jeudi 21 mars 2013

Spring ahead

No matter what the calendar says it's still very fresh if not cold and wet. So I think that for a while, winter clothes will remain in center stage and provide the main source for daily dressing, unless (fingers crossed) there's a drastic meteorological change for the better! 

For the time being, not willing to spend on items that will remain in the closet till better/warmer/sunnier days come, what focuses my attention is:
  •  shoes... I go for the walkable, versatile not overly expensive kind and overall wearable (almost) right now.
Like these cap toe Loafers. I've spotted them a few weeks ago. Since then, my imagination has been on automatic. They would be quite easy to blend with my other clothes and I can see them working with so many options that I've almost managed to make them virtually mine till pay day.

 loafers by Jonak (69 euros)

 

Still in the flats department, h&m dropped a few real leather shoes including these ones bellow with a clear reminiscent mix of Céline's loafers and The Row Pre-fall 2013...

 loafers by h&m (49,95 €) - credit: hm.com

I went to check them out after work last wednesday:


I like them a lot and I'm usually not a big fan of pointy shoes, especially flats... They give off a sophisticated vibe and would look great with what I wear on a daily basis: (capri) skinny pants, jeans of course, maybe channel Alexa Chung with my pleated Zara skirt and a sweater...

Then, there are the classic ankle boots.

I've been wearing to death my black Colisée de Sacha boots and it seems I've been on the lookout for new ones for a long time but there's always an obstacle, something that makes me either miss the "right" ones or at least hesitate.

For example, in theory, I'd love to get the Rag and Bone Durham or the Hope Macy boots but the price combined with their online only availability make me timid to make the purchase. I've also considered the Acne Pistols for a time but find them a bit too trendy, identifiable and maybe not the best choice for the office so I got over them. Instead I've been looking at reasonably priced local shoe stores and found these classic with a twist boots.


boots by Minelli (129 euros) - credit: minelli.fr


A bit of trendy perforated leather but as for the rest, the lines are clean, the height is praticable and from the few steps I made, they seemed quite comfortable. A serious contender, if not the only one for the time being.

  • Little things...
You know, cute little clothes. Mostly, usually tops. Clothes that subtly inject a bit of novelty without being the in your face fashion statement of the season. Kind of the equivalent of comfort food: it's familiar, lovely and satisfies the cravings without breaking the bank.

See, I like the black and white trend (is it even one? Isn't it the most classic pairing?), I like a bit of print so just like last year with my Helba blouse, I fell for this safe blouse. I haven't bought it yet. Still pondering the need versus want factor...


Isabel Marant Etoile "Stacey" blouse (120 euros)

Something, I didn't hesitate on for more than a few seconds is this h&m cashmere scarf. This one is warm, soft, light and thus great for the in-between season and the powdery yet neutral color will brighten up any outfit so that I can store away the dark ones I wore all winter. 


credit: hm.com

Voilà, I'm not jumping ahead of spring but looking, trying, considering a few items and try to remain focused on what I truly need. What about you ? Do you have a plan? A priority for spring shopping?

15 commentaires:

  1. I recently bought some new glasses so that's one planned buy off my list. It was a considerable splurge for me, but I was willing to spend the money since I wear them every day.

    One thing I hope to cross off my list this year or next is a pair of suede chukka boots. I have a nice pair from Topshop but the hole is getting ridiculous. It's not really a pressing need though so I'm going to take my time until I find the right pair.

    I have to say thos H&M shoes look nice, but I like the softer feel of the first pair from Jonak.

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    1. Not to be candid but as I'm near sighted too and always appalled by the prices of glasses, I can relate! I actually really enjoy shopping for glasses, it's such a familiar and personal item. What kind of glasses did you get ? I've already had tortoise-like oval framed and the ones I have now are black rimmed rectangular. I feel like going for a bit of both... tortoise but rectangular...

      About the h&m loafers, I've tried them again but I'm not sure about the comfort factor. If money wasn't a concern I would get them and the Jonak but I'd rather invest in shoes I'm sure won't hurt!

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  2. i love your jonak loafers! can't resist a two tone cap toe :) am totally feeling a streamlined loafer/dandy flat these days.

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    1. Thanks! The two tone cap is pretty trendy but I like the classic feel of it. I agree with you about loafers, also isn't it the perfect work to casual downtime shoe?

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  3. Wow, even for an H&M fan like me, I was pretty impressed both by the flats and the cashmere scarf. Cashmere?! From H&M?! Way to go. And the flats look gorgeous. I'm actually super uncomfortable in flats myself, for some reason they really make my back ache, but I still admire them from afar, and those look great. Always nice to find such affordable options. And if you're still looking for a black ankle boot, I don't know if you've seen this post before but I did a pretty thorough roundup a few months back:

    http://bit.ly/WDBPCz

    Yeah, I'm that compulsive!

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    1. H&m delivered a range of "premium quality" items and the effort is commendable. The scarf in my opinion is really worth it. Well I've washed it, wore it once and it's holding up so far. I'm more reserved about the shoes but it's certainly better than the usual synthetic ones that are sold.

      About shoes, I did read your recap about your quest for boots a few weeks ago and that was so helpful! That's partially from your post that the R&B Newbury obsession started...

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  4. What a pity you can't find driving shoes! I've actually seen a few models in shoe stores but not in navy though... It's such a classic and especially now that Tods is becoming "hype" again, I'm sure it will trickle down to a more affordable range.
    I think some of the h&m within Paris are very well stocked and I work in a very commercial/touristic area so it has its advantages...

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  5. I love all three pairs of shoes; the perforated leather on the boots is an especially great detail. I also pined for the Acne Pistols for many moons, but decided not to pull the trigger in the end. They were definitely a tad too trendy and "cool" for me.

    I have found very little spring inspiration at this point; the cold weather has been halting any thoughts in that department. I hope to sit down soon with a stack of magazines and books and plan out spring style/purchases.

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    1. Thanks! Did you get another pair of boots instead of the Acne? I like the design of the Pistols but I agree they're a bit too "out there". It's like the Isabel Marant Dickers, I still love them but wear them less frequently now that they've been so overexposed.
      I can relate with the weather obstructing any spring style plan. It's desperately cold here too, think negative /single digit celsius degree... At this point I would settle for the storage of gloves and beanies.

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  6. I LOVE the shoe options, all of them in fact. I have always had a weakness for a cute pointy flat as well, so I definitely endorse your purchase should you decide to get them!

    I bought the tall version Acne Pistols earlier this year and finally had them resoled at the cobbler after a horrific incident with slippery leather soles and the smooth steps in my apartment building.... They're beautiful and I broke them in the first day with 8 hours of wear and had no blisters or bruises. They're a lovely greenish/gray color and so quite neutral and go with just about everything (including my JD Billy, which is almost identical in color).

    Anyway, I'm also in the market for a cashmere scarf and I've just purchased a new leather jacket that I'm excited to wear this spring. Looking forward to NOT spending anymore money this spring :)

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    1. Going for a different color than basic black adds some much more pizzazz and that's great to get feedback regarding the Pistol especially about quality and comfort.
      What kind of leather jacket did you get? My own ASOS/Rick Owens style is starting to pill a bit so I was considering replacing it but like you, I'm trying not to spill my money on every item I have a crush on....

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  7. All of the shoes look great. Casual, but still really pretty. Over the holidays I was gifted a lightweight cashmere scarf in that same color. It's so perfect for spring!

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    1. I really feel like focusing on footwear, it's really my major envy for spring.
      Heard spring was actually kicking off in NYC, that's so great! Winter clothes are still very much the news du jour in Paris...

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  8. I'm debating on ordering the H&M flats but am torn between the nude and the black. They are each to their own.

    I had my eye on the Stacey blouse earlier in the year but in the red colour way. It looks good on you here - can I ask what size you are wearing? I'm trying to gauge the sizing and how do you find it fits?

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    1. The nude are great too but with my skin tone I prefer the black ones.

      Thanks about the IME blouse, the size was 36 and it was quite comfortable, the fit is not narrow at the bust so I felt at ease.

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