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Your style, when style is the last thing on your mind (what's essential?)

Helena

Veteran

Hi everyone,

I've really missed the forum over the last year and have enjoying hopping in and lurking around when I have the chance. For various reasons, the last year has been a bit of a toughie - I've had little time or energy to invest outside of my work and family commitments. Style concerns have definitely fallen to the back-burner. However, this has also given me a great opportunity to understand what is absolutely essential to me ... what are the things I (tried to) find time and energy for, even when there is no time and energy to spare?

For me, this list is short and has included:

classic polished casual pieces, in neutral or muted tones - thus proving my style descriptors are still good for me. My plain old well-fitting jeans and merino sweaters or good quality t-shirts have served me well and kept me feeling together, at least on the outside!
polished hair, nails and makeup. I cut my hair to about shoulder-length so that I could keep it looking not-too-bad even with little time, and found a not-too-bright but not-too-neutral lipstick that I can throw on without thinking and feel a little bit polished in a pinch (normally I have several colors on the go, although they are usually all fairly similar). My nails are a disaster but I am trying to get them back in shape. I have basically skipped color altogether and wear them either plain or nude.

And that's it! Color, trends, different silhouettes, dressier and more casual options, variety, scarves, much accessorizing beyond my everyday pieces, changing up shoes or purses - all these are decidedly by the wayside at the moment.

What are your absolute style essentials? If you could only focus on one element of your style, what would it be?

Dressing

29 replies

Latest reply was from

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Absolute style essentials are probably hair/makeup followed by jeans or denim shorts and simple tees and sandals. A good handbag, belt and sunglasses would be the accessories.

Helena

Veteran

Texstyle, that sounds like a perfect outfit to me. Hmm, perhaps I ought to assess my belt and sunglasses ...

Amazing how hair can make all the difference!

Anonymous

I'd say hair, followed by a bit of makeup, followed by wearing something that makes me feel good (need to think on this. For me it's a combo of fit and color). And possibly an accessory that either works with an outfit or has a certain sentimental meaning.

Anonymous

Only one? Hair. Followed by makeup.

Helena

Veteran

Lisa good point - I didn't actually hold myself to the "one" rule. I'd be flipped to you - makeup first, then hair.

Jane

Veteran

Hair for me then make up (mascara especially).

Jeans and merino sweaters sound very good go tos.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I'm with Lisa, hair first.
that's what people will see first from afar.
Also I find makeup with unkempt hair weird

Sal

Veteran

I have come to the conclusion for me
- hair
- sunglasses
- footwear
- tidy nails (fresh manicure or bare)
-makeup (less important for me)

In between can be very basic actually - jeans, athleisure, shorts in summer.

After this realisation from a thread a month or so ago I determined to put budget into sunglasses and footwear ahead of clothing. And to be fair I always prioritise the haircut and colour.

Anonymous

Thanks for your articulate post; I feel like we're in the exact same spot, stylewise (especially with the disastrous nail situation)! I'm leaning hard on well-designed casual stuff, plus good hair and polished makeup. I need to keep it simple but upscale.

If I had to focus on just one thing, it would have to be eye makeup. I can always twist my hair into a bun if it's having a bad day.

Helena

Veteran

Lol, Xtabay, maybe we should treat ourselves to manis this weekend?

Good points around hair - Anna, I hadn't thought about the distance factor, and you're right, too-done makeup with haphazard hair can look off. I think maybe as Xtabay says, if you're happy with a decent looking bun or pony (as I am), it can impact the ranking a little (although technically, if you do that, I guess that means your hair IS a priority).

Sal, I like your list!
Jane, mascara is a must-do for me too. It would be in a tight race with lip color!
delurked, I like how you include a sentimental item. I do wear one everyday too

The Cat

Veteran

Good question! When I have had to take care of sick family members day and night for weeks, it has been important to me to wear simple, practical clothes in good qualities (i e. classic jeans, wrinkle-free or deliberately wrinkled summer skirts, T-shirts, pullovers, cardigans) in neutral or calm colours, perhaps with the addition of a more cheerful and colourful scarf or small necklace/pendant.

Torontogirl, you asked us about ONE element of our style, but I think you yourself mentioned more than one ... And that's understandable. As for me, I would like to add that even when there has been very little time for personal grooming, I have found that small things such as a daily shower, well-groomed hair and a quick touch of mascara and lipstick has helped me to look and feel reasonably presentable and, hopefully, to avoid frightening my patients as well as people who have knocked on the door.

Helena

Veteran

The Cat,you are quite right - I did cheat there! I would rank makeup #1 (mascara, concealer (lipstick), and hair #2 (although Anna's comment has got me re-considering this order). Your uniform you describe sounds very much like mine - practical but polished.

Greyscale

Veteran

Before I read the whole post, I was going to be all original and say my hair is the most important thing, but you're all on to that one already!

But seriously, yeah, hair. One habit I've tried to break is going too long between shampoos and just making do with a boring braid (before my current hair style, this happened far too often). Yesterday I had a totally crappy day and my appearance reflected it. I overslept and ran out of time to wash my hair though it was desperately needed. I threw on the first clothes I could find - wide leg crops, a plain crewneck tee, and converse - and I was just so unhappy all day.

So I think for me the key elements are:
* keeping my hair short enough that it stays curly and looks cool up in a messy bun
* since all my clothes are black, I know that I can throw together a go-to outfit that looks coherent. Skinnies work better -- the wide leg crops require more styling for me to feel fab in them. And my go-to shoes shouldn't be sneakers, for the same reason. Solid black leather shoes are a more reliable choice. Lesson learned.
* to a growing extent, makeup. I've never worn much. But after getting a sunburn last week, I realized I feel so much better if I put on a light layer of powder foundation and my favorite Clinique chubby stick lipstick/lipgloss (sheer, so I don't have to be careful about the borders of my lips, just throw it on like chapstick).

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Joining the chorus. Hair!! (Hey, that could be a Broadway musical!!)

Hair, makeup (minimal but important -- concealer, brow pencil, lipstick and mascara) and ... here I surprise myself! -- a good bag! The bag because if I am caring for others and travelling here and there I need to be able to pop things into the bag (water bottle, book, sweater, etc.) and know I will be prepared. Footwear that allows me to walk, too, because that is one way I deal with stress.

harmonica

Veteran

Interesting topic and assassment! Some periods are worse than others. Great to hear you have a well functioning wardrobe and what you've learnt.

I have to separate the cold season from the warmer months. In autumn/winter I rely on a basic wool skirt (a-line, pencil) and a wool sweater or wool tank/cardi combo. When it warms up a bit, I wear jeans/wool tank/wool cardi or jeans/wool sweater and maybe layer a blouse under the sweater. I'm not quite sure about summer but I have several basic dresses I can throw on.

I often let my hair as is. I use sea spray after washing it (2-3 times a week) and blow dry it with my head down. That's it. But your post got me to realize that my hair stylist is the best. Her skills are the foundation for my careless styling. Thus, hair is a top priority.

Staysfit

Veteran

Sleep, exercise and healthy diet are the top priorities for my style. Without them, nothing looks or feels right. Hair comes lower on the list. I'm used to my hair being unruly, because it's always been wavy and frizzy. I can go without makeup and a manicure. I think my next priority would be the comfort and fit of my clothes. When I have had to grab a quick bag to go help a relative, I pick my coziest jeans, sweaters, tees. A sentimental accessory is always part of my style in the form of bangles or some other jewelry from one of my family members or friends.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Hair definitely. If I go too long without a haircut I feel totally off. Next is skincare and sunscreen/foundation. Which I am still not satisfied with, but that is another story. After that fashionable flats. Because I don't look good limping either.

cindysmith

Veteran

Hair or eye makeup. I can feel fine without much makeup but I feel like I have to do my eyes.

Some days, hair or makeup is just too much (I have copd and some days I'm really doing good to get dressed). On those days, I resort to a favorite loose top/tunic and skinny jeans/pants. I can be ok without hair or makeup done in an outfit like that.

Gigi

Veteran

Another vote for hair here. After hair, a well-moisturized face that looks fresh (though without makeup). After that, an outfit that is polished, though it can be simple and casual (e.g., sweater and jeans). After that comes makeup.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

Shower.
Comfortable clothes, eyebrows filled in, lip gloss with sunscreen. Watch or bangle. At least stud earrings.
If more time concealer on red sections.
I don't have an excuse, but even the above doesn't always happen.

rachylou

Veteran

Like always, I'm stumped! Over-thinking it all! I have really distinct areas of life where I need/want different things. I guess I could go to the optometrist in my bakery-wear, but I don't like to do that. I suppose my tastes stylewise remain consistent, but how much I inject into any outfit really depends on situation. I'm a lot less Quirky Waif going to any kind of office than I would be otherwise.

But to pick one area: coats. I always need a long coat, hot or cold weather... and in that way, Quirky Waif always comes through, lol.

Lucy

Veteran

Great thread! *runs off to book a haircut*

viva

Veteran

I am very routine oriented. Life can sometimes be so overwhelming that it is difficult to get going, but in general, it doesn't take too much to cover the basics.

My priorities for feeling pulled together -- the things I MUST do -- are hair and makeup, but these do not take a lot of time. If I keep my hair short, it takes 5-7 minutes to dry and style. And I can get away with washing/styling every other day. I can do my daily makeup (which is simple and does not vary) in 5 minutes. So this is now down to a science.

Beyond that, jeans that fit. Favorite booties. Same bag every day.

That leaves the top as the only choice I have to make. Honestly, I can go weeks at a time living like this, when I just don't think creatively about fashion or style beyond: what top today?

I keep my fingernails neatly filed and polish-free, but a real manicure is evidence that I am very on top of things.

I hope things have settled down in your life, TG. Nice to see your Avatar again.

Helena

Veteran

Lucy - lol, me too

Thanks everyone for the wisdom - and Viva for the kind words

K.M.

Veteran

torontogirl, I've felt like that more often than not. My one essential is my skincare routine (multistep, Korean beauty). And daily showers.

Nintendo

Member

Making my hair look neat is the priority, in all honesty; type 4 hair is a blessing but a curse sometimes

My essentials are v-neck fitted t-shirts, skinny jeans and Converse. Absolutely crucial!

lozz_oz

Veteran

For me keeping my short hair in a smart 'funky' style is the first essential, followed by minimal makeup + short manicured nails (painted only if time permits).
Jeans, well cut and proportioned top for the petite size I am + comfortable low shoes and I'm good to go!

Bijou

Veteran

Hair and make up - with some variations in lip colour (from natural to pinky-red shades) are essentials. Doing my hair and make-up each day does not take much time at all, so an easy way to get myself feeling good for a very small investment.

In terms of accessories - I love my handbags, closely followed by my ankle boots.

My work uniform is a dress / jacket combo and my weekend uniform is jeans and a blouse / sweater.

Anonymous

As others have said, all the usual elements are important to me. And those element priorities change depending what the day holds.