My essentials: Better late than never?

Rather late to the post here, but since Angie has explained that understanding my own essentials and statements can help with wardrobe planning, I am going ahead with it as a thought experiment. I've been rather uninspired sartorially of late -- not taking WIW pics which is spotty anyway, but not even recording WIWs which I've done for several years now. Spring weather is too far away to dress for yet. And I haven't even been tempted to shop for the new season yet (just as well; true spring lasts about two weeks, and summer clothing is already disproportionately overrepresented in my wardrobe). So, perhaps a good time for more abstract analysis.

I think my essential categories are as follows:

1. White shirts
2. Pinstriped shirts
3. Black fitted turtlenecks and mocknecks
4. Menswear trousers (checks, pinstripes, tweeds) in mostly straight silhouettes, full length or ankle.
5. Black pants, in both skinny/straight and bootcut/flare iterations (fewer of the latter, because of winter footwear and spring mud).
6. Knee or midi length straight and tube skirts in neutrals (black, white, toffee)
7. Black dresses of varying sleeve lengths and unshowy silhouettes that work well as a canvas.
8. Breton striped Ts and sweaters of all sleeve lengths. More prominently featured in my spring/summer wardrobe, but it's too soon to think how much the rest varies in summer.

To balance this out I have to list my Statement categories. I'm a pretty minimal dresser so these are rarely flashy, but they are the interest- or variety-bearing part of the outfit:

1. Scarves: Square or long, I can never have too many, and wear them often
2. Chunky sweaters (cowl or turtleneck, and crewneck, mostly) in black, white, red, and combinations thereof.
3. Coloured shirts--red, black, navy
4. Print blouses, mostly black/white/red again, but recently added a navy one.
5. Gilets, vests, waistcoats, sweater vests
6. Midi skirts with flare: Pleats, gores, trumpet shapes. Culottes go here I think.
7. Pencil skirts (at/above the knee). These are subtle (largely grey and menswear prints) but my legs get noticed in them so they are statement.

Footwear I have to think of separately. A lot of black boots and booties. Ballet flats. Black and neutral menswear styles like loafers and oxfords, but worn with a dress or skirt they become the statement.

Well, there it is. Time will tell how useful this becomes.

8 years ago

Anonymous

I think you did a great job and this may be helpful to think of when you are tempted to buy a crazy floral miniskirt or bell bottoms in a cat print

Style Fan

Veteran

Great job. I see your style captured here. Joy made me laugh.

L'Abeille

Ahaha Joy. If I did, at least it would go with all my tops!

Although the temptation is more likely to come in the form of nautical striped BOTTOMS. Of which I own a couple, but they are rarely worn because they don't fit the template.

Staysfit

Nicely done! I think it paid off to wait a bit because I think you have been able to read all the other posts and have a wonderful sense of the "working definitions" of these terms. I love that you also included a list of your typical statement items.

I was thinking that the type of statement items a person chooses is often more unique to them than the type of essentials, although, Angie has said that an essential is often very personal. I believe statement pieces are also very personal and even more closely tied to an individual's uniquely identifiable style than their essentials, although that probably varies on whether a wardrobe is Statement heavy or Essential heavy.

Jenni NZ

Yes, great analysis. You inspired me to do mine. I'm on holiday but it's wet today and we've already watched some TV movies

viva

I really like seeing essentials along with statements. It gives me such a great snapshot of a person's style. I agree with Staysfit that statements are so personal too. And seeing both together is like seeing the most intimate ingredients all laid out. I may need to revisit my essentials list and add the statements too. Very inspiring.

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