We give a brief review of some generalized continuum theories applied to the crystals with complicated microscopic structure. Three different ways of generalization of the classical elasticity theory are discussed. One is the high-gradient theory, another is the micropolar type theory and the third one is the many-field theory. The importance of the first two types of theories has already been established, while the theory of the third type still has to be developed. With the use of 1D and 2D examples we show for each of these theories where they can be and should be applied, separately or in a combination.