I can't remember if you have an F21 near you but I can't stress enough the availability of remarkably nice, inexpensive statement-y tops there. I just got a sleeved poncho (better for coats!) and a WHITE textured sweatshirt for under $40. The quality has really improved and the prices as variety can't be beat, plus they are sized for smaller people.

Re: leggings, I have a pair of sweater leggings from Hue that I love. They alleviate the feeling of not being dressed. And they are cozy casual perfection.

Peri, it's a disease. I call it "Lemming-itis." And I have it bad. I just bought the sweater that Una bought last night...

I am busily digesting all of this. And thank you all for participating. As usual, Gaylene really hit it -- essentials are often more share-able. Statements are so personal. So the scarves and leggings that work brilliantly for Lisa will languish in my closet, the fancy nails would be a one-off thing, ditto a lot of jewellery, and so on and so forth. But the plaid jeggings I'll tuck into boots would feel too bulky to someone else.

Sharan, I also really like your suggestion to look at what made the summer wardrobe feel good. Unfortunately, some of it is not easily transferable to my winter climate: different silhouettes on the bottom (much harder when the weather gets cold -- I end up giving up my skirts except for special occasions/ going out), lighter colour (can be impractical in the slushy weather), showing more skin (this helps to keep my outfits "mid-tone" which is more flattering to me, personally, than mostly dark or than high contrast).

Thank you all again. I'm going to come up with a list of concrete items I plan to try for that "statement" impact.

Along with my scarves, that is. Because although I disparage them, they are still really useful and DO add that statement factor, for sure.

Una, thank you! No F21 in these parts, alas, although we do have an H&M, but not a very good one.

Another HUGE supporter of cozy flannel plaid shirts (or non-plaid flannel shirts). I can't believe it took me so long to buy some of these and today was the first cold morning when I was SO happy to put one on!

For accessories I really enjoy collecting and wearing bracelets - mostly stretch style, non-noisy ones that feel really comfortable. Iike to wear several "twisted" together so they stay in place. I keep looking and adding to the collection and it amuses me and gives me some "fun" for the day to day grind at the home office - and out to the post office, grocery, coffee shop, etc.

Now I'm off to see what sweater Una bought...I love her style!

And I did order the floral sweatshirt...that's pretty statementy if I like it.

SOOOO much great stuff here that I have to stop looking.

I really like your analysis and it seems very well thought out.  Now, I am going to suggest something, but please don't tell Angie...shhhhhh.   I LOVE Corduroy and velvet pants.  Yup.  I have a pair of cords every winter. 

I humbly submit these ( saw them in person while I was "researching" my winter wardrobe and I drooled.  I just do not need more pants.   )

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ku.....pe=related=

I think that these are awesome too :

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ku.....d&=

ETA  Have you ever thought of faux fur ?

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/de.....38;context

I have this jacket in a light olive green, it is polar fleece.  And super cozy.  I get compliments everywhere I go. It washes and dries fantastically and is great to where around the house or out on a less chillier day. 

http://www.patagonia.com/us/pr.....?p=28215-0

This is a VERY dangerous thread - I blame Inge! Amazing selection and SOOO tempting...
I was also amazed how pleasant flannel shirt was on a cold day - my word! I think I need another one (or two?) Too bad they do not look that great in solid colors as in plaids.
Suz, I am thrilled you ordered the shirt - we will be twins. My only complaint about this shirt that it is not as long as I would prefer it to be. I ma toying with the idea to order a man version in size S (need to check first if the length would be good though).
I do not work from home but I do like to wear dresses with leggings at home. I demoted my Gap dress to wear at home this season as it began to pill too much. It is almost to my knees so looks good with the leggings.

OMG, Isabel, that Patagonia jacket is like a gateway drug!! What are you selling me??? Seriously, I would be in heaven and my kitty would put me on a pedestal in the kitty pantheon.

You're all amazing. THANK YOU!!!

Love this thread. Inge you have given all of us a lot to look at. Thank-you!
Suz-thank-you for starting this I am have a horrible time figuring out statement pieces for this season. My problem is not the long winter it is the varying temperature.
Hope you are feeling better.

Suz, I love you style and always go straight to your outfit posts, so I am following this conversation and notes!

Do you have pierced ears? Your hair and face, to my eye, are the perfect foil for some simple drop earrings that might play nicely with your modern classic style? There are also some small ear cuffs in the stores that are simple and edgy in a quiet/understated way.....just a thought :).

Thank you, Lynne -- that is so sweet of you! I think we have a colour palette in common (or at least a lot of our best colours overlap) and so even if our climate is different we can take inspiration from one another!

I do have pierced ears. I tend to wear the same small studs all the time. They are little sterling silver "commas" or "quotation marks" which I think are perfect for a writer! But I do have other earrings that I sometimes wear. Perhaps I need to vary them more often.

Debbie, I can easily understand how a varied temperature would lead to challenges as well. Always layering!

Sveta, if the flannel shirt makes you happy, it is bound to be a slam dunk for me. Too bad I have to wait until January to get my size! But it will be a birthday present to myself.

Isn't Inge the greatest? I have a lot of work to do, to follow up on all those great leads!

This has been SUCH an interesting thread to follow. As you know, I have lots of statements, but even for me appropriately casual statements are elusive. This fall I've tried to add 1) Fancy sweatshirts 2) On-trend tops (crop tops, plaid) and 3) Tried and true favorite patterns (stripes and moody florals). This gives me variety in color, shape, and formality. Now that it's November I'd like to add a sweater, so Ill be scouring Inge's suggestions and Angie's JCREW roundup.

Wow, this was a lot to read! I have to say that I have already purchased a few of the items that Inge recommended for you to look at here. The gray and winter white Vince boatneck sweater is truly beautiful in person. I'm so excited to see it on sale. I am going to call Nordstrom and ask them to apply the discount to my purchase. I was about to post a picture of it when I started reading your post. (I also tried some of the plaid pants and will post a pic of one of them as well. Very outside my wheelhouse. I think you can pull them off better than I can.)

It looks like you have lots of options! I look forward to seeing how you add casual statements to your wardrobe.

This thread is wonderful and Inge, you are on a roll!!! I am sad though, I am unable to wear wool, cashmere, nor angora. Crying big tears.

Oh, and Sveta, I got my shirt this week and I wish it were longer, also. Good idea to check out the men's selection.

Ok I am dizzy from all the gorgeous options on this thread and had to stop reading. My "winter" statements are mostly coats, but if I were you I would look closely at one of the more refined ponchos like the Helmut Lang one Angie posted. And culottes with warm tights. And everything suggested above of course. (Are you getting Lasik? Best thing I did.)

I don't come on YLF for a day and I miss on so many fun posts! Serves me right!

Suz, my problem is the opposite of yours! I seem to have only statements and regulars in my wardrobe! I always buy only those things that have some kind of interesting detail to it. A cut out back, some bling, fun shoes and loaded handbags! I am working on bringing in a few essentials into my wardrobe. Why am I not attracted to the simple silky black button down? A simple solid vneck sweater? Clean black flats? Simple structured handbag? And trust me I don't have any of those! The part of the reason for me is that, our summer is extremely long. 8 months to be precise. It is not practical to add layers to my outfit to create interest during these 8 months. I rely heavily on statementy tops, pants or shoes to make an effect. This is also why I find layering a challenge. Two statements or regulars don't layer quite well you know :).

What are my winter statements? Hmm ... I will have to figure out this season! But I am guessing my glitter boots are definitely one!

What could you add as statements to your WAH life? ... I haven't read all the replies, so I might be repeating. Leather skinnies/track pants? Fun socks? (Since you don't wear shoes at home). Are you a cape girl? I figure it would be super cozy for home. You have to try culottes too

I hope I made sense and I am not over repeating! ... I am still on my first sip of morning cuppa o_O

Such incredible suggestions! I fight boredom with colored jeans. I have grape and olive skinnies, and cobalt, burgundy, and raisin straights.

I *would* do interesting pullovers, but I, my climate, and my office building run too hot for that. But glad Inge showed us so many!

I too wear small earrings, but I change them every day--I have crystal, plain gold or silver, and semiprecious stones. I have three watches (gold, silver, charcoal mesh) that I choose between.

I do consider myself a minimalist, but not an extreme one. Having that extra bit of variety keeps me content!

I know you said you don't like leggings, but then you do like jeggings so I wondered what about something like these http://us.blackmilkclothing.co.....c-leggings They are very definitely a statement and you may hate them

Suz, this is a fascinating thread and I have been reading it in bits and pieces and have finally found a few minutes to respond. Honestly, I have had a lightbulb moment with your last few threads re my at home dressing. But that's for another post, which I'll start when I get my next few minutes and some pics. For now, I have two suggestions:

1. Crazy pants! A little pattern adds lots of fun to an outfit. There's just no way to feel or look blah when you're wearing plaids, or stripes, or my favorite, polka dots.

2. I have every brick and mortar store near me in Albany (except Nordies, "Why oh why Mr. Nordstrom won't you build a store here?") so come visit and we'll go shopping! Really, Macy's (3 floors!), Lord and Taylor, J. Crew, Gap, BR, Loft, JCP, F21 (huge store!), LLBean, I could go on...

I'll be back later to click through some of the links above. First I need to give my wallet to DH to hide somewhere

I love this thread!

I feel like I've had more of a glimpse into the personal style of other FABers from their suggestions for Suz than from any style moniker or rubic. Maybe that's what I need to do to find my Statements--just think of what I'd like Suz to wear to jazz up her Essentials!

Hey, Suz, are you interested in black leather leggings and an asymmetrical draped poncho? Or maybe that outfit in shades of grey, cream, and winter white? Grey leather leggings with a creamy white asymmetrical sweater would be perfect for...ME!

Gaylene, I was thinking about you last night! I really think you hit on something truly important with that observation about statements being key to individual style. And so, so personal.

But you also said something really interesting in my earlier thread -- if a person is bored with her "uniform" adding a bunch of "statements" to it won't really help a lot. I might have run into that a bit last year.

Karen, I'd love to come shopping with you, and I am on the hunt for crazy pants.

Gem, thank you for that link. I think those pants are just a little too crazy for my style, but I appreciate the thought!

Jody, I am ordering a pair of dark red pants to try. In the past, bright coloured pants and I have not got along (although I do love patterned pants) -- so we shall see.

Neel, you are the queen of statements, so I need to look at what you do to see how it is done!

Jaime, thank you! I will consider this poncho business -- you and Gaylene can't both be wrong!

Deb, that shirt will look great on you. Too bad about knits, but good thing you don't live in my climate!!

Staysfit, that Vince sweater is indeed very beautiful! Off to read your threads.

Meredith, thank you. It sounds as if our strategies so far are similar.

Thanks, all. I am making up a shopping list and a list of categories to be on the lookout for. Feeling a little more hopeful that I'll be able to figure it all out as the season continues. And, after all, I don't really need to get dressed right now -- still sick!!

Chiming back in to say that Essentials are AS key to personal style as Statements are.

I liked that line about too about how adding a bunch of statements to a uniform isn't necessarily the answer either - because where does that end? Again, a lot to digest and think about here - as we take all of these thoughts and use what we can for ourselves. Someone - too many posts now to remember who has said what- suggested a capsule or "uniform" based on athletic wear (the look) and that resonated with me. I have that kind of a "uniform" for my non-working hours and that's where the leggings come into play for me. Sweatpants, wrap yoga sweaters, loose fit t's, scarves, lightweight zip up quilted vests and jackets - all in luxe fabrics = yummy!

I think having a capsule or uniform that is based on something authentic in your life is a good idea - and because fitness is such a big part of your life, Suz, you might find you like some of the more luxe pieces for everyday /casual/at home wear. Anyways, again, this was such a fun and interesting discussion and I've enjoyed reading all the other members' posts.

Suz - I have to add that my at home style (or lack of) is not the same as my WIWs. My WIWs are mostly the school runs and errands stuff. Wiwear at home to cook, mop, clean bathrooms is tees and pants of some sort with crocs! I honestly am trying to deal with the mental block of getting muck, oil, children's goo from runny noses and drool on my *nice* clothes at home! I don't step out in those forbidden clothes ever!

So, our needs might be slightly or rather vastly different!

My indoor winter statements are quirky jumpers, plaid wool skirts, and interesting blouses worn under wool cardis for warmth. Oh and textured trousers: corduroy, velvet, wool flannel, tweed. My statement accessories are brooches or belts worn w skirts; I don't wear a lot of scarves indoors either. I do wear fingerless mitts tho so I guess that's another indoor statement!

I wanted to suggest a potential solution to the cat/tights/skirts issue: could you layer a pair of sturdy leggings over the tights just for indoor wear and then take them off before running errands? Or if your cat is kneading you during laptime, keep a blanket handy to throw over your legs? I'm not terribly familiar w cats, so that might not work, but I thought I'd throw it out there just in case. I'd hate to give up skirts and dresses for so long!

Oh and add me to the not comfortable in leggings crowd. I wear them as pjs or as tights w a knee length dress or skirt, but I don't care for the tunic & leggings look on myself.

I forgot colourful or scrunched socks! They're another indoor statement accessory for me. But then, I tend more to the quirky than you.

E -- those are interesting observations and suggestions. And you have a point there -- what if I wore leggings (or even thermal undies) with a dress if I wanted to wear it? That might work...I can experiment. I do have a blanket that I throw over myself when Max wants to sit on me. It helps...but does not eliminate the trouble.

I'm really intrigued that you also don't like tunic and leggings on yourself. Since we are similar body types and size, I wonder if it is something we're seeing in the proportions? I am pretty much ready to say no to this whole idea, much as I had hoped it would work for me. Alas.

Neel - when my daughter was as young as your kids, I lived in tees and jeans with ratty cardigans. No style whatsoever. So I hear you. That's why you are a hero to me -- you actually make the effort for those school runs!!

Lisa, I think the sporty luxe idea may have some traction for me. I do like my new sweatpants and sweatshirt a whole lot! Maybe I can find a couple more versions.

Angie, that is a really great reminder and so true. I think I feel more confident about my essentials, you know? My essentials are always going to be high quality modern classics.

When I first came to YLF I was worried that was boring, but now I have embraced it. And I pretty much always feel confident picking out my essentials, and won't hesitate to spend what I can afford on them, either. I know they will have staying power for me and I will love them.

Statements are trickier for me to purchase. First, because of the whole "giving myself permission" thing. Second, because I feel less confident that I can choose items that will actually please me. My recent failure with leggings and the Kenneth Cole draped sweater being two examples on point!

I'm really late to this thread, but I relate to your desire to have some spark and interest in casual clothes.

Here's a sweater that I think would look beautiful on you with your graceful neck and short hair. I have it in cobalt and absolutely love it, but I think the orchid color would be perfect for you. Whether it falls into the category of casual or not-so-casual (or both?) I don't know, and it is pricy, but of course there are sales all the time (I got mine on sale). Trust me that it looks better in person than in the pictures, and the turtleneck falls beautifully.

Suz, I've had several "lightbulb" moments while reading through this entire thread. Like you, I was delighted with my wardrobe last summer (for work, home, and occasions) but am having a harder time this fall. Last summer, I wore a big range of colors, several print shirts, and a few on-trend bottoms. Now I am looking at mostly black, grey, and navy, with a touch of burgundy and pink, in almost all solid colors. I've bought a lot of new items over the last year and have loved wearing most of them, but have noticed in the last couple weeks, as cold weather has settled in here, that I'm becoming just the tiniest bit discontent. Reading this made me realize I need color and textural variety in my winter clothes! I am another one of your fans who always checks out your fab outfits, and I will be watching with great interest as you refine your winter style.