Debra - I am loving your color palate!! Plus is there anything better than a huge cozy cardigan? I can't think so!! Wow, winter white riding boots! They sound awesome and a HEWI if I ever heard one. Good luck on the search. I am sure something wonderful will turn up!!
MaryK - OMG!! Wow!! What a treasure chest, as Lyn said!! I am amazed and impressed by not only by the amount but your fabulous organization. I can see why you enjoy changing things out and what a lovely dressing table!! Enjoy you wonderful treasures and we will enjoy watching you wear them!!
Lyn - you got it pirate's booty if I every saw it or maybe the sultan's treasure? Which do you think it is? Does Mary keep a map with an X on it and hide the treasure? Wow!

I enjoyed thinking about this question. Having just found YLF late August and committing to growing my style at that time also, I realize my answer is already somewhat different than pre-YLF. Now, I most often reach for my black bootcut pants for work, straight leg and skinny jeans for casual, and my newly acquired and already beloved cuddle duds for relaxing around the house. Oh, and my ankle boots, purchased in September, and worn several times every week. Two essentials which have not changed are scarves worn indoors in cool weather and earrings almost every day. Since YLF, I sometimes omit earrings if I feel there's enough going on with a scarf or busy pattern on top.

In the winter jeans, booties and coats.

Una - you look wonderful in your cashmere tunics and skinnies!! I have never figured out the trick that you have mastered to keeping when smooth when tucking (hence leggings for me) I love your boots. Of course, I am a lemming on the Uggs and the Gidigios are fantastic!! Edgy but always polished and effortless!! The brahmin is also gorgeous and the theory lanai was definitely made for you!!
Caro - I get the "we're not dead yet" attitude!! I think the art is to evolve in ways that are significant to us but remaining modern. Evolution not revolution. Although I have a picture in my mind, did you see the Twilight films - in Breaking Dawn 2 where the Vladamir and Stefan are talking about how they sat still for a long time and did not realize that they were starting to petrify. I think you can apply that to all life and fashion too. We change or we die - evolve or perish!! There is no question in anyone's mind that you will continue to flourish, change and evolve on your own terms magnificently!!

Lol Evolve or Perish! YES!!!!

Good question Gryffin. I I am not always logical about my wardrobe so it's good for me to stop and think.

Debra could have been channeling my thoughts Essential for me would be:

Grey, Black, White and Blue colour palette
Structured, slimline bottoms
Draped and fluid toppers
Minimal silver accessories
booties for winter
open toe bootie/sandal thingys for Summer

Cashmere sweaters in the winter
Small diamond stud earrings
My favorite watch
My small collection of silver jewelry
Jeans, either straight legs or boyfriends
Lots of cotton tee shirts
Lots of cotton buttondowns for summer

For me is:
button down shirts/blouses
Long sleeve black T's
Straight-leg dark wash jeans
Black trousers
Leather boots
Leather belts

Susie - awesome booties!! Oh yeah, totally on board and pants are either jeans or black for me so sounds totally fabulous!!
torontogirl - you know what you like and what suits you! dark wash jeans are a major love and I wish I could wear v necks, they are so elegant and give such a pretty long neck line!! I am sure you rock them!! Love flats, happy feet always make outfits shine!!
Mo - I am a silver girl too!! You wear relaxed drapey t's and dresses so well!! Gorgeous style on you!!
MRL - big minimalist here so I am loving your essentials. I am seeing Audrey Hepburn in my head. Is that the right image? Elegant, clean, refined!!
Karymk - I love those ribbed tanks from gap esp since they changed the fabric and they keep their shape!! cashmere, metallic and pink so elegant and snug! I have yet to find a peacoat but I can see you rocking that style!! Plus every girl needs a fabulous trench!! What a great list of essentials!

Windchime - sounds like you have a great list of essentials! Bootcuts are really elegant but I'm with you and enjoy straight legs and skinnies too! Wow, did you try the cuddlduds!! Angie was rocking them. So good to know you are a fan. with that your boots and scarves you sound all set for winter!! Stay snug!
Shevia - can a girl have too many coats!! I think not! Sounds like you have have that covered. Plus great jeans and booties are the best!! Enjoy!
Karymk - shoud that be our new catch phrase?

Gryffin, seriously aren't the GAP tanks the best? They truly do keep their shape and they DONT FADE which is a miracle in itself. I can wear one to work out in, then wash it and put under a blazer and it looks good as new. I also like that they are long for the tucking.

Glasses, I cannot see without them. But I need various pair so I can change them out. And shoes of various styles and colors.

Deborah - absolutely no one does volume and draping as artfully and elegantly as you do. The silhouette you create is so graceful and your pieces are refined and unique but never fussy or overwhelming. I am in awe of your mastery. Truly an art form. I love the blue you've been wearing lately. It looks beautiful with your coloring.
Catnip - great list of essentials. Classic, elegant, refined. Many wonderful outfits from those wonderful elements!!
Gracie - so excited! Another belt girl!! Great essentials!! Clean, modern, classic and refined!! I am sure you will create tons of elegant looks!
Karymk - oooohhhh yes let's talk gap tanks. They are totally awesome. Never fade , wear like iron, never stretch out. I wear mine back to front. I could not find high crew necks. They are great, if you like that neck line so two looks for the price of one.
Deb - glasses, absolutely!! You are a lucky duck with many pairs!! My lenses are a fortune so I have to be content with one. Major glasses envy!! Enjoy!!

griffin, do you wear single lens or bifocals (progressives)?

I am going to say something silly:

Something old
Something new
Something borrowed
Something blue.

Yeah, every day is a wedding around here.

But in all seriousness....

I used to have more of a retro element to my style. I don't as much, these days, yet I do still feel most comfortable when I'm wearing at least one classic item -- whether that be a blazer, a button up shirt, a pair of jeans in an iconic style...etc. That takes care of something "old."

Something new...Like Caro, the older I get, the more important it seems to me to pay attention to trends and selectively adopt them. I feel best and most myself when I have incorporated something very modern and current into my outfit.

Something borrowed...a big reason I'm here on YLF is for inspiration. This is one way I learn about trends and figure out ways to adapt them for myself. Borrowing is beginning to feel natural. I also borrow from nature, from the weather, from my mood in figuring out my outfit for the day.

Something blue...well, if you look at my closet, it's all there! Blue is both my dominant neutral and my dominant colour. I don't know what I would do without it in my wardrobe! I wear it summer and winter, in items from PJs to workout gear to formal wear to denim. It's so me.

Great topic, gryffin. Thank you for the spur to thought!

ETA: I also wear contacts or glasses always (except asleep). And mine also cost a fortune. I have two pair of specs anyway and so far have found them worth the CPW. But I hear you. I wear progressives, am low vision, also have astigmatism, and am a real pain to fit with frames for a whole variety of reasons. So...yeah.

Jackets. I am moving away from blazers to knit jackets or soft military jackets, but I cannot live without at least a half dozen jackets in my closet.

Cardigans, pencil skirts, pearl studs and oversize watches

Chiming back in to say that I also wear earrings every single day and I unconsciously fiddle with my naked earlobes if I forget them. I only wear hoops and studs. I own just one pair of earrings that's neither a hoop nor a stud- a gift handmade by the mom of one of my former students.

Suz, your wit has inspired me to rewrite my personal style rubric! How's this...
Something classic, something new, something girly, and something cool*

*cool = edgy

Deb- I am very near sighted but my eyes have two very different corrections. I have progressive, transition, ultra thin and need high resolution plus the anti glare ( I have low vision and awful night vision). They've made me pony up for zeiss lenses in the past. The lenses alone can cost 1k without the frames and lately I've needed to change them yearly. Talk about evolution!!
Suz - there are no end of uses to that rhyme!! Very clever!! I consider myself (did you read Style Statement?) an "Enduring classic" which is my way of saying I prefer iconic clothing but that could be a frock coat, moto boots, riding jackets, jeans, men's wear, quilting, modern iterations of pieces that transcend time, if that makes sense. I think it's the juxtaposition of past and present that makes an outfit unique and personal to me. You have great personal elegance and your style is refined, sleek and comfortable. You look radiant in everything that you wear!!
Ms maven - love me my jackets!! I am so with you that a jacket elevates any look. So many styles and fabrications to explore. I am sure you will rock them. Can't wait to see which ones catch your fancy in 2014!

Pearl stud earrings and pearl necklaces, black leather gloves (at least, until spring), grey Danier leather jacket, my black and teal cadet caps from Target (four years and going strong!). Sunglasses, and my favorite Cole Haan/Sharapova oxford heels.

And, of course, my specially monogrammed socks the BF gave me for Christmas. (He bought me a six-pack of men's crew socks, and put my initials on them with a sharpie pen, so he would know when I'm stealing his). I wear these every minute I am at home.

Laurie - refined ladylike chic!! Pearl studs perfect and then shaking it up with an oversized watch!! Polished and powerful!!
Jewell- so clever too!! I think you and Suz need to start a thread on this!! So fun!

Jeans.
Earrings that in some way reflect my outfit.
Great shoes!

Jeans, low-heeled boots, cashmere or linen sweaters, soft leather jackets

Which is exactly what I would have written in my late teens--almost fifty years ago. Static style?

LBD- you had me with sharpie monogrammed socks!! Did you put that on the sharpie thread? You'll have them rolling!! Pearls, black leather gloves and sunglasses- I am having a breakfast at Tiffany 's moment and loving it!! Can't wait to see the caps and your Danier jacket is beautiful! Still chuckling over the socks!! Enjoy!

Knickers! Very draughty without them

Ok, I'll be serious now...Off the top of my head: Boots, trench coat, straight leg jeans.

Lyn D - another earring girl!! Such kudos. I love them on others but that really takes coordination and dedication!! Great jeans and great shoes definitely up the style factor. Great essentials!!
Gaylene - I am you sister in consistency. I've had the same loves since the 80's earlier since I used to ride and I like a strong equestrian vibe. I don't think we change in essentials just simply tweak our preferred choices to reflect the times. Nothing wrong with having a signature style!!
Diane G - Definitely TMI!! yes, another vote for no cool refreshing breezes here!! Will be glad to help you hold the line on propriety!! But that does leave lots and lots of room for creativity in other areas!! I like the rest of your list. A great trench, straight legs and boots can take you anywhere in agreat style!!

Jean, long sleeve tees, boots-- a watch, stud earrings. A warm sweater or jacket to wear over the tees in the AC and in the winter. A fluid tee alternative for summer time. A warm coat. Cotton jersey skirts for the summer time. A good winter beanie. A little concealer. A good haircut (loving the asymmetrical inverted bob ATM).

A trendy jacket, fabulous pair of sunglasses, black leggings to wear under my everything and Nivea Pearly Shine lip gloss.

A trendy jacket, fabulous pair of sunglasses, black leggings to wear under my everything and Nivea Pearly Shine lip gloss.