Essentials in Statement Heavy Wardrobe - YouLookFab Forum

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Essentials in Statement Heavy Wardrobe

DonnaF

Veteran

Can it be that silver studs, gray pearl studs, and watches are my only *Essentials*?

I have lots of earrings, but those studs are the ones I wear most and would replace if anything ever happened to them. I wear a watch daily and have various styles.

I buy stuff that other women consider *essential*, but I could truly get dressed if one or more disappear from my wardrobe such as blue jeans, black jeans, black pants, any type of shell, etc.

I am a pretty maximal dresser and like to pattern mix but mostly in neutrals. Can I say as essential:

Gray patterned jeans
Patterned socks and hose (but mostly black and gray)
Nail polish in non-traditional colors (but mostly black and gray)
Scarves to keep my neck warm (but in mostly black and gray patterns)

Years ago, I was a classic dresser. Since then, I've rebelled and have increased my wardrobe size so I have many, many choices. Bad thing?

Dressing

17 replies

Latest reply was from Suz

taylor

Veteran

I believe that your ~go to~ jewelry pieces are considered wardrobe essentials!
Choice is never a bad thing . It gives you the freedom to change your outfits to fit your mood!
Carry on!

Anonymous

I second Taylor's carry on. I understand and commiserate with how being a classic dresser can result in rebellion. It seems to me that you have found the perfect solution. I especially like the emphasis on black and grey. Everything must mix seamlessly. Carry on.

Alicewonderland

Veteran

I can relate! I have hard time even thinking about what I consider an essential. I don’t even do it conciously. Everything is, yet nothing is, kind of like your black/gray pattern items.
I think it is a sign that you have a well developed personal style and maybe a generous closet.

avebabe

I totally agree with this thread! As I see all these postings and listis for capsule wardrobes, all I can think about is how incredibly boring! Why in the world would you want to limit your choices? Unless space is a serious consideration. Choice is a great thing and I loved deciding that this was the year for belts—and now wear one every day—after not wearing them for years. So, what was an essential this year was not an essential last year. This is what makes fashion fun.

I guess absolute essentials are
Watch (though am in the market for a new one as can no longer easily read my 25 year old Tag)
Wedding ring
Cover up
Mascara
Lip liner

Just my two cents.

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

I’m with you, soul sister! Patterned is my basic these days.

Ket

Veteran

Those soind essential if that is what consists of your everday needs and style. And it sounds like it is! So huzzah!

Choice is wonderful! This is, thankfully, not Orwell's 1984. I suppose in an effort to bring attention to excess, especially regarding fast fashion, capsule wardrobes have become popular. The thing is, I am not one bit convinced the capsule wardrobe bloggers truly live with the dinky wardrobe they present. (And I call it dinky, because well, it is--at least to my eye!) They must keep items from past seasons (some admit to this) otherwise they would be giving away entire wardrobes every season. I digress! This emphasis on capsules has somehow made choice seem bad, and I think choice is a lovely thing! Enjoy it!

MsMaven

Veteran

Interesting discussion. My take on essentials is similar to Angie's--I rely on dark knit tops, jeans, stripes, plain jackets and blazers, neutral shoes, and my favorite David Yurman pieces.

Last year I got bored with the overall dark wardrobe and started adding red, coral, even green and peach along with some patterns. Now looking at it overall, I really need some navy and gray tees and knit tops and more gray jeans.

I quickly tire of patterns, (except in scarves) and bright colors. This year I need to add some solid color knit tops to wear under my patterned blazers. I find it hard to imagine print essentials, unless it's underwear. I've gone through a lot of fashion cycles.

So this is an individual preference. I have a hard time imagining a patterned top as an essential, yet I have a couple of Nic + Zoe patterned top that I've worn over and over and form a basic starting point for any important occasion wear.

Very worthwhile to get such a variety of viewpoints.

rachylou

Veteran

I’m starting to think the same about myself. Black shoes may be my only real style essentials.

lyn67

Veteran

Whatever you want, so yes! Agree with avebabe. "Choice is a great thing and I loved deciding that this was the year for....(your specific item)...and now wear one every day—after not wearing them for years. So, what was an essential this year was not an essential last year. This is what makes fashion fun." I do have life time essentials (scarves, white jeans, big cowl neck sweaters, ankle showing pants, knee high flat riding boots and pencils) but seasonal essentials, too(say midi pleated skirts)-if that makes sense.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Donna F, you might have a few more essentials, like your clogs and some cardigans.

If the patterns of the items you are describing are neutral and quiet - they can go on your essentials list.

And if your system works, milk it.

Anonymous

But who really cares how you define a certain wardrobe item? If your system works for you, why adopt someone else's system? Be a rebel.

Von

Veteran

I have "essential hoops", when something happens to them, I go out and buy another pair almost just like it. I can leave home without makeup and be fine, but lack of earrings is something I can't do :). Living without hoops is like missing a trusted friend. Recently I bought some ball studs and they're kind of cute...they might make the essentials rotation in a few years too!

Cardiff girl

Veteran

If it works for you!

JAileen

Veteran

I was going to say clogs, but I see that Angie already mentioned them.

DonnaF

Veteran

Clogs as essentials? But most of mine are in colors; no picture of my blue ones. My wonkier right foot means I can no longer wear them all day.

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Jenni NZ

Veteran

Maybe those grey/pewter/silver( not sure what colour they are), brown, and 2 black pair are essential. I know, even my few pairs of shoes I called essential are either gold or sparkly silver or have a fringe or lace or animal print!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Donna, you always look amazing, so you must be doing something right!

I'm thinking that you do have more frequently worn and less frequently worn silhouettes. Based on your WIWs I would say white cropped jeans and black jeans would also be an essential, and possibly a tunic dress -- I don't think it has to be in a solid if it is a black and white pattern, which almost comes across as a faux solid. I'd say you have essential footwear, too, even if not clogs. The clogs used to be a signature but perhaps not anymore if your feet can't tolerate them. So whatever footwear your feet do tolerate would count -- maybe silver sneakers or something?

I do think eclectic dressers find the concept less easy to grasp and perhaps less necessary -- but it depends. Some eclectic dressers end up howling "so many clothes, nothing to wear!!" to themselves quite often and they could probably stand identifying the wardrobe "glue" they are missing.