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BASICS are not Wardrobe Essentials

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The semantics is confusing because the fashion industry mixes it up

From when I was a fashion buyer, BASICS are items like: socks, undies, camisoles, layering tees, tanks, black opaque tights, black leggings, nude hose, pj's, etc.

Wardrobe Essentials are often simple in design, but they are not what I understand as "Basics". So when I hear the term being used as a synonym for Essentials, it makes little sense to me. When you say "Statement Basics" it confuses the issue in my head even further.

Of course, I don't expect you to use the same retail/clothing terminology that I do because the fashion industry isn't consistent either. But I needed to share why I am arguing the semantics point on forum threads. Rightly or wrongly, I've been in the Rag Trade for 20 years and certain ways of referring to products stick

I hope that makes sense.

Shopping

49 replies

Latest reply was from unfrumped

Anonymous

Statement basic = neon and lace bra that you wear on the OUTSIDE of your white button-front shirt.

When I worked in retail advertising (eons ago), this very discussion came up when we were writing headlines. We always made sure that we were using terminology both correctly and consistently.

Anonymous

I was wondering about this myself, but I admit, I have not been able to follow each and every conversation, spanning multiple threads. Thank you for clarifying.

So is a "statement basic" an oxymoron, according to industry terms?

I was under the impression that there are three main categories,
Basics
Essentials
Statement pieces

Is this correct?

Anonymous

EM: In your example, wouldn't that bra be no longer a basic or essential, but a statement piece, due to the color and way it was designed to be worn?

Kristin L

Veteran

That makes sense. Every group has their own jargon. And when different groups, i.e. fashion buyers vs customers, don't make sure we are all using the same terms the same way, we have communication problems. I had never though of basics like you described them, Angie.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Angie, so a "basic" would by definition be a sort of under layer? (Except for PJs, I mean?)

Or would it include a simple black skirt or jacket or white T?

Or are those the "essentials" (for one person) while the jeans and boots might be another's "essentials."

When I say I love my basics, perhaps I am really saying I love my wardrobe essentials?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

EM, I'd refer to that neon bra *worn as normal clothing* as a statement piece, keeping the Basics bit out of it - just for consistencies sake

Zap, Statement Basics is a wild oxymoron :).

Furthermore Zap, some will argue that there is a category missing between Essentials and Statement pieces.

mrseccentric

(website)

Veteran

Angie, thank you for this! i've sewn for years, sewing also has very precise terminology for all kinds of things. When people call a fit and flare dress an a-line it drives me nuts - two different things! I do find that using terms precisely and clearly really helps sort out communication.

i'm adding this thread to my faves list (little heart), thus for perfectly selfish future reference reasons i'm quoting your recent blog post on personal wardrobe essentials here:

"A wardrobe essential is an indispensable staple without which your wardrobe would not function. They are versatile, current and often simple in design. They can be neutral or non-neutral. They can be dressed up or down. They are not necessarily the items that create the interesting part of the outfit, but are part of the solid foundation. They work season after season after season. "

At this point i am guessing that in an individual woman's wardrobe the question with something like Una's black theory blazer would be is it a statement piece or an essential, rather than is it a statement piece or a basic? or am i wrong?

Thanking you in advance and please give Rosie a nice tummy rub from us steph

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Kristen, it gets very confusing, doesn't it?

Suz, a simple t-shirt can be worn as an under layer so that's why it was thought of as a Basic by the retailers that I worked for. Fashion Tees are NOT Basics, although you can also obviously layer with them :).

Outerwear is not a Basic. And there is another crazy term. All clothing that is not Underwear or Sleepwear is Outerwear - but in the US, Outerwear means coats/jackets that you supposedly wear outside. In my world, a dress, skirt, jumper, trousers and jeans are Outerwear.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

oooh! I can't keep up!

Suz, YES. You love your Wardrobe Essentials - ME TOO! In fact, my Essentials make a statement for my minimalist style (which is even more confusing because they are not statement pieces!!). Shiny explained this very well on Una's thread.

Steph, you are a wise and wonderful woman. I bet that as a sewer using the incorrect clothing descriptions drives you batty! To answer your question, an essential can sometimes be a statement piece (my red coat AND Una's Theory jacket) - but most of the time they are not.

Rosie thanks you for the tickle

DeniseP

These terms confuse me, and I so want to understand them, b/c knowing the difference
would likely elevate my style, since I'm floundering which way to go -- and not making a lot of progress.
Also, it would help me identify those "wardrobe holes" talked about on YLF.
Actually, these terms may be the "key" to my breakthrough in fashion sense!
Thank you, Angie, for clarifying the "basics" and now I'm clear. Just yesterday I purchased a sparkly tee from Banana Republic as in this link:
http://bananarepublic.gap.com/.....=415879062
I thought it would function as a basic, but It's an essential, right? Even BR web page calls it essential tee.
Now on to figure out what is considered my statement pieces, and signature ones!
These threads are enlightening!

JulieJohn

Veteran

Very helpful, Angie. You gave us the needed kick in our essential pants to get this topic firmly nailed down! I get it now!!!

I had trouble typing this cause I'm swooning with delight imagining rubbing Rosie's tummy. Terrier envy!

catgirl

Veteran

Sorry, it was me who committed this error! *groveling*

I guess I misunderstood the term basics to mean "staples" more than "foundations". Does this mean it would not be possible to have a basics only wardrobe, because then you are wearing only your bra, undies, tights or leggings, and a cami?

In other words, something like cardigans are NOT (as I thought) basics, but rather personal wardrobe essentials?

Vildy

Veteran

" When people call a fit and flare dress an a-line it drives me nuts - two different things! :)"

When people call a dress with fitted bodice, natural waist seam and a full or A-line attached skirt a fit and flare, it drives *me* nuts.

Jamie

Veteran

I think I'm getting this all straight in my head now...

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Am I the only one who actually doesn't really care about the terminology at all? I just know what I like, what I need, what fits and whether it works with my wardrobe!

MsMary

Veteran

Shannon, me, too! It's so funny, because in every. single. area. of my life other than fashion, I'm totally analytical and love to label and describe everything and put it in its "box." But when it comes to fashion, I am not all that interested in the labels and just play it by ear.

Angie, is that wrong?

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Oh thank you MaryK - I thought I was the only one!

Anonymous

As a matter of fact, I'm with you Shannon, in spite of my reply above. I'll even go one step further to say that to date, I have not been able to use any terminology to describe my style. Gosh, I don't even know if I have a cohesive style. I feel like I'm all over the place and that's ok. I just know what I like when I see it.

Add me to the "play by ear" crowd too.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Shannon, Mary and Zap, yes and no:

- I am against wardrobe "analysis-paralysis" because it's counter productive and takes the fun out of things.

- That said, I firmly believe in wardrobe discipline, which means understanding the concept of wardrobing and applying it, because that's how you hone your style, make savvy shopping decisions, move onto the next leg of your style journey with success, AND not feel overwhelmed by your closet!!! The result is a fully functional personal style that makes you feel fabulous.

Some people get the wardrobing concept completely right by using their intuition, while others really struggle with it. And then there is everyone in-between.

We can debate the semantics/terminology all day long, and at some point it becomes academic. Agreed! BUT. You have to get a handle on these terms at a rudimentary level in order to move forward with your style and wardrobe.

So to say that you don't care about the terminology doesn't sound accurate to me - otherwise you woudn't be so active on this forum :). But you could be intuitively applying the wardrobing concept without knowing it. That makes sense.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Julie, you are a very cute lady

Una, no need to grovel! I'm glad that you brought up the subject. And "Staples" is an excellent word. Yes to your question about cardigans.

Vildy, I will make triple sure I never mix up my A-lines and fit-and-flares.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Point taken Angie! I suppose I don't mean I don't care about the terminology so much as breaking down whether something is called a basic vs an essential vs a statement piece isn't as important as knowing what I need and how it will complete my wardrobe. Does that make any sense?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Yes, Shannon. That makes sense. You find it easier to cut to the core of the matter by working out "item-outfit-capsule" without breaking it down theoretically. You have been blessed with that skill - but many are not as lucky as you. They make wardrobe mistake after wardrobe mistake, waste a lot of time and money - and are still as frustrated as ever with the entire style thing. So understanding the "boxes" as Mary calls them can greatly assist them :). I hope that makes sense too.

Anonymous

You make much sense, Angie. I just feel paralyzed by trying to articulate all of these terms when it pertains to me. Could I use more discipline then?

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Completely makes sense - whatever works for each person is the way to go

catgirl

Veteran

Shannon, again you are a wise woman! However, because my usual "go with the flow" approach has not served me well in my wardrobe, I feel I need a more rigorous, analytical approach to keep me on track. I'm a gambler at heart, and the rules are the only way to keep me from going all in, all the time.

The other thing is that I'm not feeling paralyzed by terminology; it's fun for me to contemplate and keeps me engaged.

Back when I was writing screenplays I learned that the format for screenwriting is very rigid. But once you learned the discipline of the structured format, you actually were forced to be extra-creative within those constraints. That's the kind of rigor I'm looking to instill in myself. Same with poetry - endless options within the haiku!

Isabel

Veteran

May I just refer to my "clothes" from now on ?

Tina

Veteran

I absolutely agree with your explanation of this, Angie. Thank you! I find the more I learn about fashion/style and dressing in general, the better equipped I am to make informed decisions. This makes total sense to me and puts another piece of the puzzle in it's rightful place.
I actually spent a fair amount of time this spring filling 'basic' holes. These, to me are the least fun to shop for but the most important, IMO. I also found it to be fairly time consuming but I did manage to do a thorough job:)

MsMary

Veteran

Angie, thank you for the explanation! I actually spend a fair amount of time thinking about my wardrobe and the pieces I need to round it out, and whether I have what I need for all foreseeable events. So I don't use words like "Basics" or "Essentials," but I definitely carry a list around in my head that says things like "I really need a purple blazer" or "I am short on no-line panties" or "My off-white pumps are getting ratty -- time to be on the lookout for some replacements."

tarzy

Veteran

Whatever they're called, I'm at the point where know what I like and I know what looks good on me. But I sometimes wonder if I'm in a rut? I have no desire at all to try the BF jean, high low hems, or the shoe du jour.

I'm happy as a clam with a closet filled with Paige Hidden Hills, BR blazers and Frye boots. I am experimenting with color now, but my basic shapes are staying the same. Am I not evolving, or have I just found my style?

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