'I just discovered the "showpony and workhorse" theory. It completely changed how I get dressed.'

There's a lot of talk in the fashion world about the importance of building a capsule wardrobe.

While it's certainly fundamental to have staple pieces in your closet that act as the base for your outfits — think jeans, blazers, plain t-shirts and core accessories — these aren't the only foundations for great style.

A tee and jeans can only get you so far.

Watch Mamamia's Alix try the Style Maths method. Post continues below.

Recently, New York-based fashion editor Becky Malinsky wrote in her popular newsletter, '5 things you should buy', about the concept of wardrobe "workhorses" versus "show ponies".

The workhorses are the items you turn to regularly; the ones that really carry the load of your daily style, while the show ponies are the pieces that bring the flair.

Picture your closet, and now think about the items that spark joy when you wear them. Those are the show ponies.

Fashion editor Becky Malinksy styles her "show pony" pieces for work, including this Tory Burch green skirt. Image: Instagram/@becky_malinksy

Malinksy is also a professional stylist, and said her clients often raise concerns around pieces they feel are too loud or colourful because they "don't want to hate [them] in a month".

It's the reason many of us stick to a failsafe colour palette of neutrals, and maybe even find ourselves buying the same styles and silhouettes season after season. We end up with a wardrobe full of workhorses — but none of the pizzazz.

And as Malinksy writes, "Without a little bit of flavour in the closet we run the risk of becoming walking, beige Pinterest boards."

Australian author, designer and fashion expert Nikki Parkinson also riffed on the concept in her 2014 book, 'Unlock Your Style', suggesting we should all be 'sprinkling our wardrobes with seasonal show ponies' as a way to add personality to our outfits.

The idea is especially pertinent in an era where everyone seems to be either dressing the same, or dressing completely whack. There's no in-between… or is there?

After digesting Malinksy's newsletter, I had a think about my own wardrobe. As a fashion editor myself, I've always been drawn to a minimal look, but I definitely have an eye for more eccentric pieces too. As a teenager I aspired to dress like an Olsen twin, and that impulse never really went away.

I collect things like embellished jackets and shiny accessories like a bowerbird — only once they're hanging in my closet, I find them challenging to pull out.

I tend to default to the more conventional basics (blazers and jeans!) and my more treasured finds sit there quite literally gathering dust.

On the occasions that I have taken the risk and worn my "show ponies", though, it's really paid off.

And maybe that's because it's these unexpected garments, like a bright quilted jacket or flared lace pants, that give us a shot of confidence and get us noticed. They tend to be the pieces that pull compliments — that's definitely been my experience.

But they're also the things people remember. Once you've worn *those* lace flares once, you can't wear them to every occasion like you would your favourite jeans (well you could, but people would probably start to find it a bit weird.)

This is also something Malinsky touches on.

"I know we all say we are fine repeating outfits and really wearing our clothes, but there is still a bit of stigma around the concept when put into practice," she writes.

"If we could get over that mental hurdle, we would need so much less and could have so much more fun with the stuff we buy and love."

So what do you do? Save your show ponies for special occasions only?

I don't think so. For one, the cost-per-wear on those items would be terrible. And if you really love something, you shouldn't have to wait to wear it.

For me, the real "AHA" moment came when I realised that my very best looks have come down to a mix of the two — of work horses and show ponies.

Here are some examples, with wildly different outcomes.

With this outfit, the jeans and tee are the workhorses, and the quilted jacket is the show pony. Image: Supplied.

The blazer is one of my workhorse pieces, while the black lace skirt is the show pony that offsets the look. I subbed it in here instead of jeans. Image: Supplied.

Another show pony jacket, by local label Antipodean, paired with staple denim shorts and a tank. Image: Supplied.

With this pregnancy outfit, the accessories were the show ponies, giving a singlet and midiskirt a bit of edge. Image: Supplied.

This Kinga Csilla t-shirt is on constant rotation, while the lace flares are a sometimes-piece. But the combination is effortless. Image: Supplied.

All of these "show ponies" are pieces I've pulled out for lots of different occasions and looks, and I've never worn them in exactly the same way.

They're the cream on top of my capsule wardrobe. And I really couldn't have one without the other.

Do you agree with this styling theory? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Feature image: Instagram/@_tamaradavis_; @becky_malinksy.