Dress and the wardrobe system

I adore this purple maternity dress!! - I think I said this every time I wear it... 

This is one of the only three maternity dresses I didn't sell/throw away after giving birth as they are sooo pretty! And funny enough, two of them including this purple one are from Topshop - By the way I do recommend its maternity line, they are very flattering. 

I was chatting with my line manager last week and for some reason we started to talk about outfits, which is an odd thing to do with a male, married, oldish man I think.  Anyway, he said that in order to maximize the use of his clothes, he rotates and wears each outfit combination in an order, for both work outfits or for casual wear too. This system works like this: the same shirt would nearly always go with the same suits/trousers, and they are folded/hung up in an organised way after being washed and ironed. I don't know how many combination he has in place, but all the items get to be wore/organised in that system. So, he may sometimes wear something perhaps too formal and smart for a busy stay-in office day, and sometimes he may wear slightly too casual for formal teaching.  In a way, he is looking forward to find out when/what he is wearing for the following day(s) and how each outfit combination match, or not match, his work commitment of the day!!! 

I was amazed by his organisation and system initially (and I am still so actually). 

Well, I then thought about how I decide what to wear these days - I tend to just grab whatever item nearby when I am dressed on the day, which often results in wearing the same outfits every other day!  So, I thought perhaps I could have a similar system set up like that when I have some free time on weekends, or at least, I could think of some outfit combination as default options for as/when I am out of ideas of what to wear, (like lately!)       

How do you organise your wardrobe ? 

Have you got a system set-up like my line manager ?

These are how I wore the dress and the cardi last time:

 

AA xxx

Dress up

Dress: Topshop maternity dress (bought 2012-13 autumn/winter)

Knitted top: Dorothy Perkins

Boots: Clark's

Blazer: F&F 

Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs Hillier Hobo Bag

Another dress combination day...

I love this purple maternity dress ! Although it is definitely way too loose on waist without a baby bump, I love the fabric and colour. I think it will go better with a top or cardi that fits the waist line better than what I've got on today.

It was 8 degree in the morning when we set off, but it was snowing in the afternoon. So I was a bit cold in the snow  ha ha : (

AA xxx

Same cardi three days in a row

top: French Connection (last worn here)

cardi: New Look 

trousers: Next 

trench coat: Ted Baker (not in the picture) 

shoes: ASOS leather safari heels  (not in the picture) 

bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Q Hillier Hobo bag  (not in the picture) 

necklace: French Connection

scarf: ASOS owl print (not in the picture) 

This purple top is something I don't think I'd wear it as it is. I like the patterns and the colour, but the design/shape of the sleeves isn't very complementary. Perhaps it was a fashion back then, but not any more. 

My day today is filled up with several meetings, and I'd like to wear more 'appropriately' for all occasions. So, I figure the dressing code of {black trousers with a blouse/top, and a cardi} is best option.  And I certainly saw other colleagues, both academics and admin staff, wearing similar combination. I guess you can never go wrong with this formula : )

AA xxx 

Old and new favorites - knitted top and Marc Jacobs bag

 

top: Dorothy Perkins (very worn out - last wear)

trousers: Next chino trouser in navy colour (last wear)

shoes: Hush Puppies

bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Q Hillier Hobo bag (bought on eBay)

bag: CiPU city mini bag (not in the picture)

trench coat: Uniqlo (not in the picture)

Certain tops would get wore a lot than some others, and this knitted top is one of my favourite pieces. I have worn it so much to a degree that it is on its way out or nearly being degraded to home lounge wear now !!  

Although I am wearing this outfit to work today, it is probably more like a mum stay-in-village mum style : ) 

Having used this Marc by Marc Jacobs Hillier bag every day for a week now, I like it even more!! I'd normally wear it on my shoulder with the long strap at work. It is so functional, and easy to reach for essential items in the inner pockets, ie office key, home key, iPhone, with or without holding a baby or pushing a pram. 

When I have to pick up Baby D from the nursery and travel home on public transport, I then wear it cross-body (and tied my hair in the back) - 'mum on duty style' I called. This allows me to chase the baby more easily on the train without needing to worry about my purse hanging on the buggy. 

The only downside of this bag, in comparison to Balenciaga city, is its weight ! The metal logo and chains weight a tone... 

AA xxx

blue dotty top, sunburst necklace, owl print scarf, Balenciaga city

 

top: Oasis

black leggings

shoes: ASOS safari leather heels 

bag: Balenciaga violet city

scarf: ASOS owl prints (new purchase in Sept)

trench coat: Uniqlo, beige colour

necklace: sunburst style 

this is what I wore to work on Monday.

It feels more like autum now as the temperature drops quite a lot early in the morning and in the evening after work. So the scarf season starts... I really like this owl print scarf - the patterns and the plum/purple ish colour. 

last worn: top

AA xxx

Purple x black for a family day out

top: French Connection

black jeggings

blazer: George at ASDA

bag: Marc Jacobs in indigo colour

shoes: Clarke black heels

[three things]

1. a family day out with the in-laws and ended in Toby's calvery. 

2. I've swapped the shoes in the picture to my walking companion, Hush Puppies brown flat in the last minute. And it proved to be a very smart idea as I was walking and holding hands with Baby D in the car park while waiting for a table! 

3. now, looking at the #OOTD photo, this outfit would actually work for work!!

AA xxx