https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-your-essentials-of-convenience Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 15 Apr 2026 05:58:16 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-your-essentials-of-convenience/page/2#post-1937257 Sun, 15 Jul 2018 19:37:42 +0000 SarahD8 1937257@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ah, Barbara Diane, I missed your post earlier, my apologies!</p> <p>"Dream first, then look." YES. I am going to be following this principle in the future. Thank you for articulating it so well. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-your-essentials-of-convenience/page/2#post-1937210 Sun, 15 Jul 2018 16:44:00 +0000 SarahD8 1937210@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Kate, yes, I know what you mean. I think cardigans fill the role for me that oxfords and turtleneck sleeveless tees do for you. I run cold, so I need a top layer at some point in the day even for most of the summer. At this point, cardigans have moved beyond essentials of convenience for me to become truly central to defining my style. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-your-essentials-of-convenience/page/2#post-1937068 Sun, 15 Jul 2018 05:43:10 +0000 Kate 1937068@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a great thread. For me, oxfords. I walk a great deal every day, and have narrow feet, so flat, lace-up shoes are my friend, and my ultimate essential of convenience. Happily, I love oxfords, have a lot of them, and am always happy to add to the collection. Same with my other essential of convenience, the turtleneck (or mock turtle) sleeveless tee. Primarily in black, and I have them in many weights and fabrics, but have added other neutral colors over time. Would dearly love to find one in olive.</p> <p>It does help that I really love my essentials of convenience. My wardrobe would not function as well as it does without them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-your-essentials-of-convenience/page/2#post-1937064 Sun, 15 Jul 2018 05:21:50 +0000 SarahD8 1937064@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>KnittingGene I’m so glad you found this thread useful, and I am hoping for the perfect pair of menswear inspired oxfords to come your way! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-your-essentials-of-convenience/page/2#post-1937063 Sun, 15 Jul 2018 05:21:33 +0000 Barbara Diane 1937063@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for this post. It really has me thinking-What would I wear if I could design my own clothes and have them magically appear-at a price I could afford.</p> <p>It is reassuring to hear that lots of you wear clothing that is useful but not necessarily just right. I’m hard on myself. It’s very useful to realize the extent that our choices are constrained by what is available.</p> <p>Mostly I want to dream. Maybe dream first, then look.</p> <p>I’m wearing a robe I just love. And if we went back in time there would be a clear path to it from what I wore to my high school graduation.</p> <p>Lots to think about. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-your-essentials-of-convenience/page/2#post-1937052 Sun, 15 Jul 2018 03:46:13 +0000 KnittingGene 1937052@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I just saw this post and thread and have enjoyed it so much. Certainly, I have had a number of shoes that were essentials of convenience because my feet are so hard to fit and keep pain-free. In fact, as I write this I realize that my comfy, perfectly functional Ahnu black oxfords are this. I get plenty of compliments on them, too, but they just don’t make my heart sing the way other, more men’s wear inspired oxfords do. Your way of framing this question helps me realize that it’s probably worth it to me to spend some,time looking for black oxfords that I love even more. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-your-essentials-of-convenience/page/2#post-1937048 Sun, 15 Jul 2018 02:59:19 +0000 SarahD8 1937048@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>FashIntern I enjoyed wearing those shirts too but I did wish for more variety. I don’t dislike those high-contrast, neutral-heavy looks, but I’d like them to be an occasional palate cleanser rather than the main dish because there’s little else in the larder, to belabor yet another food metaphor.</p> <p>As for what else could fill that slot, maybe not a one for one replacement, but I’d like more blouses/tops in a few key colors for each capsule, as well as some more prints so that I could do a cold weather version of my print-sundress-and-cardi formula. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-your-essentials-of-convenience/page/2#post-1937011 Sun, 15 Jul 2018 00:29:08 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1937011@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How funny! I have white tuxedo shirts that I’ve had no occasion to wear during this stint in Florida. I really enjoyed seeing you wearing the heck out of yours last winter. </p> <p>Are you sure they’re only for “convenience”? What else could fill that slot? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-your-essentials-of-convenience/page/2#post-1916726 Sun, 06 May 2018 05:46:55 +0000 Gigi 1916726@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh yes! I am hard to fit, and so I will fudge on style a bit if the fit and functionality are what I need.</p> <p>In my useful-but-not-enjoyed-essentials category are a pair of AT jeans, a couple of short-sleeve tops from Anthro, and a few long-sleeve t-shirts. Thankfully, these items are wearing well, so I have a long time to find better replacements! </p> <p>I keep track of my outfits in a spreadsheet, and I like to go through and see which unloved essentials I wear a lot so that I know what to keep my eyes out for. But I have definitely noticed this category in my closet. There are items I may wear a lot, but it's only because they fill a big wardrobe hole.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-your-essentials-of-convenience/page/2#post-1916606 Sat, 05 May 2018 18:50:24 +0000 Anonymous 1916606@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>SARAH- WOW- I love how you worked and expanded on the fruit explanation ........... it does not help the diet one iota .......but it definitely clarifies the whole essential of convenience thing. Great job! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-your-essentials-of-convenience/page/2#post-1916313 Fri, 04 May 2018 22:39:57 +0000 SarahD8 1916313@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Andrea H I hope you find your ideal white shoes! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-your-essentials-of-convenience/page/2#post-1916312 Fri, 04 May 2018 22:39:05 +0000 SarahD8 1916312@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ooh, Windchime, another instance of essential of convenience becomes true essential. Fascinating! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-your-essentials-of-convenience/page/2#post-1916297 Fri, 04 May 2018 21:55:34 +0000 Windchime 1916297@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>In winter, black pants. I don’t necessarily love them, but I reach for them often as an essential outfit component. </p> <p>And this winter a 3/4-length sleeve white crew neck tee from Eddie Bauer surprisingly became an essential. I wore it about twice a week with all sorts of toppers, and I wondered how I’d got along without one before. As a matter of fact, I may duplicate it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-your-essentials-of-convenience/page/2#post-1916294 Fri, 04 May 2018 21:40:37 +0000 Andrea H 1916294@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think my Allbirds loungers fill this role.&nbsp; I espoused my love for them in another recent thread, but if there were other shoes that looked good with all my pants and casual dresses that I could walk 4 miles in, sockless, without causing massive blisters and/or bleeding Achilles tendons and that also covered my janky toes, I'd probably be happy to throw them into the mix.&nbsp; But that's a tall order. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-your-essentials-of-convenience/page/2#post-1916286 Fri, 04 May 2018 21:09:02 +0000 texstyle 1916286@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>White sneakers. I have this ecco pair (glad I got a duplicate because the first pair wore out and the soles turned ugly yellow). I'd much prefer to find a more supportive arch, and fashionable white sneaker that I could buy several years in a row. It's a HEWI now, I've ordered and tried at least 8-10 various brands and none seemed right.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-your-essentials-of-convenience/page/2#post-1916282 Fri, 04 May 2018 20:45:36 +0000 SarahD8 1916282@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Bijou</b> how fascinating, that an essential of convenience morphed into a true essential!</p> <p><b>Lesley</b>, and others who mentioned neutrals, YES, have totally experienced that. There was a period this past winter when I bought two black sweaters and a black shirt in quick succession, and I thought: well, now I see why lots of people end up with a wardrobe heavy on black! It's just always there. Lesley, I think it's interesting that availability of colorful items has shaped how you put outfits together -- using shoes/accessories rather than clothing items as might be your ideal. I guess what I'm really trying to think through here is the difference between one's wardrobe and one's style -- and not allow the ways in which external factors have shaped my wardrobe to influence how I conceptualize my style.</p> <p><b>La Ped</b>, yes, there's definitely a connection between essentials of fantasy and HEWIs. Maybe essentials of convenience are even the opposite of HEWIs in a way...</p> <p><b>lisa p</b>, sigh. You get it. My wish for you is a mother lode of essentials of fantasy!</p> <p><b>Angie</b>, I don't think you do have "essentials of convenience"! My perception of your wardrobe is that you are always ultimately able to find what you set out to look for. It's very admirable and a little intimidating!&nbsp;</p> <p><b>anne</b>, totally get it re: 3/4 sleeve tops. I have to be careful of them too, I run cold and they are a high summer only item for me.</p> <p><b>unfrumped</b>, you hit the nail on the head, when is convenience warranted, when is persistence a better bet, how desperate do you have to be for the item and how big a difference will the exact right thing make. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-your-essentials-of-convenience#post-1916261 Fri, 04 May 2018 20:06:06 +0000 SarahD8 1916261@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you all for your responses! You have really helped me clarify in my own mind the phenomenon that I am thinking about, which will help me going forward in working on my style statement.</p> <p>First off, <b>gryffin</b>, I don't think I can be much help on the tuxedo-pleat shirts as both of mine were purchased secondhand. I have a longer more tunic-like one by Banana Republic, it is quite see-through but I put a white camisole untucked under it and it's fine. The more classic one is by J. Crew, it is several years old but it is NOT stiff at all so it might be worth checking to see if they do something similar in the future.</p> <p><b>efbgen</b>, I love the food metaphor! Very clarifying. I think the experience I am trying to describe does not have to do with cake. Instead, imagine if the only kind of fruit your grocery store carried was apples. So, you buy apples and you eat one every day for lunch. Your coworkers are like: "Wow you really like apples! You are an apple fanatic!" And, you have to admit that your diet would not function without apples. But in fact, while you do like apples, you really prefer pears*. Or, you do like apples and want to continue eating them but, you wish you could mix in an orange or a peach now and then**.</p> <p>*This is the experience that a lot of people are sharing, settling for something slightly different than what they would prefer in an ideal world, like <b>rachylou's</b> full-skirted (apples) vs. pencil-skirted (pears) sundresses .</p> <p>**This is more like the situation with my white shirts, I like them and would like to continue wearing them, just not quite so often. They would be a more occasional look, and thus would not appear to be essentials.</p> <p><b>Jessikams</b>, ha, the constraints posed by pets! I had not thought of that. As an ardent cat lady I'll say that I can think of no better reason for wearing gray.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-your-essentials-of-convenience#post-1915919 Fri, 04 May 2018 01:06:11 +0000 Aida 1915919@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting post! And also interesting to read the replies. I'm not sure about this for myself, probably most of them? I tend to be less into shopping for essentials :)</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-your-essentials-of-convenience#post-1915854 Thu, 03 May 2018 20:02:19 +0000 unfrumped 1915854@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What I hear you asking us about what works ok or even well, but might be less than one’s ideal or fantasy time but happened to be what’s easily available.<br /> For me, certain colors are pretty good but we’re most AVAILABLE in the past year and aren’t my most perfect Happy faves.<br /> So, HEWI ‘s would NOT be in this category, or anything I’d have to hunt down.<br /> I’d say, footwear from Nordstrom’s and from DSW because those are the most painless ways for me to shop for shoes! I shouldn’t ignore Zappos but it just seems a step harder.<br /> Crewneck merino sweaters from BR or JCrew brick &amp; mortar stores because of— convenience, and I like merino, buy I really need a slightly different cut and style and to hold out for very best colors. </p> <p>I like your question because it overlaps with my trying not to buy things that are just CONVENIENT, if I’m not desperate, (and certainly the size of my wardrobe is not, ) but to decide, either hunt slowly and persistently for some specific items that will make a big difference or do without and shop my closet. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-your-essentials-of-convenience#post-1915790 Thu, 03 May 2018 17:20:09 +0000 citygirldc 1915790@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My essentials all year long and the opposite of Angie:&nbsp; <ul> <li>"comfy" black pointy flats-my feet have definitely changed the past year.&nbsp;</li> <li>black pants</li> <li>black tee</li> </ul> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-your-essentials-of-convenience#post-1915770 Thu, 03 May 2018 16:17:57 +0000 Freckles 1915770@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For me it's all about fabric.&nbsp; Colour and style do play into it but what happened to silk?&nbsp; Especially raw silk cardigans and t-shirts....&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-your-essentials-of-convenience#post-1915729 Thu, 03 May 2018 14:27:47 +0000 anne 1915729@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>3/4 sleeve tops. I don't like them, because they annoy me to layer, yet they are so obiqitous, I have ended up buying them.<br /> Also, grey or black stuff in winter. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-your-essentials-of-convenience#post-1915715 Thu, 03 May 2018 14:04:20 +0000 Angie 1915715@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>All my wardrobe essentials are convenient - but they are very <i>deliberate.</i> It's not an accidental thing. Top of the list as the weather changes: <ul> <li>white tops</li> <li>white shoes</li> <li>pearls</li> </ul> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-your-essentials-of-convenience#post-1915713 Thu, 03 May 2018 14:02:10 +0000 Anonymous 1915713@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My entire closet is made up of essentials of convenience, and it's not really a good thing . I select from what's available and convenient- and although I complain about that, it's obviously my choice. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-your-essentials-of-convenience#post-1915709 Thu, 03 May 2018 13:55:52 +0000 Aurore 1915709@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think some of my blazers, including wardrobe workhorses, qualify as essentials of convenience. I need a variety of&nbsp;toppers for work, love structured jackets, and since I needed those toppers <i>fast </i>I had to choose the ones that were both available and not too expensive. Stylish, high quality&nbsp;blazers such as the ones from Hugo Boss are essentials of fantasy! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-your-essentials-of-convenience#post-1915700 Thu, 03 May 2018 13:30:21 +0000 LaPed 1915700@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hah, I like the term "essentials of fantasy"! A little bit like a HEWI, except you've figured out how to live without it. For me, ribbed turtlenecks are a fantasy-essential. I have one that fits well but is a bit too scratchy, but I love the outfits I mike with it. Every other one I've tried on (and there have been lots!) has been a poor fit -- too long, too baggy, shoulder seams in the wrong place, etc. Also, black ankle pants. In my mind, I could wear these all the time. But I have yet to find a pair that fits right and repels dog hair! I have one pair that fits pretty well but is a total lint-magnet. Also, sleek little oxfords and loafers that are comfortable and stay put on my heels -- impossible to find. (Hah, so basically, I would dress like Audrey Hepburn if I could find the right pieces!)</p> <p>I agree with you that 3 breton tops is a sweet spot. I added slowly and now have 3 that I love and it feels like just the right amount; I can tell because I finally stopped feeling like I needed to buy every striped shirt I saw. Wardrobe peace and satisfaction! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-your-essentials-of-convenience#post-1915688 Thu, 03 May 2018 13:06:08 +0000 Lesley 1915688@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think my essentials of convenience are neutrals—black, white, and gray. In my head, I have a crazy bunch of bright colors going on all the time, but most seasons (with the exception of this current one!) the only things I find that I like in stores are black, white, and gray! (I usually pop in the color, then, with colorful shoes or jewelry, but this has a way less loud impact than my ideal.) Between this current insanely colorful season and advice from Angie to just *stop* buying the neutrals, I can see finally making a shift. A few in the wardrobe are the practical underpinnings that make the whole collection work, but when your collection is overwhelmingly neutral, then surprise, your daily look is kinda neutral. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-your-essentials-of-convenience#post-1915681 Thu, 03 May 2018 12:33:41 +0000 Bijou 1915681@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Last year I experienced a situation of an essential of convenience becoming a style essential. I badly rolled my ankle and had to wear a strap and boots were the only shoes that could hide the strapping. I became so used to wearing ankle boots for a period of 6 months, that they now feel very much part of my style and I now consider them a style essential.</p> <p>I have a number of t-shirts that I wear underneath jackets etc that I don't love, but previously I found them useful. I am trying to replace them with knits and more interesting tops and blouses. My enthusiasm for wearing light grey 3/4 sleeve t-shirts has definitely waned - not sure why I ever thought that was a good colour or look on me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-your-essentials-of-convenience#post-1915680 Thu, 03 May 2018 12:32:30 +0000 gryffin 1915680@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>sarah - may I inquire what tux shirt you like?&nbsp; A tuxedo shirt is absolutely necessary for my style and I have been hunting.&nbsp; Do you or anyone else have any suggestions?&nbsp; They are usually too transparent, too stiff.&nbsp; I am looking for both white and black.&nbsp; Thanks so much! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-are-your-essentials-of-convenience#post-1915676 Thu, 03 May 2018 12:08:56 +0000 cindysmith 1915676@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My essentials of convenience would probably be the stuff I wear to work. I tend to follow the same formula for work that I do for not-work: skinny/fitted bottom, slightly looser top with some length to it. I have managed to hang on to the same few favorites for multiple years now for not-work, which is amazing considering my weight gain and tendency to destroy clothes.</p> <p>In my not-work life, "some length" is, ideally, long enough to cover my bum (and maybe even reach to mid-thigh or even my knees). For work, the longer a top is, the more likely it is going to get snagged on something and rip. So for work, I look for "good enough" at a price point that doesn't hurt when the inevitable happens and it gets destroyed. This holds true for both s/s &amp; f/w, so my "essentials of convenience" would be longer, looser tops I like that I don't mind destroying at work. </p>