Bonne Manière

Malandrino Blouse, Carven Pleated Wool-Crepe Skirt, Miu Miu Shoes

There has been much discussion about the Five Piece French Wardrobe- a shopping philosophy modeled after how French women center their wardrobes around essentials and add a few (five) new purchases each season. You can read more about the Five Piece French Wardrobe- HERE. French women are known for their shopping expertise. Parisiennes manage to look chic and sophisticated by investing in a few quality pieces that fit well. There are practical reasons why French women buy less- there is a knowledge of quality, closets are incredibly small and clothing is expensive to name a few. 

Many perceive limiting purchases in this manner as a challenge, but it's how I was taught to think about my wardrobe. I don't adhere strictly to limiting my new purchases to five items, but I'm aware of my consumerism. I believe in connoisseurship when it comes to shopping. I'm always looking for pieces that fill in the gaps in my wardrobe. There's an art to building a wardrobe and it takes time and precision. 

I looked at Carven's pleated wool-crepe skirt on Net-A-Porter all Spring. I have a penchant for skirts. There is something about this skirt that is sophisticated, but also a bit whimsical. It reminds me of whiling away time in the Tuileries, however with a blouse and jacket this skirt could work in a professional setting. I greatly admire Guillaume Henry's resurrection of Carven. In just two years he has developed a well considered aesthetic with a very specific girl in mind. Intellectual bourgeois has been bantered about.  According to  Style.com "His girl may be proper—choosing skirts over pants, never saying no to a little white collar, opting to cover up rather than going bare (at least most of the time)—but she isn't dull." This describes my approach to dressing perfectly.

You can imagine my dismay when I finally decided that this skirt would be a welcome addition to my wardrobe, only to find it sold out in my size everywhere. On a whim and the gentleman's recommendation I went to Barneys expecting the skirt to it to be sold out. A quick scan of the rack turned up no skirt in my size, but a wonderful sales associate was able to track down the skirt. I'm looking forward to integrating this skirt into my wardrobe. Bonne Manière * indeed. 

*  Bonne Manière means to be properly dressed.