My favorite accessorizing tip is very simple, and it has nothing to do with coordinating earrings and necklaces, or watching videos of different ways to tie a scarf.
Instead, it’s this:
Make your practical, daily accessories interesting ones, and you’ll have less work to do when it comes to the rest of your outfit.
Case in point? Shoes. You’re already wearing shoes every time you leave your house. So instead of wearing black or brown ballet flats, what about wearing an accent color? Springs and autumns will benefit from just about any color in their personal rainbow, while winters and summers often tend to prefer a more neutral shoe. In that case, a color you wear frequently on your top half can become a pseudo-neutral in the context of shoes, like dusky rose for Soft Summer, or cobalt blue for True Winter.
If you prefer a neutral-colored shoe, you can increase the excitement factor with textures, patterns, and even hardware. Look for a faux snakeskin ballet flat, a floral-printed sneaker, a herringbone pump, or a boot with a decorative buckle. Ask yourself what excites you in a shoe shape. Is it a clog? Ankle booties? Peep-toe heels? Thigh-high boots? Doc Martens? Flat sneakers? Your shoes are just as much of an opportunity to infuse your wardrobe with your personal style as your dresses and earrings are.
You’re probably also carrying some kind of bag when you leave the house. Whether it’s a structured tote big enough for your laptop, or a little crossbody bag for running errands, a well-chosen bag can easily become a signature piece in your wardrobe - or even the primary focal point of your outfits.
Color is a simple way to make your bag more interesting, especially if you’re typically a neutral lover when it comes to clothing. Bags can be a great place to seek colors that you either don’t want to wear right next to your face (for many women, this is yellow), or colors that are difficult to find in clothing. There’s a surprising amount of color variety available in bags.
If you prefer a neutral bag, try pushing the envelope. If you’re a winter, must your bag be black? A crisp graphite gray can be a better choice. If you’re an autumn, all kinds of brown are easy, but a warm green-gray can be an exceptional alternative. For springs, your seasonal version of buttercream can look fresh and light, even grounding, among your colorful clothing. And for summers, look beyond classic navy to oyster or taupe. If you have a small scarf, you can knot it to your neutral bag when you’re in the mood for an accent color, and remove it when you’re not.
You can look for a bag in an intriguing shape, or with interest-adding hardware like zippers or grommets. Tassels, embroidery, whipstitching, or a chain strap can elevate a bag (especially a neutral one) into something more than the sum of its parts.
Frequently-repeated pieces like shoes and bags are excellent places to invest in your wardrobe, because their overall cost-per-wear can work out to be very little. That doesn’t mean you need to run out and buy a designer bag, but if you’re someone who likes to carry the same bag day-in and day-out, it can be worth spending a little more. And for shoes, make sure they are also comfy!
This trick can be expanded to all kinds of daily accessories, whether you’re wearing them on your body or simply holding them in your hands.
Here are some ideas:
Watches and watch bands
Glasses
Phone cases and phone grips
Headbands, hair barrettes, and scrunchies
Reusable drink tumblers
Wallets
Notebooks and planners
When both your shoes and your bag feel special, it’s easy to look polished, even on a quick trip to the grocery store. On a busy day, the rest of your outfit might be blue jeans and a neutral sweater, but your no-brainer daily accessories are doing the heavy lifting for you. Add some signature jewelry pieces you can wear on autopilot, and you’re well on your way to looking more exciting, without having to put in any extra thought when you get dressed.