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Thinking through my Essentials in more detail

rachylou

Veteran

Said Angie: They make the rest of your closet a lot more wearable

This last criteria for what makes an Essential spoke to me a lot. I was thinking about the things I wear a lot (the puffers, leggings, joggers, sweaters, aprons, sneakers, etc.). But I wear them to function. For example, puffers because I run ridiculously cold. Or leggings because, as all the other women bakers at the bakery also seem to have found, they allow you to move.

Further, I often kind of do these things in a statement kind of way. I'll do loud leggings with some clashing patterned mini skirt for an apron. They aren't holding up the outfit; they ARE the outfit.

What makes these crazy items and combos wearable are shoes of a certain type (sneakers and combat boots), (neutral) tops of a certain type, and sweaters of a certain spirit. I have, for example, more than just black batwing sweaters, but I don't reach for them again and again to make other things work.

I have to say I have one hot pink and blue sweater that I almost exclusively wear with red plaid jeans. I'm not sure about the essentials in this outfit, so much of it is so loud. I guess this is where I rely on just one essential in an outfit: shoes.

I've only thought so far about essentials for my At Home/Bakery style. My office style would be different... But maybe not entirely. Turtlenecks and long sleeved tees would certainly be a go to. Heeled booties maybe instead.

...Essentials by capsule?

Also: I feel I must sort out the relationship between Essentials and Neutrals...

General

36 replies

Latest reply was from Jaime

catgirl

Veteran

I get ya. The last time this topic was hot on the forum I think I concluded that I need "statement essentials". In other words, black sweaters, but with asymmetry or leather trim or edge of some kind. Black ankle boots, but not an all-purpose plain style. Skinnies - plaid, distressed, coated.

Today I'm wearing another version of Angie's black + statement skirt. My black sweater is my Heed UWP sweater, and for footwear, OTK suede boots.

I've given up on categorizing everything in my wardrobe, at least until it stops working for me. Right now it's somehow going well, so I don't intend to muddle myself up.

rachylou

Veteran

You have made me realise something, Una. I'm not a classic dresser. So I confuse myself. My 'plain black' sweater is not going to be a classic crew neck. It's gonna have leather trim or weird sleeves or a diagonal line of buttons or something somewhere. It might not be everyone's plain, but for me, it IS a support act...

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Rachylou, your reasoning all makes sense to me. And I do think it's easier to nail down the categories by capsule, as you suggest; I found myself thinking in terms of what pieces I need in order to make outfits for work versus for home.
Overall I think it's a difficult exercise to identify essentials. My problem is that the list just seems to grow and grow. I made myself stop at some point, when I posted on the blog entry, but I feel there are items I probably should add, if I'm being honest about what I really need in order to make my statement pieces wearable. It just seems counterproductive to have too many things on the list, though.

Helena

Veteran

Yes - essentials by capsule is a great idea, especially when you have such different roles as baker and office worker. Essentials vs. neutrals is another great distinction - in my case, some of my simple pieces I though were essentials are actually the statement, as I thought about it more. I might be your mirror twin!!

Alassë

Veteran

Interesting thread, and good thinking. Thanks for posting, Rachylou.

approprio

(website)

Veteran

This is interesting. I've been trying to think about essentials in a "meta" way, as those pieces that create a particular silhouette or impression, such as button-down shirts, or a particular cut of pants. I like Una's idea of "statement" essentials, because for me, there needs to be an element of the unusual, even if it's just a detail.

Aida

Veteran

I think for those of us with a more statementy style, our essentials are just going to be more statementy! A "meta" approach probably works best for us, as well as for those who have a strong trendy element to their styles and probably also those who are eclectic. And on that note, this is making me realize that many of my current "essentials" are NOT statementy enough for my style. Must mull.

EDIT: Wanted to add that I don't think neutral is a requirement for essentials. But it probably covers 99%+ of them!

Anonymous

I have plenty of essential classic pieces, and would love some statement items. I just don't know what to get yet. I'll know when I see. So far I haven't seen anything that has the wow factor I'm looking for. Can anybody relate? For me, it was always shoes, but my fussy feet have brought statement shoes to a screeching halt. Shoes can no longer be the focus of my outfits.

rachylou

Veteran

An interesting point about number of essentials. I was thinking one might have more essentials because they are used so often. However, one might want more to increase the frequency with which statements are worn. Then again, maybe one might have less essentials in terms of type. That is, more black sweaters wouldn't be enough for me. They really have to be a specific type of black sweater.

The styling of an essential is pretty key then, and it can trick a person. A thing is not necessarily an essential because it's plain and fancy might not take it out of the category either.

Betty - I think you bring up something fascinating: how we choose what elements to be statements and what to be essentials. Top, bottom, footwear... I notice I make bottoms my statement piece a lot, now that you bring it up.

Sara L.

Veteran

rachylou - I was just going to say the opposite - I think most of my statements are tops and the essential pieces are the bottoms. Plain black trousers for work, jeans for casual. Shoes are also usually essentials for me. Knee high boots in both black and brown are essentials for winter and the same for sandals in the summer.

Gaylene

Veteran

Whenever I read these posts about "essentials", I can't help but think part of the difficulty is in the term.

Angie prefers to use the term "basics" from a buyer's perspective to refer underwear, sleepwear, socks, and the like. The confusion arises because so many of us non-buyers use the word "basics" to refer to our wardrobe staples--those functional pieces that let us put together an outfit for daily wear. Angie, however, prefers to call these pieces "essentials". My basics = Angie's essentials.

Currently my basics/essentials are my layering T's and turtlenecks in my signature colours, my jeans (dark wash in winter/white in summer) , my skinny black ankle pants, my black lace-up boots, my black leather sneakers, and my bronze-olive raincoat. One or more of these pieces are in constant rotation in almost every outfit I wear.

Those pieces we see as ESSENTIAL to our sense of style--that signal to the rest of the world how we want to be seen--are probably closer to what Angie calls "statements". In this category, I'd include my leather jackets; my non-black footwear; my sweaters and tops with special detailing, draping, construction, or colour; my oversized tunics and drapey shirts, my scarves, and my handbags. These are the pieces that make my basics/essentials come alive so my outfits are ME. I can wear more than of these "statements" simultaneously but I'd still have to have at least one or more of my basic/essentials to create an outfit.

I'm not sure if Angie would concur with my interpretation, but I do know that this re-definition worked for me. It made me realize that the bulk of my wardrobe are "statement" pieces. It also made me realize that I ought to take my basics/essentials more seriously because they have a subtle, but very important, place in my overall style. When those black, lace-up boots expire, I need to think long and hard about what will replace them instead of purchasing the first pair of black boots that make my eyes light up. . Same goes for those layering T's-- the necklines and fabrics have to be just right--and the jeans and the sneakers and all my other basic/essentials. And I can now see that NOT replacing one, or more, of them with very similar items would have a major influence on my overall style.

Hmm, now that I think of the role these pieces actually play in my style, maybe Angie is right to call them ESSENTIALS.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I know this is the first year I feel I have a grip on my essentials. I still get confused about the difference between an essential & a workhorse though.

Gaylene

Veteran

I was wondering about that, too, Caro. I think workhorses can come from any category--basics, essentials, and statements. To me, a workhorse is a piece that I want to wear over and over again because it fits my lifestyle and has a high "happiness" factor.

My favourite loungewear, my favourite jeans, and my favourite leather jacket might all be workhorses, although the category--basics, essentials, statement--might be different.

Sal

Veteran

I think Rachylou that your essentials may be crazy patterned leggings. Or black batwing jumper. I think for some people they form a more important role than for others.

And I think a statement piece can be a workhorse. I have a striped maxi dress that I wear most weeks during summer yet it is very bold. And my line between statement and essential is a bit blurred too.....

When I first joined YLF I had a collection of statement pieces but struggled to wear them as I did not have the essentials to link them together. I worked on building those up, mostly successfully. I do find the essentials tend to wear out and leave gaps if not replaced - and I have made this mistake. I think of essentials as the glue that holds the other pieces together.

rachylou

Veteran

Hmm. Are essentials as difficult to replace as statements? I feel like they should be easier, less one of a kind. But I limped a long with some combat boots which were more like prairie house boots... And now I have some I love, and I can tell already - after breaking them out yesterday (I was saving them) - I should have duplicated...

Style Fan

Veteran

I like what Aida said about a statementy style. I have a more essentially style. It works for me and my lifestyle. Also I like interesting accessories so I use those for statement. Jewellery, scarves, handbags, etc.

Gaylene

Veteran

In writing my previous, long-winded comment, it dawned on me that changing my list of "essentials" (or, to me, basics) would significantly affect my style. If I couldn't replace my tissue-weight layering pieces, many of my statement pieces wouldn't work. If I substituted a different layering piece like a camisole or light-weight shirt, my statement pieces would look quite different. Same goes for my "essential" dark wash, straight-legged jeans. Replacing them with a lighter wash, cropped pair would not fill the hole unless I was going in a totally new style direction.

So, my answer, Rachylou, would be a resounding yes. I think getting my "essentials" right is critical to my overall style. I'm a bit stunned because I never thought of "essentials" in this way. My attention was always on the "statements".

Aida

Veteran

Replacing essentials can be difficult for sure -- if we're practicing PPP, or perhaps if a certain style we're after isn't currently prevalent. For example: white jeans are an essential for me, but it takes a good long while to hunt down the right pairs (which I need to do again this spring, blast).

Gaylene, great thoughts on how essentials can influence our overall style. Very true! Perhaps even more important that they are just what we want than the statement pieces.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Well now that you are making me think about it, really my hat is a basic - I would no sooner go without it than my bra (well almost). But since it is not taken for granted like most basics I listed it as an essential. Many of my jackets are statements, but if I don't have one that covers my rear I won't wear certain things, which is why the category of longer coat is an essential. On the other hand, I wouldn't feel comfortable wearing my statement/vintage jackets and coats, of which I have more than a few, if I did not have very current jeans and shoes to go with them. And I wouldn't be able to function if my shoes weren't fairly to very low heeled and comfortable. And I am beginning to feel like Alice.

Adelfa

Veteran

Thanks, Gaylene, for that analysis. It helps. Now I can get to work listing my essentials!

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Thanks Gaylene - that does help. LOL shevia I may have to join you down the rabbit hole.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Gaylene, I concur with EVERYTHING you said. You get it, and are dead right! Thanks for the explanations and reiterations in my absence, (I had a very busy day yesterday).

Caro, a wardrobe basic, essential, regular item, or statement piece can be a workhorse.

Rachy, an outfit needn't incorporate a wardrobe essential. Mine often do, but they don't need to. You can wear an outfit made up entirely of statement pieces, or essentials. It depends on your style and what you feel like wearing that day.

rachylou

Veteran

Oh whoa! Angie, you have just blown my mind. Lol! I have to think about this: all-statement and all-essential outfits. Like, what does this say about where the core of one's style lies?

You know, I think I've had a secret belief that there is indeed a Beauty Base Zero... You start with a completely neutral base of impersonal, generic pieces and then add something to it to express your personality. But this makes no sense does it? I mean, it's why I avoid my preppiest stuff (which is pretty much what I think is Beauty Base Zero, altho this is not true) - because it's not my personality...

catgirl

Veteran

I feel like I have some kind of impairment because I have such a hard time participating in these analyses! I still can't parse out the difference between essentials and statements. For instance, I would say black sweaters and skinnies are an essential for me, but they have to be interesting and convey a statement. Like today - raisin leather leggings and Rick Owens (OMG consignment find!) black sweater.

Is it worth thinking this out or should I let well enough alone in my case?

Gaylene

Veteran

Rachylou, that concept of a generic Base Zero was always my thinking, too. It was the signature pieces that created "my" style, and, if I wanted a style shift, I could find a couple of new signature pieces and be good to go.

Angie's concept of essentials is more sophisticated because she keeps trying to (nicely, of course, because she IS Angie!) explain that there is no generic Base Zero when it comes to personal style. We create our personal Base Zero when we decide we want a layering turtleneck instead of a layering V-neck, or a black combat boot instead of a ballerina, or a pant instead of a jean. That's why buying that new drapey top in an attempt to switch style directions often doesn't work--the new signature piece looks odd worn with the essentials that worked with the previous style focus. We see proportions that don't work, too much volume, mismatched necklines, the wrong footwear, and all the other problems that perplex us.

I think another way to think of essentials is to contemplate the impact on your style if certain items were taken away from your wardrobe--and others, similar in function, were substituted without your consent. If someone replaced all my layering T's and turtlenecks with buttondowns, my black laced boots with pumps, my sneakers with ballerinas, my olive-brown raincoat with a cheery patterned one, my dark-wash straight-cut jeans with distressed skinnies, and my black ankle pants with a skirt, I'd be dazed and confused trying to get dressed. My signature pieces wouldn't look right--or, more importantly, the result wouldn't look like ME.

If I've grasped the concept correctly, maybe the key towards figuring out this personal style thing is to realize how essential these "essentials" are in determining our style directions. What could be the replacement for my black boots? Not pumps, to be sure, but maybe a funky oxford with a heel? Or a stream-lined polished chelsea boot? Whatever I choose as my new replacement "essential" could end up as a major style shift, so it deserves careful thought.

rachylou

Veteran

Well, I admit sometimes it's not good to think too much. But it's fascinating. Because when one has a bold style... how do you know when you're wearing an all-essential outfit or an all-statement outfit? I guess the difference, tho, is how you use items, how often. And how much items visually dominate in an outfit.

Sharon

Veteran

Wow, that was such a helpful explanation, Gaylene. That thought exercise really helps clarify things. One realisation I had when reading it was that it dovetails with the idea of a uniform. I think one of the reasons I am having trouble defining essentials is that I like a variety of silhouettes and like to try trends, so nailing down the constants is difficult.

Anonymous

I like a variety of silhouettes, too.

rachylou

Veteran

Yes, you are very wise, Gaylene. There is no Generic Base Zero. I really hadn't realised that (seems so obvious now, after the bonk to the head of course).

So, I'm already off trying out your exercise. What if my boots were traded for pumps... ??

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