https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-what-is-a-statement Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 25 Apr 2026 20:20:24 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-what-is-a-statement/page/2#post-1789403 Sun, 19 Mar 2017 22:45:32 +0000 Sal 1789403@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think we are all different and it is fine to dress in all essentials or in all<br /> Statements.....that's what keeps us all indiduals. Even though my grey and black knit top is quite simple it is not an essential for me because it does not link my looks together, or act as glue. My black knit summer top definitely is essential and I would struggle without it.</p> <p>For me a striped sheath dress is a bit of a statement but it functions as an essential because it works with lots of shoes and toppers be across several types of occasions. </p> <p>I don't think there are right or wrong answers though </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-what-is-a-statement/page/2#post-1789387 Sun, 19 Mar 2017 21:20:15 +0000 Irina 1789387@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>"What people and are likely to remember "<br /> Hmm, as I suspected, I'm lacking in this department. I have one such item - released uneven hem jeans. I own a couple sweaters with an interesting shape, one dropped crotch pair of pants, these are in my base colors of grey, ink and black. Not very memorable, I would think.<br /> I'm entirely forgettable! :)<br /> It's a statement! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-what-is-a-statement/page/2#post-1789358 Sun, 19 Mar 2017 19:25:07 +0000 Alexandra 1789358@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting thoughts, Gaylene. To me, that makes sense. The focal point is the center of interest, in other words, what people see and are likely to remember. I prefer outfits in which I am the focal point, not my clothes. The clothes are my support cast, but not particularly memorable. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-what-is-a-statement/page/2#post-1789330 Sun, 19 Mar 2017 18:26:23 +0000 rachylou 1789330@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes. That's it exactly. I think my pattern mixing mutes the statement aspect. The context changes what might make one otherwise think of pattern as attention getting.</p> <p>Also: I've decided black leggings are basics for me. I treat them very much like socks. If I wore black leggings at the bakery, I'd feel like I was walking around in my underwear! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-what-is-a-statement/page/2#post-1789317 Sun, 19 Mar 2017 18:04:58 +0000 April 1789317@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ok, I'll wade in here.</p> <p>Your crazy patterned leggings are statements, AND they are your signature items, AND for you they are essentials -- but it's the legging part that makes them essentials, not the crazy part. &nbsp;</p> <p>You could still get dressed if they were plain black, you just wouldn't be dressed in your RL style (signature -- the one you're known for), and your outfit wouldn't be as memorable (statement).</p> <p>Clear as mud?</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-what-is-a-statement/page/2#post-1789310 Sun, 19 Mar 2017 17:47:51 +0000 Gaylene 1789310@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>OK, I'm going to wade in with a couple of other thoughts:</p> <p>Is it possible we get stuck in thinking certain items MUST be statements because of their color, shape, rarity, or uniqueness? If I think of a "statement" as the focal point of an outfit--the centre of interest as it were--instead of as a quality intrinsic to a particular item, it opens up the concept instead of being so restrictive. For example, La P's sailor pants and graphic T outfit could have either the T or the pants as its focal point, depending on which piece is the attention-grabber. If the T's coffee press is where my eye goes first, that becomes her outfit's statement piece; the sailor pants are a secondary focal point which supports the graphic T because of its witty counterpoint--a kind of "Have a COFFEE, sailor!" comment. If La P's sailor pants are the attention-getter because of their dramatic sweep or design, the T becomes the secondary focal point--a "SAILOR--need a coffee?" vibe. </p> <p>A pair of Pucci leggings would be a statement piece for many people, but, in Rachylou's case might be subordinate in the context of an outfit which featured an attention-grabbing veiled beanie or sweater with a unusual design feature. Wearing multiple patterns juxtaposed together in an outfit can mute the attention grabbing quality of those patterns enough so the patterns become a background to a single bold statement piece in a solid color. </p> <p>Statement pieces are the attention-grabbers, but gain that property in the context of an outfit or situation. And, if I think of a statement as the attention-grabber, my statements aren't restricted to just clothes. Jewelry, scarves, handbags, hair, makeup--they can all become candidates for the focal point for an outfit. Grace Torrington's mass of curly red hair was the statement for many of her outfits, while Elizabeth II gets to wear fabulous statement jewels with her "essential" white ballgowns. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-what-is-a-statement/page/2#post-1789267 Sun, 19 Mar 2017 15:07:01 +0000 LaPed 1789267@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thinking about this today. No answers, but I'm wearing a pair of sailor jeans and a graphic top with a coffee press on it. I guess either of these could be construed as a statement, though I don't feel statement-y in them. They also both fall outside of the range of what I consider my essentials, but I wear them a lot because they have certain style properties I appreciate. I don't like to wear my sailor jeans with striped shirts, feels too typical. Likewise my graphic tees with my 501s and other slouchy jeans. So my sailor pants enable me to keep my graphic tees and band tees in rotation, and my graphic tees justify the existence of my sailor jeans. I may not do a uniform, but I do do formulae. I think my desire for a swishy skirt may also be about bringing my graphic tees back into the fold. They feel a bit orphaned when I'm always wearing slouchy jeans + crisp top. </p> <p>But statement? I dunno, I think sometimes the statement is in the juxtaposition of items rather than in the individual items. Think of wearing all black, or all denim. The individual pieces are basic, but the effect is not. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-what-is-a-statement/page/2#post-1789262 Sun, 19 Mar 2017 14:34:18 +0000 Jules 1789262@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting comments about negative space and how it relates to pattern mix. Before I got there I was wondering how the model holds up in maximal, pattern mixing-type outfits. I think the more statements you are wearing, the less statement-y they individually become. If super wacky, I suppose the entire outfit becomes a statement. But in some cases the effect is more a harmonious blend that reduces the statement effect.<br /> For me, like any model or thought framework, statements vs. essentials can be interesting to ponder but won't be revelatory for everyone. My dressing needs are very simple: 'jeans' and 'tops'. Looking around any store, tops are way more likely to be the statements. So I didn't really need to think about this. It just is. Very conventional and easy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-what-is-a-statement/page/2#post-1789255 Sun, 19 Mar 2017 13:33:10 +0000 Anonymous 1789255@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>When I see posts about statement pieces, I always think my wardrobe doesn't have any. Even though my necklaces get noticed, they aren't the type that are advertised as statement necklaces. They're just different from what is sold in department stores. I think that's why they get noticed. Fine by me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-what-is-a-statement/page/2#post-1789205 Sun, 19 Mar 2017 02:48:19 +0000 rachylou 1789205@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's kinda like what Alexandra was talking about, maybe ... do you think Betty?</p> <p>For all that I wear crazy pattern, I don't feel I wear a statement that often either. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-what-is-a-statement/page/2#post-1789193 Sun, 19 Mar 2017 01:37:26 +0000 Anonymous 1789193@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I guess I don't have any statements. People usually notice my jewelry or shoes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-what-is-a-statement/page/2#post-1789181 Sun, 19 Mar 2017 01:08:17 +0000 rachylou 1789181@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Gucci Gucci Gucci! :D</p> <p>But I don't have the white loafers! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-what-is-a-statement/page/2#post-1789160 Sat, 18 Mar 2017 23:23:03 +0000 minimalist 1789160@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rachylou -- your Gucci items are your statement pieces. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-what-is-a-statement/page/2#post-1789158 Sat, 18 Mar 2017 23:13:50 +0000 rachylou 1789158@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Crazy leggings are my bakery staple. I'm really rather averse to plain ones. They seem to go over well in the context.</p> <p>Gaylene, I think you are right about negative space and the sync up with Angie. I have to think about this in the context of pattern mixing which I like and Angie has shown many an example of. Mostly I try to minimize visual vibration, but there's more to it... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-what-is-a-statement/page/2#post-1789136 Sat, 18 Mar 2017 20:22:39 +0000 Anonymous 1789136@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think it would be fun to make "crazy leggings" as your signature. Something that you wear daily, or almost daily. And then build your wardrobe around them. I'm not sure if that makes them an essential or a statement, but it doesn't really matter because you have a plan and cohesiveness. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-what-is-a-statement/page/2#post-1789122 Sat, 18 Mar 2017 18:28:42 +0000 Gaylene 1789122@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've been thinking about this "essentials" vs. "statements" issue the past few days. To me, a big part of the confusion comes down to how we choose to interpret those two labels. Once you move away from Angie's definitions, the usefulness of her system isn't as apparent. . </p> <p>If you think of an outfit in the same way an artist thinks of the composition of a painting, it seems that Angie is using "essentials" and "statements" in the same way that an artist uses positive and negative space to create balance and harmony in a painting. I'm definitely a newbie in my artistic attempts, but I quickly learned my beginner's tendency to fill a picture plane with subject matter led to a chaotic mess. As soon as I grasped that negative space (the area around my subject matter) was just as important, my compositions became much more interesting and pleasing. Negative space acted as a support system; it didn't take attention away from the positive matter, but complemented it. To me, that's what Angie seems to be alluding to with her "essentials" and "statements". </p> <p>Negative space doesn't have to be a neutral colour, although it can be, nor does it have to be a solid shade. Even a brief tour through an art gallery will give you a sense of how creative artists can be with their "backgrounds". Sometimes the negative space, in the hands of a talented artist, may even subtly dominate the composition--but the negative space still exists to support the subject by providing a place where the eye can rest. </p> <p>I think of my "essentials" as negative space for the focal point of my outfit. I choose my statement piece and then choose other pieces to act as my support because I want an outfit which is dynamic but harmonious, and not just a confusing jumble of objects. If I choose to introduce secondary focal points, I need to remind myself they are there to reflect and support, not to compete, with what I've chosen to highlight as my main statement The big lesson, though, is to not make the newbie error of dismissing the importance of and inherent creativity in creating a good support structure, or negative space, for my main player. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-what-is-a-statement#post-1788981 Sat, 18 Mar 2017 11:23:35 +0000 Archer 1788981@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Got it :)</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-what-is-a-statement#post-1787925 Wed, 15 Mar 2017 13:27:49 +0000 Ginger 1787925@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rachy, as one more on the maximal side myself, I'm okay with the concept of "interesting essentials."&nbsp; I'm pretty sure that most true minimalists would not go for my essentials as such. All my flats have interesting detailing. My "basic" skirts would never show up on a blogger's list of basics (well, maybe Forever Amber).&nbsp; And these <i>are</i> the essentials for me.&nbsp; Among them, there are those that have even <i>more </i>detail, like my patterned tights, or quilted circle skirt with red stitching, or white piqué skirt with giant patch pockets. Yet because they never play the statement role for me in an outfit, they are essentials. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-what-is-a-statement#post-1787875 Wed, 15 Mar 2017 11:30:15 +0000 rachylou 1787875@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That's interesting, Jenni. Just not your style!</p> <p>Archer - my mum's guru said we didn't need to work on my confidence, lol. I need to make sure my head doesn't get too big and develop insecurities </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-what-is-a-statement#post-1787857 Wed, 15 Mar 2017 10:25:38 +0000 Jenni NZ 1787857@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The whole idea is they vary from person to person, isn't it? So a maximalist's statements and a minimalist's statements would necessarily be different. I haven't found the whole essentials/statements idea that useful so far, although appreciating Suz's thread. I've had an interesting time trying to shop today. I broke my shopping fast 2 days ago on 2 pairs of shoes mainly for next summer, one a direct replacement for a dying pair. I'm holidaying in a very fashion-oriented resort town in Australia and spent 2.5 HOURS trying to shop for autumn this morning. Came away empty handed. I had my list and could not get the full length non-denim navy or olive pants I want. Or replace my dying red sandals. But there were a couple of shops I went in I could see right away were not my style- all very drapey, loose, long, flowing linen stuff. It could be essentials or statements for some of you, but I stayed in there about 30 seconds and turned on my heel. I felt kind of pleased I could immediately tell it was all wrong for me... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-what-is-a-statement#post-1787847 Wed, 15 Mar 2017 09:28:26 +0000 Archer 1787847@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rachy - you are way too smart to be exercising your insecurities on this blog. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-what-is-a-statement#post-1787843 Wed, 15 Mar 2017 08:49:36 +0000 rachylou 1787843@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ok and one more question before I turn in ... or two: </p> <p>What do the Essentials of a Maximalist look like?</p> <p>What do the Statements of a Maximalist look like?</p> <p>I've been looking at all the ways Iris Apfel (sp?) wears her giant grey beads... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-what-is-a-statement#post-1787780 Wed, 15 Mar 2017 02:25:01 +0000 rachylou 1787780@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, I feel there has to be room for something else - I think Angie mentioned not so essential essentials on one thread. And it seems to me that a decent number of folks have pretty interesting essentials, enough do that they don't necessarily wear a statement piece in every outfit. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-what-is-a-statement#post-1787747 Wed, 15 Mar 2017 00:08:26 +0000 Emily K 1787747@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rachylou--I'm all tangled up on this one also. &nbsp;Because I feel like, if someone ALWAYS wears a jacket and the jacket is always super colorful and weird and arty (totally a statement for most anybody) but it's a necessary, everyday wardrobe element for this hypothetical individual, then it should be an essentials category for this person. &nbsp;Maybe this person would have other wardrobe elements that she would consider to be more statement items (dramatic jewelry, a big hat, etc.) and she'd select carefully from these other items as desired, for effect. &nbsp;IDK</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-what-is-a-statement#post-1787741 Tue, 14 Mar 2017 23:49:29 +0000 Alexandra 1787741@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>"If it's not an essential, is it a statement?"</p> <p>Not necessarily. It can be a completely boring, forgettable garment that is not essential in one's closet. Maybe the kind people end up purging in the next closet edit. Which begs the question: should one's wardrobe only contain essentials and statements? Or is there room for something else? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-what-is-a-statement#post-1787623 Tue, 14 Mar 2017 19:31:49 +0000 rachylou 1787623@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If it's not an essential, is it a statement?</p> <p>I am feeling today that this is not so. I'm feeling statement is a strong word. I'm feeling more like you can have more and less interesting Essentials... neutral and non neutral Essentials.</p> <p>(and I'm too lazy to fix the spellcheck capitalisation of Essentials... ) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-what-is-a-statement#post-1787402 Tue, 14 Mar 2017 12:56:51 +0000 Suz 1787402@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>catty,</b> it's a good question. I'm going to quote you in a new thread and see if I can hazard an answer.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-what-is-a-statement#post-1787392 Tue, 14 Mar 2017 12:34:15 +0000 Anonymous 1787392@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>At the risk of being provocative, what are people hoping to achieve from this exercise? It seems like there's a lot of confusion and even angst around putting a label on the clothes that are already in our closets. So you decide your khakis are essentials and your scarves are statements, then what? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-what-is-a-statement#post-1787317 Tue, 14 Mar 2017 03:34:58 +0000 Jaime 1787317@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Another can of worms! Relative statements - so what would be a statement on one person might not on another. But noticeable seems to imply a bit unexpected or out of the ordinary and isn't that the essence of a statement? Probably my essential haremesque shorts would be a statement on some. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-what-is-a-statement#post-1787314 Tue, 14 Mar 2017 03:22:24 +0000 Jenni NZ 1787314@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm not sure on the last point. It is my shoes that most people notice. They are not all "extraordinary", but many are noticeable. I'm thinking of some shiny green sandals I bought last November. The style is quite boring, a bit like the Roman sandals we had to wear for high school school uniform. But people noticed the colour and shine. So are they still a statement? </p>