YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Essentials? Basics?

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Essentials? Basics? https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-basics Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 27 Apr 2026 16:57:30 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Suz on "Essentials? Basics?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-basics#post-2378868 Mon, 20 Jan 2025 16:40:08 +0000 Suz 2378868@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Your monk strap shoes might be essentials, Roberta.  I am sure sturdy boots are essentials in. your climate.  You are likely to have a type of coat that is an essential (in one of your neutrals).  If you have too much trouble identifying essentials, it could be that you have a statement heavy wardrobe. Nothing wrong with that, per se! It just shows you love colour and pattern. BUT... if you want to whittle your closet down to a more manageable size, identifying essentials and choosing some in key neutrals is one way to begin, because with a backbone of quiet neutrals, your statements shine brighter and you don't need as many "completer" pieces to make specific statement items work.  Angie on "Essentials? Basics?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-basics#post-2378865 Mon, 20 Jan 2025 15:07:13 +0000 Angie 2378865@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Irina is bang on the money on what her essentials are!  Suz, a trendy silhouette in a quiet colour can be an essential - quite right. Like my barrel jeans in blue and white. But my classic trouser jeans in a dark even wash are too.  My wardrobe is FULL of bold colours and patterns - but I have plenty of quiet essentials. My essentials:  <ul> <li>barrel jeans in blue and white (this silhouette changes with the trends)</li> <li>white/ cream cotton Summer pants</li> <li>wide blue jeans (again, changes with the trends)</li> <li>dark blue trouser jeans</li> <li>denim jackets in blue an white (although I am off them!)</li> <li>white/cream footwear</li> <li>white/cream bags</li> <li>white/cream belts </li> <li>navy coat</li> <li>tan trench</li> <li>cream coat</li> <li>cream beanie</li> <li>denim shirt</li> <li>white pearl necklace</li> </ul> To answer your question: Yes. That person simply has fewer essentials. Probably bottoms, shoes and bags. Not tops and toppers.  Maybe Roberta, blue and black jeans are your essentials. Plus neutral shoes and a neutral bag. Unless your Carys sweaters are quiet in colour and pattern - they are not essentials. A bright and bold Carys sweater might be a workhorse - but it's not an essential. Hope that makes sense! Irina on "Essentials? Basics?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-basics#post-2378843 Mon, 20 Jan 2025 02:07:22 +0000 Irina 2378843@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ For me it’s a type of garment that makes it essential in general and silhouettes that are specific to this period of time. <div> - Jeans  are essentials, always been and will always remain. The cut depends, right now is tapered leg - Button down shirts. Used to be oversized and long, now I like them cropped and square. But I’m keeping my long ones, too. </div><div>- Black pants. Keeping at least one for every season. Cuts might vary same as jeans. </div><div>- Trench in a neutral color. Classic cut, now longer length than in previous years. </div><div>- Wool turtlenecks in black and navy.  My wardrobe is essentials heavy but I don’t mind. The best quality I can afford and good fit are paramount for my essentials. </div> Jaime on "Essentials? Basics?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-basics#post-2378838 Mon, 20 Jan 2025 01:40:40 +0000 Jaime 2378838@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Very interesting conversation! I think of my essentials as the pieces that I turn to when I want to wear something more "interesting" but not look like I am wearing a costume. So for example, basic jeans in various shades of denim, grey and black are the first essential, along with comfortable but non-showy boots in the winter and sandals in the summer.  Roberta on "Essentials? Basics?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-basics#post-2378761 Sun, 19 Jan 2025 02:27:09 +0000 Roberta 2378761@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Suz, for me, since I wear almost every color of the rainbow, I would agree that an essential is decided by silhouette. The Carys sweater is a good example. It's a boxy but fluid pullover, with long sleeves, and a minimal neckline. For pants, I like a trendy shape; so this year it's a barrel leg or a wide leg. Sal on "Essentials? Basics?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-basics#post-2378740 Sat, 18 Jan 2025 23:23:52 +0000 Sal 2378740@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ For me working out what were my essentials was a really helpful step In creating a functional wardrobe. I am okay with only one of some essentials - and there are others where having two or three in that category is helpful. The other thing for me is that both my lifestyle and preferences change for essentials. I used to wear more ankle boots and now wear more sneakers for example. I also have decided that denim shorts are no longer for me so have changed to white shorts as a summer essential. Suz on "Essentials? Basics?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-basics#post-2378721 Sat, 18 Jan 2025 16:57:50 +0000 Suz 2378721@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks, Angie, for clarifying. I think that is what I was trying to say -- it can be very much on trend and still be an essential -- if it is in one of your key neutrals and you need it to make outfits work. So if you are feeling bored by your formula outfits (cords and a sweater, jeans and a sweater) one possible solution -- depending on your personal style -- and perhaps especially if you tend to be a classic dresser -- is to ensure that your essentials have a little "extra," as Liz pointed out. To make sure they are not all the most traditional versions of classic.  OTOH, a very traditionally classic item in one of our key neutrals can also be an essential (assuming we reach for it and wear it in real life, ha!) As I do with my first cashmere sweater. I admit, I'm not wearing it as often, now that I have the other one. But I do wear it with more statement-like bottoms.  Having said all this -- I'm like Liz. Left to my own devices, before YLF, my tendency was to buy a lot of essentials and often boring ones at that (for reasons of budget, mostly). It took me some time to figure out what kinds of statements I'd enjoy and to give myself permission to buy them. Whereas others tend toward buying a lot of statements and struggle to buy or even identify essentials.  It was easy for me to decide on my own key neutrals, when I did so. (I think those of us who gravitate towards a classic style and towards an essentials heavy closet mostly find this.) But if you are a person who wears a lot of mixed colours and pattern and cannot pin yourself donw to a specific set of neutrals, how do you decide your essentials?  I do think it is still possible. Just maybe a bit more confusing. And maybe for some, what is "essential" is the silhouette, i.e. maxi skirts, sleeveless tops, slim pant. Is this possible?  Angie on "Essentials? Basics?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-basics#post-2378708 Sat, 18 Jan 2025 16:23:10 +0000 Angie 2378708@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Roberta, always happy to help! To pinpoint an essential - you can't say "sweaters". It has to be a SPECIFIC type of sweater. It has to be quiet in colour, pattern, and relatively simple in design to be an essential, IYKWIM.  Suz, trendy silhouette blue, white, black and grey jeans ARE essentials, btw!! They are for me too. The colours are quiet. Same with patterns. If the patterns are quiet, subtle, and neutral - they pass for an essential.  Helena,  :) As Suz correctly mentions: essentials can be workhorses, but not all workhorses are essentials. Most basics are workhorses. And when you have many statement pieces like I do - purely based on their bright colours which I love to wear - they easily become workhorses too. Hope that makes sense, (Suz, our new navy pole sweater is a trendy item! A classic item having a fashionable moment ) Star (Lise) on "Essentials? Basics?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-basics#post-2378707 Sat, 18 Jan 2025 15:25:03 +0000 Star (Lise) 2378707@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Most of my life my wardrobe consisted of too many statements but I am finally getting a grip on this.  Never too late :).  From tracking I discovered my essentials are winter jackets, jeans and black, grey and navy/white striped tees, and black button downs, and black and grey turtlenecks.  Sounds like a regular 'boring' capsule wardrobe - who knew!  Will be interesting what my tracking tells me this year when I try and get an earthy colour palette going.  So, embarrassing to admit but, from 30 plus Tees I mostly only wear 5, and do so quite happily.  Summer dresses in cotton and/or linen are also an essential.  Open on colour but I did buy 3 black ones in 2024 ;). cat2 on "Essentials? Basics?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-basics#post-2378706 Sat, 18 Jan 2025 15:16:27 +0000 cat2 2378706@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Good point that they change over time. My classic black work trousers are slowly being replaced by black jeans and cords for winter, and more cotton woven fabrics for summer. And my more classic ivory silk blouses by cotton popovers and long sleeve tees. But I still need the same colors as a base. Staysfit on "Essentials? Basics?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-basics#post-2378700 Sat, 18 Jan 2025 13:59:18 +0000 Staysfit 2378700@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I didn’t mention completers in my recent post, mostly because I’m not certain which of my items might function in this role.  Almost any item that may be a completer seems to be a statement item as well.  I need to think about this….. Lisa on "Essentials? Basics?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-basics#post-2378695 Sat, 18 Jan 2025 13:16:21 +0000 Lisa 2378695@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ So glad you brought this up, it’s to have a reminder of what these both are. And Runcarla B before E that’s brilliant! Liz on "Essentials? Basics?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-basics#post-2378693 Sat, 18 Jan 2025 13:09:45 +0000 Liz 2378693@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <div>Roberta, if patterned pants were a hallmark of your style when you were working, I'm guessing you had plain, non-patterned tops to wear with them. Those tops were the essentials; you couldn't build an outfit without them. And you might be able to get even more specific. Maybe you "needed" a navy silk shirt to make outfits work, and you wore it with everything. Or maybe it was a crisp white shirt instead, because a dark soft shirt wouldn't feel like "you." Or maybe you never wore shirts and only wore knit tops.</div><div> </div><div>Where I have sometimes fallen off the rails in style is by having a closet full of only essentials--and generic ones at that (no statements, no fresh/current essentials). So I pull on my basic jeans, basic long-sleeved t-shirt, and basic cardigan . . . and look basic. But when you look at Suz's collection of her essentials, you can get a real sense of her style; they're not generic or basic. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div> Suz on "Essentials? Basics?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-basics#post-2378675 Sat, 18 Jan 2025 04:16:50 +0000 Suz 2378675@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think you can refine it still further, Roberta. Your essentials are those items in specific neutrals and (possibly) a few select colours. They are the "spine" of your closet, what you can't really get dressed without.  Those of us who dress casually usually have to become a bit creative about this. When is a pair of jeans more than just a pair of jeans? When is a pullover more than just a pullover?  For me, I mean for my own personal style, it is crucial to wear modern, current, and perhaps even trendy versions of my key neutral tops and bottoms. That's because one of my style adjectives is modern.  Let me show you example. I included both the sweaters, below in Finds, in my current <a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/finds/collections/?collection=14786">essentials collection,</a> because navy tops across seasons are crucial to my style...and I wear both these knits.  Sweater 1 is a J. Crew cashmere cable knit from their Collections line, bought on sale I don't know how many years ago. It has bracelet sleeves and a crew neck. It has a traditional tailored fit -- though slightly on the cropped side, it can be semi-tucked or worn out. It is narrow enough to work under blazers and coats, and roomy enough to be layered over non-bulky items like a silk shirt. While old, it remains a staple of my winter closet, because, due to my own personal style, like Angie, I am fond of and tend to find a good fit in classic tops and toppers, so I rely on them year after year.  Having said that, this year, I updated the sweater to a more current version -- Sweater 2. It's still cashmere, still navy, still J. Crew -- (I love me a preppy vibe!) -- but the collar, and the shorter boxier fit are much more current. It's classic, but more of a modern classic. Anyway. You mentioned that you have five of the Anthro Carys sweaters. They tend to be statement items in terms of their patterns, so likely are not essentials for you, exactly, but if you have and wear one or two in your key neutrals, I might say they are essentials -- i.e. perhaps right now, boxy cropped sweaters in X (neutral) are essential to your style.  Also, I am not sure patterned pants ever count as essentials -- they are more likely to be statements or completer pieces -- but whatever we call them, why can't they be part of your retirement style?? Who says you have to wear plain denim or cords? You can wear patterned denim and cords, for that matter!  Roberta on "Essentials? Basics?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-basics#post-2378669 Sat, 18 Jan 2025 01:53:59 +0000 Roberta 2378669@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ These definitions and explanations have clarified something for me. When I was working, my essentials were dresses, skirts, patterned pants, and blazers. Now those elements are few, and usually statements. No plain black blazers here, for example. My essentials have become shorts, t-shirts, jeans, corduroy pants, and pullover sweaters in the winter. From my POV, that looks pretty boring. It explains why I have been feeling much less interested in my wardrobe these days. Good food for thought. Jenni NZ on "Essentials? Basics?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-basics#post-2378666 Sat, 18 Jan 2025 01:21:15 +0000 Jenni NZ 2378666@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ cjh I think the link to Angie’s 2018 post, further up this thread, answers that question. I think she said socks and tights could occasionally be statements! cjh on "Essentials? Basics?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-basics#post-2378665 Sat, 18 Jan 2025 01:10:44 +0000 cjh 2378665@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I always enjoy reading discussion and definitions of these terms, as well as hearing what each person puts into their own categories. <div> </div><div>I still have a question, though, about socks, for instance. Socks are basic, because I need to wear them. But once in awhile they become statements. Is that a possibility? </div><div> </div> Jenni NZ on "Essentials? Basics?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-basics#post-2378660 Fri, 17 Jan 2025 22:25:00 +0000 Jenni NZ 2378660@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I found this hard to work out the first year or two on YLF and later made a notation on my clothing lists with an E next to what I considered essential. I realised it was items that made my statements shine, for me. In 2017/18 I had a lot of tunics, still have several as tunic over slim pants is still a favoured silhouette of mine. So it was the short or longsleeved layering tops that I wore under the tunics, and some of the slim pants too. The tunic was often the statement along with the shoes. cat2 on "Essentials? Basics?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-basics#post-2378657 Fri, 17 Jan 2025 21:53:46 +0000 cat2 2378657@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I always have black and cream essentials, with other colors making appearances when they are prevalent at retail. Suz on "Essentials? Basics?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-basics#post-2378656 Fri, 17 Jan 2025 21:52:17 +0000 Suz 2378656@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Love it, Carla!  Carla on "Essentials? Basics?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-basics#post-2378655 Fri, 17 Jan 2025 21:48:36 +0000 Carla 2378655@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Aaaargh!  I always get these mixed up - thinking my essentials are u-wear,  bras, socks, etc. and basics are the backbone pieces - when it’s the other way around.    Hmmm…maybe ‘B’ before ‘E’ as in: I don my basics before putting on my essentials! Suz on "Essentials? Basics?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-basics#post-2378654 Fri, 17 Jan 2025 21:43:36 +0000 Suz 2378654@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Coincidentally, I just gathered my current essentials together in a collection, <a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/finds/collections/?collection=14786">here</a>.   They do change, over time. Blazers used to be essential to my style so a navy blazer would have been part of that picture. But I don't wear blazers much at all now and they are not essential. (Much as I adore them.)  Technically, I think Angie would say the trendy shapes of bottoms are not essentials. But for me, I think trendy denim is kind of necessary.  ETA: you can also distinguish esssentials from workhorse items. Many workhorse items are essentials. But not all workhorses are essentials and not all essentials are workhorses. <a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/finds/collections/?edit=14792">Here are my current workhorses. </a>  As. you can see there is overlap but many statement items are also workhorses, for me.  Helena on "Essentials? Basics?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-basics#post-2378647 Fri, 17 Jan 2025 20:45:13 +0000 Helena 2378647@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh, fair point Angie, thank you! I so associate you with colour that I misjudged it! Roberta on "Essentials? Basics?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-basics#post-2378646 Fri, 17 Jan 2025 20:24:45 +0000 Roberta 2378646@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Angie, Helena, this is so helpful, thanks! Angie on "Essentials? Basics?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-basics#post-2378632 Fri, 17 Jan 2025 18:53:21 +0000 Angie 2378632@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This post offers my full definitions: <a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/2018/02/26/the-four-building-blocks-of-your-wardrobe/">https://youlookfab.com/2018/02.....-wardrobe/</a> Basics are VERY different to Essentials!!! People mix them up - retailers and influencers especially - and it causes confusion. Helena's thoughts are bang on the money :)  Helena, my Essentials are neutral! Mainly shades of white, denim blue, and some navy.  Helena on "Essentials? Basics?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-basics#post-2378621 Fri, 17 Jan 2025 18:06:36 +0000 Helena 2378621@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ As I understand it, in YLF parlance: - basics are functional items like socks, undershirts, underwear, etc. - essentials are what you *personally* could not get dressed without. These can be very diverse; for example, for Angie, her essentials are probably colorful while mine are more certainly neutral. It's really about what forms the backbone of your wardrobe. The other two terms are statements and completers (in YLF world that is): - statements are, obviously, something you wear to make a statement and will probably stand out vs. your essentials - completers are basically anything else you need to make your wardrobe function. For me, this might be a blazer, which I can pretty much manage without most of the time, but which I need at times for a meeting, or just to add variety from time to time Please other YLFers correct or refine my explanations if you think I've missed the bill! cat2 on "Essentials? Basics?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-basics#post-2378614 Fri, 17 Jan 2025 17:16:11 +0000 cat2 2378614@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I’m not sure either, following with interest. Roberta on "Essentials? Basics?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-basics#post-2378612 Fri, 17 Jan 2025 16:57:52 +0000 Roberta 2378612@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Several members have talked about these sections of their wardrobe, and I'm curious as to how you define these terms. Staysfit in particular considers her wardrobe to be basics, essentials and statement items. I like categories and find them really useful in all aspects of my life. Statement seems obvious to me, but what would you consider: Basics Essentials How is color, style, and trend a part of the division? Do you even separate these two categories when you consider your closet? Where do shoes and accessories fit in? Is there some kind of optimum balance among the three categories?