Tuesday, October 13, 2009


Window Shopping

A most unwelcome fact came crashing into my consciousness on a sunny afternoon last week. Engrossed in my twice yearly chore of packing away my summer garments and replacing them with winter ones, I was happily rediscovering pieces I had forgotten over the past six months and modeling them all for Edward, who seemed to be having a grand old time in his role as audience. All of a sudden, somewhere between a black cashmere sweater and a green tartan jacket, it hit me. I had enough. There was not one single article of clothing I needed. I was completely, totally, without question, sartorially well-suited for any endeavour. From a luncheon with a bearded duke in a ivy- covered gazebo, to an afternoon spent mucking out a stable. A trip to the zoo in the rain or an cold afternoon walk to the library. A matinee, a dinner date, a business meeting or a carnival. Christmas shopping in London, a snowy wedding in Maine, a hike in Glencoe in the most frigid of weather.
I was well prepared for anything.
Now, this thought certainly should have pleased me no end. But to be painfully honest, I was just a bit disappointed. After all, shopping for winter clothes and all their associated accoutrements
is one of the more enjoyable of shopping excursions for me. But, like so many thinking people in this particular season, I am attempting to follow the time-honoured philosophy of “make do and mend”, so welcoming more garments into my already crowded closet is not high on my list of priorities. I shall be window shopping instead.


But.... if I
were to be on the hunt for new clothes just now, here is a bit of what catches my eye.....



I would love to step out in some of the beautiful choices offered up by Sonia Rykiel for fall....














And I adore this particular
shade of red at Ferragamo....




Or, perhaps these delicious outfits in winter white
by Ralph Lauren.....













.... this coat by Alexander McQueen would have to come home with me...
And this Prada boot would be a must....
Ah, well.
I must confess that I did succumb to this one lone pair of shoes.
I know. It was a moment of weakness.
But in my defense, they were on sale!


42 comments:

  1. Ahhh....new clothes! I have clothes I don't wear and I'm trying to make myself wear the clothes that I love instead of bumming around in comfy outfits! I love the dark red and the boots are amazing! I love handbags! What would you choose for a new bag for the Fall season?

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  2. You have spurred me on to change summer to winter wear in my wardrobe too Pamela. I shall certainly need new sweaters I think - oh and definitely a pair of those very fashionable brogues you fell for.

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  3. I am like this with books. I don't need anymore, but I love them. I want them. Of course you could always give it all away and start again, or host a clothes swap with some girlfriends to exchange things you don't wear anymore. I've done that before and it was great fun - we all went away feeling like we had shopped until we dropped. Of course the booze helped...

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  4. I can just see you in a few little things... the dreamy white dress on the left, the black velvet pant suit on the right and yes that particular shade of red is my favourite also, it goes so well with garnet but at this time of life not a mini I think?

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  5. Love that cutaway McQ coat! I have the opposite problem... almost NOTHING in my closet satisfies at the moment and I've been purging like crazy. I've purchased three new jackets in the past few weeks and have plans for at least one more and a new coat. So I will be making up for your shopping slow-down! Just doing what I can to keep our economy balanced!

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  6. I know how you feel about having everything you need because I felt the same way when I ran out of tools to buy. You and Edward make an awfully lovely couple.

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  7. Autumn and winter clothes are my all-time favorites. The woolens, cashmeres, plaids and houndstooth. And let's not forget lots of wonderful scarves. I love those wing-tips!

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  8. Loved the image of Edward watching you! Just like my Dogs! I think I would change buttons and see how I could make what I have a bit different. That way It all feels a little new again. Suzie. xxx

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  9. Fashion isn't really about need, if it were we would only have LL Bean. It's about delighting the soul. But, I suspect you already know that.)

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  10. the shoes were a definite score! they are timeless - oh, I find myself in very similar circumstances, but I do want a pair of raspberry chords which I am on the hunt for! just one punch of color!

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  11. You have excellent taste! Too bad you don't *need* anything! ;)

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  12. what a true post-ditto for me. It is hard to resist some new(a few) additions every year-I am hunting a great handbag. I did whittle down things this year-to a shelter, to a recyclers clothing shop. I have shed some things-I confess to add some. Though coats are less than a must-here in NC I can never resist a good short coat-makes the worst of the worst daywear look up to snuff. I admire your strength-the season in young though. G

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  13. The Ferragamo catches my eye. Those outfits are to die for...

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  14. Yummy on the red!!!! I wish I were so bold!

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  15. Oh yes, shopping! It must be Christmas. I love the Ferragamo red too.

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  16. After shopping for 3 children and 1 vet appointment for my 4th child and manning the fort for nearly 1 week sans the hubs, I find myself in need of a treat.
    I think inventory check is in order. I do like your picks and vote for the winter white along side your white coated Edward.
    pve

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  17. Fall and Winter clothes are my favourite. I love the rich colours and wonderful fabrics and knits of the seasons and I have alway looked forward to the magazines this time of year. How I enjoyed your post!

    Gillian

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  18. Today I did the same thing and guess what Pamela - I'm in the same boat as you! I have far too many clothes and must not shop for more this season.......because I already did at the weekend - a gorgeous sweater coat from
    Anthropologie (my B'day gift from DH!), and a cashmere cardi sweater from of all places, TJMaxx!!

    Last Fall in Provence I noticed all the jodphur style pants and tall boots so bought both - now that's the fashionable look here so I was ahead of the game! I'm still such a clothes horse despite my age, I don't feel that old though. I love stylish, good quality clothes - classic pieces mixed with something trendy - and beautiful shoes, boots and bags. Your shoes are gorgeous - I would choose the same look for this season.

    Have you watched the Ralph Lauren video of the Fall show - fabulous, I loved everything! The Spring 2010 is now up too - oh to be 20, six feet and stick thin......these models are so beautiful in his timeless clothes.

    BTW - ever watch the fabulous BBC series 'House of Eliott'? If not I think you would love it - two designer sisters, clothes, hats etc. of the 20's and '30's in London and the English countryside. Several episodes - available from Netflix.

    I'm off to the NC mountains on Thursday - showers and cooler so am packing my sweaters, boots, hats and scarves - can't wait!

    Hugs - Mary.

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  19. So true! Just this afternoon I was dusting my living room. I decided-- I HAVE TOO MUCH IN HERE! I need to declutter so I can have less dust, and I won't even mention how I must jettison some of my clothes too!! I too will be window shopping!! Wonderful and thoughtful post. xoxo

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  20. What is it about winter shopping?! Is it a need brought about by our ancient ancestry telling us to prepare for the winter....store away warm things...bring in our winter stores of food? It is my favorite time to gather...but I understand what you mean....I do have enough....for now.

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  21. I was up to no good today, between meeting Jack Frost this morning as he whisped through Washington on his way to Oregon and my coffee turning ice cold in 10 minutes. I too was livin' in my closet putting away summer simples and hauling out winter wonders. Some of the bunch ended up in the Goodwill truck...thankfully, until I decide to shop till I drop, next time!

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  22. That cranberry red and those winter whites are absolutely lovely! Do let us know if your resistance to any of these splendid clothes break.

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  23. The Ferragamo wine red is too delicious.

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  24. Perhaps just one little winter purchase to help the economy! Forget summer clothes, winter clothes are so much more beautiful - love all your choices. Leigh

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  25. LOL yes there is something about this season which makes us want to snuggle inside ourselves and tone with the colours we are seeing.

    I am so with you on the Prada boots. The trouble is I see something I like and then realise I have something like it already at home. There's definately a danger of me developing a national collection of little brown boots! LOL

    I'm glad you found lots of things to inspire you.

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  26. I love the colours of autumn clothes and I love window shopping. The Alexander McQueen coat is wonderful:)

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  27. Hello P&E,

    Can a lady ever have too many clothes?! I admire your restraint. But if you did want to splash out, you could find yourself an exotic number for Willow's Manor Ball. There's still time!

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  28. Yes Pam, I think all women are the same! We have a lot of clothes in the wardrobe hanging and we say ( in ourself, not too loud!!!) : "I have enough clothes for this season."
    But then we look in a magazine or we go "only" windowshopping and...suddenly there it is!!!That item that we definetely need to have...since a long time...!!!
    Fortunately we speaked to ourself when we said whe had enough clothes!!!!

    Greet
    PS I loved the images of Ralph Lauren

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  29. Lovely shopping list Pamela....and when did we women ever buy fashionable clothing because we needed it, xv.

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  30. Ah, I must admit; I'm happily jealous! First to be able to COMPLETELY put away one's seasonal things! The weather here has me questioning such an act each year... And how beatifully you put it, and how I'd love to have EITHER the occasions you speak of OR the clothes in which to attend them! :)

    You show wisdom in your contentment... rare today.

    I love those shoes! I recently bought some vintage esprit oxfords; sort of rockabilly 80's yet with classic Italian handmade look... leather soles... *sigh*

    Dearheart, my wish (fantasy, really) is that your posts could arrive regularly at my doorstep, printed on some lovely paper, in the wee hours with an old fashioned glass bottle of milk for my early morning tea... A lovely way to start the day, wouldn't it be? I am so behind trying to read them uninterrupted on the computer with so many things pulling at me in my day! I still am wishing to scroll back and back to a post of favorite things I began reading which had white linen blouses with real shell buttons (among my favorites, too!)

    Happy Autumn... the owls have been hooting up a storm here!

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  31. I've coveted a pair of boots like these for about 20 years now. Perhaps I should get round to buying them soon!

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  32. As I read your post, I was thinking to myself, 'I bet Pamela buys something and 'voila'....you did !!!!
    I love the clothes that you have shown. My favourite....the Alexander McQueen coat and the Prada boots. I could still add those to my wardrobe. XXXX

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  33. Right now I'm modeling a blue flannel shirt with faded shredded sleeves, and torn jeans.

    Is Edward a gentle pup?
    I just bet he is. But with a deep bark. :)

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  34. I finally got out my cold weather clothes today...and mostly they disappoint me...I need to go shopping:)

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  35. A girl can't have too many shoes, and how could you resist a sale? Nice, sensible dog walking shoes.

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  36. You know...Those shoes look just like you and your blog! Perfect.

    And....Isn't it wonderful having just enough, too?

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  37. The only thing I've bought so far this season is a classic trench coat (in black), because I ALWAYS need a new raincoat. The clothes you picked out are so yummy. I can imagine you, particularly, in that McQueen coat.

    Do you call that shade of red scarlet? carmine? vermillion?

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  38. A new wardrobe..heaven! LOvely shoes dear..

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  39. Oh it is all so chic! The red outfits are mArVeLoUs!!! Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving your comment. It meant the world to me!

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  40. What excellent tast you have.
    What an eye.
    You make me want all of it!

    You don't have to apologise.
    How we all love new clothes.
    I got Buster a BEE costume for Halloween
    and I'm craving an Eileen Fisher sweater........
    I do so love your blog.

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  41. I had a very similar episode when i unpacked my own winter gear! i suddenly seemed to own an awful lot! I shall have to join you window shopping x but i do love that deep red . . .

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I love to read your comments! Each and every one! Though I'm always reading your comments, I may not respond in the comment section. If you want to write me directly, you may do so at pamela@pamelaterry.net. Thank you for reading!