Are your 5-star items statement pieces, workhorses, or both?

I posted a WIW recently comprised of a lot of my "5-star items" from my closet.
http://goldenpig.lookfab.com/p.....s-together

Then I started to wonder, what does that mean exactly? What makes a piece a 5-star? Are they style statements, wardrobe workhorses, or perhaps both? To me, statement pieces are memorable with interesting/unique details and really elevate your outfit and make it stylish no matter how plain the rest of your items are. Whereas wardrobe workhorses are versatile, often simple and/or neutral, and you wear them often. But both types should fit well, flatter and make you feel fab.

So I thought this would be a fun exercise. I made a list of my favorite 5-star items in each category, and tried to think about which of them are statement pieces vs. workhorses. Here is what I came up with! Pic heavy because I thought it would be fun to show you visually what I am talking about! (Plus it's kind of like a bonus "best of GP WIW" album!)

But I have to admit, the distinction is getting a bit blurred, because a lot of my statement pieces are becoming workhorses since I love and wear them so often! And my workhorse pieces are not exactly plain basics--I love color, pattern and unique details, so they are often statement pieces too!

What do you think? Do you see the difference in these pieces I listed, or am I splitting hairs? What are the 5-star items in your closet, and are they statements or workhorses or both? (Would love to see your pics too!)

Style statements vs. wardrobe workhorses:
Coat: 1-2) Anthro red corset trench vs. 3&11) Kate Spade black ruffle trench
Jacket: 4) WHBM ink blue jacket and 5) Tahari black leather jacket vs. 6/9/15) Halogen black plaid zip peacoat and 7-8)Lafayette 148 cognac leather jacket
Skirt: 8/12) Anthro tile skirt in orange/yellow and 9)Tory Burch honeycomb skirt in cobalt/rust vs. 10) Anthro Liquid Acres pencil skirt and 7/11) Lafayette 148 tweed skirt with leather band
Blouse: 11)Hinge mustard paisley pussy bow blouse vs. 12) Anne Fontaine white button down shirt with double collar
Dress: 13) Classiques Entier ombre panel dress vs. 14) Banana Republic wrap dress
Jeans: 15) Anthro AG garnet snakeskin skinny jeans vs. 2/16/27) Gap Always Skinny jeans
Suit: 17-18) WHBM polka dot suit vs. 19-20) Classiques Entier lace suit
Belt: 21) Linea Pelle braided medallion belt vs. 22-23) Nordstrom obi belts in cognac and black
Shoes: 24) B Makowsky Heist leopard pumps and 25) Chie Mihara rust suede sandals and 26) All Black Fish Bow Pumps vs. 20) Clark red T-strap pumps and 27-28) Converse All Stars in yellow and red
Boots: 29) Aquatalia Vavoom rain boots vs. 3/5/6/15/19/23/30) Frye Melissa black lace-up boots (whew, those Fryes are getting quite a workout!)
Purses: 31) Kate Spade orange slice straw bag and 13/17) Fossil chevron stripe bag vs. 3/5/6/19) Kate Spade grey croc tote and 20) Fossil red executive tote and 10/16/32) Fossil velvet floral satchel

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10 Comments

  • anchie replied 12 years ago

    First I must tell you that I really love your stile. You have some really beuitifull pices in your wardrobe. But I don't see much difference between your statement pices and your workohorses. They all look more like statmenet pieces to me. But it is great that they are at the sam time also the workhorses.

  • goldenpig replied 12 years ago

    Hah Anchie, that's a good point--maybe that is why I have trouble wardrobe remixing. Everything in my wardrobe is a statement piece!

  • Nakidra replied 12 years ago

    Wow!!! You are super organized with your WIW, Natalie! I'm impressed!!! You've really, come a long way with your style since you've joined YLF. I'm sure your credit card looks like mine now each month :) (kidding of course!)
    My 5 star pieces are a mix between workhorses and investment pieces. These shoes, for example, investment. I hardly wear them, but I love them and I know I keep them forever. This poncho is a weekend workhorse. I wear it all of the time when I'm running around with the kids.
    Great post! Can't wait to see what others post.

  • goldenpig replied 12 years ago

    I found these links:
    Una's thread on basic vs. statement clothes:
    http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....nt-clothes

    And Angie's definition of statement pieces:
    http://youlookfab.com/2006/12/.....ent-piece/
    Here is what she had to say:
    "I encourage you to invest in a statement piece each season. It is that one item that will cost you more than you are accustomed to spending, but makes you feel magical and glorious each time you wear it.

    My statement piece is usually a bag, pair of shoes or coat, but yours might be something else. Jewelry is a good option. It’s usually an eye-catching piece in an unconventional style, shape or colour.

    I have not once regretted the higher price that I have paid for this special item. Chosen wisely, the statement piece…

    Is a spectacular item that generates many compliments and makes you look and feel extra fabulous.
    Is a good return on investment. You will wear it often (as often as possible) and the cost per wear will whittle down to nothing."

    So according to this, there really is no difference between statement piece and workhorse. I do wear my statement pieces a lot. Maybe I am just confusing my terms! Or maybe I suffer from the same problem as Una, I get bored with "plain" basics, so my basics end up being statement pieces as well! LOL!

  • goldenpig replied 12 years ago

    Nakidra, those are some absolutely fabulous shoes! You really should wear them more often! And I love your poncho! I have a couple myself and they are really perfect for running after the kids.

  • Meredith1953 replied 12 years ago

    I'll have to read both those posts about the nature of a statement piece. I have always just assumed that a statement piece is usually (but not always) expensive, dramatic (distinctive) and the focal point of an outfit (it plays star to the supporting cast of the rest of the outfit). GP, Yours are all so distinctive they are all star DIVAS!

  • ManidipaM replied 12 years ago

    Natalie, that is some wardrobe organization --- not just in physical terms, but because you are evidently tracking how often you wear something to figure out what's a workhorse and what isn't... especially given your workhorses *are* often things most people regard as statements!

    I'll admit to a similar tendency myself, and am consoled to hear that *may* be why remixing is harder! Though I suspect it's actually because I've let myself get distracted too often from buying the versatile workhorses. Just spent this morning trying on 5 different pairs of pants with the one tunic because the ONE pair of pants I know works with it is in the wash. Clearly more workhorses need to be a priority, which does lead me to suspect that in the long run, I might need to differentiate the two categories more.

    Nakidra, what glorious, gorgeous shoes! They look fantastic on you. I hope you enjoy them often.

    ETA: Had to have a hard think and closet inventory session before I could identify statements and workhorses, but it seems to go like so:

    Statements:
    * Benetton dark-wash bootcuts (with stretch and light fading along the thigh) --- but also behaves as workhorse, having been stabled in my closet for half a dozen years now
    * Debenhams Betty Jackson.Black plaid black&grey pencil skirt with kick frill and 'supportive' front seaming
    * Beige M&S dress pants --- love the fluid drape of the wide-ish legs, proved impossible to duplicate so used sparingly, hence statement (not because spectacular, so is this actually a workhorse in disguise?)
    * Anokhi Turkish blue gathered maxi skirt with gold print and deep ruffle
    * Self-patterned double-layered white skirt -- different prints on the two lightweight cotton layers make it interesting; but finding a top that adds colour without distracting can be a pain
    * White on white embroidered summer tunic -- so versatile, behaves as a workhorse on work trips
    * White on white shadow-appliqued top
    * Magenta-and-purple striped short Indian tunic and turquoise-and-magenta striped floofy Indian salwar pants
    * Citron single-breasted unbelted empire-line lightweight coat -- sometimes used as a semi-dressy topper
    * Quilted silk peplum jacket in teal
    * Chinoiserie patterned blazer --- crossing over into workhorse again, as worn with jeans as well as 'business' outfits
    (*Assortment of 'statement' sarees, from plain white silk with gold edges to magenta tie-and-dye)
    * Hush Puppies brown mary janes --- most would consider a workhorse, but used sparingly for work as the nicest comfy shoes I have

    Workhorses:
    * M&S bootcut jeans (two pairs, 2 sizes, 2 different lengths) in that lovely soft denim I can wear even in summer
    * Skinny-ish jeans, medium wash
    * Straight-leg true indigo jeans
    * Khaki skinnies with stretch --- front pockets show through the fabric, but the best option for shorter tunics (which I won't wear leggings with)
    * Leggings in brown and black; churidar-style leggings (longer, hence scrunching at ankle) in white, off-white, and teal --- need to add a red
    * Lightweight brown plaid tiered pencil skirt --- great for summer
    * Khaki capris
    * Voluminous gauzy harem pants in green and beige
    * Indigo tie-dye patterned T-shirts --- LOOK statement-ish
    * Indigo block-print short tunic
    * Magenta tunic with gold trim on neckline and arms --- some *might* see it as statement
    * Long blue bias-cut Indian tunic
    * Short Indian tunic in green and red print
    * HUGE taupe woollen shawl for winter
    * Navy anorak (could have been statement by my low standards, but for its red trim at neckline, making it much too sporty for the rest of my wardrobe)
    * Black woollen coat --- used to belong to my mother (!!!) and still going strong, even if dated; not a priority for replacing due to lack of winter, but at some point a lighter one would be nice for travelling
    * Thong-style kitten-heeled slippers (gold footbed, black straps --- sort of okay for 'dressy' ethnic as well as casual outfits)
    * Hush Puppies black wedges --- the comfiest thing for a long day on my feet; but thanks to suede footbed will need replacing soon (good example of statement forced into workhorse mode and made to retire a knackered nag!)

  • replied 12 years ago

    I think I have a combination of both.

  • rae replied 12 years ago

    Hmmm... mine are probably my workhorses, but my workhorses can be both statement pieces and basics, if that makes sense at all. They all have fit, comfort, quality, and (Rae) style in common, though!

    Statement Examples:
    AT jacket w/zipper and leather neck strap detail
    Citron Blouse
    Fishtain Anorak
    Frye Lace Up Boots
    UWP Boots
    Orange Feather Print Skirt

    Basic Examples:
    KM black wool coat
    gray cardigan
    BB shirts
    Plain red shift dress
    gray pullover sweater
    Denim jackets

  • replied 12 years ago

    Wow, I'm on my way out, but this is food for thought. My statement pieces have been my moto, Monty and Big Blue, and now my navy blazer. I think they are acting as workhorses too, because I'm almost always wearing one of them, at least!

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