Not a Lust List and Some Bugs

I've been threatening to publish my Fall 2014 Lust List, and I will, but I'm changing the name. I'm just not feeling a lot of sartorial lust this fall. It isn't a lack of beautiful pieces out there. And there are interesting new (or new-to-me) ideas to play with and interpret. But I also want to get better at doing what I began last year.

I'm just not done with last fall. Like a lot of you, I'm drawn deeper back into the wilds of my existing fall wardrobe this year. This time, it's about fine tuning how I wear the pieces I have. This is a pretty cool, low stress place to be, and I'm happy to have a good base to start out my season. Since I cut my hair early this spring, everything I have looks different to me, and I want to work with that, too.

I do, however, have a list of items to acquire and put to work with last year's pieces. (Did you ever doubt it? Of course not.) And here it is.  We'll just call it this:

Fall-Winter 2014 Fine Tuning List

Replacement items

(because stuff wears out ...)

Spanx Power Panties, "new and improved" version

You can stop snickering now. These sleek, cuddly, light-weight little miracles are my winter panties and they make me very happy.

And if you think you are too cool for Spanx, I envy your perfect figure (some of you really have one, or a very nearly perfect one because of youth, steely exercise and dietary discipline, good genes, or that pact you signed with the devil. Honey, have you seen our firstborn around lately?) And I send you my admiration if you practice a saintly acceptance of your aging, natural shape between waist and knee (really?) But for those of you with truly elderly contours like mine who have never tried Spanx and are only concerned about an imagined lack of comfort ... I weep for you.

More stock in-store for me.

Black "leather" pencil skirt replacement. ( Check! Done! )

My favorite and elderly Loft ponte knit and faux leather skirt began to "slough" it's leather-ish fabric finish in alarming ways. It developed big spots that looked like a peeling sunburn. (I know. Ewww.) Beyond hope, help, repair. I found a good replacement at Penny's.

Classic black pumps. A much needed replacement for my best old ones that have died, a leftover item from last year. I have my eye on a pair of shapely Bandolinos.

New, primarily black Breton striped T-shirt. 

( Replacement as mine are trashed, and I've wanted to wear one a couple of times already this fall.)

Classic LBD or deep-dark color equivalent ... updated. ( My old favorite is getting shiny and shoddy.)

Unicorns

( There are always a couple of items that I never find but are on my list every year anyway.)

Finally... crisp white shirt that fits shoulder and bust with curved shirt tail that can be altered.

This is another item on my list from years past. Never found one, but miracles do happen.

Good, light weight, white T-Shirt with long sleeves for tom-boy looks with jeans... not too tight, not too sloppy.

An item related to the crisp white shirt that is equally difficult to find, and so remains on my list.

Yearning to Try Items

(These ideas have been around for a while, but I'm suddenly interested in trying them.This sometime happens when they appear here after being available elsewhere for a couple of seasons. Or they're classic items that I'd like to try in new-to-me ways.)

Zipper or asymmetrical pencil skirt

I like how these look, but am in relaxed mode, waiting for the right one to turn up. It could supply a little badassery for existing pieces.

Plaid shirts or other button-down shirts that can peek out under cropped sweaters. Low bulk, please.

The LIOLI rule (Love It Or Leave It) applies here, especially. I'm set for few solid ones, but no plaid. Some floral print shirts can be too matronly on me, so use discernment.

Additional note to self ... don't be so quick to put away sleeveless summer tops with collars, 'cause these can work really well this way!

Cropped sweaters with straight or hi-low hems to wear over button-down shirts.

LIOLI again. And part of this is to figure out how to shorten knit sweaters and alter some ones I have but wish were much shorter!

Bright but tertiary-colored, very structured and lady-like bag ...wait for True Love. To be worn with solid darks.

Scarf, gloves to go with pretty pink coat (squeeee!)

Does not mean pink overload, necessarily. But it could.

Long gloves? (Take gray ones with broken zip to the cobbler ...)

TJ Maxx always has great quality leather gloves for almost nothing later in the season. Guilt free treat that is right up my alley.

"Just Looking, Thank You" Items

(The following are items that I'm just remaining open to. Just considering. Leaving to fate to throw in my path, and may or may not be purchases. I never thought I'd love skinny jeans so much, though ... they used to be in this section 

of a past list.)

Little flat-but-luxe or athletic kicks or menswear style oxfords of some kind. Looks fun, but don't fall for the really clunky, broguey, wingtippy ones. LIOLI.

Keds over Vans preferred.

Consider a pair of dark, dressy athletically inspired pants, low bulk that can be altered for length. Definitely LIOLI. This is a recent idea that I didn't like when they were just glorified baggy gray sweats or track pants paired with a sparkly top and stilettos, but I'm seeing a more refined version out there that I like. Don't hold your breath waiting to see me in these for OOTD, though ...

Shoes and Boots

I've been on the case for a couple of months now because my size goes fast, and I'm happy to report that I'm in pretty good shape right now with knee-high boots from past years that I still adore, last year's booties and both new and old wintry heels.

I only lack trying on a pair of strappy mid-calf booties, but haven't seen any yet that tempt. They may be problematic for my short legs, but nothing this year says badass like these booties. They remind me vaguely of Victorian high-button boots but with a mega-dose of attitude.

Will she or won't she?

Stay tuned to find out ...

                  WIW for a little shopping on Sunday.

A closeup of my amazing bug necklace!  All kinds of bugs in silvertone and bronze with a few sparkles.