I really loved Angie's blog post on essentials yesterday. For years I have been thinking about this on a season by season basis -- because I have four (or maybe 6) distinct seasons and honestly, what's absolutely crucial in the sense of keeping me alive in one season (the puffer coat) is blessedly forgotten in another!! So I had struggled a bit with the concept.
Angie's post yesterday was a lightbulb for me because her list struck me as quite different from most I've seen, which are either too granular or irrelevant to my lifestyle or climate. I liked that she included categories of item (this makes sense to me) but also specified a bit within categories. So -- trendy jeans, but not all trendy jeans, some being more statement-like.
And I liked that she identified her essential footwear by colour vs. style. This was a lightbulb moment for me. It's impossible for me to go by style because, well, in my climate I need so many different styles! But I can identify the colour of footwear that is a necessity in my closet. Bingo!
The idea of categories helped me to see what it is I wear and need to make outfits work across all seasons. I still have a few questions, though, which I'll append at the bottom.
My list looks similar i some ways to Angie's, no surprise there. It includes:
Accessories:
- Silver watch
- Wedding ring/ chunky ring
- Silver stud earrings
- Belt (for wearing with denim)
(Sorry, don't have Finds for all of these, but you get the idea.)
Pewter/ silver/ grey footwear with about a 2 inch heel (or lower).
Whether sandal or bootie or shoe, a must-have in any season as it bookends hair and blends well with blue denim.
Ink/ navy blazer
I don’t wear it every day or even every week, but it's absolutely crucial in my closet.
Trendy jeans.
My jeans capsule is really important. I like to incorporate trendy styles. My statement versions right now are flares, culottes, and plaid ones.
My essentials at the moment are slim straight crops and slim BF crops.
Ink/ navy turtleneck/ slashneck/ crew tops, in all seasons.
White or light crewneck or slashneck tops, in all seasons.
These come into their own more in summer for me. I don't wear white as often in winter.
So, a few questions:
Here are items I considered but did not put into my list of essentials, even though they are backbone items.
Striped Mariner sweater/ top. I wear one of these several times a week in spring/ summer/ early fall. But never in winter. Then, I tend to revert to a brightly coloured cashmere tee, which serves a similar purpose. Not "statement" exactly -- but "interest" in an outfit. So is it essential, or not?
Denim jacket -- falls into same category as above. Essential in spring/ summer but not other times.
White footwear: This is becoming an absolute need in warmer weather. LOVE my white sneakers. But I haven't worn my gorgeous white booties. Weather forbids it, honestly. So...Not an essential, right?
Silk blouse/ shirt: I don't wear one every week, but without a silk top I am utterly at a loss at certain times -- it is a fallback feel great item that makes me feel more dressed up in denim and that I use in every season. Essential, or not?
Sheath dress: this is a "special occasion" essential.
