I'm hoping a holiday party dress will be my wildcard-- I want something covered but still alluring- but a bit more on the RATE side than the classic side. I'd count it as my wildcard since I have the classic pencil, 2 classic small print (but bright colored) dresses I wear to weddings and I technically don't need a dress at all, I just want to look really fabulous and show off some good features and style at this party without crossing the line from classy or freezing my butt off in December in CO.

Hahaha! Puss-in-Boots! Rachylou you're cracking me up! Now I'm afraid that every time I wear my OTK boots, I'm not going to be able to keep myself from going to that image!

I haven't worn turtlenecks in about 10 years, but I just bought an asymmetric hem, tunic length, cashmere one to wear over leggings and skinny ponte pants. The neck is soft and scrunchable, so I think it works on short necked me.

I'm of the school of thought that these things find me rather than me finding them.

I am considering culottes- that would be a bit of a wildcard although I have always liked 1970s stylings so it would be fitting.

I did buy a kimono jacket which is a bit more boho than usual for me. I have worn it several times, always with jeans and a simple tank or tee underneath, and a variety of shoes/boots.

In to follow this discussion as it intrigues me - I think I've only ever had impulse purchases that I've deemed wild cards to make the purchase feel a bit more justified/intentional. Fortunately for me some of those items really have become dearly loved and oft worn, but that's not usually the case.

I kind of like this idea of planning for a wild card.

Great thread, Rachylou. I have had planned wild cards, but not found the right one. I am drawn to the serendipity of the unsought and unexpected. Could such an item move from wildcard to work horse? TBD...

I think I've got it. Mine is a charcoal & white striped ponte blazer. Not exactly a "wild" piece, but I live a ridiculously casual lifestyle - I'm a nurse (job = scrubs) on maternity leave chasing a toddler and an infant. So I'd love to find a way to incorporate the blazer aside from just going to church (where I will dress up just because I can even though the church is mostly university-going uber casual folk as well).

I just bought chunky heel creme knee -hi boots and with all my boots being darker, I am excited about having light ones... SSSSHHH don't tell DH, going to hide them til after Ireland... I've never hidden anything before.. so guess that's my wildcard too...I am preparing for no Buy Nov & Dec and couldn't help myself...

I hadn't thought about a wildcard yet. But I've been drawn to pics of long cardigans with no closures. I always wear the very expected waist length, round collared ones (wearing a blue one in my profile pic.) Might be just the kick I need to move my needle closer to the modern part of "modern classic".

Calf hair animal print kitten heel pumps.

They found me while I was looking for a plain black suede pair. As Angie says, "they followed me home". I have never had a pair of animal print shoes. The print is more like stripes in black, brown and taupe than a more traditional cheetah or leopard. They should work with just about everything but we shall see. I spent a fortune on them so fingers crossed.

I have a closet full of wild cards :-).

I can't wait to see I find it very illuminating hearing all about your wildcards. In fact, I realise I have a wildcard on tap: A soft, circus stripe jacket.

I'm into the circus stripe, so I didn't think of it as a wildcard when I got it. But I realise this is something that has to be worked in. Because A) it's cloth but it's moto styled - and I don't do motos B) it's really loud. My outfits stand out, but they're not often an assault on the senses.

Ok. Surfing YLF because I'm positively brain dead. Pre-dawn teleconferences bite.

OK, this might be mine this fall - I saw this camo print skirt @ loft.com a while ago but the curvy fit was already almost totally sold out. Happened by a local store yesterday and scored a one-off in my size in the clearance section, 40% off.

Silver loafers bought about 6 weeks ago.

I needed more nice, but low heeled shoes and picked up 3 new pairs of shoes in 8 weeks. The silver loafers are the comfiest Italian leather. I wore them from 7 am to 9 pm yesterday, and walked all over the city shopping from 5 pm to 9 pm and they never let me down. I wear them at least twice a week, and get compliments almost every time I do.

Didn't see that coming when I got them. Thought they might be a little too 'out there' for heavy rotation or else one trick ponies....but no! Def a wildcard!

Fun to read everyone's wildcards! There were several that didn't seem like wildcards for their posters, perhaps my mind stretches farther than it should sometimes Rachy I love the idea of OTK boots for you, I've been toying with that for a couple years now myself. My wildcards (yep, plural) tend to come both preplanned and out in the wild. Interestingly enough, two of my summer wildcards ended up too warm for summer so have shifted over to fall (fuzzy cropped turquoise sweater and tribal print duster cardigan, both in the wild) and one didn't get worn but I'm sure will next season (floral genie pants, preplanned). This f/w season, I've got my preplanned wildcard (shredded skinnies!) and am thinking perhaps that I'll find an in-the-wild option while out shopping with everyone at the big meetup this weekend.

My potential wild card is on it's way right now - a pair of track pants from Ann Taylor (pretty much the only place I could find a petite pair). Not sure if it meets the definition of "wild card" since I had to hunt for but it will definitely be a styling challenge for me!

N-Marie, I just returned said pants to the store today, in fact, lol!

I was also on the hunt for petite track pants, but I have come to the conclusion that maybe this trend just isn't for me.

On the pro side, the pants were a great length, but the drapey fabric seemed to cling to my legs in all the wrong spots. I hope you fare better with them, because they really are great pants!

I've been looking at OTKs. I have a bad feeling about it. I have toothpicks, and can fit both my legs in at the top of some of these boots. Might have to go into the city and visit the Gucci store. Hehe.

I have just been reading one of many Parisian books and the idea about having something to wear that was your absolute feel so great about yourself piece was mentioned...I thought of it when I read your wildcard...
Thinking about what this would be...I just ordered a pair of Okala's in black calf that might be a wildcard but I would rather think it is something more adventuresome...still thinking...