https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/defining-basics Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 15 Apr 2026 02:50:48 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/defining-basics#post-1520746 Thu, 16 Jul 2015 03:03:38 +0000 Maneera 1520746@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Felt great Jenn.....like I said ---- eye opening! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/defining-basics#post-1520605 Wed, 15 Jul 2015 22:47:18 +0000 Jenn 1520605@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>avettestingray </b>- Just based on that list, I totally love your style!</p> <p><b>Maneera -&nbsp;</b>You did it! How did making that list make you feel? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/defining-basics#post-1520522 Wed, 15 Jul 2015 20:55:43 +0000 Anonymous 1520522@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fun exercise! I always enjoy studies of peoples' essentials/workhorses.<br />I believe mine to be:</p> <p><b></b>Bottoms: dark wash denim (mainly skinny and boot cut)<br />Tops: navy/white v neck tee shirts, button front blouses (sleeveless, short and long sleeve in ivory and accent colors), my ivory/navy breton top, plaid flannel shirt, neutral solid sweaters (navy v-neck pullover, ivory cardi, and navy/white striped draped linen sweater)<br />Dresses: solid, dark neutral or accent colors, knit, knee length dresses&nbsp;<br />Toppers: leather jacket, green anorak, chambray shirt<br />Bag: brown leather crossbody<br />Shoes: brown leather boots (western, moto, knee high heels, etc.)<br />Accessories: two-tone metal band watch, diamond studs, brown leather belt - for utilitarian reasons :)</p> <p>Without these, I would be hopelessly lost (and probably half-naked) as my wardrobe just could not function without these particular pieces. You will find me in one, if not more, of said pieces every.single.day.</p> <p>ETA: I think this exercise has helped me see my style as I think about how each piece is important to my overall look. With the help of YLF and these posts, I see that I have very particular preferences about what I buy and wear now. Yay! I found&nbsp;<i>my </i>style!<i></i></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/defining-basics#post-1520334 Wed, 15 Jul 2015 16:00:37 +0000 Daria 1520334@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very nice detailed list Maneera! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/defining-basics#post-1520333 Wed, 15 Jul 2015 15:57:44 +0000 Alassë 1520333@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great job, Maneera! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/defining-basics#post-1520326 Wed, 15 Jul 2015 15:46:05 +0000 Maneera 1520326@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>After all the help I got from Jenn, Daria and Unfrumped - I finally have a concrete list of what I would call essentials! </p> <p>I had to think a lot. I've never had a minimal wardrobe, so it took some time for me to identify what a small workable wardrobe would look like for my lifestyle and style preference. Here goes:</p> <p>1. Dark Wash jeans and Black denim jeans<br /> 2. 4 tshirts - 2 solid colors and 2 printed<br /> 3. Grey trousers and navy trousers<br /> 4. 2 pairs of shorts - blue denim and black cotton<br /> 5. Peplum top<br /> 6. Drapey crossover blouse<br /> 7. 2 button down shirts<br /> 8. LBD and floral printed dress<br /> 9. 1 Black pencil skirt, 1 abstract print short skirt and 1 maxi skirt<br /> 10. Black Capri pants<br /> 11. 2 pairs of leggings - black and navy<br /> 12. 2 tunics - one plain and one printed<br /> 13. 2 casual cotton blouses </p> <p>That's just 26 pieces! It's eye opening to see this number. When I last counted my clothing items for summer, I had 295 pieces. That's really quite excessive, considering that my list of essentials is so so small. However, my need for variety is rather large. I often don't repeat what I wear out on weekends for the entire season. I can't honestly say I don't want to, but right now I just don't have to. I have lots of options and my goal is usually to wear as many pieces as I can for the season. Often times, I still can't wear everything in the season. </p> <p>This year, I'm determined to wear everything Atleast once. I hope that happens. If not, I'll have a more realistic idea of how many outfits I can ever manage to wear in a season, so that I can pare down my wardrobe to come closer to that number. </p> <p>Thanks again for this, Jenn. This really helped. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/defining-basics#post-1519805 Tue, 14 Jul 2015 19:58:35 +0000 Staysfit 1519805@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I feel like I'm jumping in a bit late here but I most certainly have wardrobe essentials. They are slightly different for fall/winter than Spring/summer. The one common is my j crew matchstick jeans. I love them year round and have yet to find a brand or style of jeans I love better. My AG Nikki jeans come close. Skinny jeans also make my list, as do pencil skirts and sheath/pencil dresses. Turtleneck tops, cashmere crew sweaters, knee high weather proof leather boots, colorful scarves and down coats, vests and jackets. My warm weather list includes sleeveless shoulder bearing tops, tees and dresses, maxi dresses, strappy sandals, long cardigans and cropped cardigans. Bangle bracelets, and layered necklaces take over instead of scarves. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/defining-basics#post-1519787 Tue, 14 Jul 2015 19:16:25 +0000 approprio 1519787@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hm... did I give the wrong answer there? What was the question again??</p> <p>I listed the things that I think comprise a functional basis without which I couldn't get dressed. On consideration, this is altogether different from those much-loved items that I will give a state funeral with full honours when they finally die.&nbsp;</p> <p>My current uniform (if you can call it that) is the backbone of my closet. It pains me to admit that I have 18 blazers, 18 pairs of pants and 40 t-shirts. But if you go through my WIW's, you might see this formula only once or twice. That's because it's not the aspect of getting dressed that brings me so much joy I want to share it.&nbsp;The other ±150 items in my closet - skirts, dresses, shirts, blouses, knits &nbsp; etc - are the things I reach for when I want to feel the delight of wearing something a little different. &nbsp;</p> <p>So sorry to sit on the thread. Thanks for asking such a good question. I'm not sure I know the answer. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/defining-basics#post-1519782 Tue, 14 Jul 2015 18:53:07 +0000 Maneera 1519782@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks Unfrumped, you've effectively answered my question. So I can count dark wash jeans as one wardrobe essential. </p> <p>Daria, I get your point. I live in a 4 season climate too but think of it as 2 season, because I swap out my clothes twice a year. Also, seasons are not equally divided and summer is way longer than winter. </p> <p>For the last 3-4 years, I've been wearing only skinnies with tall boots all winter. This would be the 1st time I'll wear bootcuts with actual boots, so I'm yet to see how practical it turns out to be Thanks for all your help....I really appreciate it </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/defining-basics#post-1519780 Tue, 14 Jul 2015 18:47:06 +0000 Daria 1519780@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maneera, you know, I think when your wardrobe is already large, it's hard to think in minimalistic concepts.<br />There is also a climate aspect - e.g. I live in a 4 season climate (NYC area), and while winters are relatively mild, bootcuts are not very practical most of the year. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/defining-basics#post-1519773 Tue, 14 Jul 2015 18:34:00 +0000 unfrumped 1519773@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maneera, if many of your outfits revolve around <u>one</u> of your pairs of jeans, then you might say "jeans" or "denim bottoms. " </p> <p>I have black work pants in several (ahem, many several)&nbsp;styles (trouser, straight, bootcut, tapered)&nbsp;and lengths (for 2" ankle boots and for flats) , so I could just say, "black work pants" but there are a couple of styles that create my most-used silhouettes, and are needed in order to wear specific favorite tops, or specific footwear. Yet because there is some overlap, if I "lost" one I'd temporarily make do with the others, of course. So I have several options rather than just one pair of pants. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/defining-basics#post-1519772 Tue, 14 Jul 2015 18:31:32 +0000 Maneera 1519772@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Daria - that's the point. You Atleast know you like skinnies above all else. And prefer dark wash skinnies to mud-wash and black, right? </p> <p>I'm not even sure what jeans silhouette to deem as my 'essential'. I've recently started loving bootcuts very much but they are all new this season. I have been wearing skinnies and straight leg for longer. And I'm not sure what 'color' I'll be most likely to replace immediately...it's never happened. But if I had to guess, I would say dark wash....</p> <p>I'm beginning to feel like I will have to 'imagine' my wardrobe essentials....I've got some serious work to do with this list. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/defining-basics#post-1519760 Tue, 14 Jul 2015 18:11:03 +0000 Daria 1519760@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maneera - in practice, I have jeans in black, dark wash and mid wash as well. However, I would be less inclined to immediately replace black or mid wash pair - so didn't include them in my "essential" list. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/defining-basics#post-1519757 Tue, 14 Jul 2015 17:58:24 +0000 Jenn 1519757@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Daria -&nbsp;</b>Not necessarily the same color, but I have specific items that fill specific niches. I'd probably only have one colorful cardigan, to be replaced with another colorful cardigan. Or, to use an example of an item on my wishlist, "straight leg trousers in a near-neutral color." I find I'm usually dissatisfied when I go out and buy an item in multiple colors, even if I loved the first one (I'm prone to <a rel="nofollow" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analysis_paralysis">analysis paralysis</a>&nbsp;when I have too many choices, under any circumstances.) &nbsp;For others (<b>Maneera, </b>I'm looking at you), that might be a great strategy because they feel less-constrained/more creative having a lot of options. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/defining-basics#post-1519754 Tue, 14 Jul 2015 17:50:08 +0000 Astrid 1519754@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If we are talking specific items that I would replace one to one:</p> <p>+a pair of skinny jeans<br />+oxfords that go with skirts and pants<br />+a slouchy wool pullover<br />+a decent wool coat<br />+a knee length a line skirt in a neutral<br />+basic tee in a nice fabric/cut (neutral+color)<br />+comfortable sandals<br />+sturdy leather boots/booties</p> <p>Maybe I forgot something... Out of all these I'm missing the oxfords and the wool coat right now.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/defining-basics#post-1519753 Tue, 14 Jul 2015 17:49:25 +0000 Maneera 1519753@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for starting this thread, Jenn. It's really going to help me, I can see. </p> <p>However, I'm still pretty lost here. I don't have a single item in my closet without which my wardrobe would not function. </p> <p>I'm thinking hard here. I can't even say something like 'jeans'.....coz I have no idea what jeans would that be? I wear skinny, straight leg and bootcut jeans. And I have all three options in dark wash blue, mid wash blue and black. I'm really stumped here. Maybe my wardrobe is all haphazard and wrong? </p> <p>I could say shorts for summer. Or dresses or skirts....but that's too generic. There is too much variety within a category for it to make sense. </p> <p>That ways I do feel my winter wardrobe is more set because I do have a sort of 'uniform'. I might pick a leather jacket one day and a bomber the next day, but essentially it'll be 'jackets' only. Also, I wear only neutrals in winters with printed scarves for some color, so my wardrobe in winters is definitely more cohesive. </p> <p>I will continue to read what others have to say with great interest! Maybe at some point it starts to make sense to me.... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/defining-basics#post-1519751 Tue, 14 Jul 2015 17:47:29 +0000 Daria 1519751@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jenn - do you mean you will replace a cardi with the one of exactly the same color?<br />I have a few in bright colors (currently turquoise, coral and mustard), because as you noticed the rest of my uniform is neutral. But I will replace them with other bright colors - not necessarily the same! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/defining-basics#post-1519750 Tue, 14 Jul 2015 17:47:14 +0000 E 1519750@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For me it'd be categories rather than specific items, like Daria! And I'm in the moderate/maximalist camp. I also feel like the word 'function' is a tricky one; of course I 'need' my preferred silhouettes in my favourite neutrals, to wear with my colours or prints, but I also psychologically 'need' those colours &amp; prints to add interest to the solid neutrals. lol *clutches entire wardrobe to chest* </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/defining-basics#post-1519748 Tue, 14 Jul 2015 17:42:50 +0000 Elly 1519748@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My essentials: (the things that I regularly wear to shreds or couldn't get dressed without)</p> <p>Bootcut and straight leg denim<br />jean jacket<br />leather draped or moto-style jacket<br />flannel/plaid shirts<br />Doc martens<br />fashion sneakers<br />moto boots<br />chelsea boots<br />tee-type blouses<br />long-sleeve tees<br />graphic tees<br />boyfriend shorts<br />hooded sweatshirts<br />leather thong sandals<br />ballcaps and beanies</p> <p>I also have two additional small capsules that are important but don't make it into the daily rotation (gallery and interview) that I use to dress for all "occasions". All of my dress slacks, skirts, and dresses fall in here.&nbsp;</p> <p>Everything else is a variation on one of the above themes (denim button downs, army jacket), is trendy/experimental, or is a player but not essential (pullover sweaters).</p> <p>Basics are socks, undies, bras, gear, loungewear, layering tanks and tees, etc. I would put denim here, but it is too important to my style.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/defining-basics#post-1519746 Tue, 14 Jul 2015 17:38:00 +0000 Jenn 1519746@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's interesting to me how some folks seem to have categories of essentials (i.e.: cardigans) rather than individual items. For me, they're definitely specific items that are replaced with other specific items. Maybe that's part of the difference between wardrobe minimalists and moderates/maximalists? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/defining-basics#post-1519740 Tue, 14 Jul 2015 17:33:36 +0000 Daria 1519740@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>All my basics/essentials would be part of a uniform.</p> <ul> <li>Dark skinnies</li> <li>White button-down shirt</li> <li>Plain tees in dark neutral colors (black, navy)</li> <li>Cardigans</li> <li>Booties</li> <li>Pea coat</li> </ul> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/defining-basics#post-1519727 Tue, 14 Jul 2015 17:16:31 +0000 approprio 1519727@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm pretty eclectic, but I do have a FFB uniform: <ul> <li>A well-cut blazer&nbsp;</li> <li>T-shirt, plain or printed</li> <li>Casual pants (not jeans)</li> <li>Statement footwear, preferably chunky.</li> </ul> In my smart-casual lifestyle. I've found some combination of the above will take me more or less anywhere.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/defining-basics#post-1519719 Tue, 14 Jul 2015 17:01:19 +0000 kkards 1519719@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>for me, they are also items that work and play well with many other items. they form the core of each and everyday, and i build from there. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/defining-basics#post-1519715 Tue, 14 Jul 2015 16:48:07 +0000 Jenn 1519715@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You guys are right. Angie's definition of wardrobe essentials is almost exactly the same as the 5-piece wardrobe's definition of basics.&nbsp;</p> <p><b><i>"A wardrobe essential is an indispensable staple without which your wardrobe would not function."</i></b> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/defining-basics#post-1519714 Tue, 14 Jul 2015 16:43:40 +0000 unfrumped 1519714@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>More variations on definitions, not written in stone but useful for YLF conversations, but I think Angie defines basics, essentials and statement pieces, where your list might be <em>essentials.</p> <p></em>But, I get confused myself, so someone else please chime in&nbsp;regarding &nbsp;the YLF Lexicon!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/defining-basics#post-1519713 Tue, 14 Jul 2015 16:42:50 +0000 Astrid 1519713@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie has written about this but she calls the items you're talking about <i>wardrobe essentials</i>. Basics are a different thing to her (underwear, socks, hosiery, lounge wear etc). This was discussed in the forums quite a bit, but people often use the terms differently.</p> <p><a href="http://youlookfab.com/2012/08/29/revisiting-your-personal-wardrobe-essentials/" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/2012/08/.....ssentials/</a><br /><a href="http://youlookfab.com/2014/10/16/updating-your-wardrobe-essentials/" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/2014/10/.....ssentials/</a></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/defining-basics#post-1519710 Tue, 14 Jul 2015 16:32:20 +0000 Jenn 1519710@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Agreed, <b>Word Lily</b>. I was editing my screed to reflect that even as you were posting! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/defining-basics#post-1519708 Tue, 14 Jul 2015 16:29:42 +0000 Word Lily 1519708@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maybe basics are the things that you <b>do</b> replace with the same/similar when they wear out / don't work any more? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/defining-basics#post-1519698 Tue, 14 Jul 2015 16:22:02 +0000 Jenn 1519698@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Spinning off from Deborah's great <a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/5-piece-french-wardrobe">5-Piece French Wardrobe</a> thread, I've been thinking about the concept of "basics" in my wardrobe and how to create a foundation over which my personal style is built.</p> <p>Since <b>Maneera</b> asked how to determine what constituted a basic, and I've been thinking about this as well, I thought it was worth a discussion.&nbsp;</p> <p>Here's a pretty <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.afterdrk.com/shopping-getting-the-5-piece-thing-started/">classic list of basics</a>&nbsp;from AfterDRK. <a rel="nofollow" href="http://fashioninfographics.com/post/106108992597/the-5-piece-french-wardrobe-basics-list-via">Another similar list</a>. And I liked this more-personalized <a rel="nofollow" href="http://stylonylon.com/2014/04/five-piece-french-wardrobe-my-basics.html">visual version</a> from Stylonylon quite a bit.&nbsp;</p> <p>I started by making my dream list based on these, but quickly realized it wasn't the fastest way to finding a list that suits my lifestyle, so I ended up looking at my wardrobe and picking out the things I wear constantly and combine in lots of different ways. In YLF-speak, basics=workhorses with staying power. (ETA: Others helpfully pointed out that Angie's actual term is "wardrobe essentials." That should help with searching.)</p> <p>My list looked something like this:</p> <p><b>Shoes</b> - black ankle-strap pumps, black ballet flats, tan ballet flats, cowboy boots, Chucks, brown knee-high boots, snow boots<br /><b>Skirts</b> - dark denim a-line, burgundy wool<br /><b>Tops</b> - plaid flannel, striped tee, black drapeneck, black ribbed turtleneck sweater, <i>chunky knit sweater</i><br /><b>Dresses</b> - LBD, chambray fit and flare<br /><b>Pants</b> - burgundy capris, <i>skinny jeans,&nbsp;</i>gray trousers<br /><b>Toppers</b> - black blazer, black cardigan,&nbsp;<i>denim jacket</i><br /><b>Bags</b> - Fossil shopper<br /><b>Coats</b> - down puffer, <i>black trench</i></p> <p><b>Accessories&nbsp;</b>- kuchi cuff, printed scarf, chunky knit infinity scarf</p> <p>This isn't my whole wardrobe, just my workhorses. Some of the things (in italics) are items I had in previous seasons and have since worn out/no longer fit and need replacing. For me, having clothing items completely wear out (and wanting to replace them) is a good sign they're basics. There are some holes here, pieces that I think need adding, some replacements that will work better than what I have, but this is my starting point.</p> <p>Over to you all, what are your wardrobe basics? How do you determine that?</p>