the sad state of my wardrobe and the depressing amount of money that has been wasted

In the past few years I have struggled with the size of my wardrobe and the amount that I spend on clothing. It seems like I was constantly going through a reinvention of my look - purging the pieces that were "no longer me" only to replace them with more that I would never end up wearing. My jobs have changed, the location I call home has changed, and my life has changed. I've gotten swept up in the craze of collecting items from designers who are shuttering their doors, only to rid myself of these hasty purchases for less than I paid. I went through a phase where I believed that I had to buy everything I tried on that looked good on me and fit well - that was quite a costly period. Frankly, a lot of things fit me well and look good on my body type, but that doesn't mean that I need to purchase them. And yet dressing everyday was a struggle. I never seem to have anything to wear.

At the same time as all of this, it became trendy to suddenly define your personal style and complete revamp your wardrobe to meet that vision. Thanks domino magazine and others for leaving me even more confused.

At least in pregnancy I stopped purchasing so much (save for a couple pairs of shoes) and now am realizing how much of what I have isn't suited to my lifestyle. I have a row of frocks that I adore, but I never wear! I work at home, have an infant who likes to spit up, I walk or bike everywhere and we really prefer to spend a lot of time at home. I cultivated an ideal of what I wanted my life to look like that then bought clothes to fit that image, only to realize that it was totally impractical.

So now I sit in front of my closet (the contents of which has thankfully been slowly dwindling) and wonder why I own 8 suits. Yes - 8. Three of them black and almost exact replicas of each other. So I am going to purge again. This time, I hope for good.

This fall I am going to make a list of the items I would like to round out my wardrobe. Pieces that fit my lifestyle and personality. I don't care that they are trendy, but would rather they are items that are made to last. I loathe the overconsumption tied to fashion and the driving need to constantly spend more, yet I don't think that I will ever be able to pull totally away from the feel of a garment or the intricacies of a seam, so I am going to attempt to define my style and fashion values. This will take time.

Project Number Two

This skirt keeps getting stuck in my head. The design is so simple and looks like something I would choose to wear everyday, but the lurex knit fabric keeps it interesting.

A Detacher Skye Skirt
Available here

Project Number One

Hmm. I could pay $265 for this or I could make my own. I prefer the latter.
Zucca Lily Yarn Knit Collar
available here

On Rompers

This romper phenomenon has taken awhile to catch hold of me. At first they just didn't seem to drape right. Then I started having flashbacks to my rowing days and memories of uncomfortable unisuits (because my torso is long and it took me too many years to discover that I could have an extra inch sewn in).

While perusing the Thursday Styles last week and analyzing an image of a Philip Lim jumpsuit, I suddenly realized the basis for my aversion - a photo at the end of my parents hallway. It is probably the summer in between fifth and sixth grades, so my sister is in second grade. A white cotton romper (that my mom thought was adorable) that was so uncomfortable because the torso was too short and I didn't know how to describe that uncomfortableness. Purple ribbon tied around the waist because the plain white belt was too boring. My chubby knees and thighs (because I am kneeling) stare out at me and still haunt me to this day. In reality I know that I don't have chubby knees, but this experience has somehow scarred my middle school self.

After I looked at this modern, grown-up version I suddenly understood. Rompers can be elegant, comfortable, effortless .. and still chic at the same time (and can also be found to accomodate my torso length).

Now that I will eternally regret having passed on the Mayle Josie romper, I am trying to decide between a few different versions. Any suggestions?

le bouton does it again

This is just about the most perfect outfit I can think of wearing as spring slowly awakens in the northeast. It would be even better in California right about now.

Over the past year I have ordered a few pieces from le bouton and have been impressed with the care and thought that goes into each one.

(via le bouton studio)