Holiday packing: capsule wardrobe time

I'm hopeless at packing for a holiday. First of all I can't do it much ahead of time because the weather where we usually go (Åland Islands in Finland) is always unpredictable, and I have to wait until I have a proper reliable forecast. At least that's what I tell myself, because the real and embarrassing reason is that I can't pack until I feel in the right state of mind to do it.

'You can't base every decision on your emotions,' some wise (or not so wise) friend once told me.

Since we are leaving for our midsummer holiday in two days' time I thougth I'd start the packing with getting a few things in the Net-a-Porter sale. (Where else should one start?). But, I've just been on the phone to them and they say despatch can take up to 72 hours, so I may not get the few crucial items (Marc by Marc Jacobs handbag, Mulberry scarf and Alice by Temperley twill cotton jacket) before we go.

Panic.

Hence, this morning, though I don't feel like packing yet, I forced myself to start the process by laying out the pieces I know I'll want to take. If I could get together a 'capsule wardrobe', I could build on from that.

What do you think - am I on the right track?

Hobbs maxi dress, Castaner black wedges, blue DKNY wrap cardigan (which starred at yesterday's pigeon episode at England's Lane Books), Uniqlo cargo shorts, Citizens of Humanity white jeans, Current/Elliott cropped chinos, Rebecca Minkoff bag. And my Mac, obviously!

Yet another wardrobe dilemma

We've been invited to a good friend's party in London this weekend. I know it'll be a trendy crowd, so I want to wear something that won't hurt the eye.

For me the weather is always a problem, because, as you know if you've been following my trials and tribulations with getting dressed for functions, I hate being hot or cold. And I know all the most interesting people at this party in will be spending all their time in the garden. Luckily for once, it's supposed to be quite nice this week-end, so anything faintly summery will do. I also don't want to wear uncomfortable shoes if I'm to stand all night, which at parties I usually do. So the Painful Pradas are out of question (again). And I'm not as slim as I used to be, and since I'm no longer 25, I don't want to wear anything too young. On the other hand I do not want to become invisible in some perfectly well suited for my age, stylish thing. Like an Agnes B black dress...

I have a little time to do shopping in town on Friday, but I also know very well  that my wardrobe almost certainly already has the item - or items - I could wear to be something in between, 'Too young, trying to hard to be trendy' and 'Too old, stylish but boring'.

So as usual, I turn to you, the fashion bloggers for advice.

This is my first choice: a dress I bought last week by Phase Eight. 

It's really boho chic, in lovely thin silky tulle fabric with frills and a separate jersey lining dress. It's far too short to be worn on its own, as you can see from the picture above, so I'm going to pair it with turned up jeans and my Miu Miu shoes. Question: is it too casual (with the jeans) for a birthday party?

Second favourite is this silky top by Marlene Birger. Again I'd wear it with jeans, or if I have time try to get a pair of black tapered trousers on Friday. The problem with this top is that it makes me look big. Not fat exactly, but all those ruffles make me look a little like a just hatched chick.

The way I'm holding the camera makes it look ok, but I can't very well stand for the whole of the night holding my elbows in close just to show everyone my body isn't as big as the top makes it look? Then again, the top is mighty fine...

Last but not least I have a few dresses in my wardrobe which would do: 

This one is by Jean Paul Gaultier and it's made from really nice, body-hugging stretchy silk fabric and comes just above the knee. I usually wear a t-shirt underneath or a jacket over the top. With black shoes and a clashing clutch I think this could be a left-field surprise choice.

My serial buying dresses: these two I have worn to death. With the right accessories they do look good, but I'm a little bored with them. And they're not exactly the latest trend now are they? 

I am not even going to post a picture of the many black Agnes B numbers I own. My back-up plan, if I wake on Friday morning feeling fat and ugly, is to wear one of them with the camel coloured DKNY wrap and the gold-tipped Pradas. In that case you're well within your rights to tell me off and never darken the pages of this blog ever again.  

Same old, same old...

 Some of the presents for my birthday were envelopes containing hard cash. I have absolutely nothing against this,  even if it smacks of teenager presents. I love having an amount to spend just on myself, as I have a very specific style and taste, which sometimes may be difficult to understand by even those nearest and closest to me. (This time my immediate family were absolutely spot on; besides I'd never admit it even to myself if they got it wrong...)

With my specific taste comes a specific problem. I rarely see things that are just right for me. When I do find something, particularly clothing, that a) fits, b) is beautiful, c) the right fabric, d) on trend, e) not too old or too young (see the problem..?), I am very tempted to get several in different colours. Which, in my book, is the most boring thing to do.

(Husband says it's a miracle I manage to spend as much money on clothes as I do.)

Last summer in Rome I was asked by one of my friends to buy her another, identical, pair of shoes she'd bought that day. They were by Car Shoe, who make the most comfortable shoes ever, but they don't have any shops in Finland. She was leaving for Helsinki early the next day whereas I was staying on in Rome for a couple of days longer. To my shame I gave her such lecture for being boring by buying two pairs of exactly the same shoe, she gave up on the idea. A few days later, feeling very guilty, I realised I have similar tendencies.

I've written before about my jeans addiction. Over and over again, I'll buy the same make and style. I try to vary the colour, but really always veer towards a dark denim. I have two summer dresses in my wardrobe exactly the same by Nougat but in two different colours. I cannot tell you how many Agnes B black jersey no-iron dresses, skirts and trousers I own, nor how many black dresses by different designers in basically the same silk jersey design I have. Not to mention James Perse T-shirts. I think I have 4 of the same model but thankfully in different colours. Owning a number of almost identical white shirts I think I can be excused for, as well as for the number of black straight trousers hanging on the rail. These basics are for work after all.

But...recently I bought a Cozy silk and cashmere DKNY cardigan in navy. I've worn it so much that when I saw a shorter version come up on Net-a-Porter in sand, I jumped at the chance to spend some of my birthday money to buy it. It was only when the black NAP box arrived when I realised what a boring present I'd bought myself. (Though it's absolutely lovely and will go brilliantly with all of my black dresses or white shirts and jeans...)

Then, shopping in Bath, I saw the same pair of shoes from Dune that I bought for my trip to Rome last year. Thankfully, since I paid the full price, the model was never on sale. Now they've come out with a tan version. The shoes are little like gladiators, with a zip at the back and a low wedge heel. They're the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn and are perfect for a summer's day. I've also had many compliments on these shoes from my daughter's and son's friends, so I'm fairly confident they are on trend. And they're not too expensive and would go perfectly with a tan Miu Miu bag I've had for some time. (So Husband, I'd be SAVING money by reducing the need for a new handbag). But can I buy the same pair of shoes again, as well as same dresses, T-shirts etc.?

Or is is this one of the signs of being over the hill (what an absolutely AWFUL expression, apologies for using it), now I'm over a certain age (no, I can't say it out loud)?

Or does just the fact that I'm worrying about this mean I am such a spoiled B*tch that I should be put on a  diet of bread and water and no shopping for a week to realise how lucky I am that I can AFFORD to be a serial multi-buy shopper? Because I do think no shopping for a week would actually almost kill me. (OK so don't answer that question above. I know what I am... )