Good gracious, the YLF wisdom is powerful! My head is just POPPING from all these fantastic suggestions!!
Gaylene, you were the guru who helped me toward a better summer style, so you had better believe I am now taking notes!
"Calling the items in a uniform "essentials" can muddy the waters if you are feeling bored with the uniform itself, especially if your "statements" are just different colors or embellished versions of the same thing."
Wow. Those are words of wisdom right there. And maybe Aida has hit on something powerful also. Maybe the "essential" is not the "jean" but the slim or skinny pant (that can be tucked into jeans). But it needs to appear in different fabrications. Along with the looser pant (BF jean OR wool sweatpant) that can be worn on days when booties are possible. And so on. Very smart thinking, ladies!!
Rabbit, you're partly right -- I had some base layers that were statements in summer -- sarong shorts, or a graphic tee, or a boldly striped skirt. But also, I have more variety of silhouette. That variety isn't fully achievable in deep winter for me due to climate. But I can still have some variety. I already try to do as Aida suggests and wear my floor sweeping pants on days that are dry. Those can be few and far between alas!
"With the frugal/practical question, does it help if you recognize that certain statement pieces can also be workhorses, and just as comfortable and affordable as their essential counterparts?"
Absolutely. It does help. And this year for the first time I am keeping track of wears. I've only been tracking for a little over a month, but what I'm noticing is a strong penchant for statement bottoms along with "regular" or "essential" tops and toppers. That is partly because the balance of my tops and toppers are not so much a statement, maybe. Not sure yet.
Aida, you may have a point about footwear, too. Although most of my shoes are more "regular" than statement, truth be told. I'd call the gladiators an essential in that they were my flat(ish) comfortable sandal -- I can walk a lot in them. But they were also more interesting because of the metallic finish. I think that would probably be my ideal type of shoe -- easily worn and mixed but still with some interest, as you say. Hmmm. Definitely food for thought!
Thank you all for this! I'll start my new thread soon.