My essentials - YouLookFab Forum

I feel I should apologize for being so spotty on here lately. Life is so crazy at the moment. I have been reading almost every post, but hate typing on my phone, so tend to put off replying until a “later” that just never comes.

I have been reading the essential posts with great interest, and appreciate every single one of them, as well as all the replies. Many of the nuggets have resonated with me, and I think have helped me figure this out.

I have always struggled with “essentials”, and I think the reason is that I have such a large wardrobe, there is never a laundry bottleneck, if I have a hole, I just pick something else. I also have many silhouettes that I wear, depending on weather, season, weight, etc, which also minimizes the “essential” items.

But given that, there are still some things that if Ididn’t have, I’d go right out and buy. And grab when I see a “good” version, because I know I’ll use it sometime. This may not be the whole list, but it’s a start. I hope to add to this as time goes on, and as I understand it better (about myself)

So, primarily with winter in mind, to get started:

Black long sleeved tees. Various necklines. Worn casually, with a hoodie and lounge pants, under sweaters, or with jackets and cardigans to work.

Black and white striped tees. My go-to top for casual wear across all seasons.

Slim black pants: backdrop for tunic length sweaters. Both casual and work.

Black and navy pants with a wider leg, for work. To wear with shorter tops.

Black boots: high, booties, and snow boots. All need to be weatherproof. Considering how much I wear my winter Cons, I almost consider them essential these days as well. Given I duplicated my black ones, as I can’t imagine being without them, maybe I’ve already answered that!

Black sandals (I know, not winter, but a definite essential)

Jeans: One pair dark wash trouser jeans, for work. Boyfriend or slim jeans for casual. Trendier jeans for casual. Blue and black. I don’t think any of my jeans could be classified as statement.

Black and navy cardigans (to wear with patterned bottoms)
Black and navy sweaters (to wear with patterned bottoms)

Outerwear: Black (or navy) coat for various temperatures. Ranging from super warm, to a spring/summer rain coat.

Purse: Black in winter, silver in summer.

So, a lot of this is black. I also wear a LOT of navy, and outfits based on navy. But I’m not sure if it’s as essential, or just for a change. You’ll also not there are hardly any tops listed here… this is because I think most of them are statement. Colour, pattern.

I am going to post this now, because if I don’t, more days will pass before I get back to it. I’d love feedback from anyone who knows my style, as to what you think, what am I missing? I just hope that it hasn’t been so long since I posted WIW’s (and I suspect it has) that nobody had anything to offer!

Thanks in advance!

6 years ago

Anonymous

Just a thought about getting away from some black...metallics like pewter for shoes and bags or black and white ( or black and grey) to pull in the black but lighten things up a bit.
What about scarves? I have seen some in your photos. I have been on a search for scarves that have both black and navy in the pattern, maybe a bit of white too. It can pull black and navy together. JJill has a new one that I am stalking for a sale that is a floral that also includes a bit of yellow.
Great for spring. I will try for a Find when I get on the desktop.

LaPed

Veteran

Hi five, black and navy! Your black/white/navy backdrop allows your statement brights to really pop. I wear a very similar set of neutrals but combine them quite differently. Whereas you up the crispness by adding brights and metallics (as do Angie and Suz, I'd say), I'm often toning down the crispness by adding earthier colours.

Bonnie

Your list looks good to me.

Helena

Looks perfect for you Elizabeth!

carter

It seems like denim jackets and dresses used to be in heavy rotation in your WIWs. No longer? Or just not essentials?

Carla

Looks like you've got it down pat. Just throwing it out there, but what about adding white bottoms as an essential? FWIW, I think our essentials lists are similar.

Elizabeth P

Joy, I’m a big fan of silver, esp for footwear. I have silver sandals, silver booties, and patent grey (which is close enough) oxfords. I’m just not sure they are essentials.... I’d say the silver sandals are, and will add them to my summer list. But the booties? Not sure. I also wear a lot of scarves, but again, am not sure if and which I’d call essential. If you have found a scarf with black, navy, and white in it, PLEASE SHARE. This is a HEWI for me, and has been for several years.

Carter, they are, I’m just not sure they are essential. And this is where I get bogged down, and don’t bother with my list :). Essential to my style, esp summer style, sure. But each individual dress? I’d say essential. Except perhaps for a LBD that gets worn with cardigans, and toppers... I’ll think about adding one of those.

Carla, you’re absolutely right. White jeans/bottoms would be an essential for me for the summer. Not the winter, which is what I was concentrating on here. Will add them for sure, as I expand my list to be more universal. Thanks!

Thanks LaP, TG and Bonnie.

Suz

(website)

Sounds good to me, Elizabeth! Makes sense given your WIWs.

Sal

I think you have it right.

In essence I don’t think it matters too much if something is a strict essential or not..,.,for example if your silver booties got lost you might replace them with another pair of fun boots -so they are not essential - but they fill a hole in the wardrobe.

I have a wine coloured dress with cream spots that fills a real hole - work appropriate but also fun, great in fall and spring weather, perfect for school events. But if it disappeared I would replace it with maybe a blue dress or even pants and a top.

Think I am rambling now!!

But what helps me is to know in my mind that I like to have about five different black tops - different fabrics and styles - and this is essential to allow me to wear patterned skirts, kimono jackets and culottes. If one disappears I can cope - but if I only had two I would struggle and have several orphans.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

*APPLAUSE*

You nailed it, Elizabeth. Well done.

Definitely think your black arctic hi-tops are essentials. Mine are in white.

Thanks Angie! If I've nailed this so far, I think I have the right idea to keep going, expand on this list and bring in more seasons. I suspect some of the categories will cover all of them... black boots can be expanded to black footwear, for example.

I have the hi-tops in white as well. They very well may creep in to my essential list as well, need to think about that. I took them with me at Christmas, and wore them a lot, but have been reaching for the black ones since then.

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