This is oddly hard for me. Especially since my moto ripped and I'm fighting with my conscience about how much to spend on my next one!

I wear earrings every day. Don't know if I've ever missed a day since I got them pierced. But like MK I'm not sure they're a visible element of my style.

Tapered pants, for sure, both for casual and work. And sleek, current footwear. Tees in jersey and other fabrications. Black, gray, cream, navy. Graphic prints.

I think I need my moto back:-)

General must haves for me: Boho skirts, Jeans (usually bootcut or flare or trouser),a lot of tees/tanks/camis.Jackets,sweaters,interesting soft knit tops. Shoes /sandals in browns,black, nude,white. Earrings,watch(especially a metal band one that shows all hours and is waterproof -I don't like having to think about watch preservation).Perfume.
If I'm not wearing earrings.a watch and perfume when out and about I feel a bit naked.
Cat hair .Bane of outfit perfection but I wouldn't give up my darlings for anything.

Color musts : Browns,black,ivory,white,bright olive green( -think minus the pimiento filling.)scarlet orangy-red (pimiento)teals -greeny,bluey,Aqua/turquoise,orange,corally pink,Aubergine,mustard /golden yellow ,loden/dark olivey green,rust /pumpkin.
Can anyone tell that I'm a maximalist mood dresser?

Elly - sounds like you have your essentials all figured out!! Great list!! Plus another vote for a great hair cut, so important!!
Graling - another leggings girl!! You're the first to choose sunglasses!! Great style statement - with transition lenses I don't get that option, but I really admire great sunnies on others!!
Adelfa - sorry to hear about your moto!! Great piece and just adds that bit of attitude in so many situations. Good luck with the decision but moto would get a big vote from me!! It's amazing what we feel "naked" without. For me it's my diamond studs, watch and wedding/engagement ring plus my schnauzer necklace. But I wear these items every day and don't swap out. I really applaud you and MK for being to organaized and attentive to detail. Kudos! PS great list essentials. You always look elegant and polished.
Jennifer - you nailed it!! Cat hair!! I prefer schnauzer hair but that matches my black and gray color palate!! I have this plate and there is a cat hair plate too. Perhaps we need a little cardi with this slogan? Thoughts? You essentials and colors sound beautiful!! Also I think it's great that you are wearing your perfume not just admiring it!! Kudos!

I purchased 2 pairs of jeans this past year - faded blue denim and black in a jegging/ slim style. For the boot type weather they have been fantastic and so comfy.

Glory - absolutely agree. No girl can live happy without jeans!! Great choice!

MaryK: Are you reading Plainsong by Kent Haruf (I see it on your bed!)? That is one of my FAVORITE BOOKS EVER!!!

guess while I'm mentioning MaryK's book I should add what my ME defining essentials are: in the winter tall black boots, pencil skirts (mostly black but I have grey and stone), black tights, a layering top (turtle neck if very cold, long sleeve tee if milder), and an indoor topper like a blazer (black and tweeds are my favorites) but what I am really loving this season are wraps and ponchos (I have a grey cashmere that I love to fling over my shoulder, a silkier ink blue knit, and a fab boiled wool with ribbed knit collar). I guess you could say i use a lot of black as a base and add an interesting layer over top. I too wear earrings every day, but only medium hoops (gold or silver depending on what I am wearing) or balls (of all varieties: silver, gold, pearl, copper). I do have some statement necklaces but don't find myself wearing them as much any more. I've also started a nice watch collection, which rotates in and out. Geez, I have got to get to photographing and posting! You all are such an inspiration!

My essentials fall into cold-weather and warm-weather categories:

Cold:
jeans - skinny, straight, and boot, in dark denim, black or grey
boots - especially booties, in low to mid heel heights
tops - many styles - knits, sweaters, button front, blouses...
cashmere hoodies - recently rekindled my love for these
jackets - especially moto styles and leather

Warm:
sandals - in neutral or metallic and either flat or walkable mid heel
simple sleeveless dresses - my favorite is duplicated in black and blue, in a tee-shirt type knit
lightweight but not sheer tops with interesting detail
bermuda shorts

Plus warm and cold weather running/cycling gear and my swimsuits.

AndiB - wow skirts in winter!! Love the look but hate the draft even with tights and long down parka. Major admiration going!! Your wrap/poncho collection sounds fantastic!! Chic, warm and interesting. could there be a better combo? I think not!! Kudos on the earrings at watch collection - as Mies van der Rohe said "god is in the detail!"
Janet - Gosh you have summer sorted too!! Major kudos!! Great essentials and you always combine them in such an elegant and edgy way!!

LOL, AndiB "Plainsong" is my book club book for the month, and our meeting is on Monday. So I guess I'd better crack it open verra verra soon! Glad to hear a positive review!!

The two things I must have, style or no style, are my Crocs-knockoff Doggers shoes and puffer, for walking the dog. Also, the waistpack and re-usable Starbucks cup ($1). Oh and thermals (I'm into the Uniqlo sleeveless Heattech top).

Style related: At home, skinnies/jeggings, tunics, long chunky sweaters, half-boots. At the office, right now it's suits and funky black heels (shooties, stacked heels, pointy toes). Oh and right, everything's got to have leather trim

Great thread !

Blazers, blazers and blazers. Mostly navy, black, grey, and one berry color. I love menswear print, but that wouldn't be an absolute must-have.

A black t shirt, a grey t and a white one. In cotton and lightweight merino wool. Long sleeve for winter, short sleeve for layering and Fall and Spring.

A grey, cashmere, big soft sweater.

A navy sweater coat

Boots

A dark pair of straight leg jeans that I could wear with several silhouettes on top.

A black dress that I could wear in the summer and through the WInter for dressier occasions.

Scarves.

A big watch

bangle bracelets

stud earring, faux-diamond'

small, hoop earrings. Maybe 1.5 in in diameter.

In fact, why do I have so many OTHER clothes ! LOL

Rachylou - I am with you on the dog walker shoes. I wear my merrill breeze in summer and merrill ice in winter. If you like crocs have you ever heard of ana-tech? There used to be a guy at the dog shoes selling them. They are molded plastic with an orthotic insert that you can replace. People were literally trampling each other to buy them (washable and indestructable) I just found them, my husband loves them, at http://www.lithiaparkshoes.com.....tegory=Ana Tech Women's:Clogs What they lack in gorgeous they make up in comfort, durability and practical. Your essential sound fab!! Stylish, practical, warm and sassy and on trend with that leather trim!! Great list!
Isabel - another blazer girl!! Is there anything better!!. You do have a fabulous point. Why do we need anything else? (okay formal/dressy capsule) and some outerwear but, as you say, that's an awfully good capsule. Lots for me to think about, really good point to ponder!!

Gryffin, LOL ! That is a point that I have to ponder myself. Maybe that should be my goal for everyday wear.

Ooh! Thanks for the tip, gryffin! Never'd heard of Ana Tech before.

Rachylou - there was a vendor at the dog shows who had a huge collection of them(open back, closed back clogs, sandals). When they fit they are like walking on cushions. So comfy and totally indestructable. If they dull down, spray them with hair spray and voila all nice again. They almost never wear out but the little nubs get smaller. Great for rain, mud, snow, rinse and done. I am right between sizes and somehow I got one pair that were divine but I could never find another my heel would hit the back edge. They are also very light. As I said great if they fit and perfect for all activities doggy!!

A-line skirts at knee, pencils at knee, contrasting-to-brown autumn-colored tops with feminine necklines, brown bottoms/shoes/cardigans/belts/socks/tights.

This is a tough one for the maximalist, but I'll give it a go:

workout clothes: running shoes, shorts, leggings, yoga pants, long and short sleeve tees.

casual weekend clothing: (cool weather) dark wash jeans, button front shirts, ankle boots, pull over sweaters. (warm weather) stretch tees, mid thigh shorts, flat sandals.

work: wrap dresses, pencil skirts, tapered pants, silk blouses, blazers, trenchcoats for cold and warm weather, tights, pumps and brogues, commuting shoes for cold and warm weather.

Lots of bright and jewel colors, grey, navy, white and cream, and patterns.

I could probably go without scarves if I had to, but I need jewelry of all kinds.

Alasse - what a beautiful list and autumn is my favorite season so I am sure you are rocking those colors!! Sounds feminine, warm and delightful!!
Linda- What a girl that work out clothing in top on your essentials list!! So impressed. Gorgeous assortment. I wish I could wear wrap dresses, so elegant, unfortunately they do not usually flatter. Love your work list - very elegant, great casuals and colors!! Plus love that brogues are up there. I bought my first pair in the early 90's and have been loving them ever since!

Great question Gryffin!

I am happiest in:
-Jeans of all cuts and washes
-Jackets--mostly black but trying to expand
-Wrap dresses
-Interesting stylish shoes
-Vintage jewelry (I have quite a collection representing 1920s-1970s)

I had a grand old time wearing stuff from my party/holiday capsule this season. Leather! Faux fur! Velvet! Lace! Gold! Sequins! I can incorporate a little sparkle in my day to day but it can be a slippery slope. I LOVE dressing up but don't want to look like Auntie Mame. Maybe I was a Duchess in a past life?

LACeleste - wow, I think we need a major post on your jewelry box alone!! That sounds totally awesome!! Gosh, what more do you need than jeans a black jacket and your jewelry box!! You must have some amazing party capsule. Mine needs a major update (I stopped buying clothes for my fantasy life and when fantasy came around I had nothing to wear!!) I am drooling to see how you add in your faux fur, velvet, lace and sequins!! Major kudos on combining your capsules so well!!

Jeans--mostly blue plus black, cream and loden--all skinny or straight leg
Lots of blue button downs, pattern and solid
Black pants-- mostly slim legged
Black sweaters
Cardigans--lots of blue and black
Flats, boots--mostly short or mid-calf but also have riding boots and cowboy ones

I read this thread when it first started and have been trying to decide on my items ever since. Jeans, for sure; knit tops with some interest; scarves in the winter. Ballet flats in the warmer months. Recently, ponte or sweater blazers. I wear my watch and wedding ring every day but otherwise am not a big jewelry person. I've got a fairly defined color palette of clear colors with a lot of black, gray, blue, cream, clear greens, teal, purple, and some pinks.

Lynn - what a love collection of essentials. Classic, elegant, practical but what girl can live without cowboy boots!! My favorites!!
Laura - sounds like a gorgeous collection of knits to go with you jeans! I am very intrigued by sweater and knit blazers. I love my Gibson riding jacket which is a knit material and I have one Juicy Couture cutaway military cardigan/blazer - they give an elegance with more softness. That look seems so alluring and fresh now. Wonderful color palate rich, vibrant and elegant!!

Skinny jeans, blazers and scarves

MicheleLee - you will always look stylish in that combination!!

Love this! Really all I NEED in warm months are bikinis under short shorts and tank tops with sandals, and in cold months sweater dresses and fleece-lined tights with boots. Much as I love clothing, comfort is my #1! Since I can't just bum around at the beach every day I also need ballet flats, patterned dresses, cardigans, skinny jeans, and scarves. And I'm always wearing the same five rings.

Gillian Pearl - what a practical and comfortable list. Know yourself and what you like. Excellent list of essentials covering pretty much all contingencies!! Very well done!

Hmm, I am late to the game here, but I definitely tend to have a "uniform". Essentials for me include:
leggings and tunics
dresses and tights
stompy shoes
interesting and unusual toppers to go with the dresses

I also tend to wear necklaces, so I rarely buy embellished necklines that would interfere with that. Despite the fact that they would go with my lifestyle, I rarely wear jeans, ballet flats and sweaters. I also rarely wear separates as far as skirts go; it's so much easier for me to wear a dress.

Echo - another leggings,tunics and dress girl!! That's definitely my uniform too. Also never met a blazer or topper I did not like!! Great list of essentials. No questions a dress is easy and stylish. Love!