Apparently a seasonal transition was carte blanche to purchase as many spring items as possible. There were so many tempting sales and new releases that I loved too much to risk having sell out, which led to an early dent in my spring/summer wardrobe. Going through a ruthless closet cleanout and then taking the time to work on a comprehensive spring and summer plan has been a huge asset. The pieces I bought so far are exactly what I want; they’re great quality (for the most part—the Gap flats could be better), and they’re very “me.” (Honestly, though, I spent a boatload of money. The next couple of months are going to be sparse.)

A few things to note this time around:

• I started a Pinterest board for my spring/summer purchases, which has already proved to be helpful. Before pulling the trigger, I’ve added items to the board to see how it coordinates with the rest of the items. It helps me stay accountable to my plan and it’s reassuring to see that each item coordinates with each other. 
• I’m pickier when accepting gifted items and you’ll now see each of those listed below. Quite frankly, I don’t want to waste space in our apartment on an item I’m not smitten with. 
• I’m adding a quick note about the items I ordered and returned. 
• If you’re eager to give The French Wardrobe Challenge a whirl this time, send over a link to your progress by the 15th of each month (either in the comments or via email at jessica@bedknobsandbaubles.com). I’ll add the link to this post and share your post on Twitter and Facebook. The challenge isn’t ideal for everyone, but you might want to give it a shot if you’re feeling overwhelmed and dissatisfied with your own wardrobe.

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: a flat front with a side zip makes them ultra flattering

Basics:

• J.Crew 5” chino shorts in navy
• J.Crew merino tippi sweater in heather grey: These are my all-time favorite sweaters. They’re versatile and I wear them with everything. It was also on sale for $30 after shipping.

Bags:

• Coach small saffiano leather satchel in black: my 2014 tax return splurge (I had a coupon for $100 off of a $300+ purchase, so I also bought the card case listed below.)

Accessories:

• Eddie Borgo iridescent cone earrings: pre-ordered from Modi Operandi
• Randolph Engineering rose gold aviators (c/o)
• Lele Sadoughi lotus bib necklace: I had a coupon for $50 off a $100+ purchase and couldn’t resist this sale find.
• Vintage ring from Frippery Vintage: she found this on her trip to Italy
• Coach saffiano leather card case in peach rose: love using these in clutches

Shoes:

• Gap striped flats: after a coupon and a discount code, these came to $26
• Anthropologie palm-print flats

Ordered and Returned:

• J.Crew 5” chino shorts in white: sheer enough to see the pocket lining

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