Sloper, I assume you mean that rhetorically, right? Have you ever seen an article about somebody pulling together a 5PFW from stuff she already has? Even better for sales, the idea of chic & sleek has a lot of people discarding their pre-existing wardrobe, so they’re ripe to buy more after a few rounds. Or there’s this take on it, in which the 5 pieces are on top of everything else https://www.mademois-elle.com/.....challenge/

FWIW, I researched the 5PF pretty extensively when I first started it, and it was conceived by a capsule wardrobe blogger who leaned toward minimalism, and she did pull most of her essentials from her current wardrobe. It wasn’t an “industry” conceit, however it’s been marketed and reframed since. I’d point you to the blog, but I don’t think it’s around anymore.

she did pull most of her essentials from her current wardrobe

Cool. Fits together with the claims made about this strategy much better than what comes up in a casual browse does. I am only a casual observer of pre-planned shopping strategies. I see the current usage seems to be “all your usuals plus five special things”, was not aware of the history.

Thanks Jenn and SF.

I found this - https://frenchgirldaily.com/5-.....-wardrobe/ which talks about its origins (with links). Though don't know if this connects to what Jenn mentioned.

Suntiger - sorry for the thread derail.

I definitely do need to think about my consumption habits and the excuses I make to myself.

Just wanted to say I use the “iconic” category to give myself permission to buy and keep a small number of items that won’t get worn a lot. Now that I work from home my lifestyle is quite casual, but dressier, “going out” items give me MUCH MORE joy than casual, everyday items. This is my way of finding a balance.

I deliberately use the word “iconic” to set the benchmark high. It really makes me analyse whether an item that is only going to get occasional wear is worthy of a place in my wardrobe. And my definition of iconic is personal to me, like Sally said. There should be signature elements. Aspects that I have consistently gravitated to over time. Maybe a HEWI element. Not too “of the moment”. Also ageless. Would this be age appropriate (for me) in 10 years time? And good quality. Likely to last.

But, to reiterate, iconic doesn’t have to be expensive or statement-ish. I class these pants as iconic (for me). They are great quality, interesting, classic, not expensive. Iconic for me because I love full length, tailored, wide leg pants and have never really been on board with cropped or slim leg pants (which might be iconic for someone else). They don’t get a lot of wear because I favour jeans, skirts and shorts for everyday wear. But I do occasionally enjoy wearing dressier pants. I’ve had these for 3, maybe 4, years now and have not tired of them in any way. Size and wear permitting, I imagine I will have them for some years yet. They give me joy.

So, ST, getting back to your original problem. I think 10 “iconic” items a year would be too much if you only have a small wardrobe and you plan to keep them for a long time. Maybe one iconic item per season? Also, it depends on if you find them. Some seasons you might find 2 or 3, some none at all.

Sloper, thanks for that link. AfterDRK was the blog I was thinking of that codified the concept. And yes, sorry for the derailing!

Brooklyn, I really like this “iconic” concept, and think it’s worth thinking about even in a small wardrobe. Those pieces bring joy and create character.

I really really don’t like that 5-piece French wardrobe information from those links! To start with it looks from those links that as usual there is a big edit first, which these days is not very sustainable, since most people who do that won’t necessarily have very high quality stuff already. So you keep a whole load of “basics”- probably in Angie-speak “essentials”- and then you add up to another 10 pieces a year on top! It doesn’t sound like a way to reduce one’s “consumption habits”, as Sloper puts it, to me.
So just to say, Suntiger, I think if you really soul search about your purchases before making them you may be able to tell the difference between the “stupid magpie” ones and the “iconic” ones.
I think I am getting better over time, than in the past where I also had a lot of “stupid magpie” ones.
I do agree though that it is harder when you don’t have much space for a holding zone. I have only started a deliberate holding zone this year, mainly for a few things which have fallen out of my favour just for now but still fit and are perfectly good. They have all bar two had over 30 wears. I wouldn’t call them iconic but all good quality and everyday.

Suntiger, I totally hear you in not having the lifestyle to support an extensive “going out”/special event capsule. Buying even one dress/jumpsuit per year has left me with a somewhat larger assortment of special outfits than I really need. One revelation, for me, was realizing I can buy “everyday-special”things. The dark floral Athleta leggings are a good example. They have all the function of a plain black pair and are in heavy rotation, but provide some interest/variety/distinctiveness.

Thanks all! Just a quick pop in cause off to work, but replacing my wardrobe with all the standard basics isn't happening. Clearly I don't look French! Those things look right on a straighter figured, brown haired, beige skinned, high value contrast person. Helena could pass- me, not so much! They assume being able to tolerate animal fibers, which I can't. You also won't find me drinking red wine or eating quiche either
They also assume a mild climate- not humid 90s or 2 feet of snow. And last, they assume an urban lifestyle, with limited activities. Nope and nope- does not translate.

That said- the intent for me was, as I replace pieces, to buy the simple less trend driven items instead of automatically replacing statements with more statements.

I think I’m starting to understand what you’re saying—you want longer-lasting items, not trendy things that you’ll tire of and move on quickly (ie in a year or two). I can get behind that.

But it seems like you are using “trend driven” and “statement” to mean the same thing. I don’t understand that. I mean, sure, trendy things often are statements, announcing their pouffy sleeves or jagged hems or whatever, but a sumptuous, timeless piece can also certainly be a head-turner/statement piece, just as much as it can be a quiet “essential” that makes you feel pampered whenever you put it on.

The point of this was to separate the statements that are just trend driven, vs the things that'll have longevity.
So my bell sleeve things were trend driven "stupid magpie". I liked the trend and bought them cause they were trending.

My PC dresses were not trending, but are statements that feel iconic to me. They aren't things that were available in some way at every retail shop.

My new black velvet blazer I'd call a classic statement. Iconic but simple.

Yes I think you nailed it with these three Suntiger...

And the odd piece that is fun and affordable and will get lots of wear is okay.

Yep- that's what I was trying to figure out: the role of the magpie vs the iconic statements! Both are needed

ETA- I've been working on my wardrobe inventory, and writing which are essentials, iconic, and (commonly accepted) classic/capsule pieces. Many of my things don't fall into any of the categories, many magpie things. But my wardrobe size is pretty good- big enough to avoid laundry bottlenecks and have variety for my long seasons.