Sterling, Angie, and Sarah, thanks for strengthening my resolve on the "maybes"!
SarahD8, I'm pretty sure it is just the fabric I mentioned, although the elastic at the bottom of the stars shirt doesn't help its case any. Good point on starter items.
Thanks Shevia, for the upvote on the pants.
Joy, sounds like a familiar path. The Asos shirt does have those nice textural stripes, so that helps.
Shevia and Sal, maybe I'll eventually know enough labels in general to be able to recognize good ones at Asos. Right now I clearly don't. The sweater is French Connection, which I thought I had seen at Nordy's.
Sal, I feel like winter is prime plaid time, and I'm rarely at home in that pattern.