Essentials in a small mix and match wardrobe

I struggled with defining my essentials each time this comes up, but had an a-ha moment with the idea that it was something that you look to replace if a current item is worn out. I keep a small wardrobe of mix and match items within two small color palette (burgundy/rust and olive/teal) that are bridged together with navy (and a smidgen of cream). While I don’t wear an essential item every day, I realized that it is my navy and denim pieces that are my glue that I combine with my love of florals, drapey pieces with movement, variety of toppers, scarves and necklaces, and colorful shoes.

My core pieces that are always in my wardrobe and that make everything else functional are:

- navy sweaters, short sleeves, and 3/4 sleeves in knits, typically with a scoop or v-neck
-navy pants and jeans in boot-cut, straight or cropped lengths
-navy knit dresses (sheath, shift, of varying weights)
-dark denim skirt
- navy flats/low heels
-navy wool coat

I wear burgundy as a neutral, but is where I bring in more interest, so probably only a burgundy 3/4 length knit top is an essential.

Floral tops and scarves are an “essential” component of my style and where I bring in some on-trend options, but each of these are unique and I define them as statement and completer pieces.

3 years ago

Helena

Veteran

Toban, this is great, and your last paragraph is very helpful, in defining what's essential from a 'your style' perspective vs. an outfit creation/wardrobe cohesion perspective. Well done!

unfrumped

Great list!

nemosmom

Oh yes, I like how you differentiate essential to your style v. wardrobe essential! This is good:

"something that you look to replace if a current item is worn out"

Toban

Thank you, Helena, unfrumped, and nemosmom! I had to read a lot of posts and comments about others essentials before I could figure out mine. It helped me to think about what it was not. And how something like a striped top could be one person’s statement and another persons essential. One other way I thought about it is when I pack for travel, what are the pieces I can wear in multiple outfits and not be noticed as a repeat wear. And that always came down to my navy items.

rachylou

What Helena said! My thought immediately as well.

Anonymous

You're admirably super-organized with this, and you've also laid it out well here. Our colour choices are similar (minus the burgundy) and what I'm lacking are the important navy "bridge" ( great way to explain it, btw) pieces. I'm sure if I had navy footwear I liked, (or olive or even rust for that matter ) I'd be wearing more of my clothes this winter.

Runcarla

The packing example is brilliant: ‘what are the pieces I can wear in multiple outfits and not be noticed as a repeat wear’.

Interesting though we're both DA, your primary non black neutral is navy but mine is burgundy!
I like the "essential to style" vs "wardrobe essentials" too!

slim cat

Very clear description of essentials - I'm learning too .

Stagiaire Fash

You have always been so organized and disciplined about your wardrobe!
It sounds like having defined essentials helps you pack for a trip. Is that right, or does packing for a trip help you define your essentials? I’m trying to pin down the ways people use this exercise productively.

Isabel

This IS a great list ! The scaffolding for getting dressed. I find this so much more manageable to think about.

Thanks, Rachylou, Runcarla, Slim cat, Isabel for your comments. I'm glad that these thoughts resonate and are helpful.

Lisap, your comment suggests another question one can ask ... "what item do I frequently need to finish/complete an outfit?" I often wear other colored shoes, but I know that my navy ones will nearly always work.

FashIntern, for me, I think the essentials list is more to make sure that I always have these items in good shape in my wardrobe, and if necessary in duplicates, such as a navy tee or sweater, so that I never struggle to put together an outfit that works. I love travel capsules, but I usually start with thinking about weather, formality, impressions I want to give, etc... and start with my favorite travel-friendly pieces. Then I grab the pieces that make it work. For instance, starting with a favorite burgundy Moto jacket, I might grab a sheath dress for dressy, a pair of bootcut jeans for travel, a floral top that includes burgundy, and so on. So I start with the fun pieces and ... practical footwear.

suntiger I only wear black in gear and I have two pairs of black shoes (one heels, one booties). Otherwise we're similar palettes.

Suz

(website)

This is just a great way of looking at it, and it makes sense to me, based on your outfits and closet.

It really is about --- what are the items I need to make most of my outfits work?

I don't wear mariners every day, but if I don't have at least one in my closet that suits the relevant season, I feel a lack. Ditto for plain navy knitwear in a variety of weights, jeans in a couple of cuts/ washes, and also navy outerwear.

Jaime

Excellent and clarifying descriptions. Especially the idea that essential to one's style is not the same as wardrobe essential.

Sal

Yes I agree with how you think about your closet. It clarifies things for me.

Nice list Toban - your organisation shows through!!

Looking at your last paragraph again, I see it could apply to me/my style, so that’s helpful in understanding how I could categorize my things in this system. Your reply to me is also very helpful in explaining how this system is helpful to you. I don’t think it’s for me, but I very much appreciate you helping me understand it.

Tanya

What an excellent list, and you descriptions and explanations are very clear.

I am in a similar situation as you when it comes to burgundy. I have more "core" neutrals - navy, black and white. Then I consider burgundy and light blue to be my two "pseudo-neutrals". I aim to have most of essential categories ( blazers, sheath dresses, simple sweaters and knitted tops) that I have in my neutrals in burgundy and light blue as well. However, I consider those simple pieces in burgundy and light blue to be completers, not essential. They are fun to have, and really expand my options, but are not crucial. They are also more difficult to find, but also much more fun to shop for

Style Fan

This is a great explanation. Essential to style vs. Essential to the wardrobe. I also like the question, "what item do I frequently need to complete an outfit?"

Angie

Fashion Stylist

*APPLAUSE*

Toban, you nailed it! WELL DONE

Your last paragraph is very important. For example, citron and bright red wardrobe items are essential and signature to my style - but they are statement pieces, and not wardrobe essentials.

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