Wardrobe Workhorses vs. Show Ponies
A new term I’m absolutely loving—and how it’s got me rethinking the balance of a harder-working wardrobe.
Hello lovely readers!
Last week I was listening to one of my favourite podcasts—Style-ish (if you haven’t listened, you need to!)—and they were discussing “workhorses” and “show ponies” I have to admit, I hadn’t come across these terms before. Have you?
Once the hosts explained them, it all made perfect sense and I absolutely love these terms! —workhorses are those go-to pieces you reach for time and time again without thinking, while show ponies are the statement pieces that make an impact but don’t get worn as often. Both play a role, but striking the right balance is key to curating a wardrobe that feels both functional and inspiring.
Thinking about my wardrobe
On my commute to work, I found myself reflecting on my wardrobe while listening to this podcast. Since having my third child, I’ve spent the past few years rebuilding it with a focus on fewer, high-quality basics—my “workhorses.” Now that I’m truly content with this foundation, I’ve started shifting my focus this season to statement pieces—my “show ponies”—to bring more personality to my closet. That’s why this episode resonated with me so much!
The Workhorses: The Backbone of a Wardrobe
Workhorses are the clothes that just work. They’re comfortable, versatile, and fit seamlessly into your daily life. These are the pieces that form the foundation of most outfits, making getting dressed easy, ensuring that I don’t spend my mornings standing in front of my wardrobe feeling uninspired.
For me, that looks like:
✔ A well-cut pair of jeans – The kind that goes with everything and makes me feel good every time I put them on.
✔ A great quality knit – Because a knit has the magic ability to elevate even the simplest outfit.
✔ A great blazer or jacket or coat – Something I can throw on to feel instantly more pulled together.
✔ A simple tee in a neutral colour – Worn on its own or layered, these always earn their keep.
✔ A comfortable yet stylish pair of shoes – If I can’t walk in them all day, they’re not going to be a workhorse.
The Show Ponies: The Pieces That Spark Joy
Then, there are the show ponies—the items that might not be worn as often but bring excitement to a wardrobe. They’re the statement pieces, the ones that turn heads, the ones that make an outfit feel extra special and keep a wardrobe from feeling too predictable.
Show ponies in my wardrobe?
✨ Great accessories – Whether it’s a bag, a belt, or even a fun pair of leopard print shoes, I love a little unexpected twist in an outfit.
✨ A standout dress – The kind that makes me feel amazing but isn’t necessarily an everyday wear.
✨ A fun print coat – Less about function, more about making an entrance.
✨ Standout knitwear – Something unique that adds character to an outfit.
How I’m trying strike the right balance
A wardrobe made up entirely of workhorses can start to feel a little too practical—which is exactly where my mindset has been lately. But on the flip side, a closet overloaded with show ponies can make getting dressed stressful (because let’s be real, statement pieces don’t always play nicely together). The magic, I think, happens in the balance—where workhorses make day-to-day dressing effortless, and show ponies add those moments of joy.
I’m aiming for an 80/20 balance—80% hardworking staples, 20% statement pieces. Hopefully this ensures I always have reliable go-to outfits while keeping room for those special pieces that make my style feel uniquely mine. I’ll be tracking everything in the Indyx app to see how it all comes together.
Do you lean more toward workhorses or show ponies? Or do you have the balance just right? Let me know in the comments!
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Thanks so much for reading,
Until next,
Julia x
You can find all the links and sizing details for my featured outfits on my LTK account.
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This is brilliant—what a fun way to label basics vs statements, especially for the Horse Girls out there! I tried to do the exercise with my wardrobe and I have to admit, color kinda threw me for a loop for a minute. I love a bright pop of color, but is a T-shirt in emerald green or a midi skirt in deep purple a workhorse or a show pony? It’ll take me more time than I thought to parse that!