Litmus test to spot a workhorse?

Stephanie

Sorry to start another thread, but I am reflecting on my bad shopping habits (i.e. buying things that don't fit me properly and/or which I don't wear, for whatever reason). I think my basic problem is this: I don't, while shopping, seem to have a strong sense of what I will wear a lot. Angelic choruses play in my head all the time, but that doesn't turn out to mean very much. For instance, if it's at a good price and good quality, I'll often pick up something that seems like a 'good basic.' But then I won't wear it. Or I'll buy something that I can imagine a few different ways to wear, but I'm not really crazy about any of them, and so I won't wear it.

On the other hand this spring I tracked down some gladiator sandals from Nine West in black leather, and they were having some kind of buy-one-get-one-half-off sale, and I impulsively had them ship the same sandals in beige leather too. That turned out to be a *fantastic* decision. I wear the beige more than I wear the black (though they were both good purchases).

So my question to you is: do you have a litmus test for what you ought to buy? Things that feel 'fab' in the store often turn out not to be so fab, in my experience. But something that you're not particularly seeking can turn out to be something you really should buy. Tell me your secrets!

15 years ago

Shopping

12 replies

Latest reply was from

MNsara

Veteran

Good question! Because I would love to recognize a 'workhorse' when I see it in a store, not after the season ends and I know if I wore it a lot or not. . .

15 years ago

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Well, fit can mean something is a workhorse, and that you can usually tell in the store. Also a great deal (on something you would have bought anyway, note!).

Stuff like a hard-wearing fabric or what outfits it will coordinate with aren't as easy to know right off the bat, and sometimes you just have to see and note it as you go. I think it's worth analyzing the real workhorses in your wardrobe and trying to figure out why they're so - is it the fit, or the color, or the comfort? And what pieces might you need to make those 'almost' garments into workhorses.

For me sometimes it's serendipity, and sometimes it's choosing a brand, style or color combo that I know has worked for me before.

Taking pictures of your outfits can help a lot. You can analyze what's working a bit more objectively than just looking in the mirror, and you have concrete documentation of what you wore and how often. I've been known to make lists of what I've worn and counted up wearings - then again, the stuff that barely stays in the drawer because it's always being worn or in the laundry is pretty obvious. But the little things (often accessories but sometimes layering options) that make an outfit come together aren't always worn everyday, but are essential when they are needed.

15 years ago

bj1111

Veteran

target for shoes, ssshhhhh. i've gotten 3 pairs, 2 sandals 1 pair denim wedge espadrilles, and loved every one.

i also go through crushes and will want to wear an item all the time until i get tired. did thid with a theory bf jacket and the br martin pants. will probably happen with a new leather jacket.

15 years ago

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I think it is sometimes a trial and error (unless you are Angie or shop with her:-))
What I do lately (and it seems to work for me) is to plan what I need to buy in terms of basics. If I do not plan I may not have the right pieces in my wardrobe and it is really hard to build successful outfits without good basics.
When I bring an item home I try to style it with what I already have and take pictures if possible. It is amazing how pictures help you to see more clearly that just in the mirror!
I may also post my new purchases here and get a feedback. Usually if I get a negative feedback I return the piece. However even when feedback is positive I still may return the item if I do not feel it works well for my style in possible outfit combinations.

15 years ago

shell

Active Member

Good question! I know I've made plenty of impulse purchases in my past! And I still do!

For me, workhorses need to be versatile. If you're trying something on and can picture it working in three or four different outfits, there's a good chance it will be a workhorse! Of course, this is assuming that you like to wear a wide variety of styles, silhouettes, etc. as I do. If you have a pretty standard "uniform", you may not need to come up with three or four different ways to wear the item.

Once I've decided if the item will work in my wardrobe, I assess the fit (if it doesn't fit well, it will probably just sit in my closet) and how fabulous it makes me feel.

15 years ago

Maya

Veteran

I can't tell what will be a workhorse while I'm shopping. That's just not the right way to go about it, IMO.

Many times when I get dressed, I think "this would be so much better with a vest/jacket/light wash jeans/cocoon cardigan/whatever." If the same thing keeps popping up in my mind over and over again, I'll know it will be a workhouse.

15 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

This is a great question.

I believe that sometimes you *do* know and therefore you can chase the item. I knew that my new SW OTK boots would be wardrobe work horses - and they are. I am going to live in them for the next 6 months - along with my Gap leans which I duplicated in exactly the same wash yesterday.

At other items you need to road test looks in order to identify wardrobe work horses. Like my citron trench. I didn't think it would come out as often as my cream or black trench - but it's coming out more. Who knew!

15 years ago

Kate

Veteran

I've been trying to figure this out too. What I've found so far is that my workhorses tend to be basic (not trendy or too detailed), in a neutral color, and fit well. My beige sandals get worn more than my teal ones, my brown cardi gets worn more than my purple one, and the only bottoms I have that aren't workhorses are colored skirts. (I've sworn off buying colored skirts until ALL of the ones I own have been worn into the ground! I love some of them, but colored bottoms are not worth the trouble!) Also, some workhorses I have known will be workhorses because they fill gaps. I kept thinking "I wish I had a 2-3" tan waist belt," so I bought one, and I've worn it at least once a week (and sometimes 2 or 3 times a week) since I bought it.

15 years ago

Scarlet

Veteran

In terms of finding a workhorse, I can't say because I don't think in terms of single pieces any more as much as I do in terms of outfits. I try not to let the goodness of a deal influence my buying decision and I don't buy anything that I don't know at least one outfit I want to wear it with. I often repeat outfits or silhouettes. I don't necessarily feel the need to be able to wear something in many different ways.

Curious though, angelic choruses for me would mean I am super-excited about what I am buying and that almost always turns out well. Where does this go wrong for you?

15 years ago

Lisa

Veteran

I'm new to identifying what a work horse is or isn't. I started writing down my daily outfits and notice which items are worn the most on a weekly basis. Now I am keeping an eye on how long the items lasts and if I am satisfied with the wear-price ratio may duplicate in the future. Also sometimes I purchase an item at a cheaper price to test if I like it, then if I do I seek out a pricey version as an investment piece.

15 years ago

Auburn

Veteran

Like a few others, for me my closet workhorses are a combo of some predictable basics and unexpected splurges. The latter are far easier to identify and plan for. By way of example, black pants and a black pencil skirt that fit well, whatever the price point, are going to be things you wear again and again...and again. At least they are for me.
Last year I made two unplanned (and pricier purchases) that have become veritable bargains if you consider the all important price per wear: a long but thin cashmere Magaschoni cardigan with gold buttons and a pair of basic black Louboutin pumps. I probably wear both at least twice a week and, a year later, they show very little signs of wear.

So, unfortunately, there's no magic formula here. A first step is to identify basics and/or obvious wardrobe gaps and then set about filling them with the best fitting items in your price point. Angie has some great lists on what these items might be. If it's the shopping process itself that is problematic, perhaps bring a friend along for input? Another idea is to only shop for basics at stores with generous return policies so that you can let items sit in your closet, with tags on, to determine if they'll really be the kind of thing you wear and wear.

Once you get some of your basics sketched in, I find that identifying brands has really worked for me. I know that a Tory Burch dress is almost always a winning look for me and so it has helped me find great buys via online and in store sales which makes the price tag more bearable. For me, buying fewer items at a higher price point has helped me build a closet that works.

Bottomline: don't get yourself too stressed out about it. I think Angie would back me up in saying that fashion should be fun! If you're pulling your hair out about past purchases gone wrong then maybe you should consider taking a shopping break, doing what the SYC girls are doing, and then getting back into the game when you know what you want and can feel really good about your purchases! Just a thought...easier said than done, of course!

15 years ago

Anonymous

For me, a workhorse is defined as a piece that I wear often and goes with lots of different things and I want to take it when I travel and when the season ends, I am sad that I can't wear it anymore.

How you indentify in the store if an item is a workhorse is kinda hard. It seems like its more of a hindsight issue...when I am buying it, I'm not sure how it will play with the other clothes but once its home and I start reaching for it often, I declare it a workhorse.

I thought that if I got a white button front shirt, I would have a sure fire work horse in my wardrobe. But it hangs in the closet unworn. My long, drapy black knit vest I wore ALL. THE. TIME last winter and now that its cooling down again, I'm excited to have it come out and play again. I originally bought it on a whim but I love it so much and goes with everything! That one was a surprise in hindsight.

I know an item is a workhorse if I start researching a better quality replacement when I see signs of wear and tear and feel a little panicky if I can't find anything.

15 years ago

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