My essentials - YouLookFab Forum

This year sort of clarified the essentials for me (and now that I think about it, not just for my wardrobe!)

Mine are:
1. high rise bootcut jeans- blue, black
2. skinny jeans- blue, grey/black
3. Vneck cotton Tshirts- blue, grey, black
4. sneakers (sort of borderline between athletic and fashion)
5. ankle boots (neutral, low)
6. zip sweatshirts- yep, blue and grey
7. puffer- one short and light, one super warm

Borderline essentials:
Last year I would have included Vneck wool sweaters as essentials, but I don't find these so essential anymore since I don't leave the house as much and don't want to deal with the hand washing.

I also often wear a pullover sweater or long sleeve knit top, and maybe these are essentials. But I feel like if any of these wore out, I might replace it with something different- whereas for the list above I have either already duplicated or would try and find a very close or exact replacement.

Some revelations:
Although I have some statement items (colorful blouses, print scarves, plaid shirts), much of the rest of my wardrobe I would call "subtle statements". Many of these are slightly jazzed-up versions of the essentials- for example, the same bootcuts but in corduroy, the same skinnies but in burgundy. I'm not really a statement kind of person, so some of my statements are probably similar to other people's essentials. They might be the most interesting thing about an outfit, but they are not super statement-y.

I don't often wear jeans in the high summer, but I don't really have an essential bottom for that season- I might wear a dress or cropped pants at home, but can't wear those to work. Every summer I try to find new pants to wear and then am not especially satisfied with my choices. I get 1 or 2, and wear them a lot because I need to get dressed, but then put summer pants on the list for next year. I need to find my "essential" summer pants! Something that I can rely on, that is full length but ok to wear both out in the heat (at least briefly) and to work in the lab.

Thanks for reading, that was helpful to write down.

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3 years ago

Tanya

Veteran

This is a great analysis, Julie, and I think all the items you identified are true essentials indeed. What you are referring to as jazzed-up essentials is a category that I think Angie calls "completers" (items between essentials and statements).

As for the tops, I think if they are simple sweaters or knitted top in your neutrals, they are probably essentials. For example, if you would replace a simple black knitted top with another simple black knitted top, albeit very different in cut, texture, etc.; then black tops are your essentials. But if you can dress without any black knit tops of any kind and would replace a worn out one with a florals blouse, then it is certainly not an essential.

Jenni NZ

I like your piece about trying to find a very close or exact replacement, Julie. I had to do that in the past year with some slim black ponte pants and some cropped white summer pants. I figured those were definitely essential for me and had to go on a specific hunt for them ( slim pants harder to find ATM).

Anonymous

I'd call those corderoy pants "completers" too. I think of completers as non neutral, or neutral but not core neutral, simpler pieces. Nice coats!

Julie

Active Member

Oh, ok! I guess I had forgotten about this completer category. I think I have a lot of those. Thanks!

Tanya yes- I think you are right; a long sleeve pullover sweater (grey or blue) would be essential to me...I'm just more flexible about neckline and material for this one.

Sal

Interesting and love your denim collection.

And I do think the line between a completer and a statement varies from person to person.

Style Fan

Great denim collection. I find completers confusing. Finding warm weather pants has always been a challenge for me.

Suz

(website)

What you say about not having an essential bottom for warmer weather rang true for me, too. I don't wear denim much in high summer. And I tend to wear statement skirts or dresses then. The tops would be the neutral items in the outfits, whereas in winter, it's more often the reverse. Interesting...

Runcarla

When I first read your post and saw the images, I felt like something was missing. Seeing the additions further down makes me think ‘Bingo’! She’s got it.

The blue sneakers with red trim are more of a statement though. They would definitely draw the eye in any outfit combination you put them into. I like that you have identified blue and grey as key colours for your essentials. Have you managed to eliminate black from your closet? Is white a ‘no go’?

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Well done, Julie! You get it. And I echo everything Tanya said.

Suz- Yes, that makes sense to me... maybe I should be open to more statement pants in the summer. I had some nice print palazzo-like pants one year but then I put them in the drier by accident. Sigh.

Carla and Angie, yes I am learning! I see now that Tanya is wise.

Carla, hmm in this context my blue sneakers really do look like they have more pizazz than an essential should. But when worn with blue bootcuts, they sort of blend. Maybe I would have more options if I had a purely neutral pair.
Blue and grey are definitely my essential colors! I do have quite a bit of black- pants/jeans, summer Tshirts, a summer casual dress, a puffy vest. But I don't wear it as my main top in winter, and have much more dark grey in my wardrobe.
As for white, I have only the tiniest bit in a few prints. You know how one of Angie's super powers is keeping white wardrobe items clean? I am the opposite of that. I don't think it is especially flattering for me anyway, so I don't miss it.

Christina F.

Something you would replace if worn out is a great way to think of essentials.

I too don’t really have a summer bottom essential. I do wear shorts (especially during the last year because I was home more) but I don’t think of them that way. Maybe I should. I do have some navy linen pants that might fit the bill... food for thought.

Gotcha!

rachylou

Good thoughts!

You have me thinking about my white sweaters, which fell off my essentials list this year. White knits aren’t so hot for the rough and tumble of my home life... but I remember realising one day I had a lot of white sweaters... lots of variations and many with interesting detail... but the long and short of it was they were all white sweaters and I seemed to find them extremely useful (!)

Jaime

Long summer pants are a tricky one. But your list makes perfect sense.

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