What are you wardrobe workhorses? - YouLookFab Forum

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What are you wardrobe workhorses?

Megan

I was just reading Angie's post on wardrobe versatility and many people mentioned that they demand that their wardrobe workhorses are particularly versatile.

I'm working on building a wardrobe with pieces that I really want to wear and have realised that I lack some key pieces (like a great pair of black pants).

I'm interested to hear from others about which pieces are the work horses in your closet- the ones you would hate to live without?

Dressing

16 replies

Latest reply was from florida

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

Hi Megan,

My workhorses are:

- denim pencil skirt - I wear this at least twice a week in both summer and winter
- black pencil skirt
- black tall boots
- black short boots

Interestingly, none of these were particularly expensive All added up I probably spent a total of £250 on these 4 items - the boots have been through 3 and 4 winters (they get re-soled and heeled). It is my more unique pieces that can only be worn a couple of ways each that cost more.

Louise

Veteran

Leggings and dresses x

anne

Veteran

Jeans
denim skirt
flat brown riding boots

Dusty

(website)

skinny jeans
denim jacket
black engineer boots
denim clams
black Clarks flats

crwilson

Veteran

I don't know, which I think tells me that I need some workhorses in my wardrobe. Right now I would say dresses, since that's what I turn to most often.

Kristine

Veteran

I guess mine would be:

Grey/silver trouser jeans
Grey denim pencil skirt
White button down
Chocolate brown short sleeve button down
Bronze ballet flats

Lisa

Veteran

Jeans (I wear them 6 out of 7 days a week)
Bermuda Shorts (worn at least once a week)

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Good question Megan. I am trying to build my wardrobe too so it was very timely for me - I will be watching this tread.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Let's see-
bootcut jeans
black leggings
ponte knit pants
denim leggings
denim jacket
summer dresses

Cookie

I live in a climate that is cold from early Fall and stays that way late into Spring so I put my money into coats and boots. I love jeans and wear them as much as possible. I have an eclectic life and have to have many different types of clothes for various events. I belong to two Country Clubs which both have dress codes so I must keep that in mind when shopping for Summer - no demin or khaki so lots of sundresses and skirts that I can wear with different tops. From September to May I am involved with my local University raising funds for the Art Department and a huge museum project. That requires suits, cocktail dresses, and black-tie gowns. I also plan events - showers, weddings, all types of parties. I try to wear clothes that are pretty but that I can work in without ruining.
My lists would be:
Coats
Boots
Jeans
Sundresses/skirts
Neutral separates (slacks, skirts, jackets)
cocktail dresses

biscuitsmom

Veteran

Like Cookie, I live in a area thats cold 8 months out of the year, lots of coats and jackets, and when it *finally* warms up, DH and Biscuit need the air conditioning on steady....so I just about LIVE in cardis- featherweight to cashmere or a heavier type knit for winter. Comes in handy for the restaraunts and stores who have the A/C set to freezing! Also wear more skirt/top combos than dresses, but am always looking to expand my very small collection....My lifestyle is very casual, so I dont often have the opportunity to dress up- so I live vicariously thru the other posters!lol...

Isabel

Veteran

Yes, jeans for me too. (I don't buy premium, the most expensive I buy is JJill )

T shirts and Camis to layer ( indispensible for me and cheap)

A toasty, versatile, super -warm,winter coat - One of the items I am most willing to spend on.

Comfortable, tall boots in black and waterproof winter boots - again, things that I am willing to spend on.

A couple of lightweight wool sweaters that I can layer under

one super cozy polar fleece to snuggle in - doesn't have to be expensive.

A nicer leather tote ( black ) - spend

A 3/4 length, completely waterproof trench- again spend

A nice evening purse - I don't spend alot on this because it doesn't get a lot of use

A navy or black " special dress"

A nice evening sweater and a nice, lighter one for day

For Summer;

Woven dresses and skirts

A pair of super comfy, flat sandals

SUNGLASSES - the single most important summer item for me

I am also a BIG accessory person, so there are a few things I could not live without :

A couple of very warm winter and spring scarves

A wool hat

earrings - hoops and cubic studs and some fancier ones for the holidays/weddings

This really made me think : because I LOVE blazers and have tons, but I could live without them. I could live without my watch and bracelets, which I also have lots of and love............

Good Luck in pulling it all together !!!!!!

Vix

Veteran

I love my workhorses, but wish I'd added in more funky stuff that worked with them *while* I was buying the staples. [Hope that makes sense.] Now I'm working backwards and while I've got a better mix now, my workhorses are wearing out and I'm scrambling to replace them with items that work with the funkier stuff.

So try not to do that, ha.

-- For work --

* dark brown seasonless wool pants + slim (straight but not pencil) skirt + jacket...actually more flexible in terms of color pairings than their black "twins"

* silk knit sweaters (sleeveless scoop/V neck + 3/4 sleeve surplice)

* silk blend mesh tops (great for layering and travel)

* textured/detailed jackets

-- For play/more casual workplaces --

* dark denim (jeans + pencil)

* V/scoop neck Ts (though they don't last more than 1-2 seasons)

* alternatives to traditional cardigans...one-button numbers, cutaway cardigans, cascading cardigans/cardiwraps

* more casual cotton jackets

* solid-colored cotton skirts in classic shapes but funkier colors (like pea green)

For both: black and brown knee-high boots in cold weather, skintone shoes for warmer weather

fathenry

Veteran

Wow, what an interesting thread. My workhorses are:

1) dark wash bootcut jeans - I like gap's long and lean jeans
2) lightweight cotton cardigans to wear over tanks, tees, dresses and skirts - my favorite right now is a lightweight boyfriend style
3) comfy flats or sandals, depending on your climate

no matter what else I have in my wardrobe, I always come back to this fail-safe combo. I jazz it up with different necklaces, bracelets, patterned tops, etc but the basic combo is the same

cciele

Veteran

Miine are similar to Khris':
- Black leggings
- Denim leggings
- Boots (if I had to pick one, that'd be the slate Frye Veronica slouch)
- Jean jacket
- Thong sandals (specifically, Cole Haan black studded ones)

florida

Veteran

Interesting post. I've enjoyed reading everyone's lists of workhorses. You've probably seen me in all of these:
-Striped denim jacket
-Black blazer with white piping
-Black suiting waistcoat
-White button-down tunic
-Bootcut jeans
-Dark-wash jeans
-Denim clams
-Black cotton woven MK Michael Kors skirt
-Dress slacks
-Leopard-print ballet flats
-Black leather riding boots