When you covet that which does not suit you

The practice of Spring Cleaning is wonderful. Hours of cleaning every last corner of every cupboard are rewarded with the lovely fresh scent of true, pure cleanliness permeating the house.

And, as one of the biggest parts of spring cleaning is getting rid of clutter and generally anything that you don't need, there is a sense of almost karmic lightness, afterwards. (Probably also because you're exhausted and lightheaded

However. Clothes. The sheer mention of putting away my winter clothes in order to replace them with their floaty summery relatives makes my mood drop a few degrees, despite the seasonal new additions to last (few) year's "classics". Because the ritual of rotation confirms what I like to ignore: that I still buy things I will never wear. Every price ticket still attached to some dress or jacket from last (who am I kidding? Previous!) years makes pretending that I am getting closer to the concept of a stylish, grown up capsule wardrobe futile. I am not even sure if magazines still do the occasional "10 classic pieces that make 500 outfits that take you everywhere"?

http://lovelifefashion.com/2014/01/13/2014-the-year-of-your-capsule-wardrobe/

So, obviously, some things have to go. I know the rules - anything you haven't worn in two (ONE?) years, out. Unless you really, really love it and it evokes some wonderful memories. Unfortunately, for me that applies even to clothes I have never worn. (Plus, last year the UK summer weather was horrendous, resulting in many a summer dress staying in my wardrobe, warm and dry) I remember exactly when and why I bought them, and what occasions or combinations I was thinking of at the time.

And now the most excruciating fashion truth even worse than the one that you never slimmed down into that Herve Leger bandage dress in XSmall, now to be avoided at all cost anyway unless you want to be a "Real Housewive" - that there are certain clothes that no matter how much I love them, how skinny I am, how reduced they were in the sale, they will never suit me. Truth hurts, so it does, but I do occasionally admire, lust after and inevitably buy clothes that do not look good on me.
There is some consolation in the fact that, as fashion goes, I have the suspicion that not a single woman in this world can actually "wear everything" and make it look good in real life. On photos in a magazine, yes, thanks to clever contortions. On the runway, possibly. On the run to tube or bus, on your way to the office? Haha!

DELPOZO floral print dress

So. Yet again, I know, but here it is, updated for 2014, my new summer season resolution:

I shall not covet (and certainly not purchase) that which does not suit me. 

I know my body shape, size and age, so really there is no excuse.

Wish me luck!
xox


P.S.: A fabulous article on how to put away your winter clothes properly is this one here.

Duchess of Cambridge's Tory Burch "Paulina" Dress

It is not a secret that I love all things Tory Burch, - literally (although I have not tried their new perfume yet). The clothes are wonderful, the bags lust-after worthy and the shoes have rightfully become very popular here in the UK, too.

So while I am not a Kate watcher (to clarify - one of those who look at whatever Kate Middleton aka the Duchess of Cambridge wears and HAS TO immediately find out "who she is wearing" and, if possible, purchase it. You know what I'm talking about), BUT when I saw the photos of her carrying baby George at  at an official appearance in New Zealand during the three-week Royal Tour I did swoon over the beautiful, very ladylike "Paulina" dress by Tory Burch she was wearing. At the time of writing this there was only one left in a size XS on the Tory Burch website here 

That is if you are comfortable with the £390.00 price tag. If you are in the USA, I think there is a sale on and you could snap up this dress for a very reasonable $237.00.

Is it just me or could this dress be Chanel in another life?

It just become so much more reasonable ;)