Struggling with Essentials :)

So, I really struggle with this concept of essentials (as I’ve noted all over other folks’ threads). I thought I'd attempt a data-driven approach and just look at my wardrobe numbers and see if any categories jump out at me.

Categories where I have multiples:

Wool trousers (different fits and all patterned, no solids -- but that might just be a fluke of availability) -- these might actually be statements? They tend to require “boring” tops and my general MO is to dress them down with basics like sweatshirts, henley's, graphic tees, etc.
Merino jersey dresses (again, a couple different cuts, and a mix of colours and patterns) -- these feel essential in an FFBO kind of way. Two out of three get worn year-round; one is winter-only. I’ve been buying the same Icebreaker style for years and keep replacing it with the same… finally wised up and got two: one solid, one striped.
Flannel shirts (my fall staple top) -- I could possibly just expand this category to tailored-but-casual shirts, to account for the two oxford shirts and two chambray shirts that I wear in warmer weather. Perhaps: tailored, menswear-inspired shirts? Anything too long/blousy/billowy/oversized becomes a statement, because I’m mostly wearing them over straight or wide bottoms.
Levis 501s (the bulk of my jeans -- and they get recycled into shorts when the knees bust). I keep replacing them with the same thing, so...
Breton tops (my spring staple top) -- or maybe just horizontal stripes in general? My rugby stripe sweater and tee feel pretty indispensable too.
Solid colour tank tops (The Supima tanks from Uniqlo are my go-to in this category. Icebreaker used to make a merino version with a comparable fit that I loved even more, but they discontinued that model, so for now I’m stuck with cotton.) Again, these might actually be basics, even though I wear them as standalone tops in the summer?
Black and navy footwear (sturdy but not overly chunky/stompy because I don't like physically heavy shoes, minimal heel) -- I have shoes in other colours, love shoes in other colours, but black and navy are my go-to support acts. Anything else is a statement.
Leggings (four pairs -- which basically works out to one cropped pair for summer, one wool pair for winter, and two for the rest of the year) -- essential in the sense that my dresses wouldn’t get much play without them. Maybe these should be considered basics, since they function as hosiery, except that they don’t fall apart on me.
Hoodies (again, I have four, in varying weights and fabrications, and they get worn so, so much, year round. Wool in the winter, cotton in the summer (and cotton ones at home in the winter, tbh)
Striped summer dresses -- I have three, or four if you add in the striped merino dress which is a year-round piece. These might be statements? I love that they are standalone outfits that need very little embellishment.

From this list, I suspect that I use my toppers as statements -- or maybe “wildcard element” is a better term than statement. That outer layer on top is the style modifier -- dress down with a field jacket, or up with a blazer; make it cozier with a wool sweater, breezier with a cotton sweater, etc.

6 years ago

Cardiff girl

Veteran

I m beginning to think that for me defining essentials is a bit like the theory of relativity.Someone explains it to you,you think that you understand it but when someone else asks you to explain it suddenly you can’t remember how it went.This is no help to you at all is it!I just meant to say that I understand how tricky it can be and your way seems as good a way to do it as anybody else’s.I hope that clarified things for you?!!

Suz

(website)

I'd rule out leggings -- put them in the basics category since that is how you wear them. Do the tanks have a similar function? It depends whether they're worn mostly alone or mostly as a base layer, I guess.

I'd rule in the 501s, the black/ navy footwear, hoodies, and I'd adapt the headings of two others: casual dress for all seasons, and menswear inspired shirt for all seasons.

Not sure about wool trousers.

Emily K

It IS difficult. I think Cardiff girl has it right I like the category of "tailored menswear-inspired shirts" and I think the 501's deserve to be essentials. The patterned pants seem like statement items, to me, since they require thought as to the companion piece and aren't "blenders-in". As you suggest, there might be a category of "sporty-stripe knitwear" that encompasses the bretons, the rugby shirts, and whatever else may come down the pike.

Does the question seem different if you think about how you'd use the categories to move forward and to address new and as-yet-unknown purchase opportunities instead of describing what you've done so far? If I did that, I'd be thinking of "a top that goes with all this other stuff" and then I'd realize that it's a black or navy long sleeve with an open neck--and that would be the definition of the essential.

LaPed

Hah, Cardiff girl, yes! Who knew fashion was as mind-boggling as physics.

Emily K -- Oh, I like "Sporty Striped Knitwear" -- that sounds very accurate! And, yes, "the top that goes with other stuff" -- I'm dealing with this right now, regarding (mainly) my patterned pants. I have come to the conclusion that it is either a) a tailored menswear inspired shirt in a solid colour, a perfect-fitting ribbed/textured turtleneck (HEWI), or a solid-colour statement sweater. I can pattern mix on occasion, but most of the time I don't particularly want to. This winter has made me realize that Every. Single. One. of my button-front shirts is patterned in some way. Desperately need to add a couple of solid ones, probably white and light blue. I guess thus begins the quest for the Perfect White Shirt, eh?

Suz -- I think that's about right. I have a hard time figuring out how broad vs how specific these categories need to be. It could be that my summer tank tops are part of some larger category, and I just haven't built any variety into that category. They're magical because I wear them year-round -- as a bottom layer in cold weather, and on their own when it's very hot. I think my all time favourite base outfit is a black tank top with a pair of olive chinos. If it all fits just right, it's incomparably good, exudes just enough toughness, and you can pair just about any shoes and topper imaginable with it.

I think casual dresses are an essential, too. I'd estimate at least once-a-week wear during the winter, and more often than that when it's warmer.

The seasonal variations really stymie me!

Your Perfect White Shirt might be another constituent in the Tailored Menswear-inspired group.

I like the categories I'm seeing like, "Brightly Colored Tees--sleeveless in Summer and long-sleeved in Winter" or "Navy and Black Tops--T-neck in Winter and V-neck in Summer". These kinds of categories show parity and continuity of the wardrobe idea across the seasons. Cee did it so well on another thread! Can you remix your catagories to embrace this idea? Does it make sense for you? Like, Patterned Button-ups--striped in Summer and plaid in Winter.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Take out the wool checked trousers - statements.

Take out the leggings - basics.

Rest looks spot on.

Gaylene

Well, not sure if this helps, but here are my definitions:

Basics:
Required to maintain decency
Replaced when gets tatty (although I KNOW I ought to do it more frequently)
Nicer if good quality but I have to force myself not to cheap out here to have more $$$ to spend on fun stuff
Gets torn into rags for household chores or tossed into the garbage at the end of its lifespan

Essentials:
Always in the laundry so gets worn out faster than It should
Knowing an exact duplicate in pristine condition exists in my closet is always comforting
Finding the “perfect” version at the right price is cause for celebration
Causes me anguish if the manufacturer decides to quit making said “perfect” version or changes its design or fit
Despite initial resistance, must update “perfect” version to keep style current so probably good that manufacturer does stop making it
When no longer suitable to be worn in public, often worn for at the cottage, or for gardening, or household chores

Regular Stuff:
Stays in my closet and remains in reasonably regular rotation until I need a style refresh or my lifestyle changes
Chosen to be functional for specific events and situations
May be purged and recycled when it gets “old” to my eyes or my needs change
NOTE: Sometimes a Regular piece gets transformed into an Essential if it becomes a core element for several outfits.

Statements:
Gasp when I see it on me and know I MUST have it in my closet
Makes me smile when I see myself in the mirror
Often stays in my closet—or holding area—for years because I can’t bear to let it go to another home
Can still elicit compliments even when I’ve had it for years because it is so right for me
Makes a statement about who I am and how I like to be perceived by others

Jaime

Oh I like Gaylene's definitions. I love definitions. Who said philosophy majors are useless !

Hmm, interesting definitions, Gaylene. I don't think I've ever missed/mourned an essential. I hold grudges against companies when they discontinue my favourite basics -- I've definitely mourned bras, underwear, leggings, and tank tops (as mentioned above) when they're redesigned or discontinued. I've had a few statements I had a hard time letting go of, but usually statements start to give me some fatigue by the time they're worn out anyway.

Okay, actually: I will be sad when my black wool hoody is gone. It is my essential hoody, and is going to be almost impossible to replace. I can't remember a time when I didn't have a black hoody, but this wool one is by far the best and hardest-working one I've ever had.

So, I'll say:

Black hoody
Casual dresses for all seasons
Sporty striped knitwear
Tailored menswear-inspired shirts
501s in a variety of washes/colours
Black and navy footwear

Wool trousers are statements, leggings and tank tops are basics.

Lynn

I am struggling with this too, La Pedestrienne so can't help at all.
Gaylene's descriptions help a lot- thanks Gaylene

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