https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-more-universal-staples Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 16 Apr 2026 04:29:17 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-more-universal-staples#post-2252753 Tue, 22 Feb 2022 08:31:53 +0000 Zaeobi 2252753@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This definitely resonates! Case in point:<br /> Me in a crisp white shirt, bootcut trousers, nude heels &amp; wavy bob hairstyle (a few years back). </p> <p>I thought all of those things would make me 'chic' - they're on almost every list of items that women with my 'afflictions' (curvy pear shaped, roundish face etc) 'should' own, after all. </p> <p>But guess what? I now own *none* of these items (even my hair is longer), yet I feel much more chic than I ever did then! No more dealing with bust gaping, soggy hems, foot pain &amp; 'flicky' morning hair for me </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-more-universal-staples#post-2252744 Tue, 22 Feb 2022 06:16:20 +0000 Anonymous 2252744@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I found the same thing. &nbsp;I do need basics to form outfits and started buying better quality and washable fabrics. &nbsp;These pieces are important, and I like something that is not too basic. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-more-universal-staples#post-2252702 Mon, 21 Feb 2022 20:18:21 +0000 rachylou 2252702@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Re to Ginger’s point, I do think you can go everywhere in a black skirt, white shirt, beige trench coat and black shoes and look respectable. It’s a ‘universal baseline’ in that sense, an actual basic societal uniform. The courthouse guards won’t yell at you… </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-more-universal-staples#post-2252698 Mon, 21 Feb 2022 19:25:07 +0000 Suz 2252698@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Ginger</b>, that's a great reminder of where the whole idea of specific "must have" items may have come from. I do think that old 1940s system makes some sense (with adaptations) for a certain type of modern classic dresser -- it is, essentially (ha ha) what I did when i went about building a wardrobe from scratch. i defined my key neutral (navy) and proceeded to get jeans, pants, skirts, navy tops for each season, a navy dress, coat, footwear, hat, jacket etc. in navy, with additions in complementary colours and patterns. It really is the foundation of my wardrobe -- these are my essentials.&nbsp;</p> <p>But the idea of a LBD just because? Or a beige trench coat? Uh, no.&nbsp;</p> <p>I liked <b>Carla's</b> list of universal staples for the modern woman!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-more-universal-staples#post-2252692 Mon, 21 Feb 2022 18:46:23 +0000 nemosmom 2252692@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Giggles at Carla’s list! Also, high-five LaPed! I suspect many DH’s share the same wardrobe practices (I know mine does!). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-more-universal-staples#post-2252688 Mon, 21 Feb 2022 18:18:21 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 2252688@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I keep finding interesting articles but I'll post this one here &lt;<a rel="nofollow" href="https://slate.com/human-interest/2022/02/packing-anxiety-long-weekend-spring-break-travel.html">https://slate.com/human-intere.....ravel.html</a>&gt;</p> <p>I think this, in part, gets to the intersection of essentials, uniforms, capsules and lists. As the author more or less boils it down, such concerns may come to a head when you're packing your suitcase to go somewhere: What do you really need for the next 7x days, will it work together and what do you want to project? -- Having Your Life Completely Under Control, of course.</p> <p>But you don't need to be beige to do it!</p> <p>(Disclaimer: I like beige. But I like violet better.)</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-more-universal-staples#post-2252687 Mon, 21 Feb 2022 17:52:08 +0000 kkards 2252687@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ginger thank you for such an interesting and thoughtful comment. You definitely gave me a new perspective&nbsp;</p> <p>Angie and this forum have really made me rethink ‘those lists’ and how I approach them.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-more-universal-staples#post-2252680 Mon, 21 Feb 2022 16:44:18 +0000 JAileen 2252680@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>Ginger, that is so interesting. &nbsp;And makes sense. &nbsp;Those lists always seem to &nbsp;include a trench coat. &nbsp;I really love wearing them in my fantasy life. &nbsp;But it doesn’t rain here, and they’re not warm enough, either!</p> <p>A friend and I used to talk about the Real Housewives shows and what they wear. &nbsp;We thought that if they did a show here, it would have lots of Patagonia and maybe clogs.</div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-more-universal-staples#post-2252679 Mon, 21 Feb 2022 16:12:46 +0000 LaPed 2252679@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Makes perfect sense to me! I love reading (and writing) lists, but this sort of article always smacked of dressing-for-a-fantasy life to me. I suspect that's actually part of their appeal: they outline concisely how to project a very specific image. Of course, that image isn't organic to most people's style, lifestyle, or personality. But it can be useful to know how to dress the part.&nbsp;</p> <p>Another factor could be that women's lives now contain such a diversity of roles (professional/caregiver/WFH/SAH/office/errands/etc), and we're expected to have a whole repertoire of "on-duty" and "off-duty" looks, with varying degrees of polish/formality within each. I'm sure a lot of women feel overwhelmed by those expectations, so a list that serves as a template to cover all those bases as efficiently as possible is naturally pretty appealing. Compare all of this to my DH, who literally wears the same jeans/tee combo seven days a week, and adds a hoodie if he's chilly...&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-more-universal-staples#post-2252674 Mon, 21 Feb 2022 15:41:25 +0000 nuancedream 2252674@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>100% agree. I am the arbiter of what is essential for my personal style and lifestyle. Prints are definitely essentials for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-more-universal-staples#post-2252672 Mon, 21 Feb 2022 15:23:52 +0000 Carla 2252672@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I bet we could come up with a ‘new and improved’ list (tongue in chic &nbsp;)&nbsp;</p> <p>-puffer<br />-yoga pants<br />-hoodie<br />-sneakers<br />-backpack<br />-Fitbit</p> <p>&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-more-universal-staples#post-2252671 Mon, 21 Feb 2022 15:13:31 +0000 Helena 2252671@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh Ginger that sounds interesting ... Do you mind sharing the name of the book? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-more-universal-staples#post-2252670 Mon, 21 Feb 2022 15:07:02 +0000 Ginger 2252670@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have several 1940s home economics textbooks which discuss, among many other things, planning <i>and budgeting</i> for a wardrobe. What they mean is a capsule wardrobe: </p> <ul> <li>Decide a base color, like black, brown, or navy</li> <li>Get a coat, (skirt) suit, shoes, hat, and bag in that color</li> <li>Add a dress and blouses in a coordinating print or solid</li> <li>Mix and match skirt, jacket, blouses, and dress</li> </ul> <p>There are charts that include estimated/recommended cost to get quality items. I think at least one&nbsp;also recommended a similar summer capsule, based on white, with a skirt, jacket, playsuit, etc. </p> <p>This practical and frugal mindset seems to have lead to the idea of universal staples. I suspect that this arose in the 1970s, when the day dress (as a staple) was gone and separates ruled. But how did it evolve from the individual capsule wardrobe to only specific items? The white shirt, the trench coat, the turtleneck, the silk blouse, the little black dress. When I think of these items, I think of what I've seen in movies and TV shows: East Coast/Upper Midwest Career Woman Of The Past. Overall they don't relate to me, or most of the women I know, or the culture or climate of where I live.</p> <p>It's strange how limiting these lists are, and indicative of the culture of the writers. Maybe the 1940s had it right. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-more-universal-staples#post-2252653 Mon, 21 Feb 2022 10:18:25 +0000 Neha Jangid 2252653@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hey UmmLila,<br />These amazing staples are great.<br />I'm not only gonna try but also share them.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-more-universal-staples#post-2252651 Mon, 21 Feb 2022 09:26:26 +0000 Sisi 2252651@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree. Although&nbsp; those lists can be fun to read and sometimes inspiring. Before YLF, in the attempt to fix my messy wardrobe, I read a lot of "wardrobe staples" lists (all dedicated to the working woman).&nbsp; All of them recommended a white shirt, a black jacket, a pair of high-heel black shoes. All things that I do not wear. One day I read a list for SAHMs and I was impressed at how the items resonated with me. I had a light-bulb: my style is more practical/comfortable than I imagined.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-more-universal-staples#post-2252636 Mon, 21 Feb 2022 05:09:26 +0000 Kaelyn 2252636@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love the idea of finding your own personal essentials. Like rachylou, I look awful in a black pencil skirt. Or any pencil skirt. It just doesn't suit my body type or personality.</p> <p>I'm also on Team Patterns Are Essentials. One of my longest standing wardrobe essentials are striped tees. My dad teased me SO much when I was a teenager and managed to get a new one every single year we went school clothes shopping, and I've only increased the number of striped shirts and sweaters I own in adulthood. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-more-universal-staples#post-2252630 Mon, 21 Feb 2022 03:52:14 +0000 Bijou 2252630@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I enjoyed this article very much, thanks for posting! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-more-universal-staples#post-2252628 Mon, 21 Feb 2022 03:40:43 +0000 Sal 2252628@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I found workhorses and essentials a bit confusing - but I have it sorted now.</p> <p>I agree that probably only 50% of things on those lists are useful to me.&nbsp; But I definitely have my own list of things that I miss - last year I had my cognac bag damaged and it took me a month or two to replace (with a smaller cognac bag) and this clarified how much of an essential this is.</p> <p>The white cami is both an essential and a workhorse.&nbsp; The floral blouse is a workhorse but not an essential.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-more-universal-staples#post-2252625 Mon, 21 Feb 2022 02:37:04 +0000 Jaime 2252625@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Absolutely! A black and white t-shirt is not an essential for me - I rarely wear them at all. A trench is not an essential either. Lists like that are one of the few fashion things that I can say are dated right now. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-more-universal-staples#post-2252604 Sun, 20 Feb 2022 17:27:57 +0000 Anonymous 2252604@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-more-universal-staples#post-2252603 Sun, 20 Feb 2022 17:27:14 +0000 nemosmom 2252603@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie, I had no idea that prints and lace could be considered an essential!! And yes, you are spot-on about my confusion of essentials vs. workhorses! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-more-universal-staples#post-2252599 Sun, 20 Feb 2022 16:26:37 +0000 Angie 2252599@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Nemosmom</b>, prints can be an essential. So can lace items. Some of my striped tops are essential :)</p> <p>As for "neutrals" on YLF - they are way beyond black, grey and white!</p> <p>But statement pieces are not essentials. They can be WORKHORSES,&nbsp; and signature to our style, though - and that is where the confusion comes in. For example, I have many, many bright items. They make my wardrobe tick and are very versatile! But they are too bold to be quiet essentials.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-more-universal-staples#post-2252596 Sun, 20 Feb 2022 16:13:06 +0000 nemosmom 2252596@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>100% agree!! And ditto Rachy!! The only thing that trips me up with defining *my* essentials is the notion that they must be solid and neutral. And, what is neutral for everyone can differ, too. And prints can be considered as a staple for someone, but not necessarily an essential. It’s confusing, I tell ya! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-more-universal-staples#post-2252593 Sun, 20 Feb 2022 16:03:46 +0000 Angie 2252593@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>AGREED!</p> <p>I have been shouting from the roof tops that our list of wardrobe essentials is a completely personal thing that differs from person to person for almost 16 years ;)</p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/2021/01/26/wardrobe-essentials-for-2021/">https://youlookfab.com/2021/01.....-for-2021/</a></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-more-universal-staples#post-2252580 Sun, 20 Feb 2022 14:25:41 +0000 rachylou 2252580@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie’s Essentials definitely make more sense. I look really bad, I tell you, in a beige trench coat, black pencil skirt, white button shirt and black pumps. Really bad! And unfinished, strangely enough. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-more-universal-staples#post-2252579 Sun, 20 Feb 2022 14:17:05 +0000 Carla 2252579@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Along those lines…I purchased a white sleeveless button down for high summer, and as an afterthought picked up the same top in a navy and white floral pattern. &nbsp;I wore the white top 9 times, but reached for the print 14 times. &nbsp;And for the record, I no longer own a mariner top!</p> <p>I like Angie’s idea of having us identify&nbsp;<b>our own&nbsp;</b>essentials - whether or not they fit any prescribed ‘What Every Woman Should Have’ list. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-more-universal-staples#post-2252578 Sun, 20 Feb 2022 13:49:31 +0000 Synne 2252578@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Agree! I have also noticed that my "should like/wear" buys, are less worn if worn at all. Guess this is where Angie's term Emotional Shopping comes in! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-more-universal-staples#post-2252577 Sun, 20 Feb 2022 13:43:38 +0000 unfrumped 2252577@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree. It is almost comical how much repetition there is. And I’ll go to an article that seems like it might have something new to say, but then it’s the exact same story.<br /> I’m actually surprised there are not more pieces about “ unexpected closet staples” , from different viewpoints, given that fashion is supposed to be creative and changing. Or how to discern your own such pieces. YLF sometimes has posts like that and I find them interesting, refreshing, and often helpful. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-more-universal-staples#post-2252574 Sun, 20 Feb 2022 13:39:55 +0000 Helena 2252574@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I completely agree UmmLila ... Even though my personal style is pretty simple and classic (so a good 'fit' for the usual list), these sorts of prescriptions just don't work, except perhaps as an inspiration point for *some* people but certainly not all. Definitely for your more varied, colourful and creative style I can imagine the concept could be downright stifling!</p> <p>I find Angie's 'essentials' a really useful alternative to this approach because they are determined by the individual.</p> <p>Great share, thank you!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/no-more-universal-staples#post-2252573 Sun, 20 Feb 2022 12:44:20 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 2252573@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I thought I posted this yesterday but it seems to have disappeared.<br />&lt;<a rel="nofollow" href="https://coveteur.com/universal-closet-staples">https://coveteur.com/universal-closet-staples</a>&gt;</p> <p>Not everyone's basic staples are the same. In the past I used to get sucked into ideas like needing the perfect white t shirt, a trench coat, etc., but I found that if I bought something because I thought it was a building block and not because I liked it in and of itself, I wouldn't really wear it. </p>