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My current essentials list

Sal

Veteran

As I mentioned in an earlier post last year I defined what I see as my essentials. This is inspired by Angie of course, and Jenn.

I have attached the list as a photo as it is quite long.

What I did was evaluate what I would need (or want to be honest) if I had to start from scratch again to get dressed each day. I define some things quite loosely (work dress) and others quite tightly (black tank). Whilst some of these pieces could be statements (summer floral dress) to me having one is almost essential.

Inspired by Jenn I wrote minimum quantities as well. In many cases I have more than the minimum (eg I have three pairs of straight blue jeans - they are all different lengths, washes and cuts but they all fit that description). When one of my current pairs wear out, I may not replace them.... whereas if one pair of shorts wore out I would look to replace immediately.

For bottoms 13/17 of mine are in the essential category, but only 14/27 tops. I have more tops - I have a few that I don't wear often, and I have some completer type pieces as well.

I have included bags, sunglasses and coats here - but not gear or scarves.

If I only had these pieces I could live my life for pretty much all occasions. But I like to have more than a strict capsule wardrobe and I am happy to have fun statements and completer pieces.

From this there are three gaps that I will look to fill-

- work blouse (have a gap)
- long sleeve black top (have two but both showing wear)
- new puffer (my current one is only fit for winter walks in the dark!)

Let me know what you think and feel free to share your lists if you have one. It is a work in progress and I expect to evaluate the list annually as my tastes change.

(** I have just realised that I left off long sleeve summer blouse off the list - I always need one of these for our burning sun**)

Thanks in advance.

ETA: Have typed out the list below as I think the photo might be too small.

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21 replies

Latest reply was from Sal

Sal

Veteran

In case the photo is too small here is the list. This is the quantity I would want to have, in brackets is what I do have.

I have other pieces than those below (eg I have knee high boots and navy boots - but I don't consider these essential for me).

Sally 2020 essentials
black pants work 1 (1)
work pants other colour 2 (2)
blue straight jeans 2 (3)
summer light pants 2 (2)
casual lounge pants 1 (1)
shorts 2 (2)
easy summer skirts 2 (2)

navy short sleeve tee 1 (2)
black long sleeve knit 1 (2)
dressy black short sleeve 2 (2)
black tank top black 1 (1)
black and white striped tops 1 (1)
light neutral woven tops Ivory 2 (2)
basic winter sweaters 2 (2)
long cardigan 1 (1)
Work blouses 2 (1)

winter wool coat 1 (2)
blazer 2 (3)
light casual jacket 1 (1)
puffer 1 (1)
raincoat 1 (2)

black evening dresses 1 (3)
summer floral dresses 2 (3)
work appropriate dresses (summer and winter) 3 (5)

tan leather casual bag 1 (1)
smart work bag 1 (1)
small cross body bag 1 (2)
evening clutch 1 (5)
sunglasses 3 (3)

light coloured sneakers/flats 2 (3)
dressy work flats 1 (1)
dressy work pumps 1 (2)
tan sandals 1 (2)
black ankle boots 1 (1)
light ankle boots 1 (1)
casual black sandals 1 (1)
fun evening shoes 1 (2)
summer slides 1 (2)

rachylou

Veteran

Lol, I’m like *Oh no, essentials time is coming again.* Because once again, I can’t remember what an essential is. I think I have, what, two essentials: a long coat and combat boots. Having 1-3 of each essential listed I can wrap my head around, but I’m not sure I could do the math of having more than two essential types...

Runcarla

Veteran

Sal, I’m thinking your list above contains more than just your essentials per Angie’s identification, since ‘work pants - other colour’ could end up being a statement if that colour was a bright or bold colour, as could a patterned dress. Maybe your list is more a representation of what you need for a functional wardrobe, including essentials, statements and completer items?

Essentials is a hard concept. In 2019 I asked if red items might be considered essentials, and was informed they were statements - even if I treated them like neutrals! Here’s Angie’s 2020 blog on the topic. It includes a link to the 2019 blog on the same topic. https://youlookfab.com/2020/02.....-for-2020/ I found it quite helpful.

The glue that holds my closet together, or essentials makes up a quarter of my closet, and is currently quite dark. It comprises black, (dark) blue, white, and striped garments. I have other neutrals, but have not committed to any of them enough that they have become essentials. (I’m thinking olive, beige, and possibly merlot could be contenders.) I do need to restock white jeans, and I’m thinking of adding ‘plain’ white t-shirts. Here is a link to my collection of essentials. https://youlookfab.com/finds/c.....ction=9432

@ rachylou - I think of basics as items you don’t ‘see’ like undergarments, socks and hosiery, and fitness kit.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

It is a comprehensive list!
I found the Essentials concept a little difficult and put quite a lot of thought into it the first year on YLF, which was 2017 for me. I wrote a big post which I must look back on!
I found there was a lot of black on my list actually, for someone who likes colour. It was often pants or jackets, or layering tops to wear under more floaty top layers that were statements. Well done on the work, it should serve you well.

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Rachy and Jenni! Essentials are weird.

Carla - I think you are right.... there are workhorses here that are not essentials. My other work pants are light brown and white - so not statements - but maybe not true essentials... same with the summer floral dresses, some of the work dresses (bar two) the party sandals and the easy skirts. The rest probably are that wardrobe glue that I need to get dressed.

I might revamp it later today.

Thanks for the insight - I have developed a basic capsule here which if I had to pack lightly for six months in a variety of weather - would work!

LaPed

Veteran

I love this kind of list, and my attitude is this: your definition of "essentials" may not quite line up with Angie's, but if it works for you then you should roll with it! Maybe "core pieces" would be another way of framing it. I bet certain statement pieces (like a summery floral dress) are core to your style. I've been trying to come up with a similar list, but these days the only things that feel "essential" are gear; everything else is something of a novelty...

Sal

Veteran

That’s a good term La Pedestrienne! My goal is for me to retain my focus on the sorts of pieces that work for me - not getting distracted by things that work for others.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Absolutely don’t get too distracted by what works for others. An example for me is any sort of wide legs- which I know work for you and other forum members plus some extended family members of mine- but on me at 5 foot 1 the whole idea just leaves me cold- *for me*. You seem to have a great handle on your own style and this kind of list will keep you on track- whatever you call it!

nemosmom

Veteran

Ditto, LaPed! Why can't one person's statement can be another person's essential, when it is core to their style (like your floral dress)?

I like the idea of "core pieces" - or what would I replace first, if my whole closet was gone tomorrow? I have tried to define a set of my own core-type pieces but I always get hung up on the details Your list is a great inspiration!

Anonymous

That's a lot of essentials! I think mine have gotten down to:

Pull on black tops- long sleeve and sleeveless (for all capsules)
Pull on black pants for all capsules- silouettes may vary
Pull on black skirt (skort is the gear version)- silouettes may vary
Lbd
Black and cognac shoes for all range of temps
Raincoat
Long puffer
Long wool coat
Short thin puffer
Glasses for driving
Sunnies (rx and cheapo)
Gloves

Runcarla

Veteran

I think I go on my merry way acquiring things that bring me joy with some thought, some feeling, and a certain amount of serendipity. It is only in retrospect that I realize there are items or groupings that fit categories established by stylists - like Angie. When I’m struggling with a particular outfit, or even my style, I dig a little deeper into the analysis to figure out where I got the recipe wrong. Since Angie (the stylist I follow the most closely) has periodic reviews of style concepts, I use her prompts to evaluate certain concepts in a regular way, and it keeps me on track.

Since I’m purposefully not buying black items, and purposefully acquiring colour and patterned items, I suspect my essentials will either shrink in ratio to other items (statements, completers, etc.) or I will inadvertently create a new essentials capsule. I probably won’t realize this until I do a retrospective analysis.

Sal

Veteran

OK, I have revised the list to include only the essentials. And taken off core pieces that are workhorses, and needed, but not true essentials.

2021 Essentials List

black pants work 1 (1)
blue straight jeans 2 (3)
neutral summer light pants 2 (2)
casual lounge pants 1 (1)
neutral shorts 2 (2)

navy short sleeve tee 1 (2)
black long sleeve knit 1 (2)
dressy black short sleeve 2 (2)
black tank top black 1 (1)
black and white striped tops 1 (1)
light neutral woven tops Ivory 2 (2)
neutral basic winter sweaters 2 (2)

neutral blazer 2 (2)

black evening dresses 1 (3)
black work dress 1 (2)

tan leather casual bag 1 (1)
smart work bag 1 (1)
small cross body bag 1 (1)
sunglasses 3 (3)

light coloured sneakers/flats 2 (3)
dressy neutral work pumps 1 (2)
tan sandals 1 (2)
black ankle boots 1 (1)
light ankle boots 1 (1)
casual black sandals 1 (1)

Suz

(website)

Veteran

The second list sounds more like an essentials list than the first one, which sounded more like a "workhorse" list. This is an excellent process, though, because it forces one to think through what really does hold the wardrobe together!

A person with a small to moderate and well curated closet will by necessity have a lot of workhorses -- and those may feel important (as indeed they are). But they may be statements vs. true essentials.

Runcarla

Veteran

I would venture to add that your essentials are either black, blue, white, or warm beige/tan/toffee.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

*applause*

Sal, I just finished writing the annual Wardrobe Essentials blog post, so your timing is impeccable.

I LOVE the way you think things through, follow through, but with plenty of emotion and are always realistic. You put in the work and reap the reward!

This:

"But I like to have more than a strict capsule wardrobe and I am happy to have fun statements and completer pieces" = 100% percent SIMPAT style.

Like Suz and Carla have suggested, I see statement items creeping into your essentials list. Your eyewear makes a huge statement, for example, as do some of your floral dresses and brighter skirts, tops and jackets. Essentials are quiet and neutral.

I like La Ped's description of "Core Items", which is much what an essential is.

My suggestion is to scale back your list to the real essentials. I can help you if you get stuck. FWIW, here are mine on this leg of my style journey. The post will embellish my thoughts on each category, but here are the visuals in the meantime because it might help you with your own list:

https://youlookfab.com/finds/c.....ction=9439

https://youlookfab.com/finds/c.....ction=9444

https://youlookfab.com/finds/c.....ction=9445

https://youlookfab.com/finds/c.....ction=9443

https://youlookfab.com/finds/c.....ction=9442

https://youlookfab.com/finds/c.....ction=9441

https://youlookfab.com/finds/c.....ction=9440

https://youlookfab.com/finds/c.....ction=9436

https://youlookfab.com/finds/c.....ction=9437

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Angie, Suz and Carla. Yes I think I am getting there.

I have created a collection
https://youlookfab.com/finds/c.....ction=9450

Yes Carla - mostly black, camel/tan, off white with a smattering of navy, pale blue and blush.

I think I was getting confused with workhorses and essentials. And there is a grey area where Rayban aviators might be essentials to me but a statement to someone else.

I am trying to reduce the black but it still pays a key part.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Sal, the point that is confusing is that statement pieces can be workhorses too! Many of my statement pieces are, but they are not essentials. My red specs are statement workhorses - but not a quiet essential. My citron coat and bag are workhorses - but not quiet essentials.

As for your RayBan aviators, they can probably go either way...essential or statement piece. I tend to think of them as more of a statement because they are gold, big, and shiny. They pop big time when you wear them!

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Angie! I look forward to your post in the upcoming weeks.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think maybe where those of us with moderate-to-small wardrobes get confused is we have (by necessity) fewer statement items, and because of that, relatively more of those statement items become workhorses for us, which leads us sometimes to think of our workhorse statements as "essential."

What might be crucial is having some workhorse statement item for each season. Or a certain number (say 3). The items themselves are not essential but including statements in the closet is crucial. That, too, leads us to think of it as "essential." But we are thinking of the category vs. specific items, then.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

I love reading this the insight to your wardrobe is amazing. Trying to figure out how to apply this approach

Sal

Veteran

Yes I think you are right Suz....I definitely lean to having a mix of statements and essentials (with not many completer type pieces in the mix).

LeDonna - not sure that I am an expert!