YouLookFab Forum » Topic: My Essentials

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: My Essentials https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-essentials-1 Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 28 May 2026 11:14:42 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Anonymous on "My Essentials" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-essentials-1#post-1787567 Tue, 14 Mar 2017 17:42:16 +0000 Anonymous 1787567@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ok.  I've been schooled.  I understand the purpose of this exercise and I now realize it is worthwhile.   I do have essentials in my wardrobe.   I guess I took them for granted and never gave them much thought.  Today I give them their due.   Essentials:  I include black, charcoal, white, and navy in my list of essentials.  If I didn't have to show up at the office, I could live in the items.   Black slacks (own one Summer/one Winter) Navy slacks (own three, all of which Summer) Charcoal ponte pants (own three, all of which are Winter) Kut from the Kloth dark navy jeans (own three, four season) White tee shirts (own 14 in long and short sleeve) Navy long sleeve tee shirts (own two for Winter) Black ballet slippers (own too many to count) Black sneakers (own two, too warm for Summer) Vionic Flip Flops  (own two, ADORE for Summer) EARRINGS (own too many to count) Pearls (own black and white necklace/earring sets) Black belts (own four, one of which is a bit tight) Angie on "My Essentials" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-essentials-1#post-1787559 Tue, 14 Mar 2017 17:25:43 +0000 Angie 1787559@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I answered your question on Suz's thread, Sterling:  <a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/essentials-vs-statements----why-bother-categorizing">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....tegorizing</a> "Knowing what your wardrobe essentials are - and making sure they are current and suited to your needs - makes the outfit creation process a whole lot easier. They can also be the back bone of a signature style, the route to a fast fall back outfit, and are a way to refresh your wardrobe without zoning in on statement pieces. All of this impacts your future shopping plan. A wardrobe that is overflowing with statement pieces in fun to look at - but hard to create complete outfits with UNLESS there are essentials in place to stick them all together. A wardrobe that's overflowing with essentials is easy to create outfits with, but might lack the pizazz, verve and drama you're looking for. Some styles are VERY "essentials heavy" - like Greyscale's list. Some are much lighter, like bonnie's list. My own essentials list used to be much longer - but I scaled it back a lot because I wanted to simplify what I wore with my non-essentias and statement pieces. In a way I strengthened my signature style by wearing fewer essentials more frequently". Staysfit on "My Essentials" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-essentials-1#post-1787414 Tue, 14 Mar 2017 13:19:36 +0000 Staysfit 1787414@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sterling, I love your Ski Chalet analogy! It makes me think that I need a reminder now that I don't live in a Park Avenue Brownstone! We all have our fantasy life right?! viva on "My Essentials" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-essentials-1#post-1787395 Tue, 14 Mar 2017 12:40:35 +0000 viva 1787395@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love the idea that understanding your essentials means you can upgrade your purchases in those areas. I had not thought about that at all but it makes such sense. Really, if those essentials are your building blocks, wouldn't you want them to be the best ever? Yes, invest in the best t-shirts you can find!  RobinF on "My Essentials" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-essentials-1#post-1787383 Tue, 14 Mar 2017 12:15:21 +0000 RobinF 1787383@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Haha, love the ski chalet. One good thing here in Michigan is we get all seasons. I like this discussion on essentials, it makes me analyse my wardrobe a little bit better so I make smarter buying decisions (still working on it though). Anonymous on "My Essentials" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-essentials-1#post-1787371 Tue, 14 Mar 2017 10:53:49 +0000 Anonymous 1787371@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Jenni NZ -- My ski chalet is somewhat of a joke.  I live in a hot, humid climate, but for years I bought clothing for an imaginary ski chalet in Colorado.  I never passed up an opportunity to buy heavy, thick cashmere sweaters that swathed my body.  I bought cashmere leggings and sweatpants.  I bought adorable little winter jackets and multiple pairs of Uggs.   Every time I found these types of items in the store I was transported to a ski chalet.  Unfortunately, my wardrobe became more and more dysfunctional because my fantasy had no bearing on my real life needs.  Even with the gentle prodding of Angie and YLF Forum Members I resisted the idea that I should buy for my climate.  It literally took me several years to slowly relinquish my imaginary ski chalet.   Today, I am well aware of the fact that I have an achilles heel when it comes to thick, soft, swathering knits.  I have to consciously have a conversation with myself in the store where once again I explain the reality of my life.  I have that conversation on repeat and it is getting easier.  But for years I did buy for an imaginary life style.   Jenni NZ on "My Essentials" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-essentials-1#post-1787321 Tue, 14 Mar 2017 03:43:47 +0000 Jenni NZ 1787321@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Tell me about your ski chalet in Colorado? I want to visit it Greyscale on "My Essentials" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-essentials-1#post-1787282 Tue, 14 Mar 2017 01:36:42 +0000 Greyscale 1787282@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ See, those are the details that make "white tee and dark pants" a Look. I discovered peroxide bleach powder recently - really great for keeping whites from yellowing. Anonymous on "My Essentials" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-essentials-1#post-1787259 Tue, 14 Mar 2017 00:18:00 +0000 Anonymous 1787259@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Good questions, Joy.  Since I have given up on my ski chalet in Colorado, I am now buying the softest cotton tee shirts I can find to wear in my real life climate.  I feel as good in my cotton tee shirts as I imagine other women feel in their cashmere.  I will always vote to buy the best quality you can afford.  Given how much we wear our essentials it just makes sense to me.   I also replace my white tee shirts regularly.  When I wear a white tee shirt I want it to be brilliantly white.   Anonymous on "My Essentials" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-essentials-1#post-1787255 Tue, 14 Mar 2017 00:11:17 +0000 Anonymous 1787255@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Greyscale makes good points. I wondered about making a list of essentials too but know now that it will help me to plan purchases. Essentials must be replaced and it may take some planning to address personal style and trend changes to consider when buying replacements. Do I want to do some experimenting? Invest in the best quality I can afford since these are essentials? Do I just want to replace worn out pieces with the same thing? Anonymous on "My Essentials" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-essentials-1#post-1787254 Tue, 14 Mar 2017 00:08:54 +0000 Anonymous 1787254@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thank you for weighing in Greyscale.  I knew someone would explain it to me.   Thanks Angie.  You made my evening.   Greyscale on "My Essentials" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-essentials-1#post-1787243 Mon, 13 Mar 2017 23:33:19 +0000 Greyscale 1787243@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am struggling to understand what is the point of categorizing wardrobe items as "essentials," "basics," "workhorses," or "statements." I understand the meaning of these words, I just don't see how it helps me get dressed in the morning. Is there a lesson here I am too obtuse to comprehend? For me the utility wasn't for getting dressed but for knowing what to buy. I can be a little magpie-like especially at thrift stores. White tees and dark slim pants seem like an evergreen combination to me. Think of how popular minimalist / uniform dressing is - it gives you a starting point to customize it for your taste. And good point from Suz about thinking about different necklines and silhouettes. It was funny to realize my essentials list had no crew neck tops. Angie on "My Essentials" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-essentials-1#post-1787222 Mon, 13 Mar 2017 22:06:34 +0000 Angie 1787222@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ See. I know what you wear. *smiling* Anonymous on "My Essentials" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-essentials-1#post-1787203 Mon, 13 Mar 2017 21:35:34 +0000 Anonymous 1787203@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh, Angie!!  I own black sneakers; black trousers; and pearls.  I wear them all and love them.   Angie on "My Essentials" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-essentials-1#post-1787104 Mon, 13 Mar 2017 17:05:14 +0000 Angie 1787104@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sterling, a solid start. How about your black sneakers, black trousers and pearls?  Sisi on "My Essentials" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-essentials-1#post-1787011 Mon, 13 Mar 2017 09:59:13 +0000 Sisi 1787011@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I don't think it is boring. To me it looks classy and evergreen. Anonymous on "My Essentials" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-essentials-1#post-1787005 Mon, 13 Mar 2017 08:00:38 +0000 Anonymous 1787005@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am struggling to understand what is the point of categorizing wardrobe items as "essentials," "basics," "workhorses," or "statements."  I understand the meaning of these words, I just don't see how it helps me get dressed in the morning.  Is there a lesson here I am too obtuse to comprehend?   And to KKards question.  I own a lot of shoes, but I don't see how any particular pair would be a basic.  If any single pair was gone, I would just grab another pair.  If I had to live out of a suitcase, I would grab grey ponte pants and white tee shirts (and jammies!!!).   kkards on "My Essentials" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-essentials-1#post-1786426 Sat, 11 Mar 2017 15:40:14 +0000 kkards 1786426@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ sterling....no shoes? if you had to move into temporary housing for a month and could only take 1 suitcase, what would you take?  Style Fan on "My Essentials" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-essentials-1#post-1786375 Sat, 11 Mar 2017 11:19:00 +0000 Style Fan 1786375@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ It is a great look.  :)  I just watched a video on YouTube by Trinny on white shirts.  Now I want a white shirt. unfrumped on "My Essentials" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-essentials-1#post-1786314 Sat, 11 Mar 2017 03:28:50 +0000 unfrumped 1786314@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Good start! There's probably more if you will be fully dressed! Suz on "My Essentials" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-essentials-1#post-1786284 Sat, 11 Mar 2017 01:24:58 +0000 Suz 1786284@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ But you know what you love!!  My list is not a lot different -- just that I use blue and white instead of black.  Can you specify the neckline of the tees? The type of pants? How about footwear?  Anonymous on "My Essentials" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-essentials-1#post-1786225 Fri, 10 Mar 2017 23:46:06 +0000 Anonymous 1786225@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I don't think it matters that it's a boring list! You can easily add statements to this backdrop. shedev on "My Essentials" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-essentials-1#post-1786223 Fri, 10 Mar 2017 23:41:43 +0000 shedev 1786223@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Very to the point. I'll admit that I had to wear that uniform and avoid it now. Anonymous on "My Essentials" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-essentials-1#post-1786221 Fri, 10 Mar 2017 23:40:13 +0000 Anonymous 1786221@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Black slacks Charcoal ponte pants White tee shirts Boring.  Someone once told me I look and dress like a waitress.