https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/here-goes-nothin-my-essentials Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 15 Apr 2026 02:07:50 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/here-goes-nothin-my-essentials/page/2#post-1999017 Tue, 05 Feb 2019 02:27:28 +0000 SarahD8 1999017@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Elizabeth, thank you so much for letting me know! Hugs. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/here-goes-nothin-my-essentials/page/2#post-1998861 Mon, 04 Feb 2019 14:44:30 +0000 Elizabeth P 1998861@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>Hi Sarah, <br /></div><div>Just wanted to chime in quickly to say I've really enjoyed this thread.&nbsp; You've dug deep in your journey, and have generated lots of good conversation.&nbsp; Thumbs up!<br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/here-goes-nothin-my-essentials/page/2#post-1998645 Sun, 03 Feb 2019 18:56:17 +0000 SarahD8 1998645@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>karen13</b>, yeah, I have to admit that I'm still a bit confused by all the torso-related terminology. I suspect that what it boils down to is just that my torso is so short overall that I have a very narrow sweet spot when it comes to pant rises.</p> <p><b>La Ped</b> and <b>JenniNZ</b>, I am SO glad this discussion (and my weird little "neutral glue" phrase) was useful to you! Thank you both so much for letting me know.</p> <p>I suspect that for a lot of us, it's difficult to keep hold of the difference between "essentials" as the term is meant to be defined in this context and "items that are essential to expressing our style." </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/here-goes-nothin-my-essentials/page/2#post-1998430 Sat, 02 Feb 2019 21:01:47 +0000 Jenni NZ 1998430@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is an awesome discussion, thank you Sarah! I read it last night just before bed but was too tired to comment then! I struggled a bit with the essentials concept as well, and what threw me off was the "can't get dressed without them" thing. So many of my items are statements or even if not they are often very bright. I only put down 6 pairs of shoes out of 44 pairs and even one of those has a sparkly strap which is meant to make a bit of a statement. Which is why I thought my essentials were a bit sparse. I mean, I need shoes to get dressed but in summer they are nearly all statement sandals of some sort.<br /> I like your "neutral glue" term as well. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/here-goes-nothin-my-essentials#post-1998410 Sat, 02 Feb 2019 18:43:15 +0000 karen13 1998410@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sarah - The Levis 314 have a &nbsp;9 1/8" rise on the size 26x30, which surprised me - they feel lower. More reinforcement that I have a longer rise than I think - probably goes with the short waist. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/here-goes-nothin-my-essentials#post-1998390 Sat, 02 Feb 2019 16:44:35 +0000 LaPed 1998390@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for the term neutral glue! That one really clicks for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/here-goes-nothin-my-essentials#post-1998228 Sat, 02 Feb 2019 01:01:31 +0000 SarahD8 1998228@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, exactly Suz, I had to work through the connotations of “essentials” that were throwing me off. Once I get past that emotional baggage with the term I can sort of hold the concept in my mind a bit better.</p> <p>I will say that the exercise was useful for me in terms of realizing that I don’t tend to wear essentials evenly across item categories. Since all my winter bottoms are neutral/essentials, that means I really need to focus on non-neutrals on top for example. And no I don’t need to worry that much that I don’t have a plain black shirt.</p> <p>Good point re: accessories, which I didn’t tackle in my original post. My summer bag is a tan leather cross body with a woven texture and no bells and whistles — the essence of an essential. so you’re right, I do use essentials most every day, even in summer.</p> <p>Interestingly, my everyday bag for fall/winter/spring is teal. I suspect on that count it wouldn’t qualify as an essential. But I chose it very carefully and deliberately to look intentional and coordinated with all of my outerwear. You might call it a statement workhorse, but it doesn’t feel like a statement piece to me. No one says: whoa, striking bag. I do get compliments on it, but all focused on its practicality. Very interesting to ponder. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/here-goes-nothin-my-essentials#post-1998121 Fri, 01 Feb 2019 20:25:08 +0000 Suz 1998121@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sure..."neutral glue" works if "essentials" has confusing connotations for you. I think it is a term of art that <b>Angie</b> uses in an industry-specific way, just as she uses the term "basics" differently to some.&nbsp;</p> <p>These categories are helpful to those who tend to overbuy on either end of the spectrum, e.g. those who buy too many statements or trend items need to understand the need for "neutral glue" to "ground" their outfits and those who tend to focus on the neutral glue need to recognize the need for adding statements or "spark" to what would otherwise be a very boring uniform (even to uniform dressers.) Of course statements can be loud and maximal or relatively quiet, depending on personality and personal style. &nbsp;</p> <p>For me, it helped enormously to limit my colour palette. Identifying essentials came after that. I <b>do</b> in fact <b>almost</b> always wear one of my essentials (or more) even in summer when I mostly wear print dresses or skirts these days. So where are the essentials in that? Silver or white footwear, silver watch, silver earrings, bag with silver hardware. Or (with a skirt) a simple navy top.&nbsp;</p> <p>Then again, I might <b>also</b> put an outfit together with a statement dress, a statement shoe, different jewellery and a big red earring, i.e. no essentials at all except wedding ring. That's okay, too! In my case, this happens rarely, but it does happen. Wearing dresses increased the likelihood. When you have a one piece outfit, you don't need as much "glue."&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/here-goes-nothin-my-essentials#post-1998068 Fri, 01 Feb 2019 17:25:14 +0000 SarahD8 1998068@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, <b>karen13</b> -- I'm so glad that this discussion has been helpful to others besides me!!! I'm finding that I <i>am</i> learning a lot from these terms about how I put together outfits and how my wardrobe works -- even if it's from pondering "why doesn't this idea seem to work for me?"</p> <p>Thanks also for the Levi's recommendation! Alas, I have a short torso and a super short rise, so I need a front rise of about 8" to achieve a mid-rise effect in this style. It's...a challenging retail environment for me at the moment when it comes to jeans! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/here-goes-nothin-my-essentials#post-1998057 Fri, 01 Feb 2019 17:07:13 +0000 karen13 1998057@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nice job, and your follow up discussions are helping me wrap my head around essentials. I Just commented on Jenni Nz’s thread about essential “glue” so I think that works well for those of us struggling with this concept.</p> <p>BTW I really like this straight leg jean, Levi’s 314 style( my sturdy calves preclude skinnies or slims). Mid rise, true to size, maybe size up for boyfriend </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/here-goes-nothin-my-essentials#post-1997925 Fri, 01 Feb 2019 02:42:13 +0000 SarahD8 1997925@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think you're right <b>smittie</b>! Thanks to you and <b>torontogirl</b> and others who helped me along the way. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/here-goes-nothin-my-essentials#post-1997784 Thu, 31 Jan 2019 18:48:28 +0000 Anonymous 1997784@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nice, Sarah! "neutral glue" is a good way to think about things. It sounds like you're making this concept work for you now.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/here-goes-nothin-my-essentials#post-1997773 Thu, 31 Jan 2019 18:17:16 +0000 Helena 1997773@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Makes a lot of sense Sarah!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/here-goes-nothin-my-essentials#post-1997747 Thu, 31 Jan 2019 17:13:10 +0000 SarahD8 1997747@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Sterling</b>, THANK YOU as ever for the cheers and encouragement! I did tie myself in some mental knots there didn't I? But I believe I am reaping the rewards of all that hard work in understanding. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/here-goes-nothin-my-essentials#post-1997434 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 22:01:00 +0000 Anonymous 1997434@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>WELL DONE, SARAHD8! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/here-goes-nothin-my-essentials#post-1997426 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 21:40:51 +0000 SarahD8 1997426@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>torontogirl</b>!!! That is such a helpful post. Thank you so much. First off, yes, you are wise to counsel patience. And when you talked about how these categories help you, a lightbulb went on for me. I LOVE your insight about realizing that your essentials are your most used and loved pieces. It really brings home that for your style, essentials are...well, essential. And so naming them that way helps you appreciate their value.</p> <p>You are going to laugh, but I think I have had a mental block about the very word "essentials." I've been struggling to let go of the idea that it implies some kind of value judgement -- as if other kinds of pieces are less important. Or the idea of "can't get dressed without them" -- I think that makes sense if you tend to wear these types of pieces fairly evenly across clothing categories. In my case, though, all my winter bottoms are neutral, so I "can't get dressed without" colorful tops -- yet I was getting the message that those were not "essentials" and thus somehow superfluous.</p> <p>I think I'm just going to mentally substitute the phrase "<b>neutral glue</b>" every time I hear "essentials" from now on. I can easily list the items I own that are neutral and have that function of "gluing" outfits together. I can see that there are some items I own that are neutral but do not serve that "glue" function. I can see that there are places where there's a neutral item that I'm missing that would help me make lots more outfits (e.g., simple black, white, and Breton-striped tanks to wear with printed summer skirts). I can observe that there are some categories or outfit formulas that do not rely on "neutral glue" at all (e.g., printed sundress, colorful cardi, colorful shoes) and just go -- oh, how interesting! -- rather than getting all hung up on it. Ahhhh.... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/here-goes-nothin-my-essentials#post-1997389 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 19:44:42 +0000 Helena 1997389@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sarah, I really struggled with these concepts last year; this year I feel like the penny's dropped a bit. It makes more sense when it all gets put into the context with basics, essentials, statements and completers (which I imagine will be tackled in coming weeks). Just for example, here's a few things insights I've had through this categorization, that wouldn't have been as clear without it (or at least will be easier to apply going forward): <ul> <li>Whereas in the past, I thought I was buying too many "boring" things, I know realize these are my essentials and though they are not exciting on a hanger, they are my most used and loved pieces in reality - therefore, I will shop for them more freely in future!</li> <li>I used to get into 'minimizing' mode and pretty much edit out all the pieces that I didn't feel fit a tightly defined formula; then I'd end up in a re-cycle. I know realize a lot of these pieces were either statements or completers, and that for my style, I'm not going to use these pieces nearly as much as my essentials, but I still need them for my wardrobe to be interesting and happy (so once I know a piece is a statement or a completer, I can use a different criteria when deciding whether to keep or pass on).</li> </ul> I think once you get a handle on the categories, then you can get a handle of the relative importance of each category to you and how your current wardrobe looks against that, and THEN it becomes really practical.</p> <p>Sorry that was a bit long, but it's just to say that the practical application might come later in the process (or maybe it won't be useful for you!). Does that help any bit? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/here-goes-nothin-my-essentials#post-1997386 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 19:33:36 +0000 SarahD8 1997386@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>suntiger&nbsp;</b>ah yes -- blush as a neutral for fair skin makes sense. Like "nude" but likely more flattering for some skin tones.<br />Your question about how I shop is really interesting. I'm not sure of the answer. I shop secondhand a LOT. And I think my style is kind of offbeat. So it's always a push-pull between my style "vision" and what I manage to find.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/here-goes-nothin-my-essentials#post-1997383 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 19:28:03 +0000 SarahD8 1997383@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, we cross-posted <b>smittie</b>, but YES! That makes total sense to me (and, you've totally nailed my signature look).&nbsp;</p> <p>The thing that I feel HAS really helped me improve wardrobe function is thinking very carefully about the <i>essential characteristics</i> that a particular wardrobe item should have. Like for woven cold-weather tops, they need to have a somewhat open neckline, a relatively fluid fit, probably a popover but not always and not too boho, and some kind of detail like pintucking or textured fabric. And then once I have that search image, I can think about what color would do most for my wardrobe. Sometimes it's white. Sometimes it's a print with burgundy in it. But always coming back to those characteristics.&nbsp;</p> <p>If that's my version of the essentials concept, I totally get why that is useful. Ah! I feel like I can move on now! *laughing at myself* </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/here-goes-nothin-my-essentials#post-1997382 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 19:21:03 +0000 Anonymous 1997382@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'd consider blush a neutral for fair skin, since Angie chose her blush shoes as a nude-type option.<br /> Smittie has a good idea. Different outfit formulas require different supporting pieces. So, with the tunic formula for example, what do you look at/shop for first? Did you buy the skinnies and decide you needed tunics or vice versa-since you said many are neutral. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/here-goes-nothin-my-essentials#post-1997381 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 19:18:18 +0000 SarahD8 1997381@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ok but...does categorizing something as a "workhorse statement" vs an "essential" change how you put outfits together? Or change your buying strategies in some way?</p> <p>I know it seems like I'm being negative here but I promise that is not my intention! I am just fascinated by this whole discussion. Because it seems like it is really important to lots of people to identify their essentials. And they struggle to do so, and then they have this a-ha moment and they're like: YES, this is my list. And they seem really happy about it! Whereas I can list my essentials but...so what? The concept just doesn't resonate for me! And I wonder if I'm missing something or if it doesn't match my wardrobe and/or style very well.</p> <p>For example, Suz, on your thread you explained essentials by saying you wear at least one of those items almost every single day. Makes sense. Very intuitive. But in summer, I can go a whole week WITHOUT wearing a single item that would qualify as an essential -- and have happily done so! So "essentials" are supposed to be things that your wardrobe couldn't function without -- but the concept seems to leave out something important about how my wardrobe actually functions. (And, if anything I'm much happier with my summer wardrobe than my cold-weather one.)</p> <p>Anyway, this is all very esoteric and such. I will say that I think <i>for me</i>, the risk inherent in the concept of essentials is that it could lead me to OVERfocus on neutrals. Sure, I often find that I keep reaching for X and not finding it in my closet -- and feeling like my wardrobe would function so much better if only I had X. But I'd wager that X is just as likely to be a non-neutral as a neutral, for me.&nbsp; &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/here-goes-nothin-my-essentials#post-1997379 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 19:08:30 +0000 Anonymous 1997379@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You might consider the “signature look” concept instead of essentials.</p> <p>I think your signature look for winter is:<br /> -cardigans<br /> -skinny pants (could be skinny jeans)<br /> -tunic (something that floats away, right?)<br /> - tall boots<br /> - dainty jewelry<br /> - pony tail</p> <p>Those things are fundamental to your “look”. Those are your essentials. I wouldn’t get bogged down with colours etc. In other words, be as specific as possible, but if you can’t be specific, don’t be. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/here-goes-nothin-my-essentials#post-1997325 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 16:44:27 +0000 Suz 1997325@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The pink tennies might be a "workhorse statement" item. I have plenty of those as well. Examples below. In fall/winter I wear a couple of these every week at least.&nbsp;</p> <p>Essentials tend to be neutrals, yes -- but blush pink can act as a kind of neutral. Red can also be a neutral -- but it is still a statement because it "advances" to the eye and its associations are so powerful.&nbsp;</p> <p>My closet is neutrals-heavy and that is part of what makes it function quite smoothly. But navy and silver items are also <b>signature </b>for me, just as white/ cream items are for <b>Angie</b>.&nbsp;</p> <p><i>The periwinkle puffer: it similarly offers a nice break from the parkas when the weather is dry/mild. The color is absolutely aces on me. I’d be super bummed to be without it. But my gut is telling me it’s not an “essential” as defined here.<br /></i><br />Right. It's essential to your happiness but not to the <b>FUNCTIONING</b> of your wardrobe. But it might be a <b>workhorse statement</b> or a <b>signature </b>piece -- or both.&nbsp; </p> <p>My own examples are my red coat and my lilac coat, below. I wear them both and love them both and would feel bereft without a colourful coat in my closet -- as a matter of fact, my brother and I were discussing this and it seems that neither of us has been without a red coat in our respective closets for 15 years or more! But my wardrobe would function perfectly well without these coats.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/here-goes-nothin-my-essentials#post-1997306 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 15:42:47 +0000 SarahD8 1997306@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie, yes, I can analyze with the best of them! :-)</p> <p>“Denim for my feet,” yes that makes sense! The interesting thing though is that I wore the pink tennies at least as much as the blue last year, and I wore them almost interchangeably. Hmmm.....</p> <p>Interesting question about outerwear. The black 3 in 1 is definitely essential. The cobalt puffer is definitely not.</p> <p>The navy 3 in 1 shell: I managed without this for several years. The black was my cold season coat, I wore it every day from October to May and that was that. But I would get to this point in early March where I would think: I cannot wear that black coat for another three months! You know the feeling of a Seattle “springtime.” So I decided I wanted a navy coat for spring (I wear it in early fall too). I’m going with essential...at least it’s essential to my mental health!</p> <p>The periwinkle puffer: it similarly offers a nice break from the parkas when the weather is dry/mild. The color is absolutely aces on me. I’d be super bummed to be without it. But my gut is telling me it’s not an “essential” as defined here.</p> <p>The tomato red lightweight trench: it’s my only non-gear option for keeping off the summer rain. (Ok not super important in Seattle, but I originally bought it for a trip to London.) The color acts as a pseudo neutral with my summer wardrobe (lots of navy and white, and floral prints that often involve pinky shades). So I’m declaring it an essential. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/here-goes-nothin-my-essentials#post-1997272 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 14:47:21 +0000 Angie 1997272@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>SarahD8,</b> when you expressed your concerns in the blog post, I smiled &nbsp;because I <i>knew</i> you'd nail it. You're analytical, and I could see some of your essentials in front of me. You just needed the encouragement and &nbsp;to write it down. Enough said :)</p> <p>The pics of the Summer skimmers really help. The quiet BLUE are the essentials because they're like wearing denim on your feet. (Btw, LOVE that you wear happy colours on your feet!)</p> <p>A colour can be SIGNATURE when you own/wear a lot of it. It's essential when it's not a statement piece. You can build on the ballet pink component to make it more signature over time. (I did that with blush and it took years).</p> <p>Which of your outerwear items do you think are essential?&nbsp;</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/here-goes-nothin-my-essentials#post-1997271 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 14:45:24 +0000 SarahD8 1997271@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ah, I see. But if I look back at your essentials post Suz all your essentials are neutrals. I was momentarily confused by Angie’s comment that ballet pink could be an essential color for me — questioning whether essentials can be colors or not. It sounds like they can if the colors are sufficiently “quiet” but none of your core colors fit that bill for you. </p> <p>I don’t know. I apparently CAN define my essentials, but I guess I’m just not sure how useful the concept is for me in understanding my wardrobe. Horses for courses, as they say! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/here-goes-nothin-my-essentials#post-1997161 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 05:52:00 +0000 Suz 1997161@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My neutrals are ink blue/ navy (and denim), white, grey.&nbsp;</p> <p>My key colours are other blues (I wear blue a <b>LOT</b>!!), reds, from cranberry to fire engine; other berry tones and theoretically purples/ lilacs/ plums (though I don't wear those much.)&nbsp;</p> <p>I do associate certain combinations with specific seasons. Muted tones and browns for fall, bright tones for spring, etc. But I don't <b>wear</b> all the colours and neutrals -- not all of them suit me, and it just gets too complicated and expensive to shop and get dressed. So I go with those that suit me best. If I want a new colour I will add in a patterned top or scarf that includes it and consider building a complement. Otherwise, I walk right past it in the stores.&nbsp;</p> <p>Even within my limited palette, though, I do vary things by season. For example: spring and summer I wear the brighter/ lighter blues with white much more often. In fall, I've added a touch of taupe to wear with my berries, because earth colours were trending and taupe is "my" earth tone. (My "complement" of earth tones was my statement jacket, my leopard belt, my taupe booties.) In winter, I wear a lot more cranberry and red, to warm and brighten things up.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/here-goes-nothin-my-essentials#post-1997157 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 05:23:50 +0000 SarahD8 1997157@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree, Suz! The question of one’s color palette is different from the question of essentials as I understand it. For you, do key or core colors = neutrals? I think I have a different relationship to color than many people here. For me certain colors (and color combinations) are strongly associated with specific seasons. Just one of my many ways of over complicating things! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/here-goes-nothin-my-essentials#post-1997129 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 04:14:21 +0000 Suz 1997129@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It sounds as if you might want to build a complement in ballet pink.&nbsp;</p> <p>For myself -- I think the definition of core wardrobe colours/ neutrals is better understood as a separate exercise from defining essential items. Most of your essential items will be in your key or core colours. But not everything in those colours will be an essential.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/here-goes-nothin-my-essentials#post-1997114 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 03:08:40 +0000 SarahD8 1997114@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks Torontogirl!</p> <p>Ha, Angie, I had to give your first response a "comedy" bc it made me laugh gently at myself -- whingeing about the assignment and then nailing it!</p> <p>The summer skimmers are actually a pretty bright pink. The blue ones seem like a color that is closer to an essential to me. I've actually just replaced them with an identical pair bc they were so worn out. Hmm, the color seems very different. I wonder if the dye lot changed or if they have just faded that much. See photo.</p> <p>I would love more ballet pink in my wardrobe but the only items I currently own are that striped sweater and a solid colored winter scarf. And a plaid top that I'm probably about to get rid of bc the dye ran on first wash, sigh. Can a color be essential if you only own 2 or 3 items in that shade?</p> <p>Outerwear -- black 3 in 1 parka, navy 3 in 1 parka shell. My periwinkle puffer, Cobalt long puffer (inside of the navy 3 in 1), and tomato red summer rain trench are beloved but disqualified due to color. </p>