Building a Classic Accessory Wardrobe

My stylistic evolution began with clothes, moved on to shoes, and only recently began to encompass accessories. I’d estimate that it’s only been within the past four years that I’ve realized the true power of jewelery, belts, scarves, and other embellishments to add personality, flair, and interest to an outfit.

But now that I’ve seen the light, I worship at the Accessory Altar. I know now that creative accessorization can save a drab outfit from hopelessness, and elevate a good outfit to greatness. I know that accessories can add texture to the bland, sparkle to the dull, and definition to the formless. I know that accessories MAKE an outfit.

So I’m going to make you ladies a list of must-have accessories. But first, I’m going to lay some serious caveats on you:

Caveat 1: Put a punk, a prep, and a princess in a black sleeveless sheath dress. Punk adds motorcycle boots, a chain belt, leather jacket, and skull earrings. Prep adds a pearl choker, patent pumps, a cashmere cardi, and a charm bracelet. Princess adds diamond danglers, opera-length gloves, tennis bracelet, and sky-high stilettos. Your accessories are how you express your stylistic personality. Don’t let me or anyone else tell you which ones to buy and try.

Caveat 2: These items are what I consider “essential” to a modern working girl’s wardrobe. Generally speaking, these are the classic basics: A smallish group that many women employ regularly. These babies are more likely to add polish than personality, and should be the foundation upon which you lay your accessory wardrobe. This is only the beginning, my loves.

Caveat 3: Since you are not made of money and unlikely to be able to amass all this crap in one go, I’ma give it to you in tiers. Tier 1 is accessories I believe to be very necessary. Tier 2 is accessories that will be helpful regularly, and enhance your overall fashionability. Tier 3 is accessories that you should have as soon as you can afford them, since they represent the icing on your personal style cupcake.

OK, here we go:

TIER 1:
Diamond, Moissanite, or CZ studs: Every lady needs this bit o’ bling, regardless of her style.

Heather gray tights: They go with black, brown, red, blue … shall I go on? Heather grey is the ultimate neutral in tights. Hue, Spanx, and DKNY all make fabulous versions.

Medium-sized gold or silver hoops: About 1.5″ diameter is good – bigger is showy, smaller is demure.

Unadorned gold or silver chain: Nothing chunky, keep this delicate and ladylike.

Black pumps: Heel height and material are your choice, but select something you can walk at least six blocks in, something that will compliment both slacks and skirts, and something with relatively few bells and whistles.

Pearl or faux pearl necklace: Whether you’re going for Mad Men or Madonna, pearls will help you get there.

Wedge sandals: Even folks who shun heels can generally deal with wedges, so this style is a good bet. Steer clear of espadrilles, as they have limited application. Stick to a classic color and style.

Pearl or faux pearl studs: For when you’re feeling more Jackie O than Marilyn Monroe.

Knee-high boots: Riding boots or heels, slouchy or smooth, every girl needs these for non-summer skirt and dress wearage.

TIER 2
Silk scarf: Scarves can totally transform an outfit, adding color and sass to an otherwise dull ensemble. A silk or silk-like square is a very versatile shape, but rectangles are great, too. You can typically find fab vintage versions at your local thrift emporium, and if you’d like some tips on how to tie your new scarf, check me out.

Leather gloves: Nothing says “lady” like a sleek pair of gloves worn with a smartly cut wool coat. In leather, pick any color. If you’re not a leather-wearer, stick to black or brown fakes, which will look less fakey.

Cuff bracelet: Even if you’re too timid for a statement necklace, you can utilize a chunky cuff to add edge to your look.

Cinching belt: Wide or skinny, pick your poison. This belt is NOT a trouser belt, so don’t pick up a two-inch brown leather jobber from the Gap. This belt is for polish, personality … and the creation of a waist.

Strappy sandals: Something sultry that shows a lot of skin. Color and material of your choice.

Tennis-style bracelet: Mine cost $0.50 at an antique mall, so don’t even think that I mean real diamonds. Just a sparkly, feminine, delicate bracelet for days when the cuff is too much.

Long necklace: Be it chain, beads, pearls, wood, or any combination thereof, just make sure it hits an inch above your bellybutton. That’s about 34″ on me. This is a very slimming piece, and can jazz up everything from a sheath dress to jeans and a tee.

Statement shoes: Whether they’re bright yellow patent, encrusted with studs, toweringly tall, or full of live goldfish, just make sure you’ve got a pair of shoes that attract attention. In a good way, that is.

TIER 3
Brooch: It doesn’t have to be a granny cameo or big tacky pin in the shape of Santa’s head. It can be geometric, sparkly, or very, very plain. But do find one that suits your style because at some point you’ll need to secure a shawl or keep a cardi closed and it’ll come in quite handy.

Cowboy boots: These needn’t be pointy-toed, intricately-tooled exemplars of Western culture. Frye makes about 87 gorgeous varieties that give modern takes on this versatile boot.

Stack of bangles: At least 5 thin, musical bracelets.

Boho scarf: Something huge and fibery that wraps all the way around your neck and shoulders. Maybe even twice. Pick something with lots of color, a pattern, fringe … anything to give it pizazz.

Mary Janes: Schoolgirl sass for grown-ups.

Colored tights: If blood red and electric blue scare you, try olive green or deep purple. Anything that’s not black, gray, brown, or white will qualify.

Chunky mid-length necklace: Since you’ve got delicate/short, and interesting/long covered, pick out something heavy or colorful or bold that sits just a wee bit above your rack. It won’t get tons of use, but when it does, it’ll draw compliments.

And if you just can’t get enough of me telling you what to buy, check out my personal picks for 50 things every girl should have!

Jewelry rack courtesy sarathe. All other images from amazon.com.