.
That is my motto!
And if there’s such a thing as half empty, half full…that would be my closet :-)
And I love it!
Fortunately for me, I am not crazy about colors so I tend to buy clothing articles in white, black, grey or blue.
I do love your girl’s Valentino shoes (your illustration) :-)
So inspired to make one last push to clean out my closet before moving; 22 is as good a time as any to start being strict about quality over quantity. Great post Garance!
P.S. Have you found your perfect white T-shirt yet? I’m still looking… ;)
Recently, I have come to the realization that everyone has their own signature style and consequently, they just about always look the same, no matter how massive their wardrobe. We have a girl here at work that spends a fortune on quality clothes and has many, but still really always looks the same. This confirms the premise of buy less and better quality. I am also trying to stop from having a “work” wardrobe and a “weekend” wardrobe, and just wear smart casual. (Of course, I can only wear jeans on the weekend.) The image most people project comes from their physicality inside and out, and this is really what we always remember. Ask yourself sometimes, do you even remember what that person was wearing?
I agree with your thoughts. Interestingly, I’ve been recently following Jennifer L Scott’s blog. She wrote a book called LESSONS FROM MADAME CHIC. She lists 20 tips that she learned while in Paris. She is a busy Mom, who cares about her presentation but doesn’t follow high fashion. She writes about a TEN ITEM WARDROBE which kind of says many of the same things…quality…fewer pieces…less clutter.
I am changing the way I look at things….mainly my closet…..less is more.
Here is a link: http://dailyconnoisseur.blogspot.com
non non aucun problème avec les jeans courbes audacieuses ;-) (LEVIS) il faut dire que je suis grande alors je lave tout à l’eau froide et ne sèche jamais rien dans une sécheuse par peur de perdre de précieux mm. Ces jeans sont merveilleux. j’achète maintenant mes jeans sur le web = fini la torture. Aussi j’ai oublié de te remercier. c’est grâce à toi que j’ai connu les t-shirt everlane. j’adore leurs chemises de soie aussi.
I like that “editing your wardrobe” thing, which I’ve actually read on this blog, about the French friend of yours based in LA. She inspired me so much, with her quite minimal but definitely stylish style, true classic. It’s also very good to purge some of my clothes, as in give them away to someone who I know have better use of. :)
acne flex jeans fit all of your criteria
also levis demi curve skinny jeans
i have searched high and low for tee shirts
i like alexander wang tees, and atm tees from barneys
problem is they all get those little holes from leaning against counters and having them rub up against your jean’s hardware, someone needs to create an indestructible tee with a perfect fit!
xxx
love the last one, you totally nailed what it is that keeps all of us coming back to the shops for more. it’s that moment of ecstasy you spend in that honeymoon phase with your new piece. your excited to introduce it to all of your friends and nervous as to what they’ll think of it. you never want to be apart and find yourself stealing empty moments of the day just thinking about that new piece hanging in your closet. you feel as though this new piece has made everything in your life just a bit better. the high, how we live for the high.
abigail
http://www.farandwildjewelry.com
On the subject of jeans…I have some skinny jeans I love and all the girls love but alas, my husband says they look like “bad mum jeans”. Who do I believe and what do I do…just to wear around him…or believe others have thought the same as him? Are the girls just being nice… Arrrggghhh!
oh, to be the one to get THOSE hand me downs! i so wish you were my older sister. sigh.
Je trouve difficile de se résigner à ne plus acheter ce qui n’est pas censé nous aller …. en tout cas je n’y arrive pas pour ma part …et je m’appelle encore moins Gisèle que toi !
http://www.isatoutsimplement.org/
Hey!
Love this post! I try from time to time to clean out my closet but somehow I end up with few things that match, I think it’s because most of the times I buy things o a whim. Anyway, my issue is that I find from time to time articles of clothing that I fall in love with and wear till they can’t be worn anymore, but lately I’ve been having issues with anti-perspirant stains :( I mean I wear a t-shirt once or twice and it already is stained, do you know? Is it the deodorant or the fabric?
It drives me crazy, I suspect the deodorant to be the issue, but then what type to try? I have tried several and they all seem to have the same effect.
“je suis à la recherche du sac parfait…”
Nan ! Autant le dire tout de suite : ÇA N’EXISTE PAS !
Les hommes ont leur sainte excroissance naturelle, nous on a NOS sacs à main !
Avantage : notre divine excroissance est interchangeable :) Alors pourquoi se priver d’en changer ?
you forgot one important phase of the Love Story!! when you take the perfect garment to the fitting room.. hands shaking, praying that it fits you. and ohhh the disappointment if it doesn’t!
I’m on a shopping dit since February. February!!!!! And actually I don’t miss a thing. I’m trying to find new ways of wearing my clothes and with all the money I’m saving I’m travelling more so… buy less it’s a total must for me now!
:)
I used to be a a regular shopper, picking up new things here and there, and having an over stuffed closet– sort of the shopping equivalent of a constant snacker. But then I moved to Africa over a year ago and I just don’t have any options for shopping locally so it has forced me to be really strategic when I do have the chance. When I was in the US at Christmas, I spent what felt like a small fortune at Nordstrom on bras and jeans and work clothes, but it was less than what I used to spend buying a little bit here and there, and it was very strategic to fill gaps in my wardrobe that I had identified in the previous year (I also can’t go too crazy since I need to leave room in my suitcases for cheese and other treats I can’t get easily in Rwanda.
I am still searching for the perfect white T, I like the ones from Banana Republic, but I find that they stretch out too quickly. I am OBSESSED with the v-necks from Everlane, I stock up on the black ones, but unfortunately the white is too thin to be considered modest enough to wear alone here.
Johnstons of Elgin in Scotland make the best cashmere in the world! They make for Hermes amongst others HTHs!
Chère Garance, la réponse à cet aricle serait très longue. Je pense simplement que ce sujet est dans l’air du temps. Ma mère et moi on est pareil depuis un bon bout de temps. On trouve qu’on a trop. En fait c’est pourquoi j’ai commencé mon blog: je trouvais que je ne portais pas assez mes vêtements faute d’occasions alors je me suis dit qu’en faisant des photos pour le bog je les utiliserais. Mon problème est que j’ai de belles choses et que je ne peux ni jeter ni brader (je n’arrive pas a obtenir un prix décent pour mes vêtements état neuf). Je suis obligée de les garder, du coup je suis interdite de vêtement pour les 10 années qui viennent. (Je plaisante mais j’essaye d’être disciplinée!).
C’est un peu ennuyeux quand on a déjà tout pour chaque occasion…Mais je prédis un déclin du secteur textile car trop de vêtements tuent le vêtement. Je l’ai toujours aussi pensé pour la politique de sacs de la maison Vuitton…
http://modadiandrea.blogspot.com/2013/05/belle-sans-chichis.html
PS: tip pour les cachemires de qualité => j’ai remarqué que les cachemires Italiens sont les meilleurs. Les cachemires Américains (made in China) rétrécissent au lavage car apparement ils tirent sur le fil au moment du tricotage. Mes pulls Max Mara sont indestructibles
J’ai viré tout ce qui est made in Bangladesh !
Rien à foutre de la fashion attitude.
Putain, 1123 morts !
Zara, Mango, VOUS les blog-prescripteuse, NOUS les acheteuses : tous responsables.
Ouvrons nos yeux sur les étiquettes AVANT de nous demander s’il nous faut ce t shirt ou ces pompes dans notre dressing !!!!
Moi aussi j’aime les tee-shirts parfaits. J’en ai trouvé de très jolis chez American eagle Outfitter. Super soft avec une allure rock (comme celles de Sandro) et différents coloris.
Pour les jeans j’ai 2 marques de prédilection: JBrand et Levis Bold Curve. Bonne tenue et juste ce qu’il faut d’élasthane.
Moi je rajouterai aussi : entretenir ses vêtements et ses chaussures… la bonne lessive, le bon essorage, un petit coup de crème pour protéger le cuir des chaussures et là on garde plus longtemps !
Ah yes! I am reminded of the wisdom of the great Diana Vreeland; ‘Elegance is refusal.’ Have less and cultivate a life-long love affair with a few well-made pieces that rightfully earn their way into your life. It’s better for the environment, one’s wallet and one’s soul.
You are so right about all of these. I already started buying less and better things, but I keep postponing the wardrobe cleaning, but will have to do it anyway this winter as we are moving to another country…
I have to agree with stocking up on items you love! As soon as I found my perfect pair of jeans (Pepe Jeans Pixie in the perfect shade of shiny black) I got a second one and the same goes for the perfect pair of pointed wedge booties (the first pair is already dead. And I really mean dead. They fell apart.)
x
Sabrina
GIVEAWAY now on my blog apixiesviewonfashion.com
OMG… your 5th commandment totally turned me on
Tout à fait d’accord!je suis plutoy classique et j’aime les belles matieres donc c’est ma philosophie depuis pas mal de temps:mon arriere grand mere disait:”il faut etre riche pour acheter bon marché!!” Depuis les temps ont changés et on peut acheter pas trop cher et avoir un truc super mais c’est vrai que je réduit beaucoup mes achats surtout que je trouve que beaucoup de marques soit disant à la mode se foute du monde si on compare qualité et prix.
J’aime les belles chaussures(FREE LANCE,RONDINI?HESCHUNG…)et les belles matieres(soie,cachemire,cuir) et je mixe le tout.Par contre,jamais d’économie sur les grosses pièces et sur les sacs.
Je me fais des cagnottes et j’investie(la drenière folie dans laquelle toute ma cagnotte est partie c’est un Kelly en cuir box rouge Hermes!!!il est tellement beau que pour l’instant je ne fait que le regarder)
J’aime aussi beaucoup les sacs MAISON SELLIER mais comme je suis en province,impossible de m’en procurer un!!!Sinon je reste in conditionnelle des chemises Equipment,des vestes Kooples,des jeans APC.
Garance! The best t-shirts are from Australian brand, Bassike! And that’s exactly what they are, basics. I have had mine for well over 3 years and they wear in beautifully! They have the irresistable slouch that we all look for in a well worn tee! The best i can promise you!
Love your work, keep it up ;)
great post! I call this wisdom which comes with age ;)
so agree with this: I love refining my wardrobe every season instead of having to redo it each time…. me to a tee!
Love this post! There is definitely an epidemic – I just did the same last week and it felt great!
Totally agree! Try Filippa K for perfect t-shirts. Filippa K collection can look a bit plain at the first glance but every item I have of this brand does something magical for my body, don’t know how it works but always get tons of compliments. Great quality, even the 100% cotton items still look amazing after years of intensive wearing, don’t know how they do it. It’s not even an expensive brand.
Tout pareil.
Cela fait d’ailleurs deux ou trois ans que mon placard a fait l’objet de plusieurs élagages. Je refais ma garde-robe avec des basiques indémodables et quelques pièces qui sortent du lot (je pense notamment à ma jolie veste Schoolboy cut ‘festival green’ de chez J. Crew).
Je me rends compte que je reviens à ce que j’ai finalement toujours préféré : des fringues simples, bien coupées, de bonne qualité, mais pas banales. Jamais plus de deux ou trois couleurs dans l’ensemble que je porte (le colorblock, rien de nouveau pour moi).
Je me suis récemment offert une paire d’escarpins noirs tout simples Scholls (et si ! ils ont bcp rajeuni leur style), talons de 10 cm, avec la coupe idéale et super féminine.
pareil en ce moment! parce que du coup j’ai mis de côté toutes mes affaires d’hiver gros pulls manteaux ( je n’aurai pas du d’ailleurs: Paris ), du coup j’etais trop contente au final quand la porte de mon armoire fermait enfin et( c’est horrible de dire ca d’un coté, genre “olala j’ai trop de vetements ma vie est horrible ) mais du coup je me sens moins envahie et moins à l’ouest avec toutes ces fringues, genre plus “normale”, et ca fait du bien. deja j’achete pas des tonnes de fringues chez zara ou h&m mais ca s’accumule quand meme vite et je prefere economiser pour acheter une belle piece, et c’est completement vrai qu’au final on voit mieux ce qu’on a et on s’habille mieux…
et pour les pulls bompard je suis peut être dure mais je les trouve pas si doux que ça…
bref apparemment t shirt everlane à tester!
en tee shirt j’aime bien james perse, t by alexander wang et jean acne et jbrand
un bisou
Tout à fait d’accord ! ma dernière session shopping date de janvier (OMG !!) et je me suis fait la remarque que j’avais tout mis dans mon placard avec les etiquettes… Je ne shop plus depuis (pas par volonté mais je prépare un déménagement à l’étranger avec une crétaion de boite etc…) du coup je me suis fait une petite liste de fringues qui me plaisent grave et que je m’offrirai des que je pourrai. Résultat : Je me surprend à rayer des trucs que je ne mettrai qu’une fois voire pas du tout et je me recentre sur “the essentials” de belles pièces dans de belles matières… on ne me reprendra plus à acheter un pull en acrylique parce qu’il est “trop chou” ! c’est fini ! et c’est tant mieux pour moi… (et pour mes valises, mon placard, mon mec…)
http://hidinginheaven.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-one-with-beach-bag.html
Could not agree more. “Simplicity is the utlimate sophistication”.
Une fois qu’on a trouve son style avec ses “uniformes” et les pieces cles de son closet, s’habiller devient une vraie partie plaisir; et le shopping se transforme en jeu et quete de LA piece parfaite, qui “upgrade” tous les looks. Et quand on tombe finalement dessus, l’acheter frole l’extase… Hello perfect black pumps, perfect stripe tee, perfect blue shirt or A line skirt et sans oublier le top du top…. l’accessoire qui chicise tout: THE Kelly black/gold 30cm.
Quant a pousser le reve un peu plus loin, la garde robe ideale pour la “neoclassique” qe je suis, serait un savant mix de Jackie O et Sofia Coppola pour les classiques et de Olivia Palermo et Charlotte Casiraghi pour le cote fun et chic sans effort. Ah oui et tant qu’affaire J-Lo et Kerry Washington pour les sorties glam de l’annee.
biiiiip
Fin de reverie
Cheers de Londres
S
Could not agree more. “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”.
Une fois qu’on a trouve son style avec ses “uniformes” et les pieces cles de son closet, s’habiller devient une vraie partie de plaisir; et le shopping se transforme en jeu et quete de LA piece parfaite, qui “upgrade” tous les looks. Et quand on tombe finalement dessus, l’acheter frole l’extase… Hello perfect black pumps, perfect stripe tee, perfect blue shirt or A line skirt et sans oublier le top du top…. l’accessoire qui chicise tout: THE Kelly black/gold 30cm.
Quant a pousser le reve un peu plus loin, la garde robe ideale pour la “neoclassique” qe je suis, serait un savant mix de Jackie O et Sofia Coppola pour les classiques et de Olivia Palermo et Charlotte Casiraghi pour le cote fun et chic sans effort. Ah oui et tant qu’affaire J-Lo et Kerry Washington pour les sorties glam de l’annee.
biiiiip
Fin de reverie
Cheers de Londres
S
Ce message tombe vraiment à point, puisque j’ai fait le grand ménage de ma penderie. J’ai pris des nouvelles résolutions aussi. La principale est : avoir des bonnes bases dans sa garde-robe ! Après, il est plus facile d’agencer des pièces plus mode.
thank you….i literally FINALLY had a shopping high after i’m not sure how long this afternoon, after a day from work that was….well anyways, i bought a beautiful hat from Anthropologie, and a coral maxi dress that’s the perfect length (i’m 5’9, sometimes difficult to get the true maxi length i crave) and it fit like a dream. I’ve never smiled so much. I’m even smiling now….
Dear Garance,
I love fashion. I have loved your blog for years now!
Do continue to share your life and thoughts – I’m a bit addicted to them.
This is the best post ever – not the most funny – but definitely the best fashion thought to think about for the everyday girl. I have been… sort of hoping to see something like that here…
Fashion can be a bit frivolous and very wasteful at the best of times.
x K
My wardrobe went through a similar transformation and I couldn’t agree more with your rules. My other cardinal rule is to steer clear of clothing with criteria (i.e. can only be worn with a very specific piece, or specific time)
It is so disappointing having to get rid of clothes you have never worn…….. what a waste of money!!!! I totally get the shopping high, and I have to admit I have never been to bed with a pair of shoes on but I have slept with the new bag next to me in bed! Ha ha ha. The first night aft5er I bought it, I actually could ‘nt sleep cause I was I looking at it lovingly. Its been over a year and I’m still in love!
Pour le bon cachemire, on va chez Ca va de soi !
Love this!
I wrote such a similar blog post last month, completely inspired by Vivienne Westwood when I worked there as a designer and still now I also remember her inspirational quotes, in this instance:
‘Buy Less, Choose Well’
Take a read:
http://www.nataliesolomon.co.uk/blog/wishlist/
Mon souci à moi, c’est que mon homme ne comprend pas ce qu’il appelle “l’achat inutile”, c’est-à-dire qu’il ne conçoit pas qu’on achète si on n’a pas absolument besoin.
DONC je cache mes sacs d’achats. Oui, oui, vous pouvez y aller, jetez moi des pierres.
Je cache mes achats pour éviter les remarques assassines et autres “c’est joli, t’as payé ça combien?” insistants.
Alors finis les papillons et vive la culpabilité! Je change de mec ou j’arrête d’acheter? ^^
I couldn’t agree more. I bought a fine knit cashmere jumper from Joseph some six months ago and I wore it pretty much all the time. It was expensive and I walked out of the shop number of times before I finally decided to buy it. I wasn’t sure it I could justify such a price but it was so worth it! All my other jumpers have now been donated and I’m saving for another Joseph purchase :)
I’ve done that too. It’s called cost per wear. One beautiful item that you love and wear to death is actually inexpensive compared to lots of cheaper items that you don’t even like after a while.
I once heard a young woman in the change rooms say to her boyfriend “I like it, but I don’t *love* it”. Good reason not to buy!
Pour les cachemires: chez VICTOIRE ils sont juste parfaits !
Je suis tout à fait d’accord avec toi. J’en parlais l’autre jour avec mon copain et c’est vrai qu’il est mieux de s’acheter une pièce chère et dont l’on est sûr qu’on gardera car sa qualité est bonne et que c’est un classique. Je pense que si on souhaite une pièce à la mode il faut la trouver pas trop chère car en général au bout d’une ou deux saisons c’est fini! En tout cas merci pour ces commandements Garance, j’ai hâte de voir la suite
Haha soo funny!
I have lotss of Equipment shirts and I looove them but how do you wash them, Garance?! I wash pretty much everything at home but always dry clean my Equipment shirts. It’s expensive, it’s bad for them and it makes them less soft :(
I like Brora and Crumpet for cashmere!
Oh, please do tell us when you’ve found the perfect tee shirt! My search never ends!
Totally agree with everything. I’m a college student and my motto is “I cannot afford to buy cheap clothes”. With cheap clothes I mean those that fall apart after a couple of wears/washes. I rather purchase a really good pair of jeans that I can wear forever instead of a cheap one that contains so much plastic, it doesn’t fit after just a few uses.
I don’t want to look cheap either, I want to look sophisticated and be taken serious. I’m so much more satisfied and comfortable in my looks since I’ve embraced this new way of shopping.
le kiff du vêtement je le ressens à chaque fois !
Je ne sais pas comment vous faîtes pour ne pas porter chaque premier vêtement ! Moi c’est un paasage obligé pour trouver sa place dans mon placcard. :)
Vous avez mis des mots sur mon histoire d’amour avec le vêtement !! merci ;)
One of my blog readers sent me this article. I love it! As part of my efforts to stop compulsive shopping, I’m really working to buy LESS overall and to have everything I buy be higher quality and something I love. I realize that it will take longer to find really good pieces and sometimes I will end up leaving a store or mall empty-handed, but I have to do it. Currently, I have a HUGE wardrobe (but it’s getting smaller) filled with a lot of mediocre pieces that I either bought on sale or in a lower-end store or department. I can do better!
Wonderful! I have recently arrived at the same conclusions, clearing my wardrobe by selling unworkable items on ebay. My cold weather clothes are few but beautiful and I love wearing them. Summer lets us wear more fun items. It’s all good!
COS has te best t-shirt!!!! Ask for their white t-shirt with the little pocket on!
Garance…this post is more than 100% true…i am totally in it too…sadly but it´s true; it´s time to return to the roots of a pleasure shopping…not just collecting trends
Well…about cashmere…every heard (or even bought) of Soft Goat (Sweden)…it´s nice…try it :)
Totally agree. The thing is, most people are into the ‘buy, buy, buy’ mentality & this affects the quality of clothes in high street stores. And then people are surprised that things just don’t last. I wish we were a bit more like our grandparents – we’d own less clothes but they’d all be high-quality pieces. *rant over* :D
Pour les tee-shirts en lin les plus oufs de la terre, il y a Monoprix ;)
Et en cachemire, Monoprix aussi voyons !!!!!
Incroyable, mais pour une fois Garance Doré ne m’apprend rien !
Un article sur les essentiels à avoir dans sa garde robe serait incroyable pour suivre dans la ligné ce thème ! (Un sacré défi …)
Garance’s comment on perfect t-shirt got me going on my own quest for the perfect T. About a month ago I spotted one on the outnet: perfect merlot color, not too much into the purple family, not too paprika-brick earthy hue; nice clingy material, wonderful drape on the sleeves and neckline. I ordered my perfect T and off I went to Cancun only to discover upon my return that my order got cancelled cause apparently a couple of hours before I placed it, my friend logged into her facebook account and left it on. Like most shopping sites these days outnet automatically links your order to your fb account. My friend got my confirmation, took care to call outnet and cancel it. By the time I figured it all out my perfectly hued merlot, draped yet clingy T-shirt was gone.
Ups. ;) While those of you who mastered to read it all up are giggling at my loss, I am off to to stock up on the studded V. flats, depicted on the illustration to this entry. I own one in pink and need another in nude.
J’aime beaucoup cet article! Trop vrai!! X
Couldn’t agree more!Always an inspiration ,Garance!
antapal.blogspot.gr
Just wanted to tell you that I love this post (and your blog in general). :)
Hi Garance! I absolutely love this post! You’re totally right!!
Another thing I wanted to say is that I’m a big fan of your illustrations (I wish I could draw like you do)! I think you rock and I dream about seeing you draw I’m one of your videos! Don’t you agree it would be nice? ;)
XOXO
Your comments really stir me to do something with my clothes. Just the other day I read a delightful book by the woman who also has this blog http://dailyconnoisseur.blogspot.com.au. After staying in Paris as a student in the homes of two french women, she learned you only needed 10 items of clothing. This didn’t include outer wear such as coats or shoes, and accessories. It also didn’t include simple shirts for layering. It was brilliant to read and what you say is true. I have so much in my cupboard that I never know what to wear and a lot of it isn’t worth keeping. 10 items sounds very liberating to me. Thanks for such a good read.
I have been deleting my unworn clothes..out of my closet and into Vestiatiare Collective…A online site where you can sell your clothes as long as they are in good to excellent condition….I made money selling my old things..Kind of like recycling non?
Pour Claire, qui cache ses sacs d’achats : j’ai le même à la maison. Ca peut vraiment gâcher tout le plaisir. Jusqu’au jour où je suis rentrée un soir avec un de ces fameux sacs, et lui en ai montré le contenu =) moue dubitative, et l’immanquable : “c’est joli, Oui… Tu as payé ça combien ?” Je lui ai demandé : “pourquoi ? Tu veux m’en offrir la moitié ?” . Depuis, il ne me demande plus ! Et on en rit encore tous les deux aujourd’hui.
Pour Garance (et les autres. qui veulent aller plus loin..):
merci tout d’abord de ce blog.
Et avez-vous pensé à aller regarder du côté de Dominique Loreau (“L’éloge de la simplicité”, “l’art de l’essentiel”),
Bizzzzzzz
Garance, have you read the novel Pattern Recognition by William Gibson? I’m sure you’d like it, the heroin has a very similar style philosophy! She’s my own style role model :)
Any chance you could share where these closet real-estate hogging clothes got donated to? What may have been “unwearable” to you (although initially picked out with your impeccable taste) may be the “perfect” piece for someone else…especially a fellow New Yorker on a tight budget;)
Garance I seriously love Richard Grand cashemere on Rue St. Honore. I buy one or two every year when I am in Paris. Great fit, amazing family business, quality cashmere. Better priced than Bompard.
Garance, thank you so much for your beautiful self and your amazing sense of humor!!!
I love your blog, it’s so cool and the things you write are interesting …I think you speak for a very large number of us out there…!(women) Do we get a post about the 10 pieces every woman should invest in?
Hugs
Dalia
Choosing quality over quantity, “less is more” are the basic principals of elegance and good style. I believe they can be traced back as early as 1960s when Genevieve Antoine Dariaux published her book “A guide to Elegance”. I’ve learned it over time, and now I manage to look and feel better even with a limited budget. There are things I own/pay for that proved to be a good investment:
The right hairdresser (for perfect balayage) and the right products for the hair (Pureology line)
The right beautician and the right products for skincare
Perfect-fitting lingerie of excellent quality (I was fitted at Rigby & Peller in London)
Comfortable casual shoes for walking (Timberland)
Bottle of my perfume (Jo Malone)
I only struggle with finding a pair of jeans that would suit my hourglass shape. I like high-waisted, straight leg jean in discreet wash. Any suggestions?
Yes. I know this is gonna sound psycho…but an old fashioned guys jean in a dark wash. Like a regular fit Wranglers. Very straight, and on a woman the perfect high waist right under the bellybutton. Very flattering too. Plus the thicker, softer, non stretchy material is wonderful.
Brora do beautiful Scottish cashmere, on of the remaining few …
I learnt the first lesson oh so we’ll when I was pregnant last year. Armed with only a few maternity staples – 2 perfect pairs of (maternity) skinny jeans (grey & black) and a couple of well-cut t-shirts and silk shirts as the basis and one LBD. Whilst initially I thought I’d need more, it forced me to get more creative with accessories, many of which had been neglected til then (a few beautiful scarves, interesting necklaces and earrings, fabulous shoes and even playing with a bright coral red lipstick (best cure for morning sickness face!) and I was much better dressed for it! And getting dressed was so much faster, easier and more fun!!
I know I’m a little late to the game here but I thank you, thank you, thank you! I’ve been looking for the perfect white button down with just the right shape and I swear I got butterflies when I clicked on your Equipment link (a little dramatic? maybe) and wouldn’t you know it!? There was only one left in my size! Kismet! Plus, hello! Super stoked they offer free three-day shipping.
I’m right there with you in your quest for a lean closet but with higher-quality pieces. I have recently cleaned out my closet and finally donated some pieces that have been making the “oh okay, you can stay” cut for far too long. It’s hard to say goodbye but you couldn’t have said it better.. “having fewer clothes, but wearing more clothes” has been so liberating. I feel more inspired to “shop” my closet now and I don’t forget about pieces because they’re right in front of my face :) It’s harder to spend all my extra $$$ on just one or two pieces rather than cleaning out the likes of Forever 21 but it is so worth it.
Cheers to you! and here’s to having little love affairs with your wardrobe.
Have you tried comme des garcons sweaters? They are so comfort and warm!
So strange, I’ve actually had this same feeling for a while and it reached it’s peak during these last Fashion Weeks. Suddenly, I’m so tired of overdressing, seeing people go nuts, fashion wise. I’ve experienced that same feeling many times on New Year’s eve too. It’s December 31st, so now you MUST party, you MUST have fun etc. So, do these Fashion Weeks make us zombies, make us sheepishly follow the flock ? I guess I’ve reached that point by now.
Unaware, I’ve caught myself buying less, or to be correct, more aware of what I purchase. Good basics I will wear more than once, clothes and shoes that actually represent my personality and the woman I really am.
hello from India. Its so interesting that you wrote this piece. I have been going through the same thing. I have been watching youtube videos of the girl called COCO the channel is called lightbycoco. she is doing project 333 where she talks about having only 33 items in her wardrobe for 3 months. Though I can’t go to that extreme – each time I pick up something to buy I always ask myself -if I were doing project 333 would I buy this? most times the answer is NO.
wise post dear garance. i’m gonna print and paste it on my wardrobe door to keep the idea (your commandments) alive in my mind. love your website. carine (brazil)
These are great tips! This is exactly what I need to keep in mind!!
https://sassyontheroad.wordpress.com/
Garance- merci for this post- I couldn’t agree more! I just gave 2 huge bags to Beacon’s Closet and didn’t even mind them donating what they can’t sell, all I knew was that I wanted to give it away/donate it.
Reg the perfect cashmere, I just bought an amazing sweater from Naked Cashmere- I’ve worn it a LOT and the quality of the garment is amazing. It has yet start to pill under my arms. And it’s so soft, simply so cozy!
Bisous!
merci pour ce post chère Garance ! j’applaudis, je ne cautionne pas la ‘fast-fashion’ de mauvaise qualité qui ne va à personne disons le franchement… acheter moins mais mieux… de belles pièces que l’on chérira longtemps… Regarder les étiquettes des vêtements qu’on achète, voir la matière, la provenance, de belles coupes, des couleurs intemporelles… je suis pour le ‘made in Italy’ ‘made in France’ le ‘bien fait’ bon je m’arrête là car je peux m’étendre longuement à ce sujet :)