A wardrobe essential that's simply not for me - YouLookFab Forum

Category

General

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

A wardrobe essential that's simply not for me

K. Period.

Veteran

Do you ever suddenly realize that something most people consider a wardrobe essential is simply not for you?

In a recent cull, I had to reckon with my unused collection of long sleeve tees. Perfectly fine long sleeve tees, of good quality, in good colors, with good shapes, that I simply do not wear. I suddenly realized that they just aren't for me. They never have been. I have long sleeve tees with graphics that I reach for all the time. And I love having a striped tee, long or short sleeve. But the workhorse, layering, flattering, solid color, long sleeve tee? Not so much. I rely on short sleeves to fulfill that role.

Anyone else suddenly realize that the conventional wisdom wardrobe essential is just not your thing? I'd love to hear what other forum members have left behind them.

General

36 replies

Latest reply was from Lyn D.

Liz Selby

I love long sleeve ts. However, I know exactly what you're saying. Scarves are my nemesis. As much as they look soft and lovely on others, I feel they are about to swallow me up - or they look like a rag around my neck. How nice to give myself permission not to wear them!

Anonymous

Long sleeved t's, white shirts, the little black dress (although I would if I could actually find a nice one in my price range but I've yet run into a situation where my life would have been better with one on hand). Oh, also denim jackets (have a million, never wear any of them). I'm not much of a traditionalist.

Anonymous

Scarves. I love them on other people, but they look ridiculous on me.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I don't really wear my denim jacket either lisap. I have a few long sleeved tees but they haven't seen much wear this year - it's been a warm winter for the most part and when it has been cold, I tend to reach for a sweater instead. I'm not giving up on them yet, I do have a couple that are less "tee" and more "knit top" - and those work fine as they have lots of good drape and softness in the sleeves. Can't stand any type of "hefty" feeling tee shirt material, yet I'll gladly wear a cashmere sweater.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

A great epiphany, K. You like patterned L/S tees, or SHORT sleeve soild tees. So why is that, do you think. You prefer the punch of a pattern when you're layering, and wear tees with shorts in Summer - so short sleeves are the cooler option?

(I don't wear T-shirts at all - not even for yoga! - only for sleeping).

Sal

Veteran

Button Down Shirts - especially white ones. I struggle with the collar, the hemline (tuck or untucked?), the bust and the ironing.

I am also not buying many or any standard short sleeve tees. I have three striped ones I wear and like, and one old linen blue one but that is it. I do wear tees and tanks made of rayon, or silk or even polyester, a mix of knit, or woven fabric. I do wear long sleeve ones for layering in the winter.

I have avoided ballet flats for a few years since my blue pair wore out but came across gold ones on heavy final sale, along with a loafer/ballet shoe pointy toe shoe in tan leather, and I have been wearing them a lot in March. Rediscovered a love for a classic item. For me they will be mostly a spring and autumn shoe but since these are decent long seasons here I suspect I will wear March-mid May and again September- early December.

Ginger

Veteran

I don't wear long sleeve tees, either, except for graphic ones or as (invisible) layering pieces in cold weather. Angie's analysis is spot-on for me! This is a really good revelation for you, as it will help you focus on what you do use.

Beth Ann

Veteran

I agree! Although I do like long sleeved workout tops, or fancy ones with banded bottoms for loungewear. I need to limit stripes, too. A couple of white/black and blue/black striped tops is enough -- I prefer other patterns.

rabbit

Veteran

T shirts - I don't wear them unless it's for yard work at home - and that stock gets replenished from my husbands cast offs. I have 2 short sleeve layering tees in black and gray for under sweaters, and one long sleeve navy that goes under a specific sweater, but that's pretty much it.

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

White t-shirts: so necessarily for the cool laid-back vibe, but so prone to being on the receiving end of coffee spillage. After finding one that I liked after months of orders and returns, I ruined it within two wears. Not worth the stress or hassle.

K. Period.

Veteran

Angie, you are so insightful! I think you pretty much hit the nail on the head.

I don't ever wear solid long sleeves alone. They are a wall of too solid color, and I think they are too casual for my style. A blob of casual color to me. I wear patterned long sleeves alone and as layers under jackets, where they show. In both cases, they contribute interest.

When I just need a layer for warmth of a bit of color peeking out, short sleeves serve me just as well. They are more versatile for me too, since they can be worn (as you said) when the weather is warm too. Also, for me, short sleeves are less a mass of color when I wear them alone. Even with my short sleeves, though, I prefer them to have texture and drape or something interesting going on. Linen blends FTW in that case.

See, I started with an epiphany and end with even more insight! Thank you, sweetie!

K. Period.

Veteran

@gradfashionista, I know exactly what you mean! My best friend and I have a joke about that (as heavy coffee drinkers). Do you remember the old toothpaste commercial lamenting bad breath and labeling it "simple chronic halitosis?" I call our condition "simple chronic coffee drinker's boob."

Gals, I so love learning that so many of you also have abandoned tees. It is fascinating!

AviaMariah

Veteran

Scarves. I love the idea of scarves. All that fun color. When I put one on it almost always comes right off. If I leave it on, it rarely makes it to the end of the day. They just feel fussy to me and they drive me crazy. But I want to love them. I'm thinking of my stack of LS tees and I think I've worn one or two this whole winter. My black and white striped on (because adding striped amps up any outfit) and a plain black one that has a lot of stretch to it. It's the plain cotton ones that I don't reach for and I think it's because they don't have enough stretch/cling in the arms so they feel messy to me. I keep trying to make a white button up an essential but I hate ironing. Thanks for the interesting topic.

Anonymous

Crisp button-down shirts (esp. the bright white ones), short-sleeved shirts, polo shirts, Ballet flats, pumps, scarves, ankle pants, leggings, and anything boxy.

catgirl

Veteran

Exactly what you said, K.P - except for gear layers, I just don't use those "basic" fitted layering tees. White button downs and ballet flats are also off my list.

Bonnie

Veteran

Button down shirts, short jackets, cardigans, short sleeved tees, skirts, pumps, and horizontal stripes on anything. I use long sleeve tees for hiking because they are lightweight and protect me from the sun and if they are oversize, I can sleep in them.

rachylou

Veteran

Almost everything on your typical top ten list: beige trench, black pumps, white button down, pencil skirt, blue jeans, etc. All things I wear only very rarely. I USED to wear plain long sleeve tees and now do not ever.

unfrumped

Veteran

A sort of color epiphany-SA the Breton stripe where the top color background is white or light and the stripe is dark.

These never look right and there's too much " light".

What works is the reverse- dark background with a fine light stripe. Just came across an inexpensive knit top in navy with fine white stripe and, Aha!
In fact the is the key for most prints for me--solid navy and black are draining but add a touch of white or gray dot or other small figure or fine stripe and it becomes totally different. But the dark has to predominate.

Anonymous

I like stripes but not those of different widths, like wide blue stripes next to narrow white ones.
To make this about essentials, I don't really like plain cotton knit tees with sleeves.

Anonymous

The long sleeve tshirt is not an essential for me either. I have two, and I use them as undershirts (so more of a basic than an essential).

Other non-essentials: Trench coat, blazer, pointy toed shoes.

I've worn my ballet flats and a scarf every day at work for the past 7 months, so I guess they're essentials for me (at least for the winter)!

Sally

Veteran

Pencil skirts and button down tops. I find them problematic on me.

Summer

Veteran

Well, I'm your polar opposite: I wear long-sleeved tees all the time. They are a staple in my casual wardrobe - not too hot, as a sweater might be, but easy to layer under a cardigan or jacket if necessary.

Unnecessary/never worn essentials for me include the white button-down shirt - they don't suit my shape, style or lifestyle - and that "must have" trench, especially the beige version, which looks truly dreadful on me.

lyn67

Veteran

Button downs(esp. in white), the beige trench & jeans:-). Have some of these, but they are not essentials for me!

BrieN

Veteran

I am not sure I've left these behind as I know how much they can add to an outfit but I have trouble with any purse that isn't a backpack style (a clutch puts me right over the edge -- I think it's feeling powerless that comes with only being able to use one hand and also feeling purely decorative as a person).

Mochi

Veteran

I have a feeling that the button-down shirt is going to become something that takes up space in my closet, and eventually I'll wise up and stop my very very occasional purchase of them completely.

Helena

Veteran

Great realization - this is exactly why Angie's concept of personal wardrobe essentials is so powerful. I personally love long-sleeved t's, but have other so-called essentials that are not essential for me - cardigans (I have realized I don't enjoying layering so only wear these as outerwear - in Canada that's basically weather-appropriate for 4 days a year ), a black pencil skirt (like in theory but never wear - actually this is true of most skirts), cashmere anything (too much maintenance for me), a moto jacket (too expensive given the amount of wear I would get) - these are modern "essentials" that are not essential for me.

On the other hand, I am missing a dark-neutral turtleneck, a good pair of black pants, and a good simple pair of black pumps. These are big holes that need to fill in the coming months!

Linda

For me it's the little black dress. I have one, but almost never wear it. I think the black washes out my light coloring, and I look tired wearing it. Now a little navy dress is another story, and I have about 5 of them!

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

Trouser pants - can't stand them on me. I love leggings, skinny pants, jeans, silk pants - but those traditional trousers that almost every office worker wears every day, nope. I think this is partly about fit - I have big thighs, small waist and am short. While I have found trousers that fit well, it seems to be one of those items that unless my weight is exactly the same every time I wear them, the fit is thrown off by even the slightest change. Also, I have a hard time styling them in an interesting way or a way that feels like me.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I'm another who just can't seem to find a use for the white button-down shirt in my wardrobe.

I also have really mixed feelings about the ubiquitous trench coat. When I lived in Seattle, I lived in my trench. It was the perfect coat. Coming back to Colorado, I just rarely seem to have occasion to wear it. I'd love to work a trench back into my life, because I adore the look of it, but it's really hard to justify it when you live somewhere where it almost never rains.

12