Defining completers vs statements?

Anonymous

I'm sure there must have been a post about this somewhere, but how do you define completers vs statements? Is it number of "points" to be considered a statement (color, pattern, detail, etc)? So, hot pink bell sleeve blouse as statement v olive tunic as completer?

Is it a statement only if it reflects how you want to define your style right now? Or, anything thats a departure from the usual-memorable, the compliment magnets?

I'm wondering about things I have that would look more correct on a different style type or coloring (small but high value contrast florals for example) but are memorable. Now I'm wondering if they skew too Ingenue-which I'm definitely not.

Maybe I should be more discerning when buying statementy things to make sure they're really true to me.

The point of all this is that I listed out my wardrobe and am trying to see where I'm over or under represented, to make better decisions this year.

5 years ago

Dressing

13 replies

Latest reply was from gryffin

kkards

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i define a statement piece as something memorable, something that stands out...it's something that gets noticed....
finds 1 & 2 are both completers, but #1 is a statement piece...
finds 3 & 4 neither is a completer, but #3 is a statement piece

i think what defines a statement piece can be very different for different people....as someone whose style leans classic and very neutral my statement pieces will be very different than someone whose style is more boho or for someone who wears red as a neutral....

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5 years ago

Helena

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I'm hoping these will come up as blog topics in the weeks ahead! I think kkards has got it; as I understand it:

a statement is something you add to create a "pop" or draw attention - e.g. for me, this might be a sweater in red of another saturated color (vs. my usual neutrals). Attention being relative - my simple red sweater is not going to turn any heads, but within the context of my simple outfits, it will be the attention-getting piece.
a completer is something you add to your wardrobe to fill some sort of function or add variety - e.g. for me, my olive skinnies give me a change from my essential dark denim; my fluid blouses in muted colors help me with dressy-casual looks, which I don't need often - neither are essential; I could definitely dress happily without them; neither are they statements as they are as understated as my essentials are. Therefore, they are completers.

Not sure if that's right, but that's how I'm understanding it.

5 years ago

RobinF

Veteran

Good question. And do we need a statement piece with every outfit? Or a completer? Ugh, maybe I am over-thinking this.

5 years ago

Column

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Suntiger,
I did not read your post before submitting mine on essentials, but we are overlapping on a few questions. Interesting.

5 years ago

ChristelJ

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I also understand these as torontogirl does. And isn't a completer sometimes thought of as a kind of "third thing"? For example, when wearing a top and pants, a completer would be something that ties them together and adds interest such as a vest, cardigan, or scarf?
I would love to see Angie's definition.

5 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

This post might help:

https://youlookfab.com/2018/02.....-wardrobe/

5 years ago

ChristelJ

Veteran

Thank you! A LOT has been said about this subject; very helpful. I like the suggestion to think about what is not a completer. Not a basic, essential or statement. This makes me realize I have way too many completers in my closet bought in a flailing, random sort of way. I need to work on the other categories.

5 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Glad Angie linked the post. I think TG nailed it.

5 years ago

Helena

Veteran

Christie, I had the same initial understanding about completers ... it helped me to differentiate that 'third piece' completers complete an outfit, whereas Angie's completers complete a wardrobe, if that makes sense.

So, in my example, my fluid blouses complete my wardrobe by giving me a better option for dressy-casual occasions, but the pieces themselves are neither essential nor statement.

Like you, I've realized that some of the pieces I can't really figure out in my wardrobe are completers that were not bought with a good purpose in mind. For example, I have a soft teal v-neck, a great color, fit, etc. but I almost never wear it. Why? It's not neutral enough (for me) to be an essential and it's too muted to be a statement - and as a completer, it serves no really useful function - therefore, it rarely gets worn!

5 years ago

Gretchen

Veteran

I think TG has it covered. In trying to break it down for myself:

Statements — something to notice or draw attention to. Something that I’d be uncomfortable wearing 2 days in a row b/c they are really visible.

Completers - pull outfits together or give it a finishing touch. Not meant to draw attention as much as to harmonize.

So for me - a pair of printed pumps is statement (look at my fabulous shoes!) while a blazer that pulls a color from the shoes and adds polish to the top/pants is a completer.

5 years ago

Sal

Veteran

Yes I think TG - and of course Angie - have it covered.

I don’t have many completers but I have a few I love
- red blouse that is nine years old and is perfect about five times a year.
- black and grey floral A line skirt - 11 years old - really useful for a change up.
- new green linen blouse - long sleeve and pretty with jeans on cool summer days.
- blush blouse.

I am never sure if dresses could be in this category but I have a couple that are not essentials nor statements. But they are well worn and loved.

Completers can be orphans if you lose the accompanying piece - but so can the statement that is wrong or the essential that is scratchy.

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5 years ago

Anonymous

Thanks all! I'm slowly formulating a plan
I have way more statements for summer than winter, and feel much happier overall with my summer wardrobe. My winter wardrobe, though I have color, is just not statementy enough. Many of the pieces are completers, coupled with the fact I prefer skirts to pants and dislike layering, so my outfits feel drab overall.

I have mostly solids for winter, not prints, because I organized my closet by color and having a jumble of prints looked cluttery. So, I'm thinking for wardrobe Zen, and harmony with my own coloring, I want to add statement solid tops and low-med value contrast blendy prints in my colorway

5 years ago

gryffin

Veteran

Suntiger - thank you. It took me a bit to sort this out too. Suz's comments are the one that clarified it for me. Completers are those items that are not essentials but necessary to wear specific outfits. The EF skirted leggings are essentials - but the cropped charcoal funnel neck, boxy swing grey cardi and cropped sweatshirt are not essentials. They are only worn with skirted leggings. They are completers When I tire of them they will not be replaced exactly I will see what winter tops would work best with the skirted leggings and move on. That's the only way I can wrap my head around them. OTOH the EF jersey or silk shell and LS black merino or cashmere sweaters are essentials and would be replaced because they are essential for work outfits with the skirted leggings. I would replace them almost exactly whereas the ash chain mail layered sweater is a completer. Thanks that was a really helpful distinction for me and I think I finally got it!!!

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5 years ago

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