Accessories: What's Hot, What's Pop, and What's Just Too Much
August 14th, 2008 by missbritt
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My favorite part of my wardrobe is my collection of accessories.
Shoes, handbags, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, scarves. Seriously, I have a teeny bit of an obsession when it comes to the peripheral portion of my closet.
Mainly, because I am cheap. And the thrifty fashionistas secret weapon is understanding that the most frugal way to stay "current" is to let your accessories do all the work. If you never learn anything else from me in this column, remember this:
Buy classic clothes that flatter and pair them with trendy accessories for a look that is always in style.
The End.
(Do you hear that? That is the sound of my editors falling off their chairs and screaming "The end?? THE END?!?!?" Hee hee hee.)
Unfortunately, while accessories are the easiest way to keep up with the latest fashion trends, they can also be the most overwhelming to figure out. As one mom noted in the Blissfully Domestic forums last week, it can be difficult to determine how much is too much, which colors "go" and which ones don't have to.
Everything You Need To Know About Adding Accessories To Your Wardrobe
1. Make A Statement - but just one.
Our grandmothers used to call them "signature pieces". Of course, they usually meant the strand of pearls you never left home without. In today's style world we've moved beyond the classic strand and you now have a wide range of Statement Pieces to choose from.
Experiment with a large attention getting bracelet or a brightly colored necklace. Maybe you'll finally put on those leopard print shoes or chandelier earrings (that I am not giving up no matter what is supposed to be "in").
Whether you're an accessory hog or just learning to be more brave with your style, it's always smart to let one bold piece have center stage.
2. It doesn't have to match - it just has to "go".
Fans of the show What Not To Wear will have heard Stacey London use this phrase over and over again. Because it's true. You aren't limited to your shirt and pants when it comes to picking out colors for your accessories. In fact introducing a new color can be a great way to create a pulled together look.
I find that the easiest way to do this is to start with a fairly neutral outfit. An all black dress or a mainly solid top paired with denim provides the perfect blank canvas for your more colorful shoes or jewelery.
How do you know which colors "go"? Think in terms of color palettes. For visual tips (and new ideas!) you can use an online tool like this one at COLOURlovers.
3. Accentuate The Positives That No One Notices
The most timeless way to use accessories is to pull out a color that is already somewhere in your wardrobe. A slight cautionary note here: this is only a good idea if you are already wearing quite a few colors! A black dress with black shoes, black bag and black jewelry is only appropriate for a funeral. If you're the widow.
A better way to draw from your existing color palette is to match your jewelry (or shoes, or bag or scarf or whatever) to a color that isn't otherwise understated in your outfit. I have a pair of yellow shoes that I absolutely love with what is mostly a burnt orange top. The yellow in the shirt is barely noticeable, but adding the Cannot Be Ignored shoes creates an overall look that is both warm and striking.
As a rule, you don't have to use colors that are exactly the same when you're picking up on details. Keeping it in the family is usually your best bet to make this style tip work.
And that's it.
No - really. That is truly everything you need
to know to start playing around in the accessory aisle with
confidence. As with almost everything in life, the key is to relax and
keep it simple.
What's your Easier Than It Looks Fashion Tip? Share in the comments and come on over to the forums to learn more!
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Miss Britt dishes out fashion advice weekly on Blissfully Domestic and personal cluelessness daily on her personal blog. (And she never, ever speaks about herself in the third person there.)
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August 14th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
I always say, when it doubt ask yourself WWSCD?…What Would Stacy & Clinton Do?
August 14th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
I love this post. Off to Stumble!
August 14th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
My signature piece that went out of style in like 5 minutes:
A pink rhinestone wrist cuff. SOO cute and girly- but SOO few opportunities to wear
As for an actual tip: hmmm what didn't you cover? I'm an accessories freak, and I don't know what else to add. You're a genius Britt!
xo
August 14th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
I bow at your feet, oh wise and wonderful teacher. I'm not worthy!
Now, must go look at scarves and such. Feel that I'm woefully lacking.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Ooooooo…. now I want to go accessory shopping, oh but poo….. I have to go BTS shopping for the kids first! Oh well…
August 14th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
I tend to go with this approach. A lot of my clothes are pretty basic so I can dazzle them up with accessories and/or awesome make-up. I also have simpler, more subtle pieces for my crazier shirts/outfits. I'm huge on accent colors too.
I'm not a fashionista by any means but I do love me accessories, be it a funky pair of shoes or a ginormous necklace.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
I like the idea of ONE signature piece. I have a large silver chunky bracelet that I use as my "signature" piece.
I hope silver is still in….it is right Britt?
August 14th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
I like the first bit of advice: one bold accessory with classic/flattering clothing.
I do wish we could return to the days of a single strand of pearls making an outfit just -work-… Pearls, even if I could afford a strand, just don't go with much of what I wear…
August 14th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
i adore your fashion posts and look forward to them each week. seriously.
xo~K
August 14th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
This advice is spot-on. I tend to forget accessories.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
I always know what looks good on Motley who, even though she is tall, is big breasted and has hips and a tiny waist. So low rise stuff doesn't often flatter her. All the cool belts and beads look fussy on her. So she listens to Mom mostly, and ends up looking better than her peers.
As for me, I'm not much for accessories or colors. When not wearing the company colors for work, I wear black, white, grey, red, pink, and sometimes a little blue. I wear black and pink a lot because the pink flatters my aging skin. The only accessories I wear any more are all jewelry: classic Tiffany padlock pendant, Dooney & Bourke bracelet with pink stones, my rings from my DH which are all silver. My ears are the only odd thing and that's because of my double helix and other piercings in my left ear. Those are all gauged earrings in sterling or colored titanium.
See? I'm easy but complicated, and no fashion statement. OH! Except for my glittery hot pink flip flops that wear everywhere except work. HEH.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
These are awesome tips Britt! Love them!!
August 14th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
I never forget Coco Chanel's advice about accessories: Before you leave the house, take one thing off.
Which, of course, goes with your ONE statement piece rule.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
No wonder I look like a dork most of the time. I've been doing it all wrong!
Thanks for the hints. I'm totally printing this and sticking it in my closet.
August 14th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
I just started making jewelry and it is one of those hobbies that not only is relaxing to immerse myself in after a stressful day, but also leaves me with super cute accessories tailored to my style. Yay! Two birds with one stone is the only way I accomplish anything lately, ha!
I'm really bottom heavy, so I find that if I use attention-grabbing accessories up near my face, it makes the wide load on the south side a little less noticeable.
August 14th, 2008 at 11:57 pm
i thought of you when waiting for my take out mexican lunch. a woman was leaving the restaurant in a tan business suit and leopard print shoes. you know me, i had to say "awesome shoes!" she smiled and talked to us for a few moments about signature pieces. see, no matter what you think, i do listen! (sometimes i simply choose to ignore, but i do listen.)
regarding what angel said…the bigger the hoop, the smaller the hip!!! i'm looking for pierced hula hoops.