Wow, thank you for all the responses!
Ophelia, I hear you that you’ve found something that works and so you want to use it. Bras certainly need to be functional. I may have a little less stringent requirements, with my 36Bs, but I also don’t see why I can’t one that does both, sort of like a car or bike that gets you from A to B and you enjoy the ride, or a trivet that looks pretty while protecting the table, etc.
Irina, it is so interesting that you and I dress so differently, because I often feel like I could say what you’re saying, like wanting undergarments with “the least possible amount of adornments. My criteria: no show through clothes, comfortable, supportive and decent quality.” I agree with all of that; if I get lace, it can’t be lumpy, and if I’m wearing something that has to lie smoothly, I’ll make sure I don’t have any lace with it. In addition to those requirements, I also like them to look good on their own, with colors or cut-outs or whatever. I also agree with you completely on
“Sometimes I put in time to do outfit creation sessions but mostly, my goal to have a functional wardrobe where majority of items work together and I don’t have to spend a lot of time everyday on getting dresses and still look put together.” I really don’t like taking time to get dressed. That’s why I got the bodysuits and undershirts with built-in bras this winter, so I’d have one less item to put on. On multiples, I hear you on getting excited about something unusual and therefore wanting more than one, but on the essentials, are you saying it’s basically a time-saver?
LaPed, you work carefully to have a balanced, very mix n match wardrobe, so it makes sense that if one working part fails, it could upset the apple cart. Duplicating workout clothes—I wish I’d done that for my two favorite tops. Your reasons for choosing under layers are much like mine. I hope no one got the idea that I start by choosing undies. I do that very rarely, like when they are new. Today’s match is because I knew the top I’m wearing can come up above my pants, so I wanted to cover my belly. When I realized how useful the black bodysuit is, I wanted another, but instead of a duplicate, I got something similar that gives me variety.
Cat2, haha “ It’s not going to make my life meaningfully better to look at two more brands to find essentially the same top” is brilliant. I guess I’ve never had things lined up so neatly as to realize that I needed 3 of the same top. The ones I mentioned to Kkards just sort of happened. You and I want different things from underwear. I certainly don’t want them to bug me or show through my clothes. But I do want to feel just as nice in them as I do in anything else. Why not? I don’t want to build something blah, so why start with a blah base layer?
Angie, for white tops, especially a sweater or other heavier fabric that takes a while to dry, I can see how duplicates could be useful, especially if it’s one you want to wear a lot. I’m still not feelin’ the duplicate undies thing though.
Zaoebi, I’m trying and failing to think of that one thing I duplicate. On the fashion industry failing to notice the variety of human skin tones—that makes perfect sense to me to duplicate, as much as you want nude to you bras. I have a couple, but am more likely to match color of bra & top. Btw, the red bodysuit comes in a couple of your colors; the line also includes bras and a couple styles of bottoms.
Sarah08, you know I’m with you on comfort! And I think you may have found the key: I like different shapes. I’m thinking of my 3 favorite winter miniskirts. Some people say I wear the same silhouette a lot, and have encouraged me to branch out. The first time I heard that, it took me a minute to figure out what they meant, because I feel the differences in shape, even if they are all short & worn with dark tights and something big & fluffy on top. So while we both like “holding certain variables constant so that I can experiment with other variables that are of more interest or are more fun for me”, we find different parts interesting. I can understand that. Thanks.
Mary Beth, Smittie absolutely kicked off this discussion on the right note, no doubt! Thinking about what you said about creatively combining different things.... when I got my blue cape, one obvious way to wear it was with a column of black. I think the cape is a great statement piece, but don’t think wearing it that way is creative styling of a wonderful, fun outfit; I think it’s booooring. I had much more fun pairing the cape with a pinny/dress with a blackberry ls T, blue cord paisley skirt, or with my red flares. This is starting to gel for me now—I have a statement-heavy wardrobe with few essentials, so if essentials are what most people duplicate to better feature their statement items, then it makes sense that I’m not a duplicator. I have essentials—look at all those tights—but I think I choose them to make their own, slightly quieter, statements, if that makes sense. Basic tights and a black ls T would have worked in most of these outfits, but I was happy with something more specific for each one.
Suz, I’m really getting the message that when people say “underpinnings”, they mean it, and that they are not part of the outfit. I’m more like the motorhead who polishes the car’s engine.
Rachy, teal turtlenecks?
SunTiger, saving up for the fun stuff? I think lingerie is fun stuff. I don’t need to have the slightest concern for what anyone thinks of it, because it’s just for me. I love opening the drawer and seeing all the silk and velvet and fancy stuff. Once in a while a guy might see an item or two, but it is absolutely not about what anyone else thinks about me wearing whatever. As for reinventing the wheel every time, why does it matter if it’s basics or choosing another dark neutral skirt?
Jenn, I’m not sure I get it. I don’t think you are a duplicator or a repeater. I think you are saying that if you were, those items would be the square puzzle pieces that all fit with everything. Is that right? What are the randomly chosen pieces, other than a mess?
Thanks again to everyone in this conversation—I think I’m starting to see why you duplicate *and* why I don’t.
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