Having a go at my essentials - YouLookFab Forum

I like the "My Essentials" exercise, so decided I'd take a stab at it today. I had a hard time deciding whether to include gear or not. Ultimately I didn't, and I also didn't include dressy/formal wear, because it sees even less wear than gear. I didn't tackle outerwear with this one, but I've never had an overabundance of outerwear -- everything I have is pretty essential, and it all sees lots of use. So, this list skews rather casual -- these are the things I need to get through the week and feel like myself.

I did break it down into warm weather and cool weather, though of course there is some overlap. I wore a breton top yesterday, and wear my jeans well into the spring, etc.

cold weather essentials:

flannel shirts
straight leg jeans* (a mix of slouchy and tailored fits)
black ankle boots
cute knit hats — toques, berets, beanies, you name it.
short black jackets
*black denim is a wardrobe essential that I’ve been missing this winter, as I haven’t found a replacement for my old black jeans yet.
*corduroys — see above. I’ve been looking for replacement corduroys for almost a year.

warm weather essentials:

vibrant, colourful flat shoes (sandals, sneakers, oxfords, huaraches, etc)
high-contrast breton tops (black/white, navy/white, etc.)
chinos and khakis
linen separates — pants, tops, jackets. I love it all. this is a warm weather essential category I probably need to grow a bit.
*knee-length sleeveless dresses — In desperate need of some replacements in this category. Hoping to find just the right linen sundress for this summer.
*I’d really like to make sun hats an essential the way winter hats are for me. building a functional summer hat wardrobe is one of my goals right now.

year round:

sunglasses — I like sunglasses that are not too large, as I have a small face, and somewhere in between round and square, and interesting colors (my current pair is rose and burgundy).
utilitarian bags (totes, messengers, etc.)
small pendant necklaces
sunscreen.

I don't typically think of myself as a uniform dresser, but I might be becoming one, thanks to having a small child in the house. A lot of the more varied silhouettes I used to enjoy (t-shirt dresses, tube skirts, etc) feel too fussy and less relevant for the time being. My dresses and skirts don't feel particularly essential to me right now, though I do enjoy wearing them from time to time.

7 years ago

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I'll take your closet, please.

JAileen

Sunscreen! Yes, same for me. As well as sunglasses and hats year round. Those should be on my list of essentials.

Your list does sound like you. What about a puffer coat, though?

LaPed

Jenn -- thanks. It was almost easy coming up with this list once I looked at my closet (and laundry basket).

I have certain categories that I can duplicate to my heart's content, and as long as I choose things that fit well in colours I like, it will all get worn into the ground. I have three breton tops in active rotation, plus three that I've retired to lounge wear. I have three flannel shirts, too, plus one that's loungewear-only.

There were some categories I had on the list that I removed upon further consideration, because I suspect they may someday be essential, but aren't quite there yet: chambray shirts, oxford shirts, lightweight layering sweaters.

There were also quite a few categories that struck me in their absence: graphic/band t-shirts, short-ish skirts (tube, a-line, mini), chunky hooded sweaters, tall boots, Chucks. These were my very much my essentials up until 3-4 years ago and I think I've grown out of them for the time being. I still have all of these represented in my closet, but they're occasional rather than constant-wear items. And I probably won't feel the need for direct replacements as they wear out.

JAileen -- I had to think a little more about how to define my outerwear essentials, and I think it's something like this:

Winter puffer (long)
Winter wool coat (long)

Transitional puffer (short)
Transitional wool coat (long but lighter weight)

Puffy vest
Wool vest

Long waterproof coat

If I were to add anything to my outerwear collection, it would be a city-appropriate waterproof/resistant coat, either a trench or anorak style. It's not something I consider essential for my lifestyle, my Goretex trench works fine 99% of the time, but it would be fun to have the dressier option for travel and events, and it would extend the life of my Goretex.

Graphic tees would also be on my list of "things that were essential a few years ago." I still have a drawer full of them, but they're mostly for lounging and garden work. I used to wear A-line skirts and tall boots a lot more, as well.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Your Winter Essentials list is great, although your hats sound like statement pieces.

Your Summer Essentials list is great too, although your shoes sound like statement pieces. Isolate the essentials from the statements in that category.

Sunnies are statements - take them out. Rest looks good. NICELY DONE.

Ah, thanks Angie, that makes sense! I may well be using bright shoes as a statement in the summer when it's too hot for any sort of third piece. I do have black sandals and canvas slip-ons. So black footwear is probably a year-round essential.

I do think some of my winter hats are statements, and some are essentials. I know, because I lost an essential one (soft, grey, slouchy) and am struggling to replace it.

I can see how sunnies would be a statement that feels like an essential -- I wear the same ones every day, but they always make me feel more pulled together.

I guess what trips me up is that both statements and essentials can constitute "signature" looks...

Style Fan

Very well done. Sunscreen is an essential for sure. I am retiring some of my tops and moving to a new look. Interesting.

Suz

I'm tripped up in the same way about signatures/ essentials/ statements, LaPed. And also about necessary items that are called statements (e.g. sunnies). I get that they are big impact items, but also, they are required, so in that sense, essential? What makes a big watch an essential but not a statement, then? If you can't put an outfit together without the item, then is it not essential? (Sunnies fall into that category if you hope to go out in the sun...)

Anyway...I also like that observation you made -- if you lose an item and then struggle like the dickens to put outfits together, you know you have an essential for sure. I must mull on that.

And that's the beauty of a signature style, LP. BOTH essentials and statements can be elements of a signature look.

An essential cannot be a statement piece. Muddies the waters. That said, a statement piece can be a workhorse, and frequently worn - like my green specs and your sunnies.

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