Fantasy Fashion Closet for Spring 2013
Last fall, I made a similar list and you all were quite helpful with finding some of the pieces. I also found creating such a post useful in that it helped me define my personal style for the upcoming season. To see all my wants together is very telling and helps me know what direction to go in with purchases, what to bring into my closet that season, and what to keep packed away for next year.
Full Skirt with Pockets. Lightweight cotton, proper waistband, hits just below the knee, full but not too full (like my Talbots skirt). In fact, I thought I found the perfect skirt, from Talbots, via eBay. It was supposedly yellow and the image made it look like a light springy mustard shade that I thought would look fantastic with navy and white striped tees, or a simple white tank and raffia belt. Nope, the color was more like pea soup or baby diaper. Not sure what to do with it, because it is a bit yellow (in that baby diaper sort of way), but not in a way I would want on my body (or anywhere else in my life). I don’t think dying it will give a good result, but I’m holding on until I find some creative way to make it fabulous. And until then, I am looking for a full skirt with pockets.
Crisp White Shirt. Wow, this seems to be on my list every season. Last year Foxcroft was kind enough to send me one, but it’s a bit too big and looks a bit sloppy when not knotted at the waist. I don’t want skin-tight, I just want a feminine fit that still closes properly at the bustline and is not transparent. Oh, and no chest pockets – I have enough going on up there.
Dark Ankle Jeans. I don’t want skinny, I don’t want bootcut, I want dark, saturated real denim with weight, a classic style, that hits at my ankles so I can wear them with flats. Easier said than done with my wide calves and solid thighs. Think I may need to get a pair tailored to work.
White Ankle Jeans. Same fit and weight as the dark denim, but in pure white with white seams and few details.
Maxi Wrap Dress. I have loved the DVF ones for a long time and recently saw this one on Style Pantry and now I crave one. Either black or green, or some fun print that can dress up and down. Do I need this? No, but this is a FANTASY closet!
Western Shirt. I have a chambray shirt that is well-loved, but would like a shirt that is a bit more fitted, and has snaps and Western seaming and details.
Short-sleeved Ponte Dress. I’d like something sort of like this dress I own, but not as deep of a neckline, a skirt that hits just below the knee, and has pockets. ASOS has a similar concept but no pockets and from ordering this ponte skirt from them I can bet right now that this dress will be too long in length and torso. If ASOS has Petite 10, I’d be all over it. As for color… black of course is great but would also love navy, a shade of green, maybe coral. Something I can dress up for work with a scarf and heeled sandals or wear on a weekend with leather thongs.
Beaded Flat Sandals. Many moons ago, I had the most perfect leather and beaded thong sandals. I got them from Victoria’s Secret, but they were from another brand. They fit my wide feet, were comfortable, and looked great peeking out of jeans or with sundresses. I wore them to death… and die they did in a stinky broken threads and missing beads death. A couple weeks ago I went into Ross and found some beaded sandals in an 8W for $12.99; I was wearing boots and socks so I didn’t try them on but bought them. They are… fine. They are faux leather and look like it and wrinkle strangely on top and I would just like a new pair like my old pair from ten years ago to pair with beat up jeans and that Western shirt.
Gauzy White Tunic. Feel the vibe going on here for spring? I want a white gauzy shirt with white embroidery on it, three-quarter sleeves that aren’t too fitted but aren’t batwing. A tad sheer, but not too sheer to wear with a nude tee shirt bra. Something that hits mid-hip, slits on the slides so it doesn’t hug the bum. Something to throw on with denim cutoffs or jeans, or even belt and wear with a maxi skirt. In fact, I owned this very shirt in college and lost it, it was from Contempo Casuals and far cooler than the store name.
Wedge Sandals. I just ordered these from Sofft and they are too metallic. I’d like either a beige/tan color or a muted metallic that can work with dresses as well as jeans. Flats aren’t comfortable for me for long periods of time, and a slight wedge makes sandals more appropriate for the office. Nothing too high, straps not too skinny to dig into my toes, no slingback (I don’t have enough curve in my ankle to hold up the sling), no ankle strap, no fake laminate on the wedge to pretend it’s wood or cork (though real cork would be warmly welcomed), just a simple wedge sandal for spring.
Whether I buy these things is another story. Often when I actually start dressing for the season, I find some of these items not necessary or inappropriate for my life. However this is the direction I am going in for spring – a bit boho, a bit classic, a lot of solids in clear colors mixed with denim and neutrals and the accessories taking center stage.
What are you feeling for spring?
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Wedge sneakers but not with 3″ heels. I think I’ve glommed onto Converse’s wedge sneakers 🙂
I’ve been really happy with Lands End button-down shirts – they’re the first in years that have fit me properly – but since I suspect I have the opposite problem you do with sleeves, I don’t know if that’ll be helpful for you. I’m 5’10” with long arms and wear a size 22 in Lands End shirts (and a 42G bra), and most “long” sleeves on tailored shirts look like unintentional and uncomfortable 3/4 sleeves. Not so for theirs, though. (Maybe they’d work for you in petite?)
In fact, they’re up there on my wish list for spring. A few nice button-down shirts in a variety of colors.
The rest of my wish list:
– Figuring out the whole tights and hose thing and purchasing accordingly. Some nice solid black probably to start.
– A pair of black Mary Janes that I actually like and feel comfortable in, since the ones I have right now seem to be hurting my feet. 🙁 Though if we’re totally in wish-list territory, maybe something a bit quirkier than basic black – I saw a black and white pair that I thought was really cute and can’t get out of my head.
– More Doc Marten oxfords, and maybe a pair of their boots. I love my silver 1461s but they don’t go with *everything*, much as I like to pretend they do.
– A twin sweater set that looks and fits and feels awesome, probably in bright raspberry or bright teal.
– One pair of really nice bootcut dark blue jeans.
– Two long somewhat bohemian dresses, from HolyClothing.com or similar, one black and one something-other-than-black. Short sleeves, mid-calf or ankle length.
– Some fun jewelry, that I’ll know when I see it.
– A new hairstyle. 🙂
I would love to find a pair of dark ankle jeans – please keep us informed!
I did find a pair of white ankle jeans – not too skinny and hit exactly at my ankle not like the model. The cotton is quite thick, so I really don’t have to worry about panty lines or color. http://www.talbots.com/online/browse/product_details.jsp?id=prdi30284&rootCategory=cat70008&catId=cat1250051&sortKey=Default§ion=Regular&conceptIdUnderSale=cat70008
I just got the NYDJ Haydens in petite and I am loving them so far, pretty much what I was looking for though not as heavy of a weight. Thanks for the Talbots suggestion!
OK, I have no specific shopping advice but now I totally want a white tunic 🙂
When I wanted ankle length jeans, I bought a pair in my size and favorite brand but chose a petite length. They fit the way you described and the length is perfect for flat shoes.
I usually wear petite so that won’t usually work, however I find NYDJ too short for me usually in petite and ordered the Hayden style in petite and it’s a good choice so far. Thank you!!
Believe it or not the Worthington Collection at JCPenny has always been my go to for white shirts. Not high quality, but they are cheap enough I can get two or 3 for the season (I think they are $16). They have a few different styles each year. They do run a bit small (or my bust is just too large) so I always size up. I tend to destroy white shirts so I don’t buy expensive ones. They end up with oil stains from salad dressing, mustard or just dirty sleeves and necks from sweating that no amount of washing will get out.
Thanks Lisa, I will check Worthington out!
I just got a pair of white “skinny leg ankle” jeans from New York and Company which might fit your needs. They are mid-rise, and while labeled “skinny,” I found them a little roomy in the thighs and calves. The stitching is all white, minimal design on the pockets. I am 5′ tall and would normally order petite, but the length is low ankle on me – I don’t like short jeans anyway! Inseam is 27.5″, they are 99% cotton, 1% spandex. Slight give, but I think they will keep their shape. Good luck!
I meant to add that I am normally a 14, I ordered 16, thinking WHITE JEANS, I don’t want them skin-tight!! The 16s fit well, glad I sized up. Even if they shrink a bit, they will look nice.
Thanks Anamarie, will check them out!
i would love to get some advice some city shorts, or bermuda shorts on here. Of course I may be way ahead in my thought process because Im in Texas and when Ya’ll are talking about snow, here its been 87 degrees one time already.
I’ll be honest I haven’t investigated shorts yet this year but I will soon and will write a post about it!
For the crisp white shirt, have you tried the perfect shirt from J. Crew? I see that right now they’re out of white in regular sizes, but do have white available in petites. I recently ordered this shirt in white (in tall) and love it! It has just a bit of stretch and skims the curves. http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Navigation/Sale/AllProducts/PRDOVR~29866/ENE~1+2+3+22+4294967294+20~~~17~15~all~mode+matchallany~~~~~perfect+shirt/29866.jsp
I haven’t had much luck with J. Crew fitting my bust and shoulders but I’ll admit I haven’t ordered one of their shirts in a while. Will check it out, thank you!!
Lucky Brand has a straight cut. I’m 5’3″ and a number of their jeans hit me at the ankle.
I was actually discussing Lucky Brand the other day with my husband. He has a pair and they are his favorites; I had a pair that wasn’t quite right for me but I did like the quality. Will have to give them another look, thank you!
Another blogger, Penny Chic just designed a line of LBD for Walmart. I know it’s Walmart, but the dressed are awesome and 2 fit the silhouette you are looking for. Best thing they are $20. Winner winner chicken dinner.:-)
I’m loving my dark rinse Ann Taylor loft modern straight jeans. The skinny is oh so too skinny, but the straight hits below my waist which I like and falls…well straight. Can cuff or not, which I also like. Plus they have vanity sizing which makes my rear feel smaller!
They ARE super cute and a good cut, though don’t seem to fit me quite right. But I am consistently impressed by their denim!
Terrific picks! You describe the exact jeans I’d like to find for myself, so I will be watching this space : >
Check out the NYDJ Hayden jean, I just got them today and like them so far though they aren’t as heavyweight of denim as I desired.
OK I’m so glad I’m not the only one who can’t wear slingbacks. No one else I know seems to have a problem with them. I must not have enough ankle curve to make them stay on either.
http://www.bravissimo.com/pepperberry/products/tops/shirts-and-blouses/3-4-sleeve-classic-shirt/white/pt174wht/?level=1&show=16&sort=1&exclusive=false&new=false&sale=false
This company are British but cater specifically for women with boobs. They offer international delivery.
Thanks!!
I don’t know if you ever shop there, but Macy’s has your dress. It’s by Anne Klein – short sleeves, higher neckline, full skirt. I think it comes in petite sizes. Available in black, but also some cute colors, including emerald green and a very Kate Middleton blue. Their website can be kind of a PITA, but you might want to have a look-see.
http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/anne-klein-dress-cap-sleeve-belted-textured-a-line?ID=636938&PseudoCat=se-xx-xx-xx.esn_results
If anybody manages to find a cute, full skirt with pockets like you’re talking about, I’ll probably pass out from the excitement. Especially if it is orange and under $100.
I think Gwynnie Bee has this very dress in their New Arrivals and ordered it to check it out. Thank yoU!
Maybe you could try putting lace over the full skirt to tone down the color.
i just got a fit and flare style dress from eshakti and it works so well on me that i want to fill my wardrobe with them for spring/summer. Unfortunately the customs bill makes eshakti too expensive and i can’t seem to find much of this style in Canada.
If you really love the skirt, take it to a tailor and let them take it apart and use it as a pattern to make you one just like it in any fabric you want!
For the last 2 summers, I’ve bought Clarks wedge sandals and have loved them. Comfy enough to walk 2-3 miles in my commute (seriously), and very cute. You have to be a bit picky about style, since some are not great, but if you’re looking for anything remotely bohemian, the Indigo line is good.
Thanks Michelle, will check them out!!