https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-essentials Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:15:14 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-essentials#post-1887215 Wed, 07 Feb 2018 21:01:34 +0000 Aurore 1887215@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you <b>Suz </b>and <b>Toban</b>, your insight on shopping for essentials is very instructive! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-essentials#post-1887205 Wed, 07 Feb 2018 20:34:17 +0000 Toban 1887205@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Agree with&nbsp;<b>Suz</b> that essentials are wear to put the most of your money. I would choose the most versatile and best fitting regardless of price. I tend to buy less when my budget is tight, rather than looking for items at lower price points, because these pieces have longevity. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-essentials#post-1887126 Wed, 07 Feb 2018 16:48:08 +0000 Suz 1887126@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What <b>Smittie</b> just said about the turtleneck, and what <b>Angie</b> said about your list! It's excellent.&nbsp;</p> <p>I have learned to put most of my money into essentials. That's partly because they also signature items for me. The better quality they are, the more I enjoy them, and (typically, though not invariably) the longer they last.&nbsp;</p> <p>Designer jeans are pricey but I wear jeans so much and they're so important to me that I pay for them. (I still look at less expensive brands and will buy if the fit is perfect.)&nbsp;</p> <p>My navy blazer was the most expensive single item I'd ever purchased. It has easily won its place. Starting to show a bit of wear now (after 5 years) but it will still be in my closet and frequently worn for several more years at least.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-essentials#post-1887047 Wed, 07 Feb 2018 14:44:18 +0000 Aurore 1887047@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for your wise words, <b>smittie</b>. I'm looking forward to the day I'll have a functional set of essentials...Identifying them&nbsp;seems like a good first step.&nbsp;:) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-essentials#post-1887015 Wed, 07 Feb 2018 12:03:36 +0000 Anonymous 1887015@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would go with #2 for now, and then wait for #1 to become available in black.<br /> It’s an interesting dilemma: it brings home the reality of shopping. I think that once you actually have a little trove of essentials, it will become easier and easier to buy them because you won’t be forced into compromising, as you are now. You can just wait for the right ones to come around. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-essentials#post-1886982 Wed, 07 Feb 2018 09:07:18 +0000 Aurore 1886982@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you <b>La Pedestrienne</b>! Your comment made me realise that essentials may have an happiness factor too (e.g. colour).&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-essentials#post-1886730 Tue, 06 Feb 2018 20:48:24 +0000 LaPed 1886730@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, so your case study is really interesting. I've been looking at solid-colour fitted layering tops (turtleneck and otherwise) all month, because it's seems to be the glue that's missing from my winter wardrobe. I think in general I need to be more thoughtful about adding a mix of both dark and light coloured layering tops -- I generally default to dark (like burgundy and charcoal), but If I'm wearing dark pants and/or topper, I want something higher-contrast. So if it were me, I'd probably go with #1 -- but your needs are probably different than mine. Also, the colour in #1 seems to spark some joy, whereas the other two would be chosen for their practicality. I think identifying which toppers and bottoms you want to wear it with will be the deciding factor. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-essentials#post-1886721 Tue, 06 Feb 2018 20:31:05 +0000 Aurore 1886721@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you very much, <b>Angie</b>, for your oh-so encouraging words! </p> <p>Thank you <b>hgr</b>, <b>Suzanimal</b>, <b>Jenni NZ</b>, <b>La Belle Demimondaine </b>and <b>rachylou </b>for your practical and very sensible arguments in favour of turtleneck tee #2. &nbsp;</p> <p><b>Jenni NZ</b>, yes I'm "GI Princess", and I indeed begin to notice that many items I consider as essentials lean towards the "GI" part, and many statements toward the "Princess" one...Interesting. :)</p> <p><b>rachylou</b>, the foam green is <i>very </i>tempting...I'll wait a few weeks to see if its price drops down to my "no scrupule" price limit!&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Lynn</b>, thank you for your insight! You're so true about ill-fitting essentials becoming an unwanted center of attention...</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-essentials#post-1886706 Tue, 06 Feb 2018 19:42:46 +0000 rachylou 1886706@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You really look beautiful in deep colour, so I vote for 2 or 3... 3 seems especially elegant to me. </p> <p>But I have to say that foam green of 1 is very very enticing... hard to resist now that you show me... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-essentials#post-1886701 Tue, 06 Feb 2018 19:30:24 +0000 Mary Beth (formerly LBD) 1886701@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I vote for #2.&nbsp; &nbsp;It goes with all your pieces, and seems like it is easier to care for than #3.</p> <p>A shirt you pay $50 for and wear five times is more expensive than a shirt you pay $100 for and wear fifteen times (if you wear #2 ten times, it's the same cost per wear as wearing #1 five times).</p> <p>It sounds like you live in a climate where you'd want to wear your turtleneck 10+ times in a winter season.&nbsp;</p> <p>#3 is beautiful, but unless the cost isn't an issue, and you're willing to spend the additional time and money going to a dry-cleaner... I would pass.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-essentials#post-1886690 Tue, 06 Feb 2018 19:03:10 +0000 Jenni NZ 1886690@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Aurore I think you've grasped the idea really well! And I love your statements, they have a delicate feel. Is it you that's GI Princess? If so those statements are beautiful for the Princess part.<br /> For the turtleneck, black will suit more clothes so is more General Issue. I would probably pick 2 for 3 reasons: price ( middle-of-the-road: for this essential it shouldn't matter it is not on sale as you should easily wear it 30 times and bring CPW down?), ease of grabbing and putting on ( looks easier than 3) and ease of looking after. For my essential winter layering black Ts, of which I have 3, I just want to grab them, pull them on, and wash them easy as winking. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-essentials#post-1886687 Tue, 06 Feb 2018 18:49:06 +0000 Suzanimal 1886687@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Aurore</p> <p>Concerning your turtleneck&nbsp;dilemma...</p> <p>I would go with number 2.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-essentials#post-1886672 Tue, 06 Feb 2018 18:06:43 +0000 Lynn 1886672@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You raise some interesting points Aurore. I still feel confused about exactly what is an essential. It does seem important that the workhorses (essentials) be of good quality and good fit even if it they not the center of attention in an outfit otherwise they might become the unwanted center of attention :)&nbsp;<br />I really like Smitte's idea of finding some specific brands to stick with for these items. Thanks Smitte. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-essentials#post-1886661 Tue, 06 Feb 2018 17:28:51 +0000 hgr 1886661@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Aurore,&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; For "what it's worth" I pick #2 since it is very easy to pair with everything in your closet. &nbsp;If you end up buying it and you like it then I would buy a replacement shirt. &nbsp;Sometimes having an "heir and a spare" saves you from dealing with having to wash something when you want to wear it the next day. Also, I have been known to buy something I like and then when I go back to the store (a year later) to buy the replacement garment....the item has been discontinued:(. &nbsp; I like how you are thinking ahead about the care of the garment. &nbsp;If I see something is "dry clean only", I don't buy it. &nbsp;As much as I like sale items I try not to focus on that part of the selection process. &nbsp;I have purchased an item on sale and have taken forever to wear it. &nbsp;I have specifically bought an item (paid full price) for work and have worn it within weeks of purchasing it. &nbsp;This does not always happen but I have to constantly remind myself "are you buying this because you need it???...or are you buying it because it is on sale???" &nbsp;Good luck and I know you will make a choice that works for you. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-essentials#post-1886625 Tue, 06 Feb 2018 16:57:23 +0000 Angie 1886625@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>YOU DID GREAT. You don't give yourself enough credit, <b>Aurora</b>. Excellent assessment.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-essentials#post-1886543 Tue, 06 Feb 2018 14:05:45 +0000 Aurore 1886543@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>rachylou</b>,&nbsp;the concept of statement is indeed as hard to grasp as the concept of essential. Now I'm wondering if they may not even overlap - for example one item may be an statement for one's workwear capsule, and an essential for the same person's occasionwear capsule?</p> <p><b>smittie</b>, thank you very much your insightful answer! The idea of identifying one specific brand/shop that works well&nbsp;to lighten the "burden" of esssentials shopping, in particular, sounds very wise to me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-essentials#post-1886539 Tue, 06 Feb 2018 13:38:10 +0000 Anonymous 1886539@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, I think you need to pay attention to the fit of everything.<br /> For me, the usefulness of identifying essentials is that it allows you to zero in on the task of finding a brand or a shop that carries an acceptable version of this item, year in year out. Once that “homework” is done, you no longer have to hunt around for your essentials. That frees up time and headspace. </p> <p>I think sheath dresses most definely can be an essential, especially when paired with a statement scarf, necklace, bag or shoes. But even if you don’t pair them with statements, they can still be an essential because they’re an important part of your style.</p> <p>I will wear a navy elbow sleeve top, skinny blue jeans and a structured blue bag together, and those are all essentials. A lot of the time, this feels like enough, even without a statement. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-essentials#post-1886500 Tue, 06 Feb 2018 09:28:25 +0000 rachylou 1886500@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It’s so ... interesting ... I’m overusing this word today ... because I feel maybe a statement is a statement all depending on the presentation ... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-essentials#post-1886477 Tue, 06 Feb 2018 07:28:57 +0000 Aurore 1886477@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>torontogirl</b>,<b> </b><b>Cardiff girl</b> and <b>Suzanimal</b>,&nbsp;thank you for your insight on the attention and budget&nbsp;essentials deserve. It now seems obvious to me that fit and quality is primordial for essentials. </p> <p>Thank you <b>rachylou </b>for your support! And also for the thought about statements. I gathered finds for a few items I consider as my statements, and realise that for me it means prints or patterns, unusual cuts, bright colors, or big jewelry. <br />For other people who would be more at ease with patterns and color, maybe they would be considered as essentials?</p> <p><b>Joy</b>, thank you for your wise words on necklines and dresses. You're right, some dresses (especially my navy essential one) seem odd in fall/winter and thus don't seem to need to be paired with anything else than accessories. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-essentials#post-1886403 Tue, 06 Feb 2018 01:09:27 +0000 Anonymous 1886403@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You have some interesting items on your list. Your basic tees in boat necks may not work with your jackets. Mine don't. The wide neckline does not stay in place and falls forward under a blazer and most jackets. Maybe your dresses are more seasonal and do not need other wardrobe pieces except footwear. Mine are more summer staples worn casually with fashion sneakers. You might wear yours with sandals </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-essentials#post-1886348 Mon, 05 Feb 2018 22:35:24 +0000 Suzanimal 1886348@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><i>Don't you think the fit and quality of essentials deserve special consideration?<br /> <br /></i><br /> <br />Aurore, I do.&nbsp;</p> <p>If it's something you wear a lot it should be the best quality/fit you can manage.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-essentials#post-1886347 Mon, 05 Feb 2018 22:31:43 +0000 rachylou 1886347@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This seems a very good list. These things all strike me as Essentials (which I personally always feel confused about).</p> <p>I’m curious now as to what your statements are. Do you add a statement every day? Just on special occasions?</p> <p>I ask, because now I’m wondering what are my own true statements... and I need to ask Angie if there’s an in-between category... of interesting but perhaps somewhat ignorable items, lol... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-essentials#post-1886264 Mon, 05 Feb 2018 18:56:26 +0000 Cardiff girl 1886264@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You ve highlighted a classic wardrobe dilemma of how much time/money to spend on the garments that form the foundation of a wardrobe compared to the fun headline purchases.Identifying them as you have done must be a step in the right direction </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-essentials#post-1886211 Mon, 05 Feb 2018 15:12:29 +0000 Helena 1886211@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Aurore, I love this list and I think you've hit on the key point - these essentials probably deserve the most attention, but receive the least (at least in my closet, although I am really trying to change this). I think your everyday silhouette is perfect - classic and polished. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thinking-of-essentials#post-1886210 Mon, 05 Feb 2018 15:10:05 +0000 Aurore 1886210@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie's blog post and the discussions it raised were very thought-provoking for me. I realise that I have been building my wardrobe on outfit heroes - not on outfit foundations. </p> <p>It's probably time ot take a step back and think of my essentials. What are they? Are they coherent with each other, are they&nbsp;consistent with my style aspirations? </p> <p>As of now, I have identified the following : </p> <ul> <li><b>Dark wash bootcut jeans</b>. This week I'm following <b>torontogirl</b>'s "no jeans" challenge and have a hard time composing outfits without my beloved dark&nbsp;bootcuts.</li> </ul> <ul> <li><b>Block heel ankle boots</b>.&nbsp;I have two pairs (black and brown) that I can wear nearly all-year round and&nbsp;that are comfortable enough for everyday wear.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <ul> <li><b>Plain V-neck, mock-neck&nbsp;or boatneck tees</b>. My everyday silhouette is composed of bootcuts + top&nbsp;+ jacket/blazer, and simple tees are the easiest base layer. I don't have many of them&nbsp;though! From memory I can only count 4 of them,&nbsp;but many more embellished, printed or patterned ones that get less wear.</li> </ul> <ul> <li><b>Plain, simple structured jackets/blazers</b>. Ideally, they should go with most (if not all) essential tees, don't they? I'm not sure the ones I have actually do. Or would they better be paired with non-essential, special tees and blouses, and let the essential tees be worn with special jackets? I feel confused on how to evaluate their consistency.</li> </ul> <ul> <li><b>Plain, simple&nbsp;A-line knee length dresses</b>.&nbsp;I have three of them - olive, navy and black.&nbsp;Sounds good. Except that I can't pair them with many other wardrobe items...Do&nbsp;they still qualify as essentials?&nbsp;</li> </ul> <p> I also realise that I have often chosen these essentials without much attention (especially the tees).&nbsp;Don't you think the fit and quality of essentials deserve special consideration? </p> <p>Thank you in advance for your thoughts and insight, and sorry if I'm overthinking. Thank you anyway for having taken the time to read my questioning! </p> </p> <p>-- ETA&nbsp;--</p> <p>The weather is deteriorating in my area, and I realise I would like a long-sleeved turtleneck tee. A much needed winter essential, since it's at least the tenth time this comes to my mind. I began looking online for such an item, and end up with what I consider as a classic essential shopping dilemma&nbsp;:</p> <p> - Turtleneck tee from photo&nbsp;#1 is from a brand I know&nbsp;for its nice quality, currently on -30% sale, but a color that can only be paired with a few of my toppers.</p> <p> - Turtleneck tee #2 is the same as #1, in black - very easy to pair with everything in my closet, but is not on sale.</p> <p> - Turtleneck tee #3 is also black, better quality than #1 and #2 but higher maintenance&nbsp;(silk-cotton blend rather than viscose), on -40% sale but still twice as expensive as #1 and much more than #2.</p> <p>I'm confident in the fit and quality of all three items, but I'm confused as which one would have the best&nbsp;value as an essential...What do you think?</p>