Year-Round Essentials List - YouLookFab Forum

I live in Seattle and find that this core group of items work year-round. That said, one of my wardrobe goals is to dress more seasonally. However, seasonality will probably be reflected in statement and accent pieces more than in changes to my essential items list. Also, I'd like to upgrade my wardrobe to be more beautiful and luxurious--but I think that means upgrading individual items within each category rather than adding different items or changing-up the categories.

Tee-Tops--¾ sleeve T’s in black, navy/ink, or mariner stripe (navy/cream) with boat, wide-V, or deep scoop neck—substantial, not too clingy fabric, and more generous fit. (Upgrades would be silk knit and/or more upscale construction.)

Non-Tee Tops -- Black turtleneck. Light neutral silk shell.

Denim—Mid-rise in a variety of colors and styles (skinnies / boyfriend / wide leg--NOT bootcut / flare / or straight (exception is Levi's 501's, but only worn rolled))--all either cropped or ankle length. Preference for
grey, white, dark natural (not dark rinse)—not light or acid wash. Not distressed, frayed, or whiskered. I'll switch-up my jeans style as necessary remain current, but I will always prefer mid-rise and short (with my legs hanging out)

Non-denim Pants – Black, narrow, tailored ankle pants. Stone colored chinos—mid-rise, cropped / rolled / or ankle length, wide / boyfriend / or narrow but not straight / bootcut / or flare. (I don't have any chinos now-- they are on my shopping list--but I'm finding that my white boyfriend jeans fill a similar wardrobe niche, so I may re-evaluate.)

Footwear -- Non-athletic sneakers in a variety of colors and styles – Current crop includes: Converse “Shoreline” Converse "Jack Purcell" (black), and white sneaker mules (need to update the mules--maybe Supergas this time?)

Footwear -- Minimal leather shoes in nude/natural and black. Slides, loafers, d'orsay flats, or mules—flat or with low heels.

Bags—Tote or clutch. Unfussy tote bags—preferably leather—but also colorful canvas. Used separately or in tandem with minimalist/unstructured leather clutches or pouches in black and natural.

Jewelry—Simple silver bracelet and choice of silver earrings. Leather
wrap bracelet—I have some place-holder wrap bracelets in black and navy but I REALLY want a black and silver Givenchy or Hermès piece.

Missing Categories –

1) There are NO toppers! None! I feel the need all the time, yet have none. Toppers merit a category in the essentials list. Items with which I would like to populate this category include: black, charcoal, or navy, cropped, V-neck sweater of heavier/thicker construction; boyfriend blazer; denim jacket.

2) Dressy clothes--I'm not sure what this would look like at this stage in my life. Ninety-five percent of my life can be conducted in jeans and T's. Didn't seem to merit a category in the essentials list

ETA: Comments and criticism welcomed! Honestly, I value criticism more than platitudes! So have at it

7 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

My essentials didn't include any dressy items either. I do have to dress up from time to time, yet my essentials include bootcut jeans for winter and crops for summer.

kkards

a couple of call out/questions
if you don't have toppers on your essentials list perhaps for you they are statements rather than essentials?
re chino's--if you don't own any now--are you finding them to a big hole, or is this an item that you think you should own, but in reality you are getting along just fine without them, so in real life not an essential?
and if 95% of your life can be conducted in jeans and tee's then it doesnt sound to me like you would need any dressy clothing on your list

Joy

I would guess that, living in Seattle, you would need some sort of waterproof outerwear...trench or utility coat or even a rain slicker. What about umbrellas?
Chinos...I have not had any for years. They look masculine on me ( no curves) so I feel better in other sorts of casual pants and trousers. They are not for everyone.
Dressy essentials: maybe you want more of a statement piece for a dressy occasion.

Emily K

(website)

Thanks, all, for the feedback.

kkards--I have no toppers because...I HAVE NO TOPPERS! I think, with the overwhelming frugality of my wardrobe, that toppers have always been neglected/overlooked/postponed because, if you have pants and a shirt on, then you are clothed and you don't NEED a topper--you can postpone or forego that element. That's the thinking from which I am trying to break free. With regard to the chinos, I've always had a pair and welcomed the respite from blue jeans in the casual wardrobe, so my thinking, going into this exercise, was that I rely-on and enjoy the chinos and I've always replenished them, so they deserve to be on the list. But, the white denim (new to me) seems to have outmoded them and I'd agree that they may no longer be essential.

Joy--Yes! LOTS of winter gear. I've got a lot of mix-matchy pieces and really feel the need to devote some thought to figuring out how to improve both the fashion and the function of my winter outerwear. None of the items are statement items and none are really essential or indispensable, either. Clearly, there's room for improvement in this area. I'm going to replace my entire Winter outerwear capsule this Fall, and I really need to develop a roadmap for that.

Sal

Interesting....a really solid list here.

My thoughts-
- Chinos, I cannot get them to work on me, but quite like them, especially in olive. But I see no need for them, they are just a change up.
- You need a couple of jackets!! They last well, don't date quickly, and make a difference. I have seven - olive cotton crop (well worn), almost neon pink (well worn and loved), black boyfriend (thrifted, well worn), red linen (has been well worn but I am a bit over it), red leather (gifted, useful) and green leather (also gifted, real statement but super fun), and a new cream draped tuxedo jacket which I love but have only worn twice. I think jackets are great to thrift or get on sale, so they do not have to be expensive.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

(WHAT? Emily, how can you live in Seattle and not have toppers? We NEED THEM. You don't commute on foot, I take it! And run very warm.)

That said, I'm impressed with your list. NICELY DONE. Some thoughts:

Are your bags statement items?
How much of your wardrobe is represented through this list of essentials?

Hi Angie, thank you for weighing-in. You've hit on the EXACT problem. 1) This is nearly all of my wardrobe. I really, truly, do not have a single topper. I DO have plenty of gear that I pile on willy-nilly as needed because I spend hours outdoors everyday. (Not fab.) 2) I have one handled bag plus the everyday totes and clutches I described. 3) I have few/no statement pieces. Although! I do plan to start trying to add interest to my wardrobe via colorful (that makes them statement, to me) bags and shoes. I was just coming around to the idea of buying this bag (finds) when it disappeared from the stores.

Nordstrom

Frances Valentine Small June Leather Hobo

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Sweet, Emily. I like your shopping and style strategy. Remind yourself that YOU ARE WORTH IT. First thing on the list - SPRING TOPPER that is not gear.

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