I live out of a suitcase…
Sometimes literally, as I commute between my Homebases… But what I really mean here is a certain attitude, or a way of looking at life. As in, I would like to fit all my (lovingly curated) belongings into one suitcase I can easily carry around (note: a suitcase, not cabin luggage…), i.e. go totally minimalistic with all my possessions and manage with less stuff…
We could talk about where I get this neurotic attitude (I have, after all, two homes in two different countries, and several employers and jobs), but this isn’t that kind of a blog, and I’m not that kind of a blogger. I prefer to keep my neuroses to myself, thank you very much.
However, we can talk about what this all means in terms of shopping, packing and wearing clothes. For example, I spent last weekend in London. It is a universally known fact that weather in London can be just about anything, but at some point it is going to rain. And true to form, Sunday was rainy, whereas Saturday was sunny and quite warm…
Now, if I was living what I preach, i.e. managing with less stuff (still learning, far from perfecting the method…), I would limit the number of bulky items (= one, coat, one bag, one pair of shoes only) and have a few basics and some lightweight accessories to change the look. And because the coat is quite pale (as am I), my accessories need to provide some colour to keep me from fading into the background…
Let’s recap: I would need to pack at least two tops, trousers, a skirt and a couple of scarves, 2-3 pairs of sunglasses (OK, nobody’s perfect: this is what I collect…), gloves/wristwarmers and an umbrella. Sounds good? So, this is outfit number one, and I’ll show you outfit number two on Sunday, OK?
I am wearing:
coat: Marks and Spencer (autumn-winter 2014, you’ve seen it before HERE)/ pashmina: Fraas (old) / skirt: Jigsaw , you’ve seen it before HERE / bag: Chanel / wristwarmers: Brora / umbrella: Liberty’s of London (old), you’ve seen it before HERE / ankle boots: Nero Giardini (autumn-winter 2014)
What about you, what’s your wardrobe philosophy, ‘less is more’ or ‘the more the better’?
Tiina
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Linking up with Throw Back Thursday, Fun Fashion Friday, Passion4Fashion, Visible Monday, Shoe and Tell
Funny post but your outfit is great! Petfect accessories!
Thanks, Martina!
Love the whole outfit, especially that coat. You must lead an interesting life living in two different places, and boy did it rain on sunday!Laurie
Thanks. Well, living in two places has its benefits (and some logistical challenges). But mostly it's just life as usual, doing whatever I usually do at home. The downside of having two homes is that I often only see my husband at weekends.
Lov the pops of color and interest in the scarf and the umbrella! Very fun … a perfect outfit to link up to FUN FASHION FRIDAY this week!OXOXDawn Lucyhttp://fashionshouldbefun.blogspot.com
Thanks. I love colour ( and my pale face certainly needs it), and I look forward to FUN FASHION FRIDAY.
Constantly packing up and moving around is difficult, that's for sure. There's the temptation to just wear all neutrals in order to keep it easy. But you infuse it all in lovely color. You are a beautiful pro at this traveling around business.
Thanks, Connie. Neutrals and me, we don't get along so well, that's why I always have some colour around my face. And packing… that's still a work-in-progress (I'm ashamed to admit, after all these years)
Your coat is gorgeous and I love your booties! The scarf and umbrella give you the perfect pop of color and add a fun element to this look!JillDoused In Pink
Thanks, Jill. Nothing brightens a winter day like pop of colour.
By the way, before I start, those boots are hot! Anyhoo.. I tend to overpack when travelling. If I can, I'd bring my whole closet but I learned through the years of trying to stick to my husband's rule of 1 person 1 bag (I always have the biggest and hog other's too) to be moderate. By moderate I mean 2 pairs of shoes plus a sandal, 2 types of bags and the list goes on from there. Winter travelling is the hardest to pack and I cannot wait to see your next ensemble from this packing list! Got to learn somewhere, right?
Thanks. I've been wearing these boots almost every day for a couple of months (winter…), so I'm getting a bit tired of them. Can't wait to get some spring shoes out! And packing… I also overpack, I always have items I won't even wear. But they do fit into a suitcase, and in our case it's my husband who has the bigger suitcase…
I would rather have less that is good quality, than a bunch of just "stuff". I can't imagine traveling back and forth between houses all the time. I would always forget something at the "other" place.
I agree: quality over quantity. It's easier to keep track of what you have this way, too. Still, having two homes means that whatever I need is usually in the 'other' place, and I have to improvise.
I have never been to London, but heard about packing for rain. Love your coat, such a pretty color and love your sig orchid color on you as well. from the link up, please stop by, jess xxhttp://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com/
London is definitely worth a visit, if you ever have a chance. Thanks for your kind comment. You made me realise that I do wear orchid colour quite a bit… But I love it.
Lovely outfit Tiina, the coat looks great, love the color and that's one very stylish umbrella you've got there. xo
Thank you, Elsie. I find the colour beautiful, too, but a bit problematic for someone as pale as me, hence the accessories…
You must be a professional at packing! I do love the pop of colors with these accessories, even your umbrella matches!Thank you for joining TBT Fashion Link up. Have a great weekend and hope to see you next week!Alicewww.happinessatmidlife.com
Well, packing is always a challenge, but I'm learning…
Something magical about that photo of you with your umbrella… reminded me of Mary Poppins. 🙂 Again, wonderful look! You know how to do it – creating very different moods or attitudes with the same basic look. This one is a bit enigmatic. The first one was romantic, a little nostalgic even. The third one is slightly edgy and just a bit tomboyish.I lived with the philosophy "less is more" for the biggest part of my life – first, just because that's the way we lived in the ex USSR, you get used to it and then it gets under your skin, you don't even think of it… It started changing for me just about a couple of years ago – and not consciously. I just found myself being interested in style after a period of indifference to this field, and now my attitude is far from minimalistic. I absolutely get the idea of a minimalistic wardrobe, and if I had to, I could reorganize my wardrobe and live that way. But it would take fun out of dressing up spontaneously and accordingly to my this moment mod or feeling. I think it the difference between a practical and artistic approach. I often compare it to an art studio where you can find a wide variety of paints, pencils, different types of paper etc. You might not use some of it often, but at times that's exactly what you need, so instead of going and buying it when you need it, you just find it in your closet. I think both approaches are just fine, it depends what you as a stylista/fashionista feels connection to at this particular period of your life.
Thank you Natalia.Yes, it's interesting how clothes can reflect moods. Some days a certain look just feels wrong, and I've sometimes changed my entire outfit to fit the mood of the day (that's why I hardly ever plan outfits beforehand). I can see how your background has influenced your approach to style: when life changes, you change, and if there are more opportunities to experiment, you let your creativity loose. Maybe, if I ever stop commuting and actually have all my clothes in one place, I will start collecting a huge amount of clothes…
I am of the philosophy, also, that less is more. In real life however it doesn't always work out so smoothly. I like your outfit very much! Thanks for sharing with Visible Monday, xo.
Thanks, Patti. Yes, real life always gets in the way of the best of intentions…
I agree with Natalia – something about the umbrella picture made me smile. Perhaps Mary Poppins, or your bright pieces against the damp, muted bricks. Nonetheless, it is very appealing and striking. Accessories are my wardrobe life-line. I often keep my pieces minimal and then add interest with the details. Packing for me is an event in it's self. I take weeks planning and packing the right looks for the right events while on holiday. Yes, I over pack, but it is so worth it!Have a wonderful week!
I love accessories, too. Too bad handbags and shoes take up so much space in a suitcase… That has really forced me to think hard about what to buy, and what to pack, and get multi-functional items. As I travel, or 'commute' between my two homes, so often, packing becomes a chore, a necessary evil that I really don't have time or energy for, and I just toss something into the suitcase. And yes, I over pack. Or I pack the wrong things. And then I improvise. But that's life: you can never be fully prepared for everything, right?
Tiina I know you are so well practised but you are so very clever at putting outfits together and using different elements to bring it all together.Wonderful pictures of a drizzly London I have fond memories of.
Thanks, Jill. I love my accessories… and they all serve a purpose, too: scarves and gloves are necessary when it's cold, but they should also be pretty.
What a cool umbrella and it matches your pretty outfit perfectly. Gotta say I love your ankle boots!Thank you for linking up with SHOE AND TELL on Style Nudge!!Cheriehttp://www.stylenudge.com
Thanks, Cherie. The print on the umbrella is NYC skyline, before 9/11, and the colours are just perfect.