Fall Prep – Feeling Confident Discarding Common ‘Essential Pieces’

By Brian Maynor

 

As anticipation for cooler weather starts to build, now is a great time to take stock of your wardrobe.

Not only should you pull out any item that clearly has seen better days, you should pay specific attention to your ‘essentials’.  Most of us have a group of clothes we feel must be kept because they are simple, basic, classic or traditional, yet have a layer of dust on the shoulders from never being moved, let alone worn.

So why are we keeping them?  Security comes first to my mind.  The comfort of knowing should I ever need to wear a full on business suit with shirt and tie I have plenty of options, even though that need is very unlikely.  Then there is the investment cost.  It’s hard to toss a ‘perfectly good item you’ve purchased’ because it feels wasteful.

All that being said and rationalized the truth is closet space is a precious commodity as is having pieces you enjoy wearing on a daily basis.  Here are some of the most common essential pieces we keep holding on to, but are unlikely to wear and some alternatives:

1.    Classic suiting.  Whether it’s our black ‘funeral suit’ or the navy business suit you bought years ago, most of us hold on to one or more of them, buying into the hope that even if we don’t wear them together we can wear them as separates.  In most cases that never happens, and the suits just hang in the back of the closet.  Unless they are part of your weekly dress code, you should ditch the suits.  On the rare occasion you need one, you can find suitable alternatives in the pieces you do wear.  If it’s an occasion where a specific suit is required, chances are you’re going to end up purchasing a new one anyway because the one you have doesn’t fit, literally and figuratively.

2.    White shirts.  This is a personal dilemma I’m having at the moment.  I love the idea of a crisp white shirt and have quite a few in my closet, but hardly ever wear them.  Either the fabric is too thin to comfortably wear alone or the fit is off in some way.  I also keep thinking I’ll layer them when the weather gets cooler under sweaters or blazers, but I’ve been saying that for a few seasons now and it’s yet to happen.  As classic and essential as they may be for others, clearly they aren’t for me.

3.    Khaki pants.  Ubiquitously part of the ‘southern uniform, you can’t drive through downtown without seeing khaki pants in some incarnation.  Whether it’s an internal loathing of conformity or fact that there are dozens of other suitable options to khaki pants you can wear make this the season you break out of the norm and find your own neutral, mid-weight pant you can wear instead of jeans.

4.    Statement pieces.  While they may spice up an otherwise dull outfit, statement pieces are hard to wear regularly.  Making a statement means they are memorable and how many times can you wear them before someone comments on it?  Instead embrace the concept of minimalism and let that be your statement.

It’s easy to get caught up in the status quo, marketing campaigns and desire for someone to take the guess work out of shopping, but when it comes to ‘essential pieces’ there is only one rule:  essential pieces are different for everyone.  Instead of making a purchase based on a list or idea of what you should wear, I prefer to ask if you’ll wear the item enough times to offset the cost.  If the answer is ‘no’, then save your money and keep shopping.

 

Click here or on the images below to learn more about the outfit.

 

 

Click here or on the images below to learn more about the outfit.

 

 

 

I am always curious to hear some of your weekend wardrobe dilemmas and challenges. Please send your comments and questions to [email protected]. Also find each of these storyboards at http://brianmaynor.polyvore.com with links to purchase each item.

 

About Brian Maynor

Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.

 

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