https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-considerations-for-essentials Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 24 Apr 2026 06:55:12 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-considerations-for-essentials#post-2168365 Thu, 28 Jan 2021 01:00:54 +0000 Angie 2168365@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Gaylene,</b> nice to see you chime in! Thanks for the support and wisdom.&nbsp;<br /><b><br />unfrumped</b>, nearly-neutrals can be very effective for essentials. I can see that work well for you :)</p> <p><b>La Ped</b>, you are bang on the money about bookending!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-considerations-for-essentials#post-2168356 Thu, 28 Jan 2021 00:15:59 +0000 Anonymous 2168356@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is a great thread. I agree with Gaylene most closely. I can tell the essentials when I need to replace them. Examples are dark neural Ponte pants, a dark basic dress ( I go to too many funerals), a basic tan sheath dress for when black is not appropriate (like weddings). I am still mourning my last one. It was perfect and even had a swishy skirt for dancing. I always want to have a simple black and also one in some shade of white. Nude-to-me dressy flats or kitten heels are another thing that comes to mind. A warm winter coat and a basic trench coat are also essentials for me. White linen pants and some pants in dark denim are something I have come to rely on. I don’t know if this is accurate for essentials or not. They can be different for each person. You will know it when you do not have it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-considerations-for-essentials#post-2168349 Wed, 27 Jan 2021 23:36:44 +0000 Anonymous 2168349@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think of neutrals more in relation to who they're on. Though black is technically a neutral, on Angie it's not, because it's unrelated to her coloring. If she wears black, we will see the black first. Blush though, relates to her skin, and therefore is neutral! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-considerations-for-essentials#post-2168323 Wed, 27 Jan 2021 21:38:36 +0000 Carla 2168323@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Going forward - January rules should be: no discussions about religion, politics, and <i>style&nbsp;</i><i>essentials! &nbsp;</i>:-D </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-considerations-for-essentials#post-2168308 Wed, 27 Jan 2021 20:06:39 +0000 unfrumped 2168308@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Haha- right, Angie, I knew that neutrality would win out- but I love hearing that it’s that “ brightest”<br /> neutral! That’s also a good reminder about how to leverage its use. </p> <p>Thank goodness for “ nearly neutrals”, whether they will fit as essentials or not. it is generally possible to find some of these in simple versatile items from year to year, though not nearly as easy as black. navy, white. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-considerations-for-essentials#post-2168296 Wed, 27 Jan 2021 19:22:02 +0000 LaPed 2168296@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Unfrumped, I agree with you that for a lot of us white footwear would be statement, not essential. For Angie, it bookends, and I think that makes a big difference. White footwear/light hair has an equivalent visual impact to black footwear/dark hair.&nbsp;</p> <p>As Suntiger does, I like thinking about what shades I have in my personal colouring and I figure any of those can be under consideration as neutrals/essentials, although I don't necessarily wear all of them. It offers a starting point, and explains (for me) why virtually no one will have red essentials. Even natural redheads are actually dealing with shades that are more like rust/cognac/cinnamon/chestnut than a true fire-engine red.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-considerations-for-essentials#post-2168290 Wed, 27 Jan 2021 18:55:48 +0000 Gaylene 2168290@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ha, the annual “essentials” debate ;)</p> <p>After a decade of thrashing this concept around, I’m officially aligning with Carla on this one for the following reasons:<br /> (1). it’s Angie’s blog so her definition of “essentials” supersedes dictionary or personal definitions in YLF discussions.<br /> (2). Angie is pretty clear about what she considers wardrobe “essentials”:<br /> They are specific items within a wardrobe category, and not the entire wardrobe category. They are personal and evolve over time. They support statement pieces because an “essential” doesn’t make a strong visual statement in an outfit. They are current, but not interesting in themselves despite their importance in an outfit. </p> <p>I’d also add that it’s probably easier for of us who have a small, tightly edited, neutral-based, pattern-impoverished closet to identify our “essentials” because our statements are pretty obvious. For example—in MY closet—dark denim straight-legged jeans are an “essential” while wide-legged, pleated navy linen pants are a statement. My white, long-sleeved, collared cotton shirt is an “essential” while my white, oversized, boxy, asymmetrically wooden-buttoned linen shirt is a statement. My sleek, black, low-heeled leather boots are an “essential” while my taller-heeled, black, front-laced, suede, mid-calf boots are a statement. My navy and white striped, traditional Breton sweater is an “essential” but my navy and white Marimekko version is a statement because of its variation in stripe widths, oversized sleeves, and architectural, boxy shape. </p> <p>Color, though, is interesting because of its interaction with other pieces in my mostly black, white, navy, and gray wardrobe. It most frequently occurs in a “completer” piece like a sleek, small turquoise cross-body bag worn with a column of black. I also like to play with color in summer outfits when I can’t rely on that “third-piece” punch of a bag, jewelry, scarf, or jacket to add interest to a monochrome outfit. What works for me is a bold color combination like a solid, bright-orange T-shirt worn with a royal blue cropped pant and neutral sandals. Since the bulk of my wardrobe is neutral and pattern-less, I’m wondering if this kind of vibrant, color blocking doesn’t act as a statement even though both items are extremely simple? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-considerations-for-essentials#post-2168277 Wed, 27 Jan 2021 18:16:25 +0000 Angie 2168277@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b></b>Good discussion, <b>unfrumped!&nbsp;</b></p> <p>Soooooo, red wardrobe items are too bright to be wardrobe essentials ;)</p> <p>YES, my white boots make a statement of sorts and are signature to my style - (and so do my bright white jeans and white pearls for that matter) - BUT! The thing is, <u>white is still a NEUTRAL</u>, although it's the brightest neutral....which is why I love it. So for that reason, these items can go in the essentials category.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-considerations-for-essentials#post-2168272 Wed, 27 Jan 2021 18:03:21 +0000 Star (Lise) 2168272@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>kkards</b>, I too was looking at how often I wear an item but was told that would make it a workhorse not necessarily an essential, although could be both I guess... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-considerations-for-essentials#post-2168271 Wed, 27 Jan 2021 17:58:03 +0000 Anonymous 2168271@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well my olive puffer is a functional essential for my climate, but it could be burgundy, black, or brown too- anything that goes with most of my wardrobe.<br /> I use burgundy as essential, it's my "mid tone" neutral in my sunset scheme It grounds my oranges, purples, hot pinks to keep the outfits lower contrast. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-considerations-for-essentials#post-2168270 Wed, 27 Jan 2021 17:56:14 +0000 kkards 2168270@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lots of interesting thoughts...as someone for whom olive green is a color, its interesting for me to think about..but yes i think for certain people, red tops could/would be essentials...for me, i like of think of essential as what do i wear 5 out of 7 days a week, different maybe from &nbsp;Angie’s definition, but its helped me to get my head around it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-considerations-for-essentials#post-2168267 Wed, 27 Jan 2021 17:49:18 +0000 rachylou 2168267@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Star, I think that works in my taxonomy... !! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-considerations-for-essentials#post-2168262 Wed, 27 Jan 2021 17:38:20 +0000 Star (Lise) 2168262@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>RL</b> my first thought is that the solid orange is a completer piece but I am very new at this so may be completely off target. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-considerations-for-essentials#post-2168260 Wed, 27 Jan 2021 17:32:05 +0000 rachylou 2168260@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Let me torture all y’all more: I often use a solid bright orange as a visual resting spot to bridge hectic pattern. Compositionally this works to provide neutral SPACE, albeit it’s done with non-neutral colour. This is how bright red could be considered ‘a neutral’ yet not an essential.</p> <p>What say you? :)</p> <p>ps: trying to replace the orange with black - a neutral neutral - has proved disastrous... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-considerations-for-essentials#post-2168259 Wed, 27 Jan 2021 17:31:55 +0000 unfrumped 2168259@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>rachylou, I can see that for sure in our fashion world, but think that’s maybe fashion- ingrained bias. Which of course is the world we’re in!<br /> For example, black and white are neutrals, but certain combinations — even all solid pieces, prints-are anything but subdued or “ quiet “. </p> <p>On a note more aligned with the essentials concept of “ simplicity” rather than embellishments:<br /> I recently reworked 2 tops:<br /> One simple gray knit top from TJMAXX that was a good wearable casual style for me, but it had a row of brass ( faux) buttons on the sleeves. Not a flashy embellishment, but enough to interfere with the way I wanted to use it. So I removed them and will see how that works.<br /> Next, a silk shirt, burgundy with white pindot pattern, with gold round buttons. I never liked the buttons but love the shirt. I could not find a close enough burgundy button, but changed to small round pearl buttons that go with the pindot. Not exactly no- contrast, but more aligned with color palette , simpler. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-considerations-for-essentials#post-2168254 Wed, 27 Jan 2021 17:24:51 +0000 Star (Lise) 2168254@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Me again, maybe summer essentials will be a different picture which I have not looked at in depth.&nbsp; Winter dressing is very practical for me&nbsp; Unfrumped, you raised some very interesting ideas.&nbsp; eg, white shoes are definitely a statement for me, and I can really see how a person who needs color near their face (ie, me, when my white hair grows in the near future) would consider a bright or jewel-colored top essential.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-considerations-for-essentials#post-2168253 Wed, 27 Jan 2021 17:19:15 +0000 Star (Lise) 2168253@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>FWIW, I still am not able to see my essentials in colors, but in items.&nbsp; Eg, cords are essential in winter and not too fussed what color they are but must go with most of my knits. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-considerations-for-essentials#post-2168251 Wed, 27 Jan 2021 17:17:09 +0000 Star (Lise) 2168251@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>RL</b>. we cross posted.&nbsp; The red part is what I am struggling with. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-considerations-for-essentials#post-2168249 Wed, 27 Jan 2021 17:16:10 +0000 Star (Lise) 2168249@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>RL</b>, that is the part I am struggling to get my head around... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-considerations-for-essentials#post-2168248 Wed, 27 Jan 2021 17:15:27 +0000 rachylou 2168248@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>And one more... is an essential like white space in a painting? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-considerations-for-essentials#post-2168246 Wed, 27 Jan 2021 17:12:07 +0000 rachylou 2168246@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So... I’m thinking it’s quite possible bright red can never be an essential, but a muted red or red-related, like burgundies, could be... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-considerations-for-essentials#post-2168243 Wed, 27 Jan 2021 17:00:39 +0000 nemosmom 2168243@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmmmm... this is kind of like when I went a little crazy adding a boatload of forest green things.&nbsp; I had a lot more *clothes*, but fewer outfits that went together, that I was happy with. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-considerations-for-essentials#post-2168237 Wed, 27 Jan 2021 16:52:59 +0000 Carla 2168237@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rachylou has identified what I think muddles things up when folks are trying to figure out essentials in the context of wardrobe content and&nbsp;<i>styling. &nbsp;</i>Of course there are items an individual can’t envision not having because it is necessary for their well being (physical or mental), therefore it is considered essential in the context of dictionary definition. &nbsp;However, the concept of an&nbsp;<i>essential&nbsp;</i>in the context of <i>styling&nbsp;</i>an outfit is more like a mathematical equation composed of constants, variables and operators = expression. &nbsp;(Apologies in advance to any mathematicians for misappropriation of terminology!)&nbsp;</p> <p> <div>I suspect most of the world gets dressed without thinking fashion deep thoughts, and some folks just have great instinct when it comes to putting together consistently interesting outfits. For them, style is an art. For those who don’t have that instinct, but are just as invested in presentation, style concepts and formulas can be useful tools. &nbsp;For them, style is a science. :-)</div></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-considerations-for-essentials#post-2168232 Wed, 27 Jan 2021 16:42:53 +0000 unfrumped 2168232@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It might be simpler to say this is about the intersection of color palette and essentials. If you are on the wrong path re: color palette, it will drive your essentials further down that road. Or vice versa. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-considerations-for-essentials#post-2168221 Wed, 27 Jan 2021 16:20:46 +0000 rachylou 2168221@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ok... listen... lol, this year I’m really into the idea that functional essential and style essential is a line that has to be drawn. Like my long black puffy is both a functional essential and a style essential... and when it comes to it being a style essential, it’s actually the length that puts it on the list... because I do, at the height of summer... only wear it at night for the dog walk, ahaha! (Yes, that’s funny.) In the daytime, I wear another long, light coat... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-considerations-for-essentials#post-2168220 Wed, 27 Jan 2021 16:20:30 +0000 nemosmom 2168220@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Boy, I wish I could help, but you raise great questions. I will pull up a chair and follow along. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-considerations-for-essentials#post-2168218 Wed, 27 Jan 2021 16:07:46 +0000 unfrumped 2168218@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’m enjoying all the discussions on wardrobe Essentials.<br /> I sometimes go back and forth on whether I’ve “ got it” or not. I do agree with rachylou that they can be quite individual/ personal, which makes it fun, and also makes it important for each person to think about it that , or else will accumulate things that are someone ELSE’S essentials.<br /> I think type of item silhouette is important-particularly those that work easily with others- not too “ demanding. That’s why I learned that slim- straight and even slightly tapered pants are more of an “ essential “ for me, even though I love me a good pair of pleated wider- legged trousers.<br /> Color palette is an important aspect — things need to go together and in the right way for your preference ( like what colors are on top or bottom or both, proportions of the colors in the outfit—including classic neutrals in the term” color “).<br /> But consider “ face colors”. Let’s say someone looks fab in red. Let’s say a type of bright red, because it’s also often considered a “ statement “. ( picking that because I don’t look great in really bright reds!) And let’s say has a tight color palette of bottoms and jackets and shoes in a few classic neutrals but doesn’t look as good with those as face colors.<br /> For this person then, having a great red cotton T, a light pullover, a red cashmere sweater, all chosen in styles that work with the bottoms and layer under toppers, could be wardrobe essentials.<br /> So a counter would be, no, only the other neutral pieces are essentials, allowing room for the red tops.<br /> But then.. stripes? I love some stripes too so it’s fun to think- why? Because they are a more subtle type of pattern, can tie together base colors, and I think also, provide a different “ face color “ than either single color in the stripe. Hence my stripes may have different sizes/ colors than someone else’s.<br /> Then thinking whether versatility is at all related to essentials and how that relates to color and pattern. If one looks good in white and navy as Angie clearly does, toppers in these colors go easily over many outfits without a lot of fuss.<br /> But I find that sometimes other colors are hard to combine as solids— grays together, some berries don’t mix , etc, so a tweedy or plaid jacket in the right colors can be more versatile and the piece that gets me out the door without changing clothes twice. Since some kind of topper IS essential, does an essential type of clothing have yo be in an “ essential “ ( neutral) color to be an essential?<br /> Tweaking Angle just a bit, she is truly queen of pristine white footwear, but to me, white boots make a statement. But they are wardrobe glue, versatile and consistent with her style. So for a different color palette, another color that is not typically neutral, in a different tonal combination, could be essential. </p> <p>Well, now that I’ve gotten into this wormhole, perhaps someone can harpoon me out, or add some thoughts. </p>