https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/for-angie-are-your-essentials-across-casual-work-dressy Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 03 May 2026 14:10:00 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/for-angie-are-your-essentials-across-casual-work-dressy/page/2#post-2168760 Fri, 29 Jan 2021 22:08:39 +0000 Anonymous 2168760@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>And it’s the bush here in Canada too - lol. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/for-angie-are-your-essentials-across-casual-work-dressy/page/2#post-2168758 Fri, 29 Jan 2021 22:08:05 +0000 Anonymous 2168758@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>No not at all . Sorry , I’m at work today and not caught up with the conversation yet . Again , this question was directed to Angie using her essentials collection as an example . I realize the idea of 3 navy coats could sound odd or excessive , but I don’t see it that way at all if navy is your core neutral colour . In my climate , I’m wearing a coat of one type or another for at least 6 months a year . I’m not the type of dresser who tosses on an everyday puffer or cloth coat over whatever I’m wearing out to drinks or dinner - even if it gets taken off 1/2 he later . It’s all part of the entire outfit I have at least 5 black winter coats of one type or another , and then a handful of others in pale pink , pale blue , rust , olive , grey , camel and off white . *shrug emoji * </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/for-angie-are-your-essentials-across-casual-work-dressy/page/2#post-2168731 Fri, 29 Jan 2021 20:39:10 +0000 Jenni NZ 2168731@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, I did qualify my remark by saying I don’t live with a long Canadian ( or also, is it New England, where you live La P?) winter. And I did like La P’s previous example of not wearing the funeral coat to hike in the woods. Funny word woods, here in NZ we talk about “the bush” as in our native forests.<br /> Hope this is not a thread-jack and sorry Lisap if it is! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/for-angie-are-your-essentials-across-casual-work-dressy/page/2#post-2168728 Fri, 29 Jan 2021 20:35:27 +0000 Irina 2168728@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’m with LaPed. I have a thick, warm puffer, a quilted coat, a wool coat and light weight short puffer - all in black and one warm short puffer in dark turquoise. I wish I didn’t have to but I need more coats for different temperatures during 5 months long Canadian winter. Lisa’s city is even colder than mine </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/for-angie-are-your-essentials-across-casual-work-dressy/page/2#post-2168721 Fri, 29 Jan 2021 20:13:41 +0000 LaPed 2168721@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Jenni</b>, at first I thought "three navy coats" sounded excessive too, but then I looked at my own closet and I have a short navy puffer, a long navy puffer, and a long wool coat that happens to be black but could just as easily be navy (bought at a warehouse sale, no other colour options). Three coats is pretty minimal in a climate with a long cold season, and a person who is strict about colour palette may decide that they want a core outerwear capsule in their very best colour, whatever that may be. Otherwise, you may end up reaching for one particular coat in your preferred colour when it doesn't actually suit the weather or level of formality. I could easily see buying a trench, a puffer, and a wool coat all in navy without it feeling like duplication. They'd all serve different purposes, but having a core palette means they can be interchangeable if needed (e.g. they'll all work with the same shoes, bags, accessories, etc.).&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/for-angie-are-your-essentials-across-casual-work-dressy#post-2168718 Fri, 29 Jan 2021 19:59:07 +0000 Jenni NZ 2168718@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>No surprise that I’m with Phoebe? 3 navy coats definitely veering towards excessive duplication to me?<br /> But then I don’t live with a cold Canadian winter </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/for-angie-are-your-essentials-across-casual-work-dressy#post-2168469 Thu, 28 Jan 2021 16:13:29 +0000 Liz 2168469@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>Lisap, quite selfishly I hope you do take Angie up on her offer! : ) <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>You always start interesting discussions, and I feel like I would get to learn a lot by getting to eavesdrop as Angie guides you. What fun! (at least for us -- hopefully for you, too.) <br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/for-angie-are-your-essentials-across-casual-work-dressy#post-2168463 Thu, 28 Jan 2021 15:45:20 +0000 Anonymous 2168463@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is what my wardrobe looks like too, anchie. I don't think I currently own a coat that would fit over a blazer - but that isn't really a priority anymore . &nbsp;I was really just curious how Angie herself handled her wardrobe . &nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/for-angie-are-your-essentials-across-casual-work-dressy#post-2168448 Thu, 28 Jan 2021 14:26:30 +0000 anchie 2168448@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Glad that Angie will help you sort it. Just wanted to share my situation. I have different essentials in my work and casual capsules because I have different requirements for those. For example, because I wear blazers to work, my essential coats in that capsule need to fit over blazers and are more dressy, usually raglan sleeves wool coats in light and dark neutrals. Essential coats in my casual capsule are puffers that are more fitted because no need to layer over blazers. Same thing with my essential sweaters - work sweaters are thin layering type to fit under blazers, while my casual essential sweaters are more bulky stand alone type. My work capsule has navy pants as essential while my casual capsule have dark wash jeans instead. My work essential bags are bigger than my casual essential bags. There is no overlap actually<br /> when I think about it. Not sure if this helps. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/for-angie-are-your-essentials-across-casual-work-dressy#post-2168387 Thu, 28 Jan 2021 03:05:08 +0000 Anonymous 2168387@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’m going to take you up on this ! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/for-angie-are-your-essentials-across-casual-work-dressy#post-2168362 Thu, 28 Jan 2021 00:56:31 +0000 Angie 2168362@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>LisaP, </b>don't buy anything yet! We can help you create a wardrobe essentials plan together, if you like. We can brainstorm together, create structure, focus, and completely relax into it. Make sure the items are in the <i><u>right categories,</u> <u>dress&nbsp;codes</u>,&nbsp;</i>and <i><u>seasons</u></i> for your evolving personal style - which is now semi-retirement. It can be a fun process! No rush.&nbsp;</p> <p>And we will start by shopping your closet for the essentials. Then we figure out the gaps, and fill them.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/for-angie-are-your-essentials-across-casual-work-dressy#post-2168357 Thu, 28 Jan 2021 00:23:49 +0000 Anonymous 2168357@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks again Suz . I think one of my ( current , ha) problems is not knowing what I want for these essential pieces - especially for casual/everyday wear . Everything online is about the sweatsuit right now , and I’m uninterested in that . It’s going to take some time to sort this out , and for once in my life I’d like to relax into the process , as Angie says , and not just buy stuff out of frustration . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/for-angie-are-your-essentials-across-casual-work-dressy#post-2168352 Wed, 27 Jan 2021 23:53:16 +0000 Suz 2168352@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lisa, I get it, and it does make sense to me. Here's an example from my own life. Years ago, I had such a spotty wardrobe (no. money, no shopping savvy, no sense of how you build a wardrobe) but I did know enough to know I'd need a dressy outfit for XYZ (although often I had to run out and buy same at the last minute, LOL.) Anyway, I'd get the dress and the shoes...and then feel awful because the only coat I had was an old brown puffer that looked horrible on top of the dress. GAH. Like Cinderella except it was all turning to rags before I even got to the ball!&nbsp;</p> <p>So, absolutely -- you need a coat that is going to work with the outfit if you live in a cold climate, or you don't really have an outfit at all, and you're clearly missing a key essential (or at least, I was!)&nbsp;</p> <p>Some people have the same problem in reverse -- they don't have the essentials to build decent casual outfits.&nbsp;</p> <p>So I really think it's worth considering in these terms. I definitely did so when I was just starting to get a handle on my closet. I decided that I wanted certain items in my key neutrals and my first goal was to buy those, along with good footwear and scarves and the odd top or jacket as a statement. <u>I only began adding more completers&nbsp; and statements after I'd amassed what I considered a good complement of essentials across all main roles and all main seasons.&nbsp;<br /></u><br />Now, my essentials are really pared back, but it's honestly a function of lifestyle. It will change whenever we get released from this hellish pandemic. </p> <p>In Finds, I have a few items that would have been dressy essentials for me a few years back... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/for-angie-are-your-essentials-across-casual-work-dressy#post-2168343 Wed, 27 Jan 2021 23:02:53 +0000 Anonymous 2168343@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wrote a bunch about formality levels on my thread, but personally like to keep at least a similar color scheme across my capsules. </p> <p>That said, the main thing (to me) with the activity capsules is that the things go together within that capsule and can be identified quickly. You could think of it like Mad Libs :)<br /> The (capsule) has (colors/prints) and (types of pieces).<br /> The "casual dinner" capsule has navy, teal, mustard, cognac and jeans, denim skirts, loafers, and silky blouses- that sort of thing.<br /> Disclaimer- I haven't managed all my capsules at that level! </p> <p>It's not necessarily adding anything new, just organizing what pieces you like for what activity. Maybe a color scheme emerges naturally. Maybe some of those pieces for work need to be "borrowed" cause they turn out to be essentials. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/for-angie-are-your-essentials-across-casual-work-dressy#post-2168342 Wed, 27 Jan 2021 22:57:15 +0000 Lucy 2168342@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I must say I do have quite separate work wardrobes and weekend clothes. I basically have three separate wardrobes, with some but not a lot of crossover. <br />My work clothes are still quite dressy. I really do wear the same stuff as pre-COVID, as we are fortunate to have been back in the university campus since last July (bar one three day&nbsp; lockdown a couple of weeks ago). I mainly wear fairly formal dresses, and I have a few pants and skirts, but mainly dresses. These don't cross over much at all. A few jackets do cross over, and some tops.&nbsp;<br />And on the weekend, I have casual outfits for days, mainly denim but also some cooler cottons for hot weather. A lot of these are nice enough for a lunch out or an evening BBQ. I have some clothes for going out to dinner or to somewhere fancier than usual.&nbsp;<br />When I had a less formal work attire, I had lots of things that moved between, ie I might wear a dressy top with a denim skirt (this was a while back, lol!), or a fancier tshirt with a dressy skirt. But now I've found that trying to mix things up too much gets stressful, and it is easier to just know there are limitations. I don't really worry about it, as long as they are all getting worn in their own way.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/for-angie-are-your-essentials-across-casual-work-dressy#post-2168310 Wed, 27 Jan 2021 20:19:28 +0000 Anonymous 2168310@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, Suz, those items have certainly changed for me too. &nbsp;I still want to have a collection of pieces for going out to restaurants, bars, dinners etc , because I"m hopeful that that part of my social life will return later this year. &nbsp;When I posed the question, I had a very specific thing in mind, and now find it hard to articulate. In a dressy/social life capsule, for example, one still needs a coat , bag, footwear etc that could be the essentials in that capsule. &nbsp;Assigning each of the three categories (dressy, work, casual/everyday) their own essentials is a goal that makes sense to me. &nbsp;This way I can make sure I'm not over "stocked" in certain areas and "understocked" in others. &nbsp;</p> <p>Angie - yes, I know MMlafleur and agree it's wonderful for work capsules. &nbsp;I've never seen any of the items in person though. &nbsp;I have enough black work &nbsp;clothes to last the rest of my life - seriously - and need to focus my attention on the rest of my everyday clothes, which are so uninspired and all-over-the-place. I appreciate your sharing your own essentials management strategies - I can use it as a benchmark . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/for-angie-are-your-essentials-across-casual-work-dressy#post-2168309 Wed, 27 Jan 2021 20:08:40 +0000 Suz 2168309@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It seems to me the strategy of making up work exclusive capsules could be useful to you -- definitely worth a try.&nbsp;</p> <p>But it seems it's lifestyle dependent and role dependent, right? In my own case, in the "before" times -- a dressy navy blazer and a dressy navy dresses for each season would have been essentials. But nothing dressy is essential for me during the pandemic. It's just not. My roles have changed. So many of my dressier items were for presentations, events, and going out.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/for-angie-are-your-essentials-across-casual-work-dressy#post-2168298 Wed, 27 Jan 2021 19:26:37 +0000 Angie 2168298@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>LisaP,</b> good question. Short answer - YES. Especially in these essential categories:</p> <p><div><br /></div><div>FOOTWEAR</div><div><br /></div><div>OUTERWEAR </div><div><br /></div><div>JEANS </div><div><br /></div><div>TOPS</div><div><br /></div><div>I err on the side of dressy so my essentials tend to be dressier when compared to the essentials of others. I remix my dressy with casual in almost every outfit. I hike with my pearls, for example. I do not have casual jewellery. </div><div><br /></div><div>I LIKE your strategy A LOT! It sounds like you could benefit from creating a separate set of capsules/ensembles for “work only”, which is a required almost all-black uniform. Keep this separate in your closet too, if you can. I have clients who keep their work and non-work wardrobe items completely separate, and it helps them focus, and choose an outfit in the morning. This will also allow you to see exactly what you have, at a glance! Build the collections with FINDS too, if you like.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>And do you know MM La Fleur? I think their stuff could work well for you. Lots of beautiful quality essentials in capsule form, which some of my clients swear by. Even if you just browse the site, you might be inspired.</p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="https://mmlafleur.com/">https://mmlafleur.com/</a></p> <p> </div></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/for-angie-are-your-essentials-across-casual-work-dressy#post-2168286 Wed, 27 Jan 2021 18:37:44 +0000 Jules 2168286@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It might be fun to go back and look at Angie's holiday outfit posts from years past... because they are fun to look at! And might sometimes show which coat she paired with them? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/for-angie-are-your-essentials-across-casual-work-dressy#post-2168285 Wed, 27 Jan 2021 18:37:14 +0000 LaPed 2168285@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jules and Phoebe -- I struggle with coats too, and how much duplication I should be comfortable with. I feel like outerwear and footwear are really a special case, because for a lot of us style is a secondary consideration, taking a backseat to climate. If I really paired down from a <i>style</i> perspective it would be: long puffer, short puffer, long wool, short wool. Dark/medium neutrals, not light. And I do have those covered!</p> <p>But the reality is that if I were forced to keep only four pieces of outerwear, they'd all be technical, with varying degrees of insulation/breathability/waterproofness. So the wool coats are purely for style points, not because I actually need them or reach for them daily. I don't think I wear them often enough for anyone in my life to associate them with my style. I'm not gonna lead a preschool nature walk in my funeral coat you know. There was a time (most of my 20s) when all I had was a really cool wool duffel coat, and I was always cold, but boy did I feel like my true self.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/for-angie-are-your-essentials-across-casual-work-dressy#post-2168281 Wed, 27 Jan 2021 18:25:39 +0000 Jules 2168281@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Not Angie obviously, but I feel a modern classic trench coat, pea coat, or wool dress coat in one's neutral of choice should work for most people's work and dressy capsules - one of the benefits of having classic pieces in neutrals, and having a larger, comprehensive wardrobe in general. And looking at Angie's essential coat picks I think several of her coats would work as both.<br />For example I've identified that since puffers became trendy and more nicely designed, I really don't have need for a wool coat, which aren't that functional in my climate anyway - but part of that decision was the realization that I don't work in a business dress setting or go to any dressy events that require a "proper coat".&nbsp;Even funerals in my community don't require such. I've also decided to focus on&nbsp;a smaller, functional wardrobe geared to my lifestyle rather than things I might have assumed were essentials in the past (trench coats and wool coats being two prime examples).&nbsp;If I did want or need a less casual wardrobe I would buy each of these in a fairly classic version in my neutral of choice first and expect them to do double duty (work and dressy), and only then expand from there into fun colours, interesting details, dressier versions...</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/for-angie-are-your-essentials-across-casual-work-dressy#post-2168225 Wed, 27 Jan 2021 16:25:22 +0000 Anonymous 2168225@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like the concept because it allows for the application of orderly thinking to all categories of dress and a&nbsp; broader interpretation of the headings, essentials can be part of dressy wear and statement pieces aren't just dressy, etc.</p> <p>I got a little hung up by the idea of three navy coats because it veers towards excessive duplication. Maybe what qualifies as an essential in one category would be significantly different in another? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/for-angie-are-your-essentials-across-casual-work-dressy#post-2168224 Wed, 27 Jan 2021 16:24:55 +0000 Carla 2168224@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@ Lisap - Can you create 3 distinctly different capsules from the garments and accessories that you currently have on hand without any crossover? &nbsp;It would be an interesting experiment. &nbsp;Then you could retrospectively assess what are the essentials in each, and whether or not you need to ‘borrow some glue’ from one capsule for use in another, or whether you want to actually&nbsp;<i>buy&nbsp;</i>an essential that might be missing. &nbsp; &nbsp;<div><br /></div><div>I would be interested in learning what neutral/colour you currently use the most in your everyday capsule and in your dressy capsule. &nbsp;Other than blue jeans, I don’t see much blue or navy in your OOTD pics.&nbsp;</div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/for-angie-are-your-essentials-across-casual-work-dressy#post-2168214 Wed, 27 Jan 2021 15:58:14 +0000 nemosmom 2168214@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Although I am not Angie, I think your strategy of separating work black from life black makes perfect sense.&nbsp; You could always borrow a piece from one to create an outfit for another, but maybe treating work clothes as a uniform is a great solution (not unlike any other professional who maintains a specific set of clothing for their job, like attorneys, restaurant workers, or nurses). </p> <p>A waitress who is required to wear black pants for work would possibly choose DIFFERENT black pants for her OITW life - maybe a different fabrication or silhouette or whatever, but black pants would still be an essential item, if that makes sense. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/for-angie-are-your-essentials-across-casual-work-dressy#post-2168212 Wed, 27 Jan 2021 15:53:11 +0000 LaPed 2168212@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm curious about this too, as I'm bad about having pieces I *could* wear but set aside to save for some imagined purpose/event.</p> <p>Having a dress code to deal with definitely throws a wrench in things, and I can understand wanting a break from black if you associate it with being at work. But I wouldn't set a strict rule; maybe just give yourself permission to wear whatever strikes your fancy on your days off and see if a pattern emerges? If you reach for some black pieces some of the time, so be it. If not, that's fine too. </p> <p>(I say all this, but I'm terrible about it myself. I *could* wear a tweed suit on an at-home day, but I definitely don't do it. Angie might though. ) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/for-angie-are-your-essentials-across-casual-work-dressy#post-2168206 Wed, 27 Jan 2021 15:39:30 +0000 Helena 2168206@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lisa, just popping back to add, given your work wardrobe is (I think?) at least partially mandated in terms of the colours, etc., I think I would treat that as a separate category altogether ... just because no matter where your style takes you, it is always going to impose a hard line beyond your control (even though it's not a 'uniform' per se) ... as to the other sections though, looking forward to Angie's take! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/for-angie-are-your-essentials-across-casual-work-dressy#post-2168204 Wed, 27 Jan 2021 15:34:27 +0000 Anonymous 2168204@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Carla - thank you for providing useful and thoughtful insight and suggestions. I *do* like wearing black, but because it's mandatory for my work days (about 22 hours right now) , I never wear any of my black pieces outside of work (with the exception of tights, leggings and jeans) . My OTF's for example , have lasted so long because I only wear them a couple of times month at most. There is some sort of mental block I need to get past there in order to make more efficient use of the clothes I have. &nbsp;(and this block , per se, is why I have too many clothes ) . &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/for-angie-are-your-essentials-across-casual-work-dressy#post-2168203 Wed, 27 Jan 2021 15:23:50 +0000 Anonymous 2168203@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you all for commenting. I'm really curious how <b>Angie herself</b> addresses this . &nbsp;I guess my question could have been better posed as: &nbsp;should I have the same colour palette across all 3 categories (dressier/work/casual) and thus ensure each one has the appropriate essentials? &nbsp; &nbsp;Even though we don't share a style sensibility, I felt that I could take all of her essentials, pop them into my own closet, and have a great foundation for dressing. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/for-angie-are-your-essentials-across-casual-work-dressy#post-2168187 Wed, 27 Jan 2021 14:38:23 +0000 Helena 2168187@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lisa, I think this makes sense ... that's not to say that items wouldn't necessarily work in multiple capsules, but if they have sort of a 'homeroom' capsule, then you can be sure all your bases are covered.</p> <p>Not that I have much distinction in my lifestyle categories, but a couple of times a year I do write down my different roles/activities, roughly how much time I spend in each and therefore roughly how many outfits I need for each, and then slot in what I've got into the categories - this makes it easy to see if there's a wardrobe hole somewhere.</p> <p>I think it's possible that the same essentials could work across all categories, with accessories and statement pieces being the changing factor ... but that's a matter of personal preference I would say. Might be more important with an essential-heavy style vs. a statement-heavy style?</p> <p>Not sure if that addresses what you meant or not! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/for-angie-are-your-essentials-across-casual-work-dressy#post-2168130 Wed, 27 Jan 2021 05:37:39 +0000 slim cat 2168130@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I separate some of my work essentials from the rest of wardrobe - like black and navy jackets, black and navy pants, some knitwear and black flats ( only used for work ).&nbsp;<br />Some essentials like my graphic tees used daily for work and for casual outfits. Same goes for shoes/sneakers, scarfs, bags, jewelry, belts.&nbsp;<br />One of my co-workers mentioned to me that my after work look was much more colorful than work outfit ( she haven't seen me in summer time when our dress code was more relaxed ).<br />I'm planing on developing more colorful side of my wardrobe - pretty much like you described it ( although I'm not limited to black pieces at current dress code - it's just easier to find ).&nbsp;<br />You wear black pieces really well and some of your work essentials could be combined with more colorful pieces - like @Runcarla was suggesting. </p>