https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/having-a-go-at-my-essentials Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 18 Apr 2026 14:22:01 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/having-a-go-at-my-essentials#post-1786951 Mon, 13 Mar 2017 02:32:21 +0000 Angie 1786951@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>And that's the beauty of a signature style, LP. BOTH essentials and statements can be elements of a signature look.</p> <p>An essential cannot be a statement piece. Muddies the waters. That said, a statement piece can be a workhorse, and frequently worn - like my green specs and your sunnies.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/having-a-go-at-my-essentials#post-1786923 Mon, 13 Mar 2017 01:44:23 +0000 Suz 1786923@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm tripped up in the same way about signatures/ essentials/ statements, <b>LaPed</b>. And also about necessary items that are called statements (e.g. sunnies). I get that they are big impact items, but also, they are required, so in that sense, essential? What makes a big watch an essential but not a statement, then? If you can't put an outfit together without the item, then is it not essential? (Sunnies fall into that category if you hope to go out in the sun...)&nbsp;</p> <p>Anyway...I also like that observation you made -- if you lose an item and then struggle like the dickens to put outfits together, you know you have an essential for sure. I must mull on that.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/having-a-go-at-my-essentials#post-1786911 Mon, 13 Mar 2017 01:05:35 +0000 Style Fan 1786911@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very well done.&nbsp; Sunscreen is an essential for sure.&nbsp; I am retiring some of my tops and moving to a new look.&nbsp; Interesting.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/having-a-go-at-my-essentials#post-1786766 Sun, 12 Mar 2017 16:58:38 +0000 LaPed 1786766@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ah, thanks Angie, that makes sense! I may well be using bright shoes as a statement in the summer when it's too hot for any sort of third piece. I do have black sandals and canvas slip-ons. So black footwear is probably a year-round essential.</p> <p>I do think some of my winter hats are statements, and some are essentials. I know, because I lost an essential one (soft, grey, slouchy) and am struggling to replace it. :(</p> <p>I can see how sunnies would be a statement that feels like an essential -- I wear the same ones every day, but they always make me feel more pulled together.</p> <p>I guess what trips me up is that both statements and essentials can constitute "signature" looks... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/having-a-go-at-my-essentials#post-1786524 Sat, 11 Mar 2017 19:59:40 +0000 Angie 1786524@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Your Winter Essentials list is great, although your hats sound like statement pieces.&nbsp;</p> <p>Your Summer Essentials list is great too, although your shoes sound like statement pieces. Isolate the essentials from the statements in that category. </p> <p>Sunnies are statements - take them out. Rest looks good. NICELY DONE.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/having-a-go-at-my-essentials#post-1786474 Sat, 11 Mar 2017 18:08:38 +0000 Jenn 1786474@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Graphic tees would also be on my list of "things that were essential a few years ago." I still have a drawer full of them, but they're mostly for lounging and garden work. I used to wear A-line skirts and tall boots a lot more, as well. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/having-a-go-at-my-essentials#post-1786464 Sat, 11 Mar 2017 17:38:15 +0000 LaPed 1786464@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jenn -- thanks. It was almost easy coming up with this list once I looked at my closet (and laundry basket). </p> <p>I have certain categories that I can duplicate to my heart's content, and as long as I choose things that fit well in colours I like, it will all get worn into the ground. I have three breton tops in active rotation, plus three that I've retired to lounge wear. I have three flannel shirts, too, plus one that's loungewear-only. </p> <p>There were some categories I had on the list that I removed upon further consideration, because I suspect they may someday be essential, but aren't quite there yet: chambray shirts, oxford shirts, lightweight layering sweaters. </p> <p>There were also quite a few categories that struck me in their absence: graphic/band t-shirts, short-ish skirts (tube, a-line, mini), chunky hooded sweaters, tall boots, Chucks. These were my very much my essentials up until 3-4 years ago and I think I've grown out of them for the time being. I still have all of these represented in my closet, but they're occasional rather than constant-wear items. And I probably won't feel the need for direct replacements as they wear out.</p> <p>JAileen -- I had to think a little more about how to define my outerwear essentials, and I think it's something like this: <ul> <li>Winter puffer (long)</li> <li>Winter wool coat (long)</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Transitional puffer (short)</li> <li>Transitional wool coat (long but lighter weight)</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Puffy vest</li> <li>Wool vest</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Long waterproof coat</li> </ul> If I were to add anything to my outerwear collection, it would be a city-appropriate waterproof/resistant coat, either a trench or anorak style. It's not something I consider essential for my lifestyle, my Goretex trench works fine 99% of the time, but it would be fun to have the dressier option for travel and events, and it would extend the life of my Goretex.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/having-a-go-at-my-essentials#post-1786449 Sat, 11 Mar 2017 16:35:29 +0000 JAileen 1786449@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sunscreen! Yes, same for me. As well as sunglasses and hats year round. Those should be on my list of essentials. </p> <p>Your list does sound like you. What about a puffer coat, though? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/having-a-go-at-my-essentials#post-1786448 Sat, 11 Mar 2017 16:32:29 +0000 Jenn 1786448@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'll take your closet, please. &nbsp;:) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/having-a-go-at-my-essentials#post-1786446 Sat, 11 Mar 2017 16:28:50 +0000 LaPed 1786446@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like the "My Essentials" exercise, so decided I'd take a stab at it today. I had a hard time deciding whether to include gear or not. Ultimately I didn't, and I also didn't include dressy/formal wear, because it sees even less wear than gear. I didn't tackle outerwear with this one, but I've never had an overabundance of outerwear -- everything I have is pretty essential, and it all sees lots of use. So, this list skews rather casual -- these are the things I need to get through the week and feel like myself.&nbsp;</p> <p>I did break it down into warm weather and cool weather, though of course there is some overlap. I wore a breton top yesterday, and wear my jeans well into the spring, etc.&nbsp; <p>cold weather essentials:</p> </p> <ul> <li>flannel shirts</li> <li>straight leg jeans* (a mix of slouchy and tailored fits)</li> <li>black ankle boots</li> <li>cute knit hats — toques, berets, beanies, you name it.</li> <li>short black jackets&nbsp;</li> <li>*black denim is a wardrobe essential that I’ve been missing this winter, as I haven’t found a replacement for my old black jeans yet.</li> <li>*corduroys — see above. I’ve been looking for replacement corduroys for almost a year.</li> </ul> warm weather essentials: <ul> <li>vibrant, colourful flat shoes (sandals, sneakers, oxfords, huaraches, etc)</li> <li>high-contrast breton tops (black/white, navy/white, etc.)</li> <li>chinos and khakis</li> <li>linen separates — pants, tops, jackets. I love it all. this is a warm weather essential category I probably need to grow a bit.</li> <li><i>*knee-length sleeveless dresses — In desperate need of some replacements in this category. Hoping to find just the right linen sundress for this summer.</i></li> <li><i>*I’d really like to make sun hats an essential the way winter hats are for me. building a functional summer hat wardrobe is one of my goals right now.</i></li> </ul> </p> <p>year round:</p> </p> <ul> <li>sunglasses — I like sunglasses that are not too large, as I have a small face, and somewhere in between round and square, and interesting colors (my current pair is rose and burgundy).</li> <li>utilitarian bags (totes, messengers, etc.)</li> <li>small pendant necklaces</li> <li>sunscreen. ;)</li> </ul> </p> <p>I don't typically think of myself as a uniform dresser, but I might be becoming one, thanks to having a small child in the house. A lot of the more varied silhouettes I used to enjoy (t-shirt dresses, tube skirts, etc) feel too fussy and less relevant for the time being. My dresses and skirts don't feel particularly essential to me right now, though I do enjoy wearing them from time to time.&nbsp; </p>