August marks the end of The French Wardrobe Challenge Part Duex and it’s painfully obvious that I can’t resist a good sale. Many of my items over the last six months were purchased at a discount—that isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it definitely led to more impulsive spending than what I intended when I started this challenge. Some were completely understandable ($200 Ferragamo Varinas for instance), others probably didn’t need to happen (turquoise Banana Republic pants that I still haven’t worn yet).

A few things I learned:

• Having two Pinterest boards for my purchases is crucial. I have a private “Buy” board where I add any item that I’m seriously considering. Think of it as the cooling off period. If I fall out of love with an item on that Pinterest after just a few weeks, it probably wasn’t going to get much love in my closet. I have another board for my actual purchases, which has been a good reminder of what I already own and what gaps I could fill throughout the season.
• Sales will be the death of me. I easily justify an item at a discount, which isn’t a bad thing if I like it before the sale. I just don’t want to fall for an item because of the sale.
• Spring/Summer purchases felt a little scatterbrained, which I suspect is because my style evolved from previous years. I incorporated more dresses and rompers—easy one-piece items for summer—and didn’t gravitate to shorts and tops as often as I did in previous years (aside from the J.Crew shorts I’m crazy about).
• Changing my shopping habits is difficult. I still yearn to buy everything that catches my eye, but that’s not sustainable for my budget or for my closet. I’m growing tired of the clutter and I’m tired of owning things I don’t use and appreciate.

So, will I continue with The French Wardrobe Challenge in fall and winter? Yes, but this time with a budget. I’ll share more details in a couple of weeks.

In the meantime, let me know if you’re taking part in the challenge next season! I’d love to link up.

THE RULES

1. Just five standout pieces per season that update your wardrobe. (There are two “seasons” for this purpose: spring/summer and fall/winter.)
2. Quality over quantity.
3. Basics don’t count.
4. Accessories don’t count, unless you’re spending a lot more than usual.
5. Socks and underwear don’t count.
6. Shoes do count. (I’m not counting shoes, though.)

MY PROGRESS

Part of my five six seven:

• J.Crew Factory botanical-print shorts
• ASOS midi skirt in sheer check
• Diane von Furstenberg “Kimana” dress in a floral stripe
• Rachel Zoe romper
• Diane von Furstenberg “Oblixe” dress
• NEW J.Crew embroidered shorts: These are just ridiculously cute and I love the elastic waist for the sultry days that are just too darn hot for anything form fitting.
• NEW BB Dakota dress: I’m a sucker for a good sale. As I explained in this post, the dress was just $20 at Shopbop’s Maxwell Street Days festivities. It’s not my favorite item in my wardrobe by any means, but it sure is comfortable. I’ll probably have it hemmed into a top next summer when I grow tired of the shirttail bottom.

Basics:

• J.Crew 5” chino shorts in navy
• J.Crew merino Tippi sweater in heather grey
• J.Crew fit and flare dress in haven blue
• J.Crew lightweight merino v-neck sweater in grey
• Banana Republic “Sloan” pants in turquoise
• Banana Republic trench coat in navy
• Banana Republic eyelet dress in white
• LOFT black dress
• LOFT romper
• Pim + Larkin slip dress
• Old Navy 3.5” shorts in black
• J.Crew linen sweater
• Kohl’s black dress

Bags:

• Coach small saffiano leather satchel in black

Accessories:

• Lele Sadoughi lotus bib necklace
• Vintage ring from Frippery Vintage
• Coach saffiano leather card case in peach rose
• Double pearl earrings via eBay
• Tory Burch floral scarf
• Lulu Frost necklace
• Julie Vos cuff
• NEW Julie Vos ring: This is such a unique take on a cocktail ring with a trio of stones set in a horizontal line. I bought it during the online sample sale for $26.

Shoes:

• Gap striped flats
• Anthropologie palm-print flats
• Tory Burch “Desi” printed pumps
• J.Crew striped loafers
• Tory Burch “Tallulah” sandals
• NEW J.Crew patent pointed toe flats: Definitely my most practical purchase this season. I have a pair from another brand that is nearly identical, but they’re nearly beyond repair. This J.Crew pair is on standby for when the old ones finally bite the dust.
• NEW Ferragamo “Varina” flats: A pair of turquoise Varinas in my size sat fatefully on the shelf of the Shopbop Maxwell Street Days sale. They were just $200, fit like a dream, and, yet, I almost didn’t buy them. I wasn’t sure I could justify the cost before we went to Belgium. Dave could and sent me back to get them an hour later. They were still there, waiting to come home with me.

Items I tried and didn’t love:

• I really wanted a blue dress this summer and this option from J.Crew. The darts made the fabric pucker in a strange place and the top was too billowy for my frame. It fit in my regular size, but I looked huge. I suspect it only looks cute on the model because she has a long torso. 
• Margaret Elizabeth earrings: I bought these in black onyx and moonstone thinking that they would go well with all of my end-of-summer clothes, but they arrived damaged. Even though the brand’s policy is an exchange, they allowed me to return the earrings for a full refund. I’m pretty disappointed in the quality of the particular set (the stones were just glued on). It looks like the pieces with actual bezel settings will hold up longer.
• I spotted this sporty Old Navy skirt in a recent magazine (InStyle, maybe?) and thought it would be a cute alternative to shorts for casual outings. I wanted the white version, but the pockets were visible through the fabric (my pet peeve). The fabric of the black version was softer and I almost opted for that, but really, I didn’t love it enough for the price. I might consider it again when it’s on sale.

Gifted clothing and accessories:

• Randolph Engineering rose gold aviators
• Gerard Yosca statement necklace
• Emma McKinstry long pendant necklace
• Meghna Designs druzy ring
• Golden Thread arrowhead pendant
• Sammy dress double pearl choker
• Lacee Alexandra ring
• Haydren Reis beach bag
• Suzanne Kalan necklace
• Rivet & Sway sunglasses
• Peter Som for Kohl’s dress
• Candie’s sandals
• Apt. 9 crossbody bag
• Apt. 9 sunglasses
• Gerard Yosca sunburst pendant
• Vrai & Oro ring
• Lo & Sons travel bag

If you’re curious about The French Wardrobe Challenge, I encourage you to peruse the archived posts. 

Are you taking part in The French Wardrobe Challenge this season? Let me know and I’ll link to your post below. (It probably goes without saying, but I’d love it if you linked back to my posts too.)

May is my birthday month, which is usually carte blanche to purchase whatever my heart desires. This year was no different. I bought a pair of striped loafers from J.Crew with a gift card, the Tory Burch scarf I’ve been dreaming about, a romper, and two dresses: a versatile LBD from LOFT and a DVF dress I had been crushing on since its debut (on sale!). Let’s just say that June should be another no-shop month, but I’d like to add two more spring dresses (love this and this) and this romper to my wardrobe before we go to Belgium next month.

We’re also at the halfway point for this season’s French Wardrobe Challenge, which is a good time to evaluate progress and make changes for the next three months. My Pinterest board of purchases has been an incredible way to stay accountable, even if I’m a little embarrassed by the amount of things I’ve accumulated in just three months. If you look at the board, you’ll see that those turquoise pants from Banana Republic look so out of place with my other purchases, and perhaps not surprisingly, they’re the only thing I haven’t yet worn. I bought them on a whim with a few coupons and discounts that brought the price down to under $10. I figured they’d be a fun way to punch up my work wardrobe, but that hasn’t been the case.

Everything else, though, is very “me” and has been worn repeatedly, but I think I can cut back on the amount of things I’m buying. I remember reading a blog post awhile back that restricted each month’s purchases to one article of clothing and one accessory each month. I wish I remember the author because it was such a unique way to make sure your purchases are the best you can afford and the most representative of your style.

THE RULES

1. Just five standout pieces per season that update your wardrobe. (There are two “seasons” for this purpose: spring/summer and fall/winter.)
2. Quality over quantity.
3. Basics don’t count.
4. Accessories don’t count, unless you’re spending a lot more than usual.
5. Socks and underwear don’t count.
6. Shoes do count. (I’m not counting shoes, though.)

MY PROGRESS

Part of my five:

• J.Crew Factory botanical-print shorts
• ASOS midi skirt in sheer check
• NEW Diane von Furstenberg dress in a floral stripe: I wanted this since it first came out for spring, but I certainly couldn’t afford a $545 dress. I snagged mine at Bergdorf for $190—barely more than I’d spend on a dress from J.Crew and much better quality.
• NEW Rachel Zoe romper: I tried this on at Saks Off 5th and knew it was coming home with me before I even looked at the price tag. It’s the first romper I’ve tried that made me willing to put up with the bathroom acrobatics that go along with such an impractical item.

Basics:

• J.Crew 5” chino shorts in navy
• J.Crew merino Tippi sweater in heather grey
• J.Crew fit and flare dress in haven blue
• J.Crew lightweight merino v-neck sweater in grey
• Banana Republic “Sloan” pants in turquoise
• Banana Republic trench coat in navy
• Banana Republic eyelet dress in white
• NEW LOFT black dress: I couldn’t resist the eyelet lace on the bodice of this dress. It’s going to get a lot of wear on weekends and during our Belgian vacation.

Bags:

• Coach small saffiano leather satchel in black

Accessories:

• Eddie Borgo iridescent cone earrings (pre-ordered from Modi Operandi)
• Lele Sadoughi lotus bib necklace
• Vintage ring from Frippery Vintage
• Coach saffiano leather card case in peach rose
• Double pearl earrings via eBay
• NEW Tory Burch floral scarf: I’m sure this purchase came as no surprise, considering I featured the scarf in my sidebar almost all of last month. I’m so happy to finally own something in this botanical print, but now I need to figure out the art of tying a scarf.

Shoes:

• Gap striped flats
• Anthropologie palm-print flats
• Tory Burch “Desi” printed pumps
• NEW J.Crew striped loafers: I bought these during a recent 30% off promotion with a gift card Dave’s parents gave me for Christmas.

Gifted items:

• Randolph Engineering rose gold aviators
• Gerard Yosca statement necklace
• Emma McKinstry long pendant necklace
• Meghna Designs druzy ring
• Golden Thread arrowhead pendant
• Sammy dress double pearl choker
• Lacee Alexandra ring
• Haydren Reis beach bag
• Suzanne Kalan necklace
• NEW Rivet & Sway sunglasses
• NEW Peter Som for Kohl’s dress
• NEW Candie’s sandals
• NEW Apt. 9 crossbody bag
• NEW Apt. 9 sunglasses

If you’re curious about The French Wardrobe Challenge, I encourage you to peruse the archived posts. 

Are you taking part in The French Wardrobe Challenge this season? Let me know and I’ll link to your post below. (It probably goes without saying, but I’d love it if you linked back to my posts too.)

Two of the three new items below were purchased on March 31, the day before my self-imposed shopping ban. For the next 30 days, I vowed to refrain from purchasing new clothing and accessories…and would have succeeded if it weren’t for the ASOS skirt I spotted on Pinterest. (A midi skirt! In white! With a sheer panel!) It was on sale at the time for around $50 and while I felt guilty pulling the trigger, I knew it’d be a piece I’d wear throughout the season to update my wardrobe. (I usually shy away from trends, but this piece is still ladylike enough to fit within my classic aesthetic.)

In retrospect, though, I wish I had stuck it out through the last week. It’s really difficult to break a habit of unconscious consumerism, especially in a culture that’s all about the newest, shiniest thing. That said, I eventually started appreciating what I already have instead of yearning for what I have yet to own. I have plenty of pieces in my wardrobe that could last a lifetime if I take care of them and I’m really grateful that I’ve made those selections.

Which brings me to my biggest sartorial observation (or maybe just annoyance): shopping for clothes shouldn’t be like grocery shopping. It shouldn’t be a weekly habit, it shouldn’t impulsive and it sure as hell shouldn’t be careless. It should be special. Every item that you bring into your wardrobe should be something you’ll love long after the initial shopping euphoria wears off. Don’t get me wrong, though, special pieces don’t have to be expensive. I’m enamored with that ASOS skirt because it’s a trendy piece that elevates my existing spring wardrobe. That makes it special regardless of the price tag. (Besides, I’m not really in a position to spend $550 on a Tibi version anyway.)

Taking a break from shopping also made me reevaluate the missing link in my wardrobe: more day dresses! I’m crazy about this Tory Burch dress, but I know DVF’s relaxed silk jersey dresses (like this one) will get more mileage. It’s something I’m keeping in mind for May. Until then, here’s the French Wardrobe Challenge recap for April:

THE RULES

1. Just five standout pieces per season. (There are two “seasons” for this purpose: spring/summer and fall/winter.)
2. Quality over quantity.
3. Basics don’t count.
4. Accessories don’t count, unless you’re spending a lot more than usual.
5. Socks and underwear don’t count.
6. Shoes do count. (I’m not counting shoes, though.)

MY PROGRESS

Part of my five:

• J.Crew Factory botanical-print shorts
• NEW ASOS midi skirt in sheer check

Basics:

• J.Crew 5” chino shorts in navy
• J.Crew merino Tippi sweater in heather grey
• J.Crew fit and flare dress in haven blue
• J.Crew lightweight merino v-neck sweater in grey
• Banana Republic “Sloan” pants in turquoise
• NEW Banana Republic trench coat in navy: I ordered this on March 31, before my self-imposed shopping ban went into effect. The fabric has a waxy sheen that makes it feel more elevated than your standard-issue trench. I’m also a sucker for the striped lining and magenta piping inside. Great quality and well worth the purchase.
• NEW Banana Republic eyelet dress in white: I’m a little torn with calling this a basic since it’s a summery eyelet. However, I’ve wanted a white dress for three years. It’s a classic piece that I expect to wear again and again. (Interested in it? Go up a size. It runs tiny in the chest and I wear an A cup!)

Bags:

• Coach small saffiano leather satchel in black

Accessories:

• Eddie Borgo iridescent cone earrings (pre-ordered from Modi Operandi)
• Lele Sadoughi lotus bib necklace
• Vintage ring from Frippery Vintage
• Coach saffiano leather card case in peach rose
• Double pearl earrings via eBay

Shoes:

• Gap striped flats
• Anthropologie palm-print flats
• Tory Burch “Desi” printed pumps

Gifted items:

• Randolph Engineering rose gold aviators
• Gerard Yosca statement necklace
• Emma McKinstry long pendant necklace
• Meghna Designs druzy ring
• NEW  Golden Thread arrowhead pendant: For some reason, this little arrowhead charm makes me want to go on a road trip! The gal behind the line is also pretty great. You’ll meet her in an upcoming “Behind the Baubles.”
• NEW  Sammy dress double pearl choker: It retails for $4, so let’s just say you’d get what you pay for. However, it’s a fun, non-committal way to experiment with the pearl trend. I’ll post more about it in the coming weeks.
• NEW Lacee Alexandra ring: Fantastic quality. This little stacking ring has been on my index finger everyday since I received it. (It’s even in the photo above.)
• NEW Haydren Reis beach bag: I can’t wait to feature this. It’s a lightweight tote that folds flat for easy storage in a suitcase.

Recent items that I tried on:

• Banana Republic eyelet shift dress: I had my eye on this dress since BR’s spring preview last fall and I really wanted this to work. I tried my regular size 8, then sized up to a 10 and a 12. Each size was too tight around my hips. This is definitely for the ladies with straight figures.
• Bauble Bar pearl collar necklace: I posted this with last month’s roundup as a new purchase, but I was disappointed with it in person—not surprising, though, I’m not really a fan of Bauble Bar. As with many of their items, this was overpriced for the quality. Maybe I still have Gerard’s tips in mind. This isn’t the best I can afford and it’s not a piece I’m looking to build a collection with. If it’s your cup of tea, it was available at Jeweliq for less money. (I’m not sure if it’ll come back in stock, though.)

If you’re curious about The French Wardrobe Challenge, I encourage you to peruse the archived posts. 

Are you taking part in The French Wardrobe Challenge this season? Let me know and I’ll link to your post below. (If you could also link back to Bedknobs & Baubles so we can build a little community of French Wardrobers, I’d appreciate it!)

I’ve been a little too fast and loose with the debit card lately, so I’m placing one more order to try a navy trench and a couple of white dresses to try (here and here), then I’m kicking off “No Shop April” (I tried to come up with a catchier name, but that’s the best I’ve got).* Thirty days of resisting clothing and ignoring gemstones sounds like an ideal way to get my savings back on track and continue evaluating the missing links in my wardrobe.

*I’m totally breaking this promise if I earn enough money on the blog and eBay to buy this Tory Burch scarf.

THE RULES

1. Just five standout pieces per season. (There are two “seasons” for this purpose: spring/summer and fall/winter.)
2. Quality over quantity.
3. Basics don’t count.
4. Accessories don’t count, unless you’re spending a lot more than usual.
5. Socks and underwear don’t count.
6. Shoes do count. (I’m not counting shoes, though.)

MY PROGRESS

Part of my Five:

• J.Crew Factory botanical-print shorts

Basics:

• J.Crew 5” chino shorts in navy
• J.Crew merino Tippi sweater in heather grey
• NEW J.Crew fit and flare dress in haven blue: Even though there’s another color option actually labeled navy, haven blue is pretty close to the navy I have in my closet. I was worried that the fabric would be too shiny for day, but it’s very subtle. It looks darling with the Sam Edelman flats I bought a couple of months ago and it has pockets. (I don’t think it’s worth the full price of $200. I paid $150, which still might be high for it. If you can snag it at $100, go for it.) It also attracts pet hair like no other.
• NEW J.Crew lightweight merino v-neck sweater in grey: I wanted another v-neck sweater and fell for this one. It’s incredibly soft and the slightly oversized fit (I sized up to a medium) is so appealing.
• NEW Banana Republic “Sloan” pants in turquoise: Okay, so this isn’t an obvious basic (and actually sticks out like a sore thumb on my Pinterest board), but I wear my navy and black pairs to work all of the time. I wanted a bright color to liven up humdrum work days this spring. I also only paid $10 after a discount code and two reward coupons.

Bags:

• Coach small saffiano leather satchel in black

Accessories:

• Eddie Borgo iridescent cone earrings (pre-ordered from Modi Operandi)
• Randolph Engineering rose gold aviators (c/o)
• Lele Sadoughi lotus bib necklace
• Vintage ring from Frippery Vintage
• Coach saffiano leather card case in peach rose
• NEW Double pearl earrings via eBay
• NEW Gerard Yosca statement necklace (c/o)
• NEW Emma McKinstry long pendant necklace (c/o)
• NEW Meghna Designs druzy ring (c/o)
• NEW Bauble Bar pearl collar necklace

Shoes:

• Gap striped flats
• Anthropologie palm-print flats
• NEW Tory Burch “Desi” printed pumps: These were a complete impulse purchase and I love everything about the mod, ’60s-style shoe. A low, block heel is practical and navy stripes are versatile in my closet.

Ordered and Returned:

• J.Crew 5” chino shorts in white: sheer enough to see the pocket lining
• Gap striped fit and flare dress in navy and white stripe: I wanted to replace a striped dress I got rid of during The Great Closet Cleanout that had seen better days. This dress runs at least a full size too big and the quality of the thin, unlined cotton dress isn’t even worth the $36 I paid. It’s a bummer because the cut of the dress has a lot of potential.
• J.Crew scallop crepe dress: I tried this on in store and really wanted to love it, but it didn’t flatter my body type. If you have a full bust and slim hips, I urge you to try it on. It really is adorable.

If you’re curious about The French Wardrobe Challenge, I encourage you to peruse the archived posts. 

Are you taking part in The French Wardrobe Challenge this season? Let me know by the 15th of the month and I’ll link to your post below.