Whether or not you’re taking the 10-Item Wardrobe challenge, I encourage you to put special thought into your accessories.
I’ve always appreciated accessories, and since I’ve parred down my wardrobe, I think I adore them even more. My fairly modest collection of purses, bobbles, and scarves gets a lot of mileage—especially these days. I love the way a light pink scarf can add so much to an outfit of grey jeans and a black top or how a pair of simple “pearl” earrings puts the right touch of polish on an ensemble.
I allow myself to relish my accessories not as mere ornaments (or ways to add variety to a simple wardrobe) but as sweet reminders of my aesthetic, my style history, and, as the case may be sometimes, my loved ones.
Some of my favorite accessories are from dear friends or family members. For example, in the photo above, the gold toggle bracelet was a gift from my mother-in-law-to-be who had inherited it from an aunt. I wear the bracelet almost every day, and it’s a constant reminder of my lovely times with my new family. It’s also gold and jingly, which is fun.
The vintage black clutch pictured above was a present from my college girlfriends. Apparently, they combed through the antique store to find the perfect pin to add near the closure. It’s my favorite little bag for grabbing a few drinks or dining at a posh restaurant.
Whether you’re slimming down your own wardrobe or simply looking to further define your own style, I recommend selecting a few accessories that really speak to your heart in some way. As with clothing, it’s so easy to just throw on whatever’s right in front of you, but you deserve to feel like the best version of yourself in whatever you wear (hint: the best version is the most you version). I learned that it doesn’t take much—if you really love the items you own (whether that’s clothes or accessories) they feel exciting with each wear. And shouldn’t we feel excited about what we’re wearing?
Here are few reads to inspire your accessorizing adventures:
The Ellements of Personal Syle: 25 Modern Fashion Icons on How to Dress, Show, and Live by Elle editors Joe Zee and Maggie Bullock. From Dita Von Teese to Anjelica Huston, this gorgeous golden book takes you inside the closets of some very uniquely stylish people. Flipping through The Ellements always inspires me to think about how I emphasize my individual taste.
Cupcakes and Cashmere: A Guide to Defining Your Style, Reinventing Your Space, and Entertaining with Ease by Emily Schuman. Schumann’s pretty little book is divided by season. She offers excellent tips on accessorizing, including pointers on which items to splurge or save on and how to layer bracelets.
I Love Your Style: How to Define and Refine Your Personal Syle by Amanda Brooks. Brooks defines an array of styles from “classic” to “minimal” to “street” and includes a slew of beautiful celebrity photographs for examples. With tips on how to shop for any style or budget, this book is bound to help you discover the “It Girl” within.
Also see: The 10-Item Wardrobe Part I and Part II
By Mary: Natural Beauty – The 5-Minute Brightening Makeup Tutorial
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Photos: Mary Hood
