Essentials = Workhorses? vs. Statement Pieces

DonnaF

I'm still struggling with this concept with respect to my own wardrobe, including how to identify statement pieces. My sense is that a wardrobe essential is not likely to get "That's a GREAT ___!" even if the fit and fabrication are wonderful, right? (Other than on here, of course.) Whereas statement pieces draw such attention.

I have a moto vest similar to the one below only smooth pleather that I wear all.the.time. Total workhorse. But is it an essential or a workhorse?

I'm also wondering if I have grown my wardrobe so much that I have almost no essentials (or at least rarely wear what might be essential for others) and lots of statement pieces? I could get rid of whole categories of items like solid pencil skirts and still be able to get dressed.

Nordstrom

Cupcakes And Cashmere Bailey Faux Leather Jacket

View Info

Top Pick

7 years ago

Dressing

8 replies

Latest reply was from Jaime

JAileen

Veteran

Angie said it was items that enabled you to get dressed. So for me, bootcut jeans, long sleeve charcoal tees, grey or silver booties, etc.

7 years ago

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

Essentials are workhorses but not all workhorses are essentials? For my purposes, I'm envisioning essentials as uniform components expressed as categories.

7 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

My understanding is like Emily's: essentials are workhorses, but not all workhorses are essentials. For me, essentials are frequently worn but are not statement pieces. They are items that go with lots of other stuff in my closet. For instance, if I buy a new skirt, I know that if I can't find a special top to go with it, one of my black or white tees will do the trick. And likewise, if I buy an amazing top, I know that I can wear it with one of my pairs of black pants or one of my pairs of blue or white jeans. The tees and the jeans are essentials for me, because they allow me to easily wear all of my wardrobe.

I often use essentials to set off statement pieces as well, since I want the statement piece to be the center of attention. Essentials are usually pretty basic and so are good for this.

7 years ago

Joy

Veteran

I am still thinking about my wardrobe essentials and tend to agree with Gigi. I am thinking that mine are plain pieces in neutral colors that create a column of color (neutral) that can support statement pieces and interesting accessories.

7 years ago

shedev

Veteran

This one can be a tough call. I think it could depend on the other outfit components. Can you post or describe an outfit with the vest.

7 years ago

kkards

Veteran

i think of essentials as the base....they are a collection of items- for example on Angie's list -trendy jeans instead of a particular pair of jeans. its the things you reach for all the time...
as i mentioned on sterling's post. this is how i thought of it. if you had to move to temporary housing for a month and could only pack 1 suitcase, what you need?

7 years ago

DonnaF

Veteran

Shedev; I am all about keeping warm. The first three pics are outfits with my pleather vest. The fourth pic is the utility vest I wear when it is warmer. #5 shows the leather fingerless gloves I am rarely without unless I am carrying the ones with gold studs or my old fleece ones.

I own a fair amount of what others might consider Essentials and don't want to eliminate those white shirts, chambray shirts, and blue jeans. But truth be told, I have quite a variety of those and other types of shirts and jeans so they don't get worn particularly often and aren't essential for me to get dressed. For the past couple of years I have been moving away from categories that many other women consider essential after figuring out I don't care to wear them so maybe that's a source of my confusion. Plus, I think I am rebelling against a classic style I somehow felt I had to wear for work.

This post has 5 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

7 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Going out on a limb but I think the vest could be an essential even if it is a statement. Not sure the groups are mutually exclusive if for example the vest would let you wear pretty much any kind of top underneath and still feel like you. I stand to be corrected of course.

7 years ago

Category