French Five: Fall/Winter Edition
This season I'm totally jumping on the French Five bandwagon. I had a hard time committing to this concept early in the year although I had every intention on doing so. For the past few months, I've been talking about choosing well and spending less, about creating signature pieces and building a timeless wardrobe, and although I have kept true to those words, I have been spending too much money on the little things. A thing I have learned about style is that it has nothing to do with acquiring the new "it" bag or shoes. It's about creating your own signature style and knowing your lifestyle to be able to choose pieces that will prove to be good investments.These five items are also fitting with my movement to a more minimal lifestyle. And it just so happened that it was in a way inspired by this Emerson Fry look. It's time to invest in bigger pieces that I know will prove to be versatile and offer many outfit options. This, or a version of this, may just turn to be my fall/winter uniform. I'm also switching my signature scent for the new season with a bottle of Balenciaga.My French Five Fall/Winter Edition 20141. Black FedoraThe winter version of a Panama hat.Investment: Rag & Bone Wide Brim Fedora $195, Splurge: Janessa Leone Rhonda Wool Felt Fedora $170, and Save: J. Crew Classic Fedora $65 or Zara Wool Hat $60.2. Boyfriend CoatIt's tailored and can be dressed up with heels or ballet flats, but wear it with a pair of Vans or sneakers and it's looks just as sharp.Investments: Vince Hooded Coat $695, Emerson Fry Tailored Coat $475, Splurge: J. Crew Wool Melton Boyfriend Short $250 {25% off with code SHOPTIME}, Save: Zara Straight Cut Coat $1493. Cable-knit SweaterA basic staple in the fall and winter. Wear it with jeans, leather leggings, a skirt, or pair it with black leather shorts - the options are endless.Club Monaco, J. Crew, Banana Republic and Gap are usually my go-to for sweaters. I'm thinking of ordering this one from Zara and looking at this high-neck version too. I also have my eye on this sweater for Thanksgiving.Investments: Rebecca Taylor Cable Knit Pullover $395, Joie Greer Sweater $338, Rachel Zoe Rocco Sweater $295, Save: Gap Cable Knit Sweater $604. High-Rise Skinny JeansI live in jeans all-year round, but I have been wanting to add a high-rise blue jean to my collection. I could wear these every day. And although these are not high-rise, they are perfect for the new season.Madewell High-Rise Skinny Jeans {love these in black}5. Black Ballet FlatsI'm biased to the classic look and a black pair is pretty much a must. I don't know how I have survived the last two years without a pair of black ballerinas, but this season I'm definitely snatching up a pair of the Josefinas.Investment: Repetto Ballet Flats $265, Splurge: Josefinas Portugual €129.00, Save: J. Crew Kiki Ballet Flats $150Other items for you to consider for fall and winter:LeatherJ. Crew Collection Leather Laser Cut Top $550, J.Crew Collection Plaza Skirt $595, Zara Faux Leather Mini Skirt with Slits $59.90, Gap Quilted Leather Moto Jacket $328, Zara Biker Jacket $99, Club Monaco Tasha Leather Legging $149.50 {I have them and love them!}Plaid & CheckedRachel Zoe Dean Top $275, Equipment Riley Tee $178, Checkmate Pullover $118 {love!}, Nicholas Digital Print Silk Sweater $109 {on sale}, J. Crew Factory Plaid Shirt $64.50 {on sale}, Zara Checked Shirt $49.90White ShirtsSteven Alan Austen Oxford Shirt $178, J. Crew Endless White Shirt $88, Zara White Shirt $39.90ShoesTory Burch Simone Riding Boots $495, Rag & Bone Newbury Booties $525, Kate Spade Lissie Heels $350, J. Crew Elsie Heels $245, J. Crew Harper Scalloped Flats $128, J. Crew Harper Wrinkled Flats $158OtherMy fall/winter signature scent will be Balenciaga and I'm loving this Rebecca Minkoff bag for the new season.