Wardrobe Essentials: category v. specific item

OK, I'm stuck! After reading today's blog post, I thought I had figured out essentials, but after reading the comments, and trying to apply it to MY wardrobe, I realize I am confused.

Here's an example: so, I wear denim daily. I would consider jeans then to be one of my essentials. But it seems like what is needed is a type of jean, right? Specifically, for me, a dark wash, skinny or straight leg (to tuck into boots so I can wear them year-round), mid-high rise, full length. Done.

BUT... then I looked at my tops, and it seems like my essential is a knit pullover (v. a shirt or blouse). Is it specific enough to say JUST a knit pullover? I rely on different necklines (t-neck, crew, boat) in a few colors (olive, navy, cream) and sleeve lengths to make outfits work. Then, there are toppers. I wear a jacket of some sort almost daily (except in summer). "Jacket" is a category... so would I need to get more specific here, too? I could say olive topper, to include all various weights and styles, but that doesn't seem specific enough. To list out each olive topper (field jacket, parka, puffer, wool peacoat) seems .... excessive?

What am I doing wrong?!

5 years ago

Christina F.

Veteran

I don't think you're doing anything wrong. It's okay to choose categories like "knit pullovers," even if the silhouettes and colors vary. You're describing what you actually wear, in an effort to help your purchasing going forward - so to me, it makes no sense to further narrow down a category if what you really wear is a variety of knit pullovers.

"Olive toppers - winter and summer" sounds like a valid category to me!

Stagiaire Fash

I think it could work to approach it backwards; when you put together an outfit, what are the pieces you want to be seen? Those are not your essentials. What works with those "upfront" pieces? Those are the essentials. So if you love flare pants and have a bunch of them, all hemmed 3" longer than your legs, you'd need heels to wear with them--the heels are the essentials. And if you want some kind of fitted top to tuck into the jeans, to make the most of the flared shape, that's an essential too.

At least, that's as best I understand it thus far. I hope this is helpful, but if it's wrong, I hope Angie or someone else who "gets it" better than me will correct me, because that's how I often learn best--by opening my mouth, lol

Suz

(website)

I think the questions I asked in my post might help. What pieces do you repeat again and again across outfits? What do you miss if it is in the laundry or otherwise not available? Angie calls them the "glue." You can't really make satisfactory outfits without one of these pieces. You probably wear at least one of them with almost every outfit.

So, yes -- olive, cream, navy knit pullovers for different seasons. That seems clear.

Your jackets might typically be statement items. That is true for me. But when in doubt and when I need a non-statement completer, I reach for my navy blazer. In that case the top or footwear will likely be statement.

Joy

As Angie noted, essentials are personal. How you choose to describe or group them I see as part of that personal part.
I chose to single out what I could not be without. Example: I wear jeans almost every day and like a variety but could not do without light and dark undistressed denim and white slim straights, full length. I can just roll for crops. I would miss wide legs and other colors but I could get dressed.

Helena

Nemosmom, you've got great advice here, and all I'd add is, take a crack at a list and then see what feedback you get from Angie and other fabbers - I think I went through several iterations in the past before I got it nailed down (sort of!)

nemosmom

Thanks, everyone! I spent the last couple of weekends in my closet, putting everything into stylebook, and logging what pieces I'm wearing. I only have a couple weeks' worth of true outfits, but at least I'll see what's getting worn.... Hopefully that will give me an idea of what my essentials are.

ChristinaF - I like the idea of 'olive toppers' as a category. Even my lounging hoodie is olive...

FashIntern - Interesting way to look at it backwards... I'll give that a go!

Suz - YES! I posted just before reading your post and your questions were a lightbulb for me!

Joy - nodding along with you on the jeans. I could NOT get dressed without a very specific cut/color of jean.

Torontogirl - I'll have another go at a list. I finally have a palette sorted, now I need to sort the items!

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Lots of good explanations and advice here. Thanks, ladies.

Nemosmom, great start. You will have this down in no time! You're dead right with the type of jeans that are essential to you. Some people only wear essential jeans, and others only wear statement jeans. Some have a mix, so that's why we have to be SPECIFIC about the style. Sounds like you only wear essential jeans. I wear both essential and statement, for example.

YES, you have to be specific about the tops and toppers in both style and colour. (Toppers can be cardigans, jackets, or coats).

Fo example. I have both essential and statement white tops. The essentials are MUCH more simple, and always KNITWEAR (not a blouse, shirt or tee). Same goes for black and navy tops across the seasons.

I have A LOT of outerwear. Most of it statement accept for my dark blue group: military coat, pea coat, short puffer, long puffer.

Lots of people are making the mistake of calling their workhorse statement pieces their essentials - and they are not. They are statement pieces.

I hope that makes sense!

Thank you, Angie, that makes sense.

I'll take another crack at my list...

knit pullovers
- short or long sleeve;
- crew or turtleneck;
- cream (spring/summer), or camel (fall/winter), olive, navy
jeans
- dark wash;
- skinny or straight leg;
- full length;
- non-distressed
fall/winter footwear
- flat to low heel;
- cognac;
- boot/bootie, shootie, point-toe flat
spring/summer footwear
- flat to low heel;
- white or navy;
- canvas sneaker, sandal, point-toe flat
olive outerwear
- field jacket;
- peacoat;
- parka
accessories
- diamond studs;
- gold pendant;

Am I getting closer?!

*APPLAUSE*

Nemosmom, you are a FAST learner. I'm impressed. YOU DID GREAT.

YAY! Man, that was HARD.... I need a nap!

HAHAHAHA

Sleep tight!

Jessikams

Justchiming in to say your thinking process seems very similar to mine. Leggings as base layer-tops to make the leggings work- etc.

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