How to know a wardrobe work horse when you see it?

agrace

I was going through my closet last night and just for fun, I semi-organized it into the stuff I wear constantly (wardrobe workhorse) and the stuff I sometimes wear and the things I never wear. Interestingly, I almost would say I like the stuff I never wear the most - those items are all pretty but somehow overlooked constantly. I know they elicit a certain feeling, almost like they represent a lifestyle I do not currently have but would enjoy having.

After being on here for a while, I have learned so much - especially about capsule dressing. My challenge to myself is to put these items into rotation. Meanwhile, I'm interested in the workhorses. I'm trying to nail down what it is that makes these items get such frequent use. Some of the obvious are things like basic color and cut. But that is not the case with all of them. And I didn't know it when I bought each one that they would be used so much. Most of the time I did but some of them were surprise workhorses!

I'd love to hear your tips on how to recognize a wardrobe workhorse when you see it. Thanx all!

16 years ago

General

13 replies

Latest reply was from PalmFronds

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

Regrettably, my current wardrobe workhorses are the ones that need to be turned out to pasture! The only time I can really pull out the stops is when I get dressed up for church on Sundays. I have purged my wardrobe of the really egregious offenders, but if I let go of all my polartec jackets I'd be freezing. I hope to replace them with some fabulous but not too delicate structured inside jackets soon.

Interested to hear about other's wardrobe workhorses.

16 years ago

Anonymous

You pose an interesting question. Often I buy a piece thinking it will be a workhorse and it doesn't turn out that way. I'm not sure why this happens and should get it figured out. I do see from what I didn't wear this summer that having to dry clean an item keeps me reaching for something else, even using Dryelle. I've found that basic knit pieces in good neutral colors bought for layering don't get used if they have a boat neckline. This neckline doesn't seem to work well under jackets and cardies for me.

16 years ago

rute

Veteran

I invest a lot in work clothes because that's where I am most of the time. I like to buy good basics that go with most of colors and styles, like black pants, black skirt, brown skirt, beije jacket and than mix it with fun blouses like silk blouses, colorful cardigans, fun jewelry or scarfs and great shoes. Workclothes don't need to be boring, with some good basics it's possible to great many different fun looks.

16 years ago

agrace

Active Member

Joy, that is exactly what happens to me. Sometimes I am surprised by how much I reach for something time and time again. Sometimes I'll immediately know something will get worn but often, I am caught by surprise.

Examples:
Here are things I bought thinking they would be workhorses:
1.Boyfriend blazer,
2. assortment of cardigans
3. dark fitted denim pencil skirt,
4. black suede flat boots

On the other hand, here are some surprise workhorses (things I almost didn't buy that I wear to death):
1. Linen blend bomber style jacket
2. standard (not quite pencil) denim skirt
3. a trio of basic colored slouchy tee shirts from Banana - grey, black and white. Almost passed them up but wear them constantly
4. brown linen waistcoat

And finally, here are things I absolutely knew would be workhorses when I saw them and they have proven me right:
1. tall cognac flat boots
2. cream colored corduroy pea coat
3. dark straight legged slim boot cut jeans
4. multi-colored BCBG cardigan

I will say I do really know some things when I see them - I have that instant recognition that it is a 'me' item and I'll usually buy it (but those are few and far between) even if it is more of an initial outlay than I'd typically be comfortable with. It's the rest of the list that I'd like to get better and better at....

16 years ago

Queen Mum

Veteran

for me, the workhorses end up being the clothes that best suit my figure and coloring, are comfortable and make me feel great about myself. ie: v-neck shirts in a color I love, a great fitting pair of jeans, or that accessory that goes with everything and makes me feel fab.
Usually, if I compromise on an item (not the best neckline, not the best color....) it ends up being that item that I force myself to wear out of guilt at least once a month.
But, sometimes the workhorse does end up being a suprise-- I bought a scarf at Kohls this year, and almost took it back because I wasn't sure it was versatile enough. I have reached for that scarf more times than I can count already this fall.

16 years ago

marianna

Veteran

My workhorses are the clothes that fit me best and I feel most comfortable in. If something doesn't fit quite right, or makes me feel uncomfortable (mentally or physically!), then I barely wear that item. My wardrobe workhorses make me feel good about myself... everything else is sent out to pasture. Sadly, a huge percentage of my closet is never worn because the items don't fit well (all pre-YLF purchases). If something fits well and looks good, then I wear it frequently.

16 years ago

Anonymous

Great topic! My workhorses are pieces that are versatile. A heavy-weight wool pencil skirt is my most used wardrobe item now since I can wear it with tights and boots, heels, flats, and a multitude of tops to change the look. After forcing myself to get creative and use my orphaned button-downs, I'm using those far more frequently too.

In footwear, I use everything I have every week, with exception to some summer wedges. In fact, I have to get my boots to the cobbler to get the soles redone - I've worn them to the metal nubs under the heels! :-/

16 years ago

shiny

Veteran

Marianna, it sounds like you need a closet culling!! Get rid of the ill-fitting garments if you are not wearing them!

Agrace, I think it's fascinating you have a set of clothes you love but rarely wear, and have realized they represent a lifestyle you'd like to lead. I have had that same issue but I've forced myself to wear the clothes anyway! I dress the pieces down to fit my lifestyle. Life is way too short - wear the pretty stuff and enjoy! You would be surprised... when you do this, the lifestyle seems to follow.

My current workhorses are:

1) UO skinny jeans
2) Inc ponte knit pants (both pairs)
3) Stuart Weissman metallic spectators (they are my most expensive shoes I own, but I wear them constantly - so they were a great deal... and it's not quite cold enough for me to be living in tall boots)
4) Black v-neck cardigans. I wear black cardis far more frequently than any other color - I don't know why that is. I just know they get the heaviest use out of all my sweaters.
5) Long string of pearls
6) Boyfriend jacket
7) Dressy blouses - I invested in several this fall (mostly from AT), to upgrade my usual knit tops, which get ratty too quickly. I am wearing them ALL. I am simply rotating through them. And more and more lately, white blouses have a special place on the workhorse list.
8) All my black blazers... I own way too many, in various shapes and fabrics, but in the colder months, it's what I reach for time and time again.
9) Jcrew cobalt coat

I just bought two "new look" cardigans - a long shawl collar (black) and a long gray one - which I suspect will become workhorses this winter!

I also have what I call "stars" (is that borrowed from Imogen?)... items that I don't wear as frequently because they make such a memorable statement. They don't get as much of a work-out but they are absolutely essential to my closet. In this category, the best example is my Paris jacket. I would also add in there my patterned cardigans. Love them - but they are too memorable to wear frequently.

16 years ago

PalmFronds

Active Member

Great question! I am in the same boat as some of the YLF family mentioned above: often I buy something planning for it to be a work-horse but it doesn't always turn out that way for some reason.Often it is, embarassingly enough, because I read somewhere that this was "indispensable" for a wardrobe e.g a suit I bought a few years ago and stay in my closet FOREVER without my wearing more than twice in two years.
Many times my indispensable is a no brainer, like my dark rinse jeans I wear with flats, and live in because I run after my two kids all the time. Sometimes it is a surprise: I bought a charcoal blazer at BR a few years ago, on sale, and really because I had packed poorly on a trip and needed another long-sleeve layer.Turns out this jacket goes to work, play and out to dinner, it matches almost everything in my wardrobe and fits perfectly, and I always feel perfectly put together when I wear it.
My work-horses in general tend to be long pants for work and casual(not dinner/dressy pants) because 95% of my time is spent in either and I can't stand the cold even in Air conditioning, jeans, cardigans and flats. Interestingly items that used to be work-horses, like my button-down shirts, get less wear now because my style has changed some. I guess work-horses do need a break, even if for style reasons and not just because they wear out!

16 years ago

agrace

Active Member

Shiny, Thank you, I so appreciate your listing some specifics. This is very helpful. Palmfronds, that is *exactly* what I am talking about - why is it so often that it is the one thing we almost didn't buy or bought in a pinch on clearance that ends up getting such frequent rotation?

Shiny, I believe what you said about putting these special lifestyle type pieces into rotation. They aren't anything so special, just dressier than you would probably typically see a SAHM in.
Some examples:
-very subtle metallic silk blouse with lots of ruffles. Just adored it at first sight but have never worn it
-sheer pink blouse from Banana Republic. Pictured myself wearing it under cardigans with belts but never have
- The ubiquitous Boyfriend Blazer, though Angie's post may just push me into wearing it
-All of my pencil skirts
-Several Tee shirt dresses
- A black short sleeved shirt dress from BR I just HAD to have, thinking it would give me instant polish in the summer. Turned out I never ever wore it! I have seen people layer those very effectively and know I should give it a try

I could go on and on...and I have read all of Angie's posts about closet cast offs and how to put them into rotation. I just need to do it.

But meanwhile I am still fascinated by the idea and art of learning how to recognize a good workhorse when you see it. Because it seems like a lot of us are caught by surprise by our workhorses. They don't always jump off the rack but I'd like to get better at seeing them for what they are! It'd be a more economical way to shop too....hoping Angie chimes in

16 years ago

shiny

Veteran

Hmm, well, I can't help you with the pencil skirts! I don't wear mine all that often. I do like to have them, but they are not workhorses for me, as I'm more comfortable in jeans, then pants, then dresses, in that order. Skirts last -they are just not as comfortable. I would not give mine up though. I am fine with them being more for occasional wear.

The blouses: is it a matter of practicality? Is your lifestyle such that you really need knit tops because of sticky fingers and playground dirt and play-doh? With teens, I don't have this issue, so I eventually arrived at the conclusion that woven (silky) blouses actually make more sense, as they last longer. I do not dry clean or handwash after every wear. Since I wear a cami under, and most are sleeveless, I don't think it's necessary. I hang the blouse back up, and let it air out between wears.

Exception is the summer - if I'm going to be sweating, then a knit makes much more sense.

Or is it a matter of just feeling out of place next to other SAHMs? That's a little different. I am okay being overdressed. I had to get used to it though. Most days I wear the nicer blouses. Except on Sunday. Then I feel foolish, as everyone else around me is dressed down so much. So Sunday is knitwear day for me.

Boyfriend blazer: I consider mine casual compared to my other jackets! I did initially have to get over that feeling that I was wearing something TOO trendy.

Usually, when I have situations like this, if I force myself to wear the item a few times, I will get over it. If I don't, then it doesn't belong in my closet. I have a hunch you just need to get over it. These items are calling your name, you like them, they fit well.

Can we challenge you to wear each blouse and the boyfriend blazer at least twice in the next two weeks?

16 years ago

PalmFronds

Active Member

AG, I completely fall into your description of your shopping style. I tend to buy things that think "will look perfect for such-and-such" even though I have never tried this version of an outfit before, and I tend to do this with dressy items. THAT is where I ran into the problem for two reasons. I work part time and am SAHM part time.I was not following the cardinal rule of buying basics first and frills later. On top of that, I suffered from the "Sunday best "mentality for a long time. Growing up money was very tight so the "good clothes" only came out for special occassions. Even now I struggle to put my favorite clothes into daily rotation, simply because that sunday best mentality stuck with me for so long. So I think that has prevented me from using much of my closet effectively,but when I got past it I discovered those wardrobe work-horses I didn't expect I had.

As for those I planned on using but didn't, I chalk that up to falling prey to someone else's idea of style and not necessarily mine, as well as having a rushed shopping day when I tend to run off with all sorts of stuff and when I get home wonder, "why did I buy this thing?".

16 years ago

PalmFronds

Active Member

Almost forgot to mention, on your topic of the pencil skirts: they are a perfect example of my knowing my style, what fits on me, but totally ignoring the "use" factor. Those skirts actually fit me quite well, but they are clearly not meant for running after kids s there goes half my week right there.The other half at work, I have tried them and they are not great for running around a hospital. So I sold one of them and the other I kept as dinner-wear.I love it to pieces, but it is not a true work-horse.It was my fault for being short sighted in regard to how it would function in my real life(not the one I dreamed up in my head

16 years ago

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