https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials---close-but-not-quite Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 12 Apr 2026 19:06:59 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials---close-but-not-quite#post-1997547 Thu, 31 Jan 2019 04:37:49 +0000 rachylou 1997547@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maybe, Sal. I rather think so, but Angie says I have to pick a colour and it all falls apart there! Lol. It’s down to just boots </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials---close-but-not-quite#post-1997544 Thu, 31 Jan 2019 04:31:18 +0000 Sal 1997544@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think Rachy that your essential list might be short - puffer, leggings, maybe a type of knit. For some people it could be just jeans. It is all individual. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials---close-but-not-quite#post-1997528 Thu, 31 Jan 2019 02:46:23 +0000 rachylou 1997528@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ok. See here. This is the thing. I have black skirts and black tops. They are neutral. I’ll use them as glue. BUT, and this is a big ‘but’ - I really don’t wear them even once a week. I have a hard time thusly seeing them as a style essential. In some ways they are a style departure, when I do wear them... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials---close-but-not-quite#post-1997505 Thu, 31 Jan 2019 01:25:59 +0000 Jessikams 1997505@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The hard prune is necessary sometimes. It allows you to see what you really have that is useful, when you get rid of all the stuff that is NOT useful.</p> <p>We tend to hang onto things without realizing that they won’t really do the trick anymore. Outdated styles, stuff from a previous lifestyle or location, etc. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials---close-but-not-quite#post-1997225 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 11:53:59 +0000 Jaime 1997225@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Aha! The mystery begins to unravel (reference to my own comment on Rachy's thread, never mind me ). Hmm. I must think this over a bit. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials---close-but-not-quite#post-1997178 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 08:15:02 +0000 Cardiff girl 1997178@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love your analogy of a hard prune,l think that I m going to apply this to my wardrobe soon in the hope of fresh new growth in the spring.l am in awe of your wardrobe numbers especially as I have started cataloguing my wardrobe and am finding out just how many clothes Ihave,head hangs in shame. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials---close-but-not-quite#post-1997160 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 05:41:25 +0000 Suz 1997160@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That makes sense, Carla! And I don't think most people would require as many clothes as I have, either! I did fine with about 80 pieces not counting bags/ shoes/ scarves -- or would have/ could have if they'd been really well chosen. If I occupied fewer roles I think I could still do that. Especially if I wore my gear more heavily than I do.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials---close-but-not-quite#post-1997158 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 05:30:38 +0000 Carla 1997158@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Suz - I wouldn't suggest anyone have as few items as I currently do! In fact I will be adding shortly for the summer season. (A dress or three, shorts, and sandals are on the list.) It has been 10 months since I retired and I'm just now getting a handle on what I want to look like going forward! </p> <p>Just like one has to perform a 'hard prune' to rejuvenate some plants, I had to really clean my closet in order to move forward. My initial spring edit was a start, but didn't go deep enough. The October edit was a purge! Now I'm working on a better understanding of the elements of fashion and style (like this 'essentials' concept. ) to ensure future acquisitions better reflect who I am today and going forward!</p> <p>*Next conversation - wild cards? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials---close-but-not-quite#post-1997145 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 04:40:06 +0000 Suz 1997145@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting, Carla. Your observations about duplication confirm that you are to an extent a uniform dresser. It would not bother you to repeat -- duplication makes sense to avoid laundry tie-ups.&nbsp;</p> <p>Your wardrobe is extremely tight and hard-working. Amazing, really! I just counted my clothing items and I have about twice as many as you. Now, I could probably stand to pare back a bit, but not a whole lot. I'd struggle to dress for the variety of occasions I need to dress for, if I did. But I do think concentrating on essentials is a really great way to begin the process of paring back, if one wants to do that.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials---close-but-not-quite#post-1997141 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 04:33:07 +0000 Sal 1997141@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes I agree totally with Jessi and Carla....</p> <p>When my striped black and white tee dies I will replace it with a similar one in the same colours.&nbsp; &nbsp;Same with my cognac bag I think......&nbsp;</p> <p>If you wear them alot and are confident they are winners duplication really can work.....&nbsp; I don't because I am Queen of Laundry (such a prestigious forum position) so I wash every day..... (I do this mostly because with four people who play sport/gym/swim every day in a humid climate...the laundry basket might walk to the machine on it's own if I did not throw them in myself) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials---close-but-not-quite#post-1997137 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 04:26:27 +0000 Carla 1997137@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jesikams - I think you've got it! </p> <p>After reading Angie's response to me, as well as other threads, I had a bit of an 'Aha!' (Or at least I hope I did!). I'm also adding to what Angie identified as my essentials. Although I don't duplicate a lot in my smallish wardrobe, an essential is something that I DO duplicate, or might WANT to duplicate in the same or similar colour. </p> <p>Exhibit 1: My 3 striped T's are all variations of navy and white. I HAVE had as many as 8 - navy, black, grey and white stripes - all in multiples. Only once a red and white, and once an orange, black, cognac and cream stripe. These last 2 were 'statement' striped T's. If given the option to buy more than one, I would not, whereas I almost always pick up blue and white striped t's in multiples. </p> <p>Exhibit 2: The CK jeans. I would duplicate the white and the Jean colour but I would NOT duplicate the wine coloured pair. </p> <p>Exhibit 3: I think the slouchey knit sweater is replacing the thick turtleneck that had previously been an essential. When I worked I usually had 2 black, 1 navy, 1 grey, but currently I have just 1 black/blue turtleneck sweater. I wear the slouchey sweaters weekly, but the turtleneck not so much. </p> <p>Exhibit 4: I am short on 3/4 sleeve t-shirts, but I used to have 3 black and 2 light grey. Currently I have 1 light grey remaining, but I will duplicate in a heartbeat when I source a good one. </p> <p>* I don't believe I would duplicate any of my red items in order to have 2 or more the same, but I would REPLACE a red item if it wore out. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials---close-but-not-quite#post-1997124 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 03:39:30 +0000 Jessikams 1997124@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What an interesting distinction: statement workhorses vs essentials.</p> <p>Chewing it over:<br /> An essential category for me is pointy-toe boots. (To use Suz’s reference point, I feel frustrated if I don’t have access to this outfit element for some reason— they’re dirty or at the cobbler or whatever)<br /> Essential items in this category might include gray OTK boots and shiny black booties<br /> Statement workhorses in this same category might be floral sock booties. I wear them SO often but they are not neutral. So I suppose I often choose them to add zing to an otherwise boring outfit. Whereas the black or gray boots would just be supporting pieces for a statement dress, perhaps. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials---close-but-not-quite#post-1997080 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 01:53:12 +0000 Sal 1997080@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting to see your list....I also like statements so have some really worn pieces that are statements (floral summer dress, blush pink woven tee, red silk blouse)....</p> <p>In your case maybe half or a third might be essentials I suspect with the balance being statement or completer type pieces... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials---close-but-not-quite#post-1997044 Tue, 29 Jan 2019 23:14:14 +0000 Angie 1997044@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>*happy dance*</p> <p>My pleasure </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials---close-but-not-quite#post-1997037 Tue, 29 Jan 2019 22:51:39 +0000 Carla 1997037@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Got it, Angie! Thank you so very much! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials---close-but-not-quite#post-1997034 Tue, 29 Jan 2019 22:46:47 +0000 Angie 1997034@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>SarahD8</b>, start a separate thread on your own essentials, and I'll help you out :)</p> <p><u>IMPORTANT:</u> Bright red is VERY prominent in my own wardrobe too. I think of red as a "neutral" because it's versatile and goes with everything! But bright red items are too loud to be an essential. They are statement. These red statements <i>can absolutely be</i> workhorses, signature to your style, and the items you reach for the most.&nbsp;</p> <p><i>Lots of people are making the mistake of calling their workhorse statement pieces their essentials - and they are not.&nbsp;They are statement&nbsp;pieces.&nbsp;</i></p> <p><b>RunCarla,&nbsp;</b><b></b>here&nbsp;are your&nbsp;essentials&nbsp;as I see them:&nbsp; </p> <ul> <li>blue and white CK jeans</li> <li>black puffer - short</li> <li>black puffer - long</li> <li>black trench coat</li> <li>black Converse</li> <li>Solid neutral slouchy sweaters&nbsp;</li> <li>Some tees - but not sure which ones&nbsp;</li> <li>Mariner striped tees</li> <li>Some type of boot (but not sure which style)</li> </ul> <ul> </ul> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials---close-but-not-quite#post-1997028 Tue, 29 Jan 2019 22:26:14 +0000 SarahD8 1997028@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Carla, I'm with you on the confusion re: color. It seems that essentials have to be neutrals or near-neutrals, but in some categories the neutral item is actually not the one I reach for most. So I'm not really sure what I gain from defining the neutral one as an essential.</p> <p>Fwiw I suspect you use red as a pseudo-neutral and it makes sense to me that red items would be essentials for you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials---close-but-not-quite#post-1997022 Tue, 29 Jan 2019 22:12:17 +0000 Helena 1997022@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Carla, not an expert on this particular topic for sure, but I suspect that your red pieces might be more statements, as you use them to add 'pop' to neutral outfits' - even though they might be the same piece as some of your neutral and metallics.</p> <p>In my case, I have fine-knit crewnecks in neutrals and jewel-tones - but the neutrals are essentials for me, whereas the jewel-tones are statements.&nbsp;</p> <p>That said - for some people, I do believe red is a funny sort of a neutral - in that it's a color they use in the same way they might use a traditional neutral (i.e. constantly, and with everything) - so perhaps that's the case for you?</p> <p>Anyone else, please correct me if I'm way off! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials---close-but-not-quite#post-1997021 Tue, 29 Jan 2019 22:04:35 +0000 Carla 1997021@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Still struggling with this, and I think the factor of 'colour' might be throwing me off. I have a very modest assortment of clothes - 54 items - bikini to ball skirt including outerwear but not basics or sports kit. Add to that 12 pair footwear and a dozen bags (backpack to evening bag). I have multiples (Converse sneakers, pointy toe flats, 3/4 length T-shirts, lace tank tops) vs one-of's (tall boot, sandal, leather jacket, gauzy boho shirt). </p> <p>But what if the item is red or silver? Does it become a statement vs an essential? 3 pair Converse - silver, red, white. 2 puffers - black, red, 2 trench coats - black, red. Amongst the T-shirts: grey, silver foil, 3 mariner stripe, and the slouchey sweaters: grey, white with black flecks, wine (all boat neck and just below the elbow). My favourite bottoms - identical Calvin Klein high waist ankle jeans - 1 white, 1 medium faded blue Jean, 1 wine. Other mid or high waist ankle pants in white, blue Jean and black. But only 1 pair long/flared jeans. So, I go for CK's the most - but they are different colours. </p> <p>Now I have 7 coats of which 4 are black, 2 are red, and one is cognac. Would black outerwear be an essential? Even if all different styles and fabrics? If I look at navy blue/white stripes I have 6 tops, but 3 are horizontal mariner style t's and 3 are vertical stripe button downs!</p> <p>Is the style of garment or item the key to it being an essential, or the colour? Or both? Can red items be essentials or are they always statement? </p>