Wardrobe workhorses are items that you wear very frequently, and often for season after season. Absolutely any item of clothing, pair of shoes, or accessory can become a wardrobe workhorse. They are interesting animals because they take on many forms. A simple, fairly nondescript piece like a layering tee, black turtleneck, pair of straight leg jeans, nude bra, stud earrings or white button-down shirt can be a wardrobe workhorse. But a dazzling and eye-catching statement piece like a bright red coat, white leather moto jacket, pair of harem jeans, pony boots, striped full skirt, zebra belt, or neon clutch can be one too. Some workhorses stretched your budget, while others were cheap as chips. The only thing that these widely different items have in common is that you wear the heck out of them.

Items can be bought with the intention of becoming workhorses. In my case when I bought a citron clutch, white belt, and straight leg white jeans this year, I knew I would reach for these items frequently. And I’m happy to report that this is the case. 

Items can also unexpectedly become wardrobe workhorses. I did not expect my white pumps, white boyfriend jeans, fluid charcoal Theory trousers, blush moto jacket, and ankle strap Okala pumps to become wardrobe workhorses. But now I’m wearing these pieces all the time. 

Some items were bought with the intention of becoming wardrobe workhorses, but you just don’t reach for them as frequently as you thought you would. I thought my white tuxedo shirt would become a wardrobe workhorse, but I reach for my shirts with “collars that pop” much more frequently. 

Items can also be workhorses one year, and fall out of favour the next. I often feel this way about my fast fashion items that I purchase from places like Zara. I wore a bone and black scarf print blouse till the cows came home last year, but it’s not a wardrobe workhorse this year. In fact, I am thinking about passing it on. Same goes for a whole slew of scarves that I used to wear a lot. These days I wear scarves mostly for insulation and seldom for decorative purposes, so I reach for them less often.

As much as we try to predict our wardrobe workhorses to ensure that we spend our budget wisely, it’s a tricky business. I warn my clients that we can make educated guesses about potential wardrobe workhorses, but that it’s not a guarantee. A wardrobe workhorse is born when it’s already part of your wardrobe and you have put it through its paces. The best you can do is assess the items that do become workhorses and use that learning to make more informed decisions about future purchases. 

Do these wardrobe workhorse scenarios resonate with you? How often have you correctly predicted a wardrobe workhorse? How often has an item unexpectedly become a wardrobe workhorse?

Mums, Grans and gals on the go needn’t wear jeans, cropped pants and shorts all Summer long — they can wear skirts and dresses too. A few weeks ago I covered skirts, and today’s all about the dress ensemble. As long as the dresses are casual and non-restricting, you’ll feel comfortable and carefree. This relaxed and breezy outfit is fab on a hot day if you aren’t in air conditioning. 

Here are the components: 

• Casual Dress: Woven cottons, cotton blends, linens and jersey knits are best. Think fit and flares, high-low tank dresses and roomy sheaths with an elastic waist. Short boxy shirt dresses and shifts are another option. Solids and patterns are both great. Choose a length that works for you. 
• Sandals: Throw in a pair of Summer sandals, like a tan ankle strap wedge or gladiator. If closed shoes are your preference, choose D’Orsay or pointy toe flats. 
• Tote or Crossbody Bag: Both options are hands-free. 
• Hat and Eyewear: A fedora or straw hat keeps off the sun, and sunnies protect your eyes. Of course, these items are optional. Finish off the outfit with jewellery as desired. 

It doesn’t get easier, or breezier, than pulling on a dress and a pair of sandals for Summer. Add a bag, the odd accessory, and you’re done. Who’s in?

In “Manning Up in the Heat“, the NYTimes turns to menswear designers to get tips and suggestions for what to wear when temps start to rise.

Invisible Woman advocates layering on hot, sticky Summer days, and looks at Iris Apfel for pick-and-mix inspiration and having fun experimenting with unusual outfit combinations.

The Guardian has an extensive roundup of shorts, T-shirts, leggings and lightweight jackets to keep you cool while exercising. In the meantime Michelle Shemilt, a former equity sales trader, has launched an anti-sweat, anti-odour undershirt line for the office. The Nudy Patooty undershirts with reinforced underarms are made from 95% bamboo fabric, which is very breathable, anti-bacterial and three to four times more absorbent than cotton. Would you consider sporting these?

Fab Links from Our Members

Suz recommends watching this video about Beijing street style. It was shot in the neighbourhood where she stayed when visiting last Fall, and she found it very accurate.

Joy’s husband got a big chuckle out of this Esquire list on what men should wear on weekends. A fun conversation starter, for sure.

Jade Beall has photographed more than 70 women embracing their post-pregnancy bodies. The photos, no touch-ups or airbrushing, will also appear in a forthcoming book, A Beautiful Body. Isabel loves this project on the beauty of “imperfection”.

Milehighstyle (Linda) doesn’t feel that she is in rut, but is definitely going to give these ideas a try because they sound like fun.

Angie would like to share this photo of Coco Chanel and Serge Lifar, ballet dancer and choreographer, sporting His and Hers pleated pants in 1937.

Caro enjoyed this article on how Dress for Success Manchester is helping to transform women’s lives with wardrobe makeovers and confidence coaching. She adds that it is always nice to see a demonstration of how clothing can change lives.

Clara T stumbled upon this slide show of what the display of a “smart watch” might look like. This watch was conceptualized in 2009 and called facetime (before FaceTime as we know it existed).

Settling for second best means discarding the Triple “P” Purchasing Principle and consciously deciding not to be patient, picky and practical about a purchase decision. As much as I dislike it when my clients settle for second best on our shopping trips, sometimes we have no choice. 

It can happen when we’re scrambling to find an occasion outfit at the last minute. My client has nothing appropriate to wear for the occasion, so everything depends on what we can find within a tight timeframe. Sometimes we aren’t as lucky as we had hoped to be. A romantic flowing frock in a bright colour was not on the cards because her size wasn’t available, and alterations weren’t an option given the time available. So my client has to settle for a straight skirt and top in neutrals.

Settling for less than perfect shoes is another example. Some of my clients have extremely fussy feet that are hard to fit. Or they wear a size that’s in short supply. One of my clients recently had a pair of black pointy toe booties with a two inch heel and sleek ankle fit on her shopping list, but we just couldn’t find a style that was roomy enough for my client’s wide feet. A pair of versatile black booties was preventing my client from wearing a whole slew of outfits, so she decided to buy a less sleek pair with a round toe. They will tide her over until she finds that absolutely perfect pair.

Budget constraints are also a reason to settle for second best. You actually find the item that fits the bill, but it’s way out of your budget. Being financially responsible, you purchase the red pleather jacket from H&M instead of the perfect specimen at Danier that is six times the price. 

Settling for second best is sometimes inevitable, and that’s okay. When time, availability and budget constraints are outside our control we have to make the best of the situation. What is important is to make conscious, deliberate compromises, and beware the slippery slope that leads to settling for second best too often. Especially at sale time!