I’m Tired of Your Boring Accessories
Look, I’ve been in this industry for 20-something years. I’ve seen trends come and go. I’ve watched as people like you and me try to keep up, try to stay relevant, try to look good while doing it. And honestly? We’re all doing accessories wrong.
It’s 2023, and I’m sitting here in my tiny apartment in New York, surrounded by boxes of jewelry I’ve collected over the years. Some of it’s nice, sure. But most of it? It’s junk. It’s the kind of stuff you buy because it’s on sale, or because your friend Martha told you it was cute, or because you felt like treating yourself after a long week.
And that’s the problem. We’re treating accessories like they’re an afterthought. Like they’re not important. Like they don’t matter. But they do. They matter alot. They can make or break an outfit. They can elevate your look from ‘meh’ to ‘wow.’ They can even change how people perceive you.
But we’re not talking about that. We’re not talking about how to use accessories to our advantage. We’re not talking about how to make them work for us. Instead, we’re just throwing them on and calling it a day. And it’s gotta stop.
Let’s Talk About Jewelry
I remember back in 2005, I was working at Vogue (yes, the Vogue), and I met this woman named Lisa. She was a stylist, and she told me something I’ll never forget. She said, ‘Accessories are the exclamation point of your outfit.’ And I thought, ‘Wow, that’s kinda deep.’
But it’s true. Accessories are like the punctuation marks of your look. They add emphasis. They add personality. They add… well, accessorize. But we’re not using them that way. We’re using them like we’re afraid to stand out. Like we’re afraid to be seen. Like we’re afraid to take up space.
And it’s not just jewelry. It’s all of it. Bags, scarves, hats, belts. We’re treating them like they’re optional. Like they’re not a vital part of our outfits. But they are. They’re not just add-ons. They’re not just extras. They’re essential.
I’m Not Saying You Need to Spend a Fortune
Now, I know what you’re thinking. ‘Oh great, another article telling me to spend more money on fashion.’ Nope. Not what I’m saying at all. You don’t need to drop $87 on a new necklace every week. You don’t need to have a closet full of designer bags. But you do need to think about what you’re buying. You need to think about how it fits into your wardrobe. You need to think about how it makes you feel.
And here’s the thing: you can find amazing accessories anywhere. Thrift stores, flea markets, even that condo buying guide comparison website your cousin keeps sending you links to. (Seriously, Marcus, I don’t wanna buy a condo. I wanna buy a cute pair of earrings.)
But you gotta be intentional about it. You gotta think about what you’re buying and why. You gotta think about how it’s gonna make you feel when you wear it. And you gotta be okay with walking away if it’s not right.
Let’s Talk About the Biggest Mistake We’re All Making
Okay, so there’s this thing we’re all doing. And it’s driving me crazy. We’re all so focused on following trends that we’re forgetting to think about what actually looks good on us. We’re buying stuff because it’s ‘in’ right now, not because it suits our style or our body type or our lifestyle.
And I get it. Trends are fun. They’re exciting. They make us feel like we’re part of something bigger. But they’re not everything. They’re not the be-all and end-all of fashion. They’re just one piece of the puzzle.
So here’s what I wanna know: when was the last time you bought an accessory because you loved it? Because it made you feel good? Because it was ‘you’? Not because it was trendy, not because it was on sale, not because your friend Sarah said you should. But because you wanted it.
I’m gonna guess it’s been a while. And that’s a problem. Because fashion should be about expressing yourself, not about following the crowd.
A Quick Story About My Friend Dave
So there’s this guy I know, let’s call him Dave. Dave is a marketing exec in Chicago. He’s got a great job, a great apartment, a great life. But he’s got one problem: he has no sense of style.
Now, don’t get me wrong. Dave’s not a bad-looking guy. He’s tall, he’s got a nice smile, he’s got that whole ‘boy next door’ thing going on. But his fashion sense? It’s a disaster. He wears the same boring suits every day. He accessorizes with, like, a boring watch and a boring tie. He’s got no personality. He’s a blank canvas.
So one day, I sat him down. I said, ‘Dave, we need to talk about your accessories.’ And he looked at me like I was crazy. ‘What’s wrong with my accessories?’ he said. ‘They’re fine.’
‘Fine?’ I said. ‘Dave, you’re boring. You’re like a walking, talking spreadsheet. You need to spice things up. You need to take some risks.’
And you know what? He listened. He started experimenting with different styles. He started wearing more colorful ties. He started mixing and matching his jewelry. And you know what happened? He looked better. He felt better. He even started getting more dates. (Which, honestly, was long overdue.)
So here’s my point: accessories matter. They can change your life. They can change how you see yourself. They can change how other people see you. So why are we all so afraid of them?
Let’s Make a Commitment
Look, I’m not saying you need to become a fashionista overnight. I’m not saying you need to spend every waking moment thinking about your accessories. But I am saying you need to start paying attention. You need to start thinking about what you’re wearing and why.
So here’s what I wanna challenge you to do. Next time you’re getting dressed, take a second to think about your accessories. Think about what you’re wearing and why. Think about how it makes you feel. And if it doesn’t make you feel good? If it doesn’t make you feel like ‘you’? Then maybe it’s time to make a change.
And who knows? Maybe you’ll find that accessories aren’t so scary after all. Maybe you’ll find that they’re not just add-ons. Maybe you’ll find that they’re a vital part of your style. A part that you can’t live without.
But probably not. I mean, let’s be real here. We’re talking about accessories. They’re not gonna change your life. But they can change your outfit. And that’s gotta count for something, right?
Anyway, that’s my take. Take it or leave it. I’m just some old lady who’s been in the fashion industry too long. What do I know?
About the Author: I’m Linda Thompson, a senior magazine editor with more years in the fashion industry than I care to admit. I’ve worked with some of the biggest names in the business, and I’ve seen trends come and go. I’m here to tell you the truth about fashion, even if it’s not pretty. Even if it’s not what you wanna hear. Because someone’s gotta say it, right?
