Never Buy a Statement Piece When You Need a Workhorse

A statement piece can up a look. However, it will not do you any favor when you need to replace a basic. Learn what are wardrobe staples. Read what is the difference between them and a wardrobe staple, and how decide when to buy a statement piece.
 

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What Are Wardrobe Basics aka Workhorses?

There is an eternal elegance to desaturated looks. Just think of the timeless black and white, or navy blue and white outfits. These pieces are wardrobe basics, workhorses so to speak. Even when you go for three desaturated colors you can achieve instant elegance, just think of blush, gray and black, or black, gray and white. All neutral outfits are always in style.

When to Buy a Statement Item

When I saw these black, white and gray printed floral statement boots on the runway, I knew I wanted to have them for my fall wardrobe. I had the outfit shown in this post in mind, as well as three other looks. I only buy a new item when I can come up with at least three outfits with pieces that I already own. This rule is especially important, when buying a non-classic statement piece.

You can imagine how excited I was to find a pair in my size on eBay. Since the boots on my fall Must-have list were meant to be a trendy item, this find was a perfect fit. Even better, the price was below the upper limit that I had set for boots on my fall budget. This means that I can spend a little more on other items that are still on the list. You can find how to make a shopping list to update your wardrobe at the link.

When the boots on my Must-have list had been the replacement for the every-day boots, I wouldn’t have made the purchase despite I love these statement boots, despite I identified four looks without trying hard, and despite they were on sale.

Pro tip: Never buy a statement piece when you need a workhorse. #HighLatitudeStyle #dress4success Click To Tweet

How to Style a Desaturated Fall Look

Fall is all about bold colors in outfits and natur wise, right? The trees have yellow, red, brown and still some green leaves. These colors look great when the sky is blue with white fair weather clouds. Mother Nature’s fall colors look  even great against the gray canva of the sky and up the mood on a gray rainy day .

This means you have to create interest in an desaturated fall outfit when you have to compete against the bold colors of fall. The easiest way to do so is the same as for styling a monochromatic look:

Working with the contrasts of shine and matte and/or adding texture for a great look in all neutrals.

Analysis of this Example of a Desaturated Fall Outfit

When you look at the inspirational outfit of this post you find the following different textures:

• meshes
• weave of the fabric of the boots
• suede vs. plain leather or metals and beads

Contrast between matte and shine is achieved by

• adding silver nappa leather opposed to a suede leather belt
• matte fabric of the boots vs. their shiny white heels

Do you like desaturated outfits? Do you wear them? What are your non-budget related challenges with the update of your fall wardrobe?

130^th Top of the World Style linkup party

Thanks to all of you who linked up in the past and make this party great and exciting with your inspiring outfit ideas. Welcome back! You are an awesome crowd!

When you are new, welcome. We are glad you are here. You can sign up the form below to join the VIPs who an email invitation to the party each week.

By linking up you agree that I may feature you as Top of the World Style Winner, Top of the World OOTD Readers’ Fav or Top of the World OOTD My Fav and use a photo from your linked up post in the feature. Thank you. 🙂

The winner of this week’s feature is Stefanie, the work fashion blogger at The Style Safari, who submitted her winning post at the 129^th linkup party. Her black and white dress with a pop of color is head turning modern, but classic at the same time. Ageless style at its perfection.

The post by Erica at Erica Valentin became Top of the World Readers’ Fav as you clicked her post the most.

Andrea  became my favorite of last week’s party. Who said you can’t wear over-the-knee boots over 40? Doesn’t she look great in this outfit! It is just a question of styling over-the-knee boots over 40 right.

Congrats ladies! Please grab your respective featured Top of the World Style button from my Linkup Page for your sidebar, featured or awards page. :).

Speaking of this Linkup Page, when you host a party, please send me an email with the day, name and your blog URL. I then will add you to the linkup directory. It’s a free promotion for your party!

Now let’s party. Everyone of any age and gender is welcome to share their fashion and style posts.

1. Grab the above banner and put it into your sidebar if you like
2. Please follow your hostess via email.
3. Linkup up to four of your fashion/style posts by simply adding your link below
4. Please be a good sports and visit the posts of at least three of your linkup-fellows, introduce yourself to them to network and to make new friends. If you know them all already, I am sure they will still appreciate your stopping by and saying Hi. We all like traffic, don’t we?

Thanks for stopping by and linking up!

Thanks for stopping by and linking up! Come back soon.

Never worry what to wear where and when with my style recipe book How to Dress for Success in Midlife. Buy it now.

Photos of me: G. Kramm

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