https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-in-a-small-mix-and-match-wardrobe Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 24 Apr 2026 06:58:40 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-in-a-small-mix-and-match-wardrobe#post-2168785 Fri, 29 Jan 2021 23:34:14 +0000 Angie 2168785@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>*APPLAUSE*</p> <p><b>Toban,</b> you nailed it! WELL DONE :)</p> <p>Your last paragraph is very important. For example, citron and bright red wardrobe items are essential and signature to my style - but they are statement pieces, and not wardrobe essentials. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-in-a-small-mix-and-match-wardrobe#post-2168762 Fri, 29 Jan 2021 22:22:19 +0000 Style Fan 2168762@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is a great explanation.&nbsp; Essential to style vs. Essential to the wardrobe.&nbsp; I also like the question, "what item do I frequently need to complete an outfit?" </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-in-a-small-mix-and-match-wardrobe#post-2168645 Fri, 29 Jan 2021 14:49:26 +0000 Tanya 2168645@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What an excellent list,&nbsp; and you descriptions and explanations are very clear.</p> <p>I am in a similar situation as you when it comes to burgundy.&nbsp; I have more "core" neutrals - navy, black and white.&nbsp; &nbsp;Then I consider burgundy and light blue to be my two "pseudo-neutrals".&nbsp; &nbsp;I aim to have most of essential categories ( blazers, sheath dresses, simple sweaters and knitted tops) that I have in my neutrals in burgundy and light blue as well.&nbsp; &nbsp;However, I consider those simple pieces in burgundy and light blue to be completers, not essential.&nbsp; &nbsp;They are fun to have, and really expand my options, but are not crucial.&nbsp; &nbsp;They are also more difficult to find, but also much more fun to shop for </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-in-a-small-mix-and-match-wardrobe#post-2168601 Fri, 29 Jan 2021 07:38:33 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2168601@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Looking at your last paragraph again, I see it could apply to me/my style, so that’s helpful in understanding how I could categorize my things in this system. Your reply to me is also very helpful in explaining how this system is helpful to you. I don’t think it’s for me, but I very much appreciate you helping me understand it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-in-a-small-mix-and-match-wardrobe#post-2168589 Fri, 29 Jan 2021 03:56:37 +0000 Sal 2168589@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes I agree with how you think about your closet. It clarifies things for me.</p> <p>Nice list Toban - your organisation shows through!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-in-a-small-mix-and-match-wardrobe#post-2168581 Fri, 29 Jan 2021 03:06:32 +0000 Jaime 2168581@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Excellent and clarifying descriptions. Especially the idea that essential to one's style is not the same as wardrobe essential. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-in-a-small-mix-and-match-wardrobe#post-2168534 Thu, 28 Jan 2021 21:48:05 +0000 Suz 2168534@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is just a great way of looking at it, and it makes sense to me, based on your outfits and closet.&nbsp;</p> <p>It really is about --- what are the items I need to make most of my outfits work?&nbsp;</p> <p>I don't wear mariners every day, but if I don't have at least one in my closet that suits the relevant season, I feel a lack. Ditto for plain navy knitwear in a variety of weights, jeans in a couple of cuts/ washes, and also navy outerwear.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-in-a-small-mix-and-match-wardrobe#post-2168530 Thu, 28 Jan 2021 20:56:39 +0000 Toban 2168530@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, Rachylou, Runcarla, Slim cat, Isabel for your comments. I'm glad that these thoughts resonate and are helpful.&nbsp;</p> <p>Lisap, your comment suggests another question one can ask ... "what item do I frequently need to finish/complete an outfit?" &nbsp;I often wear other colored shoes, but I know that my navy ones will nearly always work. </p> <p>FashIntern, for me, I think the essentials list is more to make sure that I always have these items in good shape in my wardrobe, and if necessary in duplicates, such as a navy tee or sweater, so that I never struggle to put together an outfit that works. I love travel capsules, but I usually start with thinking about weather, formality, impressions I want to give, etc... and start with my favorite travel-friendly pieces. Then I grab the pieces that make it work. For instance, starting with a favorite burgundy Moto jacket, I might grab a sheath dress for dressy, a pair of bootcut jeans for travel, a floral top that includes burgundy, and so on. So I start with the fun pieces and ... practical footwear.</p> <p>suntiger &nbsp;I only wear black in gear and I have two pairs of black shoes (one heels, one booties). Otherwise we're similar palettes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-in-a-small-mix-and-match-wardrobe#post-2168494 Thu, 28 Jan 2021 18:45:42 +0000 Isabel 2168494@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This IS a great list !&nbsp; The scaffolding for getting dressed. I find this so much more manageable to think about.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-in-a-small-mix-and-match-wardrobe#post-2168489 Thu, 28 Jan 2021 18:31:39 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2168489@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You have always been so organized and disciplined about your wardrobe!<br /> It sounds like having defined essentials helps you pack for a trip. Is that right, or does packing for a trip help you define your essentials? I’m trying to pin down the ways people use this exercise productively. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-in-a-small-mix-and-match-wardrobe#post-2168478 Thu, 28 Jan 2021 17:46:48 +0000 slim cat 2168478@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very clear description of essentials - I'm learning too . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-in-a-small-mix-and-match-wardrobe#post-2168476 Thu, 28 Jan 2021 17:29:35 +0000 Anonymous 2168476@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting though we're both DA, your primary non black neutral is navy but mine is burgundy!<br /> I like the "essential to style" vs "wardrobe essentials" too! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-in-a-small-mix-and-match-wardrobe#post-2168470 Thu, 28 Jan 2021 16:16:00 +0000 Carla 2168470@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The packing example is brilliant: &nbsp;‘what are the pieces I can wear in multiple outfits and not be noticed as a repeat wear’. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-in-a-small-mix-and-match-wardrobe#post-2168462 Thu, 28 Jan 2021 15:43:10 +0000 Anonymous 2168462@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You're admirably super-organized with this, and you've also laid it out well here. &nbsp;Our colour choices are similar (minus the burgundy) and what I'm lacking are the important navy "bridge" ( great way to explain it, btw) pieces. &nbsp;I'm sure if I had navy footwear I liked, (or olive or even rust for that matter ) I'd be wearing more of my clothes this winter. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-in-a-small-mix-and-match-wardrobe#post-2168461 Thu, 28 Jan 2021 15:30:39 +0000 rachylou 2168461@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What Helena said! My thought immediately as well. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-in-a-small-mix-and-match-wardrobe#post-2168460 Thu, 28 Jan 2021 15:28:26 +0000 Toban 2168460@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you, Helena, unfrumped, and nemosmom! I had to read a lot of posts and comments about others essentials before I could figure out mine. It helped me to think about what it was not. And how something like a striped top could be one person’s statement and another persons essential. One other way I thought about it is when I pack for travel, what are the pieces I can wear in multiple outfits and not be noticed as a repeat wear. And that always came down to my navy items. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-in-a-small-mix-and-match-wardrobe#post-2168454 Thu, 28 Jan 2021 14:52:49 +0000 nemosmom 2168454@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>Oh yes, I like how you differentiate essential to your style v. wardrobe essential!&nbsp; This is good:</div><div>"something that you look to replace if a current item is worn out"<br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-in-a-small-mix-and-match-wardrobe#post-2168453 Thu, 28 Jan 2021 14:51:28 +0000 unfrumped 2168453@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great list! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-in-a-small-mix-and-match-wardrobe#post-2168452 Thu, 28 Jan 2021 14:47:35 +0000 Helena 2168452@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Toban, this is great, and your last paragraph is very helpful, in defining what's essential from a 'your style' perspective vs. an outfit creation/wardrobe cohesion perspective. Well done! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-in-a-small-mix-and-match-wardrobe#post-2168446 Thu, 28 Jan 2021 14:12:56 +0000 Toban 2168446@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I struggled with defining my essentials each time this comes up, but had an a-ha moment with the idea that it was something that you look to replace if a current item is worn out. I keep a small wardrobe of mix and match items within two small color palette (burgundy/rust and olive/teal) that are bridged together with navy (and a smidgen of cream). While I don’t wear an essential item every day, I realized that it is my navy and denim pieces that are my glue that I combine with my love of florals, drapey pieces with movement, variety of toppers, scarves and necklaces, and colorful shoes. </p> <p>My core pieces that are always in my wardrobe and that make everything else functional are:</p> <p>- navy sweaters, short sleeves, and 3/4 sleeves in knits, typically with a scoop or v-neck<br /> -navy pants and jeans in boot-cut, straight or cropped lengths<br /> -navy knit dresses (sheath, shift, of varying weights)<br /> -dark denim skirt<br /> - navy flats/low heels<br /> -navy wool coat</p> <p>I wear burgundy as a neutral, but is where I bring in more interest, so probably only a burgundy 3/4 length knit top is an essential. </p> <p>Floral tops and scarves are an “essential” component of my style and where I bring in some on-trend options, but each of these are unique and I define them as statement and completer pieces. </p>