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What are your wardrobe MVP's--your own top 10 (or 15) essentials list?

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

I love all this talk about lists! Claire's s 10-item wardrobe thread (http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....m-wardrobe) and Suz's wardrobe essentials thread (http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....tials-list) and Krish's magnificent 5 thread (http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....cent-fives), got me thinking about a follow-up question (hope you don't think it's too similar): What is your own personal essentials list? I'm wondering what your current wardrobe MVP's--most valuable (or versatile!) players--are and what items you would consider your must-haves for your own wardrobe? I tried to whittle it down to top ten, but I'm a maximal wardrobe gal, so I had to go with 15.

To make it more disciplined, I picked one item from each major clothing and accessory category (otherwise I'd probably end up with 5 boots, 5 coats and 5 dresses!). Even though I don't think much in terms of capsules, my top 15 do make somewhat of a capsule since each item seems to show up in multiple pics. I think being pregnant has made me wear items more often, and plus since I'm in love with burgundy this season, everything seems to go together. Or maybe my style is coming together in a more focused way!

So I'm really curious to see what you all consider your top 10-15 wardrobe items. You can either copy the categories I used, or make up your own list, if there are certain categories you don't wear or other categories that you wear more. And please post pics if you have them!

1. Coat
Kate Spade Melissa black ruffled trench
2. Jacket
Tahari black leather jacket
3. Shirt
Pea in the Pod mustard cowl neck short-sleeve shirt
4. Blouse
Japanese Weekend fuschia long-sleeve maternity blouse (I can layer over this blouse and just use the collar and sleeves, so it's pretty versatile)
5. Sweater
H&M burgundy cowl neck sweater
6. Jeans
Mavi burgundy maternity skinny cords
7. Pants
H&M black maternity skinny pants
8. Skirt
ASOS bumblebee chevron skirt (this isn't necessarily my favorite skirt--I think the one in 10 is my favorite right now, but this one is the most versatile and because of the stretch waist I will be able to wear it longer)
9. Dress
Banana Republic ribbon wrap dress
10. Handbag
Fossil floral satchel
11. Necklace
White House Black Market black pendant
12. Bracelet
Forever 21 bronze and orange stretch cuff
13. Boots
Frye Melissa black lace-up boots
14. Heels
Clark black Mary Jane pumps
15. Flats
Born bronze ballet flats

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Dressing

17 replies

Latest reply was from Jewell

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

When it comes to these list I prefer to list categories not just one specific item. I guess that reflects how much I am not a minimalist...

So on that note, here goes..

1. Cropped Jackets
2. Dresses
3. Skirts
4. Straight leg Trousers
5. Patterned Tops
6. Boots, flat and heels
7. Ballet Flats
8. Wedged sandals
9 Low heeled pumps
10. Scarfs
11. Belts
12. Purses in great colors and midsize

Anonymous

At the moment, we are still averaging 80F for highs so that will have something to do with my choices!

1. skinny jeans
2. pointy flats
3. silk blouse
4. a great belt
5. blazer
6. Monty (python bag)

Last year I would have mentioned a T with scarf, but I'm not wearing T-shirts much right now, and a silk blouse with a collar is warm enough to skip a scarf so far. I'd really like to get a chance to wear my moto, but so far it's been too warm. I've carried it a couple of places though, if that counts!

shedev

Veteran

My list is very heavy on the black because I'm in mourning. It's been very interesting interpreting trends with this restrictiction. Some items are catogories and some are specific things. I wore many more shirts than my list indicates, but I kept coming back to these. Accesories not included.

Here's my top 15.

Shoes
1. demonia platform creepers 3".
2. steve madden midi boots with straps.
3 .black studded microfiber boots.

Pants
4. basic black skinnies
5. vera wang red and black checckeredish skinnies
6. black bootcuts
7. bebe black lace skinnies
8. rock and republic studded jeans

Tops
9. black chunky knit crop sweater
10. black old navy crew neck sweater
11. charcoal fairisle-ish sweater

Coats
12. bebe puffer
13. wilsons classic biker leather
14. vera wang oxblood and black shearling collar moto

bag
15. betsey johnson skulls and roses crossbody bag

rae

(website)

Veteran

Ooh, tough one! Since the question is about Essentials, I'm trying to imagine what I'd keep around if I were told I could only use 15 pieces for an extended period and still had to express my style. I tried to cover all seasons, but that didn't work at all. This is for F/W only.

- Gidigio tall boot. (Statement/riding boot alternative).
- Rockport Anna Motor engineer boot (My version of a classic boot).
- One pair of pumps... not sure which. Black patent if I still had them.

- Double-waist japanese jeans (casual statement bottoms)
- Faded Charcoal Gap jeggings (go-with-everything bottoms/ basic alternative).
- Copper-button fly custom indigo skinnies (dresses up or down)

- Barbour polarquilt jacket (colored topper)
- Zella jacket (fitted topper)
- Long Karen Millen wool military coat (winter/dressy topper)

- Anthro Given then Gathered blue dress (dresses up or down)

- Emerald crewneck sweater (lightweight)
- Burgundy thermal henley (med weight)
- Orange ribbed turtleneck (heavy)

- Copper buckled brown men's belt
- Citron ombre handbag

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RandomThoughts (Andrea)

Veteran

Wow, this is tough because I have separate wardrobes for different areas of my life. I will try to include this as ONE wardrobe to cover all needs.

1. Jacket - currently seeing a lot of action (as it did last year) is my Blanc Noir black field jacket

2. Scarf - Plaid acrylic scarf from Target

3. Work shoes - Frye Carson booties in natural. Very versatile and comfy.

4. Blouse - This is sort of a tough choice. I have three options: BB white fitted shirt, B/W stripe sheer button down or my sleeveless tie neck blouse. I'm leaning toward the BB just because it's a classic (though I generally veer away from that! LOL)

5. Jeans - Gap Always Skinny in dark blue. I don't wear these to work as they are my "good" jeans but if I had to pick just one pair...

6 Skirt - It has not yet proven to be a work horse but is my current darling - Halogen seamed pencil in pink honey. The seamed skirts as a whole are dog show staples for me.

7. Blazer - Again, a new comer but I'm loving my Gibson plaid trimmed blazer. Yum!

8. Dressier shoes/boots - Black Sudini tall boots. These see tons of action.

9. Top - Black scoop tee. I have two (same brand from Macy's forget the name) that I wear with everything.

10. Sweater - J Crew green argyle deep V. Looks good with skirts, jeans, etc

These are not all necessarily my favorites but they are definitely work horses and versatile. Things that everything else sort of pins onto.

rachylou

Veteran

Well, my new Kohl's Vera Wang chunky sweater. Got it Saturday and have worn it every day since. I even go outside without a jacket in it!

Also:

Zara "harem" pants, olive and navy pinstripe
Target long sleeve tees
knee high brown boots
grey Hunters
Me Too navy patent pumps
Red plaid skinnies
UO floral skinnies
NAS shiny blue puffer

Lisa

Veteran

My top 10 at the moment:

1. Yellow Wool Coat
2. Camel Tall Boot
3. Black Mid Lace Up Boot
4. Red Open Cardigan
5. Grey Tweed Blazer
6. Green Blazer
7. Striped Long Sleeve T
8. Grey Sweater
9. Joe's Jeans
10. Lucky Brand Jeans

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

My top 10 at the moment would be:

1. Navy v-neck cashmere sweater
2. Red winter coat
3. White button down shirt
4. Breton top
5. Black dressy boots
6. Black pencil skirt
7. Purple A-line skirt
8. Jeans
9. Brown booties
10. Red fit-and-flare dress

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Right now my MVP are:

1. Reversible Bleulab skinnies
2. Breton top
3. Navy turtleneck, Theory
4. Fuchsia knit cropped jacket, H&M
5. DV booties in smog
6. Vince Camuto colourblock pea coat
7. AT stretch silk shirt
8. BR denim shirt

This is totally seasonal. Would be different in fall, spring, summer. Like, completely, with no overlap whatsoever.

cjh

(website)

Veteran

Here's my list - all cold weather. If you take off shoes and scarves, it would be about 18 items. This is not all I wear, but these are the things I reach for over and over. I really see a pattern here. It sounds like I wear all black, doesn't it? But not really. I have lots of gray, and many colors that mix in, and often wear scarves or jewelry to give some zing of color or shine. I didn't put coats on the list. I have two frequently worn - a soft shell zipper with hood for casual outfits and a gray wool car coat length for dressier days.

Gray thin sweater with thin black stripes. Navy thin sweater. Red thin sweater. (these are all layering weight)
Red cotton Jones New York jacket. Purple print cardigan. Black tweedy blazer. Black tweedy sweater jacket. Black asymmetrical boiled wool sweater. Red pullover v-neck thicker sweater.
White blouse. Gray striped blouse.
Black layering tshirt with sparkles. Purple layering tshirt.
Skinny jeans. Gray twill pants. Black ponte knit pants. Black dress pants. Black pencil skirt.
Black Keds. Black Born oxfords. Black Mary Jane pumps.
Scarves - cottony and drapy-not silky – gray leopard, red/black wrinkly, gray/mustard/burgundy square, blue/black print.

ETA: Looking at this list now, though, I could probably get away with very little else. Maybe a few more red items for wearing to basketball games (don't worry - I have some.)

Very thought provoking exercise. Thanks, Natalie.

catgirl

Veteran

I have a really specific list:

1. Gidigio boots
2. BF jeans
3. Equipment shirts
4. Theory blazer
5. Wolverine necklace
6. Skinny jeans
7. Oversized sweaters
8. Cropped jackets
9. DV Joust ankle boots
10. RATE Coach bag

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I wonder if I can do this:
1. IKKS knit jacket.
2. flat Giraudon boots
3. burgundy oxfords
4. navy JCrew sweater
5. Gap bf jeans
6. brown IXOS oxfords
putter, putter...

Day Vies

Veteran

These are my 15 "essentials" They form the basis of my wardrobe. It's funny that I typed out this list without even thinking so they are not meant to be a capsule but they seem to work that way.
1 long coat
1 short coat
1 structured jacket (neutral color)
1 pair of long dark blue jeans -- boot cut (for wearing heels)
1 pencil skirt
1 classic white button down shirt
1 pair of wide-leg trousers
1 pair of pointed toe flats
1 pair of pointed toe heels (3 inches max)
1 3/4 sleeve striped tee (cream & black)
1 long printed scarf in a bright pattern
1 bright colored or neutral patterned cardigan
2 lace trimmed camisoles one each in black and white
1 shapewear camisole

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

My current "top 15" would have to be ...

1. Black and white peplum top (Le Chateau)
2. Magenta purple pencil skirt (Ricki's)
3. Black cardigan (Ricki's)
4. Grey and black plaid tights (Joe Fresh)
5. White beaded long necklace (Le Chateau)
6. Fur-collar vintage inspired coat (Forever 21)
7. Reddish-hued tall leather boots (Doc Martens)
8. Cognac fold-over purse (Fossil)
9. Stainless boyfriend watch (Fossil)
10. Stainless and crystal acorn earrings (Nordies)
11. Elbow length leather gloves in plum (Le Chateau)
12. Navy and white dotty scarf (Le Chateau)
13. Off-white cloche (H&M)
14. Cognac mid-calf booties (Born)
15. Canvas Tote w/ Great Gatsby print (Out of Print Books)

ramya

Veteran

Hmmm
1. My VM outer coat,
2.High brown boots
3. skinnies maroon
4. tote bag
5. Pashmina scarf
6. gun metal knit blazer
7. Giordino watch stainless steel
8 My topaz and diamond rings(both mandatory)
9. pink knit chunky sweater
10.blue curve id jeans

ManidipaM

Veteran

I'm very leery of thinking too far ahead about my wardrobe at the moment, as a first-time-parent-to-be, so like Rae, I'm staying seasonal with this exercise. That's not to say many of these pieces wouldn't cross seasons quite comfortably, but I may not necessarily see them as 'MVPs' then.

1. Mothercare boyfriend jeans*
2. Leggings in brown, black, red and grey
3. Straight midi skirts in red, blue and black (soon only the black will fit though)*
4. Mothercare grey melange maternity T-shirt*
5. M&S taupe floral-print knit top
6. M&S navy and white Breton-striped T-shirt
7. Blue & green printed oversized soft shirt
8. M&S cobalt blue knit tunic
9. Long green flared wraparound kameez (an Indian tunic, if you will, though this is more the length and shape of a long dress)
10. Floral-print knit soft jacket (no buttons or other closures, functions as a light topper)
11. Chartreuse empire-line unbelted trench
12. Winter white poncho sweater
13. Red loafers
14. Bronze Naturalizer ballet (almost) flats --- I can't thank folks here at YLF *enough* for urging me to choose bronze for a versatile neutral shoe, in lieu of black and nude
15. Black Clarks ankle-strap slingbacks
* These are the only maternity-specific garments I currently own. Some others are recent buys, but are sized-up versions of regular garments or just cut in a more belly-accommodating way. I'm surprised it worked out that way.

Also valuable, though more in the Versatile Indulgence category for me:
1. Benetton leather jacket
2. Red fleece-lined tights
3. Pale-blue zip-up cardigan
4. Red sporty zip-up jacket
5. Brown Hush Puppies booties---YLF consensus advised getting rid of these already, but I'm still making do until I can find an excellent and affordable replacement for the same functionality
6. Brown Hush Puppies mary-jane pumps
I can get by fine without these, but they do make dressing up a little more exciting or at least less fraught on occasion.

That's a total of 21, actually. You'll notice no bags in that list, because I've yet to find The One. And I would have liked a bump-friendly dress, either black or coloured, with sleeves, preferably in a wrap style---but also haven't found one and am not finding I can't do without.

I was intrigued to realize that some of these are items I don't actually wear very often! Yet they qualify as MVP simply because I'd go into a tizz if they suddenly went missing---they are crucial on the rare occasion. Wardrobe lynchpins, the likes of which I once used to avoid buying because they seemed such a waste of money for so little wear. Best example: the black slingbacks. Another: the trench, given the weather here and the fact that I'm running unusually warm.

Another little realization: Most of this list actually comes from about 6 different brands, with very few exceptions. Apparently, either I *do* know where to look for fit, or have very specific fit issues; or, I do *not* cast the shopping net very far and wide at all. Trying to decide which it is...!

Hmm, very useful little exercise, on the whole---thanks again for a thought-provoking thread, Natalie!

Jewell

Veteran

Wardrobe MVPs- I like that. For my essentials list I tried to list the 15 items I would be tempted to save in a fire.

1. Me Too ballet flats- black
2. skinny jeans
3. bootcut jeans
4. brown wedges
5. Dooney & Bourke toggle sac- brown
6. dark rinse jeggings
7. brown slouch boots
8. black trousers
9. silver Fossil watch
10. black wool coat
11. fucshia MNG blazer
12. corduroy jacket
13. French cuff shirt- white
14. solid turtlenecks for layering
15. my entire scarf collection since I wear scarves year round