Shoes + bag + third piece (jacket/cardigan) are essentials for me to elevate, well, essentials, to style. Reality however is I'm traveling so much these days (60%) and these are just the pieces that need to get cut from the carry on to make room. Add on the reality that the top & bottom essentials have to be comfortable to wear on plane/all day meetings AND relatively wrinkle free AND durable to withstand travel. All this adds up to compromising for practical reasons.
For work (which = travel) I am definitely going more garanimal these days: formulaic. It's a challenge but also a snore. I don't know if it expresses my style, but it's working.
I do agree about the wildcards. I've got a couple right now. One is that LOFT white big asymmetrical shirt. It's a wild card for me because I don't tend to do starchy white shirts. It is my style in that it's artistic/creative looking. I have worn it a ton in leisure hours for artsy occasions. I have hesitated to wear it to work since it seems "out there" compared to the safe stuff I've been packing, but recently did, and rec'd compliments so it'll be coming on future business trips.
Another wildcard is this navy asymmetrical tent dress I just bought in CA. It's super comfy and swingy and I do think it's my "style" -- my style includes the descriptors "comfy" and "easy." I have yet to wear it to work but I'm going to, soon.
I don't know if I strive for "cohesive." As a mood dresser, sometimes I just want to blend in. Other times I want to stand out. I need both options in my wardrobe.
I suppose when I think of the term "compromise" and "style" -- for me that means, fit and flattery. I may love yellow, but it doesn't love me, so I compromise there with only small doses. I love certain fits but they don't work for my figure, so I compromise there too and interpret the trend with a different fit that's more flattering. Does that make sense?
The biggest area I compromise on is quality, but not by choice. I *could* afford highest quality / designer end -- but these high end designers do not fit my petite yet curvy frame. And I don't have time or inclination for major alterations or endless shopping trips. So I will compromise with lower end, lower quality mass market stuff that is tailored for petite and fits off the rack.