You know I’m accessories obsessed, don’t you?
Too many big cocktail rings, statement necklaces or chandelier earrings are never enough.
My shoe collection almost needs its own room. And I can always justify a new bag purchase.
See, not only do accessories ALWAYS fit but they have the power to take your outfit from meh to marvellous in one swift move.
Which means they have the super powers when it comes to taking your confidence levels from zero to hero.
Accessories are also the most budget friendly way to update existing wardrobe pieces.
Remember those wardrobe basics we talked about? They love getting a little zesty with a well-chosen accessory. Even the show ponies love a little accessory action.
In fact today’s challenge to you is to make sure you add at least ONE accessory to your outfit every day.
It doesn’t seem so difficult when you break it down to just one, does it?
Too often we get caught up in thinking we’ve got to adorne ourselves from head to toe to win at this accessorising game. And that’s not to say we can’t do just that. I’m not adverse to that.
It’s just often that thought can be a stumbling block to adding any accessories at all. Suddenly it all seems too hard when it need not be.
And the best way to ensure that you make that one strategic move every morning is to have your accessory collection visible and within easy reach for a quick add-on as you’re running out the door.
How you organise your accessories will depend on how big your collection is, how much space you have to store it and what types of accessories you have most of but here are some ideas that might get you inspired. There are also some ideas here as well.
Once you’ve created the accessory habit, your confidence to add one, two, three or more pieces will develop. It will.
What you want to do with accessories you’re adding is create focal points for people’s eyes to stop at. Think of your entire outfit like a dot-to-dot activity. People’s eyes will be drawn to the top dots and they’ll cross over your outfit all the way down to your shoes. And then they’ll come back up again following those same dots.
If I’m in a social situation, I like to control the dots, if you like, and keep the eyes front and centre. To do this I will often wear statement earrings or necklace and then either cocktail rings or bracelets on my right hand (the one that’s usually wrapped around a champers in these situations).
We have moved on from the matchy-matchy scenario of earrings needing to match necklace, needing to match rings, needing to match bracelets, needing to match shoes, needing to match bags. You get my drift?
Yes your pieces should complement each other but they don’t have to be an exact match. Experiment and have fun with different combinations of colours and textures.
If you have sentimental silver or gold jewellery you wear every day this doesn’t have to be a stumbling block to adding a statement pieces as well. Scarves work particularly well here – summer and winter – for adding that extra layer and taking your outfit to the next level.
When shopping for new accessories, work to your budget, creating and building on your collection with every purchase.
My collection includes everything from cheap and cheerful buys through to true collectable pieces. I treasure these collectable pieces as much as I do artworks because that’s what I believe they are and why I’m happy to spend more on them. Cost per wear they will be in my wardrobe forever.
How are you with accessorising? Got it sorted? Questions for me?
Archive posts for more information
How to organise your accessories
Style work
1. Look at the way you store your existing accessories. Are they tucked away out of sight and therefore out of mind? Think how you could change this to make it easier for you to use your accessories.
2. Create the accessory habit. Start today but vowing to add one accessory to your outfit before you step out the door. Do this for one week and you’ll find it will become second nature.
3. If accessories are now on your shopping list, then have fun with your choices.
PS. Don’t forget if you want to share any of your progress along the way via photos, you can upload them in the comments or share via Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #unlockyourstyle and make sure you tag me so I can find it (@stylingyou). Facebook uploads to my page are welcome too.
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** The Styling You Holiday Style Camp {Unlock Your Style in 14 Days} is based on the Styling You Manifesto. If you don’t have your own, you can download it here. I’ll also be giving away a proper printed Styling You Manifesto from The Smile Collective every day to the reader who catches my eye with their comments and participation.
Unlock Your Style in 14 Days (Day 4 manifesto winner): Jodi Gibson. Jodi, could you please email me your postal address: nikki@stylingyou.com.au
