YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Essentials?

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Essentials? https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-3 Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 30 Apr 2026 09:19:03 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php DonnaF on "Essentials?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-3#post-2168826 Sat, 30 Jan 2021 03:18:17 +0000 DonnaF 2168826@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thank you everyone for your patience. I think I turn into a pretzel with respect to functional essentials vs. style essentials vs. workhorses. Should I think in terms of a Venn diagram? At least what I wore pre-pandemic and what I wear now hasn't changed all that much except that when I would go out and about I didn't need to dress as warmly because I keep my house COLD. Also, I used to go to San Diego for a week or ten days over Christmas and then another week in summer, so those trips involved clothing for milder weather than I would wear at home. Anyway, I really need to stop buying. Finally, I'm less apt to buy for a fantasy life -- unless it has to do with thinking that I run warmer than I actually do.   Angie on "Essentials?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-3#post-2168777 Fri, 29 Jan 2021 23:06:22 +0000 Angie 2168777@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ DonnaF, an excellent start! I think you're right about the shirts - although for me they are a high Summer item. Since you run cold - maybe for you too?  Hosiery is a basic - not an essential. Yes to these items in grey and black (or blue denim): <ul> <li>combat boots</li> <li>oxfords</li> <li>clogs</li> <li>straight leg jeans </li> <li>coatigan</li> <li>shirtdress</li> <li>sweaterdress</li> <li>work pants</li> </ul> slim cat on "Essentials?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-3#post-2168585 Fri, 29 Jan 2021 03:22:42 +0000 slim cat 2168585@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm still figuring out the essentials - just wanted to say that I love your patterned cardigans/jackets ( stealing the spotted leopard one ) and all those white/black/grey with patterns outfits that I've seen in your posts! Jaime on "Essentials?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-3#post-2168582 Fri, 29 Jan 2021 03:10:22 +0000 Jaime 2168582@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Toban's distinction between wardrobe essential and essential to your style (thread I just came from) is very helpful to me. I also have certain signatures that are not wardrobe essentials but that I "need" to maintain my preferred way of dressing. So you need clogs but you "need" them to be silver. Maybe that helps? Carla on "Essentials?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-3#post-2168439 Thu, 28 Jan 2021 12:18:13 +0000 Carla 2168439@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ After a quick study of your OOTD photos, I would suggest that your style essentials are:   straight cut jeans - grey, blue, white white button down shirt clogs - black/grey? boots/booties - tan/Solid dark I’m sure you have others, but I don’t know all your clothes.  From what you share in your pics, I think they would be in your neutrals - white, blue, grey, possibly black, and tan/cognac for footwear and accessories. <div>Style essentials as identified by Angie are different than personal signatures or wardrobe workhorses or necessities, though the category of the necessity you identified could yield an essential.  For example, clogs are a signature and a workhorse in your closet.  You own a few, right?  Neutral coloured ones, like your solid dark version, or a white version (because grey and white are your neutrals) would be essentials.  A bright coloured clog (cobalt or red for example) or a patterned one would not be an essential, but rather a statement.  </div><div> </div><div>Hope this helps!</div> rachylou on "Essentials?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-3#post-2168433 Thu, 28 Jan 2021 08:38:04 +0000 rachylou 2168433@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I’m wondering if the not-fishnets are basics just because. I’m also wondering if you have to specify, for example, ‘grey patterned’ coatigan. Because you might need a coatigan functionally, but you could have statement coatigans and essential ones. The clogs are an interesting one for me. I have a pair of black clogs that are neutral and that I’ll reach for to do ‘essential work’. I don’t put them in my essentials list, tho, because it’s also true that it’s rare for me to reach for them. I don’t think they’re exactly A Part of My Style. They more... don’t trod on it too badly. DonnaF on "Essentials?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-3#post-2168416 Thu, 28 Jan 2021 05:19:08 +0000 DonnaF 2168416@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think I struggle with the concept of *Essentials* because, I'm embarrassed to say, my wardrobe has grown so large that I could miss quite a few items and still get dressed. My wardrobe is mostly gray (charcoal/mid-tone/marled/silver) and I pattern mix so swapping out one thing for another is no big deal. (I own most of what is in my Finds.)  If I were to think in terms of what I would always want to have: Sparkly/silver footwear Combat boots because I need lace-up; not overly masculine Oxfords because I need lace-up; not overly masculine Dansko clogs(?) not sure; not as comfy as they used to be Non-fishnet fishnets, as in open patterned weave. Bare legs are never warm enough, so fishnets work when tights are too warm. Variety of watches because I wear a watch every day. Coatigan because my house is cold and I get cold. I need sleeves wide enough to accommodate several layers underneath. Shirtdresses that will allow jeans to be worn underneath. Easier to wear than a shirt with jeans and can also be worn as just a dress. Patterned jeans (in gray etc.) Sweater dresses (in gray/black/etc.) Black work pants Turtlenecks/funnel necks/mock turtles: Not a particularly flattering look on me, but a collarless neckline with a scarf just isn't warm enough for me. I don't like longer hair on me, so turtles it will be. I feel like I should add white shirts because I seem to have accumulated so many of them. But I don't wear them that often, but I can't identify why. Maybe it's the temperature window during which I can wear them?