2023 Musings - Essentials - YouLookFab Forum

Hi friends, brain starting to function again as I recover from jet lag (Angie - I don't know how you bounce back so quickly!) and thinking about some broad sweeps for 2023 (NO specific goals for me right now - as I tend to get too rigid in my thinking, so flexibility and following my gut is the name of the game).

Thinking about my essentials for this year (not sure I did this for 2022):

Jeans - have been dark wash and slim for several years. I've played with some lighter washes and looser fits lately which has been fun and freeing. I still need to find my *current* version of this essential - thinking a mid wash in a non-skinny fit but that still has some structure to it. Will go for a big try-on in person when I have time. I had thought athleisure pants would be an additional essential category of pants but really they aren't - I still love my jeans for day to day!
Fine knit sweaters in neutrals and nearly neutrals - have been working on this a little, adding looser fits to make this more modern. Enjoying neutrals lately; not so much the nearly-neutrals, so those are on the back-burner for now (this is typical for this time of year). Have added a couple thicker knits for winter, but not sure these are essentials - more weather-dependent I'd say. Don't need much here and need to raise the bar on fit and quality for future purchases ...
Black puffer - revising this to neutral puffer - as my taupe one is fitting the bill just as handily as the black did. Neutral winter accessories in a contrasting color (currently black) are probably also essentials here.
Black boots - need to replace my Blondos. Have been saying this for ages but just not doing it lol. Considering dying my burgundy Blondos as I NEVER wear them and they feel like a waste. Not sure if they would take dye well - trip to shoemaker on my list!
Neutral sneakers (black, white) - check.
Black bag - still milking my H&M one but eyes out for similar style in better quality (structured cross-body in a slightly larger size).
Silver accessories - check.
Striped tops - would like to add a classic striped tee in a looser fit, and a new striped sweater.
Tees, white bottoms and other summer items - waiting for warmer weather to revisit this category.

I think that's it for essentials for now - just need to keep working on updates. Jeans is top priority but there is nothing urgent here!

Feedback always welcome! Thanks for letting me think this through here! xx

1 year ago

Angie

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(Jetlag is a mare. I empathize. I stay awake for as long as I can with LOTS of caffeinated tea, and get up when I need to at the regular time. It helps).

Looks good, Helena!

May I suggest a relaxed straight at ankle length as your new jeans essential. Or cuffed straights that are not skinny. (Lots of so called regular straights look like skinnies to me). Rise at whatever makes you happy

Glad to hear the taupe puffer worked! Nice change.

I can't seem to remember your black bag....only your light neutral bag....

Helena

Veteran

Angie, thanks so much for the suggestions; I will try both of these and they sound like they'll fit the bill perfectly! I agree - many straights seem to be skinny - I really need to go and do a try-on in person since online descriptors seem to be all over the place!

I added the (similar) black bag below in Finds (on mine, the section above the seam is faux-suede - but the shape is identical) - this has been my winter one for a few seasons; the taupe one is still in action for spring/summer/fall. The black one probably never makes a WIW since by the time I think to grab it I'm bundled up!

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Suz

Chuckling about that last statement -- same is true for me with the winter WIWs -- almost always without bag unless I make a special point of showing it and/or my coat! I loved Synne's WIW the other day because it showed all the layers including the reflective vest!

I like Angie's suggestions for a new essential jean. I had really been struggling with this, too, until I took out my old slim BFs and started using them as my essential for this season! They fit like a looser straight,-- slightly tapered, I guess, toward the bottom but still loose on the calves.

Runcarla

Knowing that my (beloved!) skinnies are on their last legs, my last purchase of 2022 was the high waisted cropped wide leg Levi’s (see finds). I like them a lot!

Suz, slim BFs are a great idea too - adding them to my list! I also went against myself but searching for the words Angie suggested and a potential pair of straight jeans from Frank & Oak popped up, so I've ordered those to see what they're like (no retail store near me).

Carla, those are great! Are they from Mark's? Might need to swing into my local one ...

Jaime

Sounds very sensible but not rigid !

Kyle

You might want to look at the Madewell Transport Tote. It’s a simple, functional crossbody that looks similar to yours. Comes in a range of sizes. I love mine and wish they would offer more colors.

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