2018 Essentials - YouLookFab Forum

I may have to evolve these this year if things don’t fit right, but:

Black (or navy sub’d in, usually randomly when navy is only color but sometimes duplicating) pants in several styles:
— full length straight or slight bootcut, including ones in warm- ish fabrics
-slim slightly tapered full- length
— straight ankle/ crop
—high-waisted pleat
Pencil skirts- knee length
Longer swirly skirts, not- quite- midi: wintry weights with tights

Gray knit tops in several lengths, fits, fabrics- cashmere, merino, rayon, linen - for different bottoms and seasons
Ditto above in black, burgundy, cool blush or colors such as teal, olive, raspberry when I can find them.
Curved hem knit tops, low hip length
“ Silky “ woven blouses with necklines that don’t fight with blazers and with hems that look ok untucked, to make 3-piece “ outfits work.
Dressy or fine gauge knit T style tops.
Belts that lie fairly flat - Hipsi and various leather belts I’ve collected with slim flat buckles
Black ankle/ short boots with very slim fit at the leg—a HEWI- need replacement for my Munros- needed to work under straight pants and with skirts
Other booties for when above fit isn’t essential
Loafers, lower- vamped- black with tights and black longer pants, , but medium colors preferred for other situations for lower contrast
Ankle-strap closed toe flats- black, navy— these are what I prefer to wear with cropped pants so have become essential to enjoying “ short pants”
Gray footwear
Suede booties, loafers & flats for foot comfort
AGL cap toe flats
Blazers that don’t look frumpy- sharp shoulder fit, slight waist definition, mostly in longer lengths for pants
Non- blazer indoor toppers such as utility or safari jackets, some V cardigans.
Sleeveless silk collared blouses for layering under cardigans and some pullovers
Tights- extensive collection: sheer nude, opaque, fleece. Used with skirts and under pants. These are “basics “actually, but opaque/ fleece tights in black, gray and burgundy are visually prominent with winter wear and with specific footwear
Necklaces
That’s a stab at it anyway!

6 years ago

The Cat

Veteran

Great list, good job. However, I wonder if it would be an advantage to be more specific, at least for some categories. For example, are all your necklaces really essentials? Or are you able to identify one or two lengths/materials/colours which you wouldn't be without?

unfrumped

The Cat, yes, that’s a good point; I’m thinking how to be more specific vs naming an exact item.
So for necklaceces, 2 main types: short ~16” silver- pewter- gray , or long rope- like.
For pencil skirts, 2 “ colors” are essential: dark colors-black or dark tweedy or florals that blend well with dark tights and footwear for winter, and lighter colors with beige or nude elements, as in a lighter tweed that make a LOW contrast with nude leg and lighter footwear for summer.
Tops I tried to address, are all about the silhouette and lengths, to work with different bottoms. Longer, shorter, boxier, straight or curved.
I could add jeans in dark wash, straight, great if work full- length or rolled, and lightweight woven pants such as chino type or modern version.

Helena

Great list! I had the same thought as The Cat (which I learned as I had done the same - had a category rather than a specific type of item). Great that you are drilling down a little more specifically; I'm sure you'll find that helpful.

Torontogirl, maybe so! Some things are actually so specific in reality that I don’t have even s bead on replacement for what I’m wearing now, should the items wear out.
I do think it’s helpful for the shopping list— comparing a random interesting find with, does this fit the description of what I’ve been saying I actually NEED to have to get dressed? Of course something could be a statement piece, but that should be identifiable and then evaluated.

rachylou

Because I’m all about me, lol, the first thing I notice is how short MY list is! Lolol. I’m a bear of small brain. Apparently my style is slap it over a pair of leggings and under a puffy. Hahaha!

No, I really do think I need to reconsider my life. How can I have no essential tops?

jussie

Rachylou maybe your style is still in a stage of rapid evolution so you haven’t yet narrowed it down to any specific tops?
Unfrumped: I love your essentials list; very well planned. I also can relate to wanting to have a “light coloured capsule” and a “dark coloured capsule” eg footwear and toppers to go with a light beige-ish skirt or dark skirt.... I still am not quite there... I’m pretty heavily reliant on navy blue and black.

Staysfit

Are your necklaces essentials or are they the statement pieces that add some flair to your outfits? I wear necklaces, earrings, bangles, scarves, a watch, etc. For my essentials, I only included jewelry that I would wear everyday, that serves as a backdrop for the rest of my wardrobe.

Staysfit, I guess I’m not sure.
Because I don’t wear s typical topper, I wear some kind of necklace almost every day unless neckline doesn’t allow, such as cowl neck. Some are fairly simple and not what is typically called a “ statement necklace “, and I repeat them. So yes, I could “ leave the house” without one. Maybe they are “ essential to my style “ but not true Essentials.

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