YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Let’s talk Statements

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Let’s talk Statements https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/let%e2%80%99s-talk-statements Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 22 Apr 2026 15:19:00 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Anonymous on "Let’s talk Statements" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/let%e2%80%99s-talk-statements/page/2#post-1889589 Wed, 14 Feb 2018 17:09:44 +0000 Anonymous 1889589@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ je suis sur que tu le porterais à merveille I'm sure you would wear it beautifully rachylou on "Let’s talk Statements" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/let%e2%80%99s-talk-statements/page/2#post-1889587 Wed, 14 Feb 2018 17:00:01 +0000 rachylou 1889587@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Now that’s an idea! A bow tie! I like it. Gingham for me Anonymous on "Let’s talk Statements" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/let%e2%80%99s-talk-statements/page/2#post-1889492 Wed, 14 Feb 2018 13:32:07 +0000 Anonymous 1889492@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Rachylou you are a great philosopher I like to read your texts you're really great to talk about statement it's important I really liked the photo you shared for me the white shirt is a statement and the coat I find that it is out of the ordinary if you do not want to keep the white shirt with nothing but the buttons you can wear a brooch or a necklace it's so beautiful and why not be a little crazy tie or bow tie. It's just my opinion but happy to share it with you. rachylou on "Let’s talk Statements" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/let%e2%80%99s-talk-statements/page/2#post-1889038 Tue, 13 Feb 2018 07:51:15 +0000 rachylou 1889038@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Yes, that’s it exactly, Gigi. I used to say ‘I don’t do tees’ - and I didn’t. But I do have a very specific Essential tee that makes everything from suits to my bakery leggings work: the muscle tee. No sleeves, but not a tank top. I actually quite depend on them. I should talk about them more. Barbara Diane - Oh that is so true. I’ve gone off my hipster delicate jewellery a bit. They don’t have the same power to create the drama I seek, when I wear jewellery, like they used to, and have become ‘regular.’ Greyscale, your wardrobe is interesting. Your palette is strict, but you have some very distinctive pieces. I think your essential tops can be separated from your statement tops. I wonder how many ‘regular’ pieces you have, tho. Things that are, lol, only minimally interesting Gigi on "Let’s talk Statements" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/let%e2%80%99s-talk-statements/page/2#post-1889036 Tue, 13 Feb 2018 07:23:36 +0000 Gigi 1889036@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ooh, I really like your refinement of the idea of an essential as an item that encapsulates your style. I've recently been struggling with some of my essentials, namely, long-sleeved plain tees in brown, black, and white. They're just so boring. It's the cut, the way they hang on the body, that I don't like. So I am trying to refresh these basics with items that feel more exciting--but we're still definitely not going to be into statement territory. The tees will still be quite plain, but they will hopefully have more drape and a lower neckline--which is more the style I am going for. I think of French Chic and how (from what I've read) you need to have the perfect t-shirt--not too fitted, not too loose. This is what you're talking about: the essentials will very much reflect your chosen style and favored silhoutte.  Greyscale on "Let’s talk Statements" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/let%e2%80%99s-talk-statements/page/2#post-1889030 Tue, 13 Feb 2018 06:17:42 +0000 Greyscale 1889030@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think of statements as the things that make a memorable answer to "what are you wearing?" The thing that defines the outfit to you. Like, say I wear jeans and a pullover. If the answer I'd give is: "I'm wearing jeans and a sweater" -- probably essentials "I'm wearing that awesome multi-color sweater" -- statement; the jeans are the supporting act Though as it happens, my own wardrobe is made almost entirely of essentials, combined in ways that make memorable outfits. Barbara Diane on "Let’s talk Statements" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/let%e2%80%99s-talk-statements#post-1889029 Tue, 13 Feb 2018 06:02:43 +0000 Barbara Diane 1889029@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ About the term statement necklaces. When the trend started the now ubiquitous statement necklaces were definitely statements, and quite bolder than what was being worn previously. When I first saw them I really noticed them. Now it takes something significantly bolder for me to notice. However, perhaps the ubiquitous necklace standing out against a column of color is a statement in that outfit. rachylou on "Let’s talk Statements" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/let%e2%80%99s-talk-statements#post-1889028 Tue, 13 Feb 2018 05:37:40 +0000 rachylou 1889028@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You know Gigi - What I haven’t got in my scheme here is something I think that’s very important that Angie brings to the definition of Essentials. Angie always asks us to really narrow it down. Angie’s Essentials are heavy hitters when it comes to defining your style. They rather ARE the definition of your style - tailored jeans, black jeans, blue jeans. Your preferred silhouette comes across clearly through them. When other people talk about Essentials they are very generic about it. ‘Everyone needs a plain white shirt.’ Like any white shirt would do. But for example, I look terrible in those white button downs. I also tend to look unfinished in a plain white shirt; it’s not very me. Statements are unique to you, can signify you, but I don’t know that they encompass one’s style as much. It’s like the logo v the actual company. And to continue with my analogy... when people hang a show, they do pay quite a lot of attention to the walls. If they have a gallery and the opportunity, they will put in walls, take out walls, paint the walls. You know, I’ll look at photos from the runway and think ‘meh.’ But then I’ll see the same clothes in a magazine shoot and think, ‘Oh! That has a lot more possibility than I thought.’ Gigi on "Let’s talk Statements" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/let%e2%80%99s-talk-statements#post-1889026 Tue, 13 Feb 2018 04:57:54 +0000 Gigi 1889026@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Rachylou, I like your assessment! I think Angie calls essentials the glue that holds an outfit together, which would be similar to your analogy to a painting canvas. They're there but are not at all the center of attention. But without them, the outfit would be choppy and not very coherent. rachylou on "Let’s talk Statements" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/let%e2%80%99s-talk-statements#post-1888912 Tue, 13 Feb 2018 00:10:14 +0000 rachylou 1888912@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ All right, how about this for the anatomy of an outfit? - You have your basic categories of top, bottom, shoes, topper - In each category you have your essentials, regular pieces, statements - Essentials, regulars and statements represent level of outfit interest. - All essentials can look like an unfinished canvas, but they provide the backdrop, which is important. Or they're like the wall your painting goes on. - Regulars are ‘subject material.’ More interesting but not that distinctive. ‘Statement lite.’ They get nice compliments, but no one is gonna call out to you in Walgreens. Combined with statements, they’re like the frame. And you don’t really need a painting inside to use them to add interest to your room. They have something in and of themselves. - Statements are subject material too, but they are distinctive, full stop. They’re the painting. At Walgreens, you’ll get the ghetto call out ‘Ooh girl!’ from down the makeup aisle... rachylou on "Let’s talk Statements" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/let%e2%80%99s-talk-statements#post-1888873 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 21:42:58 +0000 rachylou 1888873@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have always thought of a statement as something really really special. But for example, Angie’s brown and green specs are special while my leopard frames are not - they’re just wacky and I only use them at home, as backup to my contacts. They also don’t stand out much, with my hair and all. I have to agree with you, Cindy, about the necklaces. #5 to me is bold and stands out. The others, I feel are supremely normal. Haven’t we all got something like those? Pretty, a little shiny, but ultimately not unique? cindysmith on "Let’s talk Statements" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/let%e2%80%99s-talk-statements#post-1888773 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 13:22:32 +0000 cindysmith 1888773@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ For me, the statement piece is the one that screams "LOOK AT ME" My phone case often falls into statement territory, since I'm not much of a pink glitter kind of girl. It totally stands out against my really RATE looks (which is exactly why i chose it LOL) My h&m trashed sweater winds up being more statement than I ever expected it to be (i mean, really, its just a ribbed burgundy sweater). I get comments on it every single time I wear it in public; apparently, it screams at passers-by ;-) My grey Benenato sweater definitely qualifies as statement, since it looks like it survived battle with a lion in the Roman colosseum. The navy blue do.ri tank looks like a normal tank top from the front, but it's rather like a mullet haircut (all business in the front party in the back LOL). So I classify it as a statement piece. As for whether or not you can take the statement out of a statement piece, I think my spider brooch might be a prime example. I'm still waiting on it to arrive, but it seems to have statement potential if worn with something less RATE. It would probably lose all of its impact if I wore it with an all black emo or goth sort of outfit or with any outfit around Halloween. I get really confused about "statements" sometimes, and a Google search for "statement necklace" just added to the confusion. I cannot for the life of me understand why the first 3 pics are coming up under a search for "statement necklace" because they just look very ladylike to me. The fourth one, well, I guess I can see why it's coming up (big and sparkly) but I feel like big and sparkly isn't enough to qualify as "statement" anymore because we see it in some variation or another so very often. The last pic feels very statement to me, maybe because it's so different from all the rest? And don't get me started on statement shoes, because an image search just brings up a ton of shoes that look overwrought or overdesigned (or child's craft project gone wrong in some cases). Maybe statement pieces can be oversimplified by defining them as "that's a lot of look"? (No judgement implied with that quote, because my "lot of look" might be your essential and thats perfectly cool) Staysfit on "Let’s talk Statements" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/let%e2%80%99s-talk-statements#post-1888756 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 11:15:56 +0000 Staysfit 1888756@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ As I understand Statements, they are not only something that stand out, but something that are often unique to the person. The picture is a great example, and I have to agree that it’s a statement heavy pic. I think the glasses might be a statement also. rachylou on "Let’s talk Statements" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/let%e2%80%99s-talk-statements#post-1888736 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 08:03:12 +0000 rachylou 1888736@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hmm, tulle... a ‘cool’ v ‘nice’ test... v ‘no comment’ .... statement v completer v essential ... ??! !! tulle on "Let’s talk Statements" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/let%e2%80%99s-talk-statements#post-1888722 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 06:01:29 +0000 tulle 1888722@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ It's possible that one person's statement could be another's  essential, I suppose, depending on personality, coloring, profession, and other factors.  For me, essentials are things I put together and wear without thinking too much; statements require thought, and some living-up-to.  Most days (especially these bleak, cold Winter days) I dress head to toe in essentials for comfort, with an unusual scarf or some wild striped woolen socks the only statement I can manage. The more comfortable I'm feeling in my own skin, the more prominent the statement piece will be--an unusual jacket, vintage coat, a tangle of necklaces, a super-textured sweater, etc.  And that piece literally will express something specific:  "I'm into vintage fabrics,"  "This shade of blue was made for me,"  "I found these cool European shoes," while pulling together and raising the tone of the rest of the outfit.   Maybe that's why the statement piece is so often the one that gathers compliments. rachylou on "Let’s talk Statements" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/let%e2%80%99s-talk-statements#post-1888721 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 05:47:29 +0000 rachylou 1888721@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I’m inclined to agree, Joy. And I think leopard is the perfect example. It can totally be ‘glue.’ Shevia... ah, yes! I think you are right about whole outfit statements, that they are their own ball of wax. Like a pink suit as opposed to the jacket and trousers worn separately. And then things that go beyond... some of Annagybe’s hats come to mind; they’re fashion as Art. Anonymous on "Let’s talk Statements" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/let%e2%80%99s-talk-statements#post-1888714 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 04:54:41 +0000 Anonymous 1888714@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Interesting question and replies. For me some pieces that others may consider statements because they have a pattern, are essentials. Patterns that are small or so ordinary they serve more as a texture can be essentials for me: snake, stripes in neutrals, polkadots, sometimes leopard. Or maybe they are completers. Jaime on "Let’s talk Statements" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/let%e2%80%99s-talk-statements#post-1888701 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 04:04:38 +0000 Jaime 1888701@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I watched the Good Place. My take - "we can make a heaven of hell or a hell of heaven" (apologies for mangling the quote). I can talk about essentials with delight for quite some time. Oh I think there is a difference between a statement piece and a statement outfit. Probably unexpected, noticeable, eye catching, boundary pushing outfits like you posted should be given their own term. Heh. rachylou on "Let’s talk Statements" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/let%e2%80%99s-talk-statements#post-1888695 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 03:39:36 +0000 rachylou 1888695@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Lol, anybody ever watch The Good Place? I’m reminding myself of the Chidi character, the moral philosopher. He is sent to hell because it takes him 80 minutes to decide between the brown hat and the white hat. The Judge yells at him, ‘They were just hats! No ethics involved!’ Haha! Anyways, so I gather puffers are essentials to my style... but only the dark blue, black and brown plain ones are Essentials. The plaid one with matching bag doesn’t count. What would a non-essential puffy look like then? A solid Burgundy? ...And did I just buy a ticket on the ‘hot’ trolley? Gigi on "Let’s talk Statements" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/let%e2%80%99s-talk-statements#post-1888675 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 01:43:01 +0000 Gigi 1888675@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Windchime, I would say that an outfit can have two statements. But you would have to be careful that the two statements did not compete and make the outfit look too busy. Gigi on "Let’s talk Statements" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/let%e2%80%99s-talk-statements#post-1888674 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 01:41:27 +0000 Gigi 1888674@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I like Staysfit's definition of statement: something that draws attention. I agree with smittie that in the pic you posted, the gal is wearing all statements, which is why she looks unconventional. I'd call her t-shirt a statement tee since it has such an eye-catching design on it. It definitely draws attention. From what I have seen of your dressing, I would consider most of your wardrobe to be made up of statement pieces. If an essential cannot be a statement, per Angie, then I think it would follow that an essential would have to be pretty plain. The cut might be a little bit out of the ordinary (maybe an asymmetric hem?) but not overly so. And I may need to be corrected on that... Rachylou, I dub you the Fashion Philosopher of YLF! rachylou on "Let’s talk Statements" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/let%e2%80%99s-talk-statements#post-1888612 Sun, 11 Feb 2018 22:03:47 +0000 rachylou 1888612@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hmm. Does that mean essentials are almost always plain, smittie? I mean, single solid subdued colour? Anonymous on "Let’s talk Statements" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/let%e2%80%99s-talk-statements#post-1888610 Sun, 11 Feb 2018 21:57:30 +0000 Anonymous 1888610@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ The outfit you showed is all statements. That’s why the lady looks bat-crazy. If you want to dress in a maximal style, then you don’t need essentials, it’s true. The dichotomy of statements/essentials doesn’t make sense anymore in the maximal world. If you want to dress in a standard way, then you will likely wear some boring essentials alongside your statements. rachylou on "Let’s talk Statements" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/let%e2%80%99s-talk-statements#post-1888606 Sun, 11 Feb 2018 21:42:59 +0000 rachylou 1888606@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Well see. This is what I mean. So maybe the tee is a completer piece. But is it? Maybe it’s distinctive enough to be a statement. Or maybe it would be the statement in a different outfit. I have a dark teal velvet suit... I’m not sure if that would be a statement for me. It’s subdued enough in my mind not to be the focal point. Or put it another way, I’d wear it with my white booties and then those would definitely be the statement... Windchime on "Let’s talk Statements" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/let%e2%80%99s-talk-statements#post-1888605 Sun, 11 Feb 2018 21:29:39 +0000 Windchime 1888605@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Rachylou--I'm glad you asked this. In the outfit you posted, I'd say the boots are definitely a statement and possibly also the white shirt with blue and red floral on it. The entire outfit is a statement, for sure! It can get confusing. Today I'm wearing: black pants (essential) black ankle boots (essential) floral tee (essential? statement?) cranberry velvet blazer (statement) If my tee were a solid color, I'd call it an essential, but because of the floral print, I'm not sure. Can one outfit have two statements? Nothing like asking more questions than I answered. Angie on "Let’s talk Statements" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/let%e2%80%99s-talk-statements#post-1888590 Sun, 11 Feb 2018 21:04:17 +0000 Angie 1888590@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ An essential cannot be a statement!  rachylou on "Let’s talk Statements" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/let%e2%80%99s-talk-statements#post-1888574 Sun, 11 Feb 2018 20:49:21 +0000 rachylou 1888574@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Also: In a maximalist era, how do you find the statement? For example, is there a statement piece in this outfit? rachylou on "Let’s talk Statements" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/let%e2%80%99s-talk-statements#post-1888539 Sun, 11 Feb 2018 18:42:01 +0000 rachylou 1888539@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ That’s part of what makes me feel confused ... a statement *depends*. I also wonder about jewelry, esp fine jewelry. Is that always a statement? delurked on "Let’s talk Statements" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/let%e2%80%99s-talk-statements#post-1888534 Sun, 11 Feb 2018 18:34:33 +0000 delurked 1888534@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Also interesting that ones persons essential can be another persons statement. For me, a statement is a standout piece that is more likely to draw attention. rachylou on "Let’s talk Statements" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/let%e2%80%99s-talk-statements#post-1888532 Sun, 11 Feb 2018 18:31:19 +0000 rachylou 1888532@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hmm. What is the relationship between hero and statement? I may currently see a hero as the same as an essential.