https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-essentials-and-recent-purchases-long Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 30 Apr 2026 16:51:09 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-essentials-and-recent-purchases-long#post-1890036 Thu, 15 Feb 2018 18:46:01 +0000 cheryl 1890036@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great read and i love the pink and grey outfit!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-essentials-and-recent-purchases-long#post-1889961 Thu, 15 Feb 2018 16:22:42 +0000 Kathie 1889961@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That's a lovely combination on you, and a nice change from your usual darker colors. Well done! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-essentials-and-recent-purchases-long#post-1889929 Thu, 15 Feb 2018 14:58:03 +0000 SarahD8 1889929@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That’s a great combination, Christina. Yay for finding more variety in your tight color palette! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-essentials-and-recent-purchases-long#post-1889918 Thu, 15 Feb 2018 13:46:32 +0000 Christina F. 1889918@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sal, I’m bringing thread back to thank you for your observation about blush and soft grey. The blush seater above is tough to pair with dark bottoms due to show through. Maybe if I had a cami that doesn’t roll up at the bottom...: at any rate, I thought of what you said and<br /> paired it with light grey jeans that I have, which usually don’t see much winter action. </p> <p>The outfit is sort of my own personal take on soft neutrals, as there is no contrast. I even used metallic shoes. But.... I LOVE it. I always thought I would hate outfits of all soft neutrals with no contrast, but it turns out I just had to find the right soft neutrals for me. I don’t know if blush is really a neutral, but I am declaring that is in my wardrobe anyway </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-essentials-and-recent-purchases-long#post-1889319 Wed, 14 Feb 2018 00:11:54 +0000 Angie 1889319@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Christina</b>, fingers crossed it's the right trench.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-essentials-and-recent-purchases-long#post-1889296 Tue, 13 Feb 2018 22:49:00 +0000 Emily K 1889296@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Christina--I do not track wears, but I have few clothes and it is easy to know what is getting worn and what is not. I did feel bad about closing the door on a neutral that I'd planned to build around and I like the look of cream and ivory on others, so it was a hard realization. &nbsp;One question I need to ask myself is what is getting worn because it is the grab-n-go option and what would get worn if I just spent a little more time thinking about making an outfit...maybe that's why I rely on such a small collection of items. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-essentials-and-recent-purchases-long#post-1889290 Tue, 13 Feb 2018 22:26:37 +0000 Sal 1889290@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like these new additions especially the dress and the long cardigan.</p> <p>Maybe blush/soft pink or soft grey would be better light neutrals for you than white or cream?</p> <p>Finding neutral essentials is not easy - not to really get ones that we love.&nbsp; So you have done really well to make this progress. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-essentials-and-recent-purchases-long#post-1889285 Tue, 13 Feb 2018 22:14:03 +0000 Cee 1889285@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>**Thumbs up** </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-essentials-and-recent-purchases-long#post-1889279 Tue, 13 Feb 2018 21:26:24 +0000 Christina F. 1889279@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Emily</b>, yes, I am pretty adventurous, but I think this insight about the color of my neutral essentials is key. I feel like I've been missing this key point about myself the whole time. </p> <p></p> <p> If you are happiest without variety, that's totally a viable option. Do you track wears, or do you just know that you don't wear other colors?</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-essentials-and-recent-purchases-long#post-1889197 Tue, 13 Feb 2018 17:36:56 +0000 Emily K 1889197@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Christina, Your realization about the color of your essentials (no ivory!) is one that speaks to me. &nbsp;I'm still trying to build a wardrobe and a lot of my purchases are a bit formulaic. &nbsp;I've had the same color epiphany about cream/ivory/cognac--I like these colors and, theoretically want to add them across a range of pieces, but I do not wear them. &nbsp;This is just slowly getting through my head. &nbsp;I think you are more adventurous than I am and need more variety but, for myself, I think I will do better by just settling into a narrower groove and making peace with a more monochromatic and uniform look--easier said than done when the push for variety and a new look seems to come from every direction! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-essentials-and-recent-purchases-long#post-1889163 Tue, 13 Feb 2018 16:05:08 +0000 Christina F. 1889163@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks Sarah! In fact, the more I think about it, the more I realize two things:</p> <ul> <li>I've tried to buy these same essentials in other neutrals, such as ivory tops to go under blazers and cardigans. I almost never wear them. I wouldn't want to wear only these colors, but it's something to think about. (I do like olive, kind of, but actually what I really like is a sage green that works similarly to olive as a neutral in my wardrobe. So I can wear other neutrals.)</li> <li>I was bemoaning a lack of cohesion in my wardrobe when I first joined here. I thought it was because I'm eclectic, but maybe not. Maybe elucidating these essentials in these neutrals is really key for tackling this problem.</li> </ul> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-essentials-and-recent-purchases-long#post-1889155 Tue, 13 Feb 2018 15:47:19 +0000 SarahD8 1889155@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fantastic analysis, Christina. Your collection of essentials is so well thought out and cohesive. I think the red and pink will work so nicely with your neutrals. </p> <p>I am really crossing my fingers for that trench to work out for you! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-essentials-and-recent-purchases-long#post-1889152 Tue, 13 Feb 2018 15:31:56 +0000 Christina F. 1889152@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Angie</b>, *chuckle* I think I can edit the tops. Since my tastes changed, there are probably a few older ones I can pass on. But the bags are my babies. I can pass a few on to my mom, at least, which dulls the pain a bit. She's a bag fiend like I am, so it's nice to make her happy. </p> <p>My hope is for the navy trench to be an essential. That was my hope with the last one, but I ended up disliking it, though I kept it as I needed something that weight just for practical purposes. I vowed this would be the year I'd find the right one, which is why I've started early. I will find out tomorrow if I need to keep looking!</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-essentials-and-recent-purchases-long#post-1889134 Tue, 13 Feb 2018 15:15:46 +0000 Angie 1889134@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>VEWRY WELL DONE.</p> <p>See how easy that was, <b>Christina</b>. You nailed your essentials. And the navy trench might become an essential.&nbsp;</p> <p>Let the top and bag edit begin... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-essentials-and-recent-purchases-long#post-1889104 Tue, 13 Feb 2018 14:17:31 +0000 Christina F. 1889104@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you, Aurore. I used to have a red skirted one that I loved, but it was very hard to replace once I wore it out. I hope this Michael Kors trench will fit the bill, since it doesn’t button below the waist. I have real gear for very rainy days, including a Boden Mac coat. I envision the tench for light rain and dry weather. </p> <p>La Ped, I think you’re right about the colors. I just realized that when I was looking for booties to go with my new longer hem jeans, I instinctively bought grey and blue, though I was officially looking for cognac. I already have black (the ubiquitous SE Petty’s). I guess my instincts knew better, though I think I’d like cognac anyway, and a higher shaft, but it’s no longer a priority. </p> <p>You guys, I realized just this morning that I made a big purhashing mistake just a couple of months ago. I put something on for maybe the second time and just said, “no, I HATE this.” I thought it filled a hole, as it was a knit blazer that seemed to fit my more casual lifestyle. This probably deseves its own post, or maybe to go into a WIW post at least.... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-essentials-and-recent-purchases-long#post-1889067 Tue, 13 Feb 2018 11:39:02 +0000 LaPed 1889067@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love your pink/red/blush complement. Those are colours that should integrate really easily into a black/navy/grey base. I've found it really helpful to identify accent colours that make me happy when paired with my core neutrals -- helps keep me on track so I don't end up with orphans.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-essentials-and-recent-purchases-long#post-1889059 Tue, 13 Feb 2018 10:42:40 +0000 Aurore 1889059@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well thought-out plan. Your analysis of shape, color and style evolution&nbsp;is very inspiring. Adding touches of pink/red seems a lovely idea.<br />I can definitely relate to your issue with trenches. It took me years to find one that really fits! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-essentials-and-recent-purchases-long#post-1889001 Tue, 13 Feb 2018 03:45:01 +0000 Christina F. 1889001@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Update - the black dress came. It’s quite nice. I think it will fit the bill for what I want. </p> <p>torontogirl and The Cat, I’ve added some finds here for the red/pink I’ve gotten recently. Well, it’s mostly pink, but most red that I’ve looked at these days turns out to be orange. Pinikish red is nice though. I will likely wear the blush on Valentine’s Day. </p> <p>Suz, you make a really good point! I actually don’t feel too overwhelmed with my tops for that reason. The storage issue is more the problem, which is why I have to limit purchases or do “one in one out.” I guess I can look at this wealth of choice as a feature and not a bug, and get rid of anything that is just short of perfect since I have so many options. Culling is hard for me though- I’m sure you feel my pain there! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-essentials-and-recent-purchases-long#post-1888956 Tue, 13 Feb 2018 02:25:06 +0000 Suz 1888956@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This sounds like an excellent list. And you are thoughtful about cut and fit, so that will also ensure you get items that work well in a variety of situations. I share the tendency to buy too many tops and then not to wear them often. I do think if a top is a "completer" or "statement" piece it is perhaps unreasonable of us to expect ourselves to wear it as often as we would wear a neutral bottom or topper.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-essentials-and-recent-purchases-long#post-1888868 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 21:29:09 +0000 The Cat 1888868@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You have done a good job identifying your essentials. I think your black, grey and blue essentials will serve you well, and guess that completers and statements in pink and red will be great additions. Your beautiful black dress can be styled in many ways and be worn at several occasions. Your other purchases also look versatile--smart choices. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-essentials-and-recent-purchases-long#post-1888861 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 21:15:19 +0000 Helena 1888861@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That sounds like a great list, and you have a solid strategy going forward. Pink and red would look fantastic with your dark neutral palette.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/of-essentials-and-recent-purchases-long#post-1888822 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 17:56:09 +0000 Christina F. 1888822@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am unsure these days what my essentials are. I think they used to include things like the following: <ul> <li>Black or grey cardigan (not long, waist length and fitted)</li> <li>Ballet flats</li> <li>Sailor striped tops</li> </ul> However, my style has veered off from that more classic direction a bit, though I retain examples of all of the above items. This is what I have now, and I think the colors haven't changed (black, blue, grey). I *think* these are essentials: <ul> <li>Black booties</li> <li>Black tall riding boots</li> <li>Solid tees in the above colors, fitted but of different sleeve lengths for different seasons (I am trying to add a black or maybe navy turtleneck to the mix, to replace one that died)</li> <li>Black v-neck sweater (may also want to add a navy crewneck)</li> <li>Black jeans (skinny, but hope to add bootcut)</li> <li>Dark blue wash jeans (bootcut and skinny)</li> <li>Black ponte leggings</li> <li>Black and navy ankle length pants (the material depends on the season)</li> <li>Metallic footwear in the summer</li> </ul> I am also trying to focus on adding essentials/completer to my closet, recently, so most of my recent purchases are black and navy. These are the colors I gravitate towards so that my statements (usually bright or patterned tops, but can also be bottoms) can stand out. I continue to want to buy and gravitate towards bright or patterned tops but have <i>more than enough. </i>I've started wardrobe tracking, and really am not repeating any tops at all. Since I have space challenges, I should cull if I can, but I love my tops so much (ditto my purses). I do feel that I have bought a lot of long flowing tops and now feel like pulling back on that; I've posted about that on here before though (when I asked for help culling blouses).<i><br /></i><br />I included some recent purchases below. Not everything below is an essential. The black dress is something I realized I may need when I thought I'd have to go to a funeral&nbsp; and had very little that would be appropriate (the person did pass on, but it turns out there will be a memorial at a later date).<i> </i></p> <p>The blue trench is a completer I guess, and HEWI for me, as I've had trouble fitting in trenches due to the size of my hips. If I size up, the top will be too large, so I need to look for things that don't button below the waist or are skirted. I currently have a trench that fits my hips but that is too large up top, and I hate it. I haven't received the dress or the trench in the mail yet.<i></p> <p></i>The black turtleneck came in, but it's too long unless I wear it scrunched up like the model does. The fit and quality are wonderful otherwise, so I'm debating about just shortening the body and the sleeves, as there's no petite size. It may make more sense to try to find something in a petite size, though, as that works best for tops if I want them to be fitted and to hit the waistbands of my pants.</p> <p>The blue pants and cardiare already in my rotation. The cardi is one of the few I own that leaves enough room in the sleeves for me to layer something sleeved underneath it. As I mentioned above, I think I moved too far into non-fitted items last year, as I'm craving more fitted ones now. I don't want to add many more, but this is the kind of thing I won't stop wearing. I want to retain some of the boho quality I've added to my wardrobe.</p> <p>I've also been making an effort to add pink and red to my wardrobe, after adding a burgundy successfully. I love these colors but had sized out of a lot of items in those colors, without replacing them. That's a separate topic, really, but something I want to take note of. </p>