Oh, and I'm going to add basic pumps here. Never wear them. Never. I think that may be part of my struggle with the cropped look... they are always shown at 26" length with heeled pumps.

I'm with all of you about the button down shirts, they just never fit me well and I have to keep pulling and adjusting them - hate that! I do wear long sleeve T-shirts but since I started having hot flashes they are often too warm, especially under a sweater. Love this discussion, I really need to go through my closet with a more critical eye and start getting rid of those items that just don't work for me.

Another vote for the white button down shirt. Keep trying them, keep not wearing them. It just seems like something I should have, you know? I DO like the tunic length one I got from Zara a year or two ago, but it also doesn't get as much wear as it should... but at least it's comfortable. Still needs ironing though

The little black dress! I wear nothing little or black in dress form ever. Actually, no black anything except a limited number of shoes. No dressy trousers/slacks. No plain white button down shirts. No women's interview style business suits, or the matching pieces to make up a suit, i.e. Blazer, skirt, slacks. I have always been one to mix and match my pieces. I can think of two times I wore a suit, and I would like to forget them!

Oh, I'll take the LBD, trench, pumps, and ballet flats and leave just about everything else - I find that you have to select the items that work for you, and maybe add other unique items that are key parts of your style, then not worry about all the other "must-haves." Although they're good inspiration, we all have different perceptions of essentials.

Yes! What I've come to learn is we should all be evaluating what is essential for ourselves and not relying on lists. I feel the same way about what to wear at certain ages lists.

Ditto the white shirt- too formal for me.
Also these days belts of any description- I find them uncomfortable and bulky, and I'd rather have pants altered to fit instead.