Let’s Get One Thing Straight
I’ve been in this industry for 22 years. Twenty-two. That’s longer than some of you have been alive, probably. And in that time, I’ve seen trends come and go, rules made and broken, and a whole lot of nonsense peddled as ‘must-have’ advice. Accessorizing? It’s not rocket science. It’s not even close. But somehow, people make it complicated. And I’m here to tell you: stop.
I remember back in ’98, during Fashion Week in New York. I was just a junior editor then, green as they come. A colleague named Dave—let’s call him Dave—told me, “Accessories are the exclamation point to your outfit!” I nodded along like I understood. I mean, I got the gist, but honestly, it sounded like something you’d hear in a bad rom-com.
And look, I get it. We all want to look our best. But there’s a fine line between looking fabulous and looking like you raided a costume jewelry store. And frankly, I’ve seen too much of the latter.
The Biggest Mistake You’re Making Right Now
You’re overdoing it. I’m not saying this to be mean. I’m saying this because I care. I see you, out there, stacking bracelets up to your elbows, layering necklaces until it looks like you’re wearing a choker made of chokers. It’s too much. It’s just… yeah. Too much.
I was at a conference in Austin last year, and I saw a woman—let’s call her Marcus’s mom—wearing so many rings, I thought she was trying to conduct an orchestra with her hands. It was distracting. It was overwhelming. And it was not, I repeat, NOT a good look.
“But Margaret,” you might say, “what if I love accessories? What if they make me happy?” Good for you. Be happy. But maybe, just maybe, consider toning it down a notch. Or three.
Less Is More, and Other Clichés I Hate But Are True
I hate clichés. They’re lazy. They’re overused. But sometimes, they’re true. Less is more. Quality over quantity. All that jazz. When it comes to accessorizing, this is especially true. You don’t need a million bracelets to make a statement. You don’t need a necklace for every day of the week. Sometimes, one well-chosen piece can say more than a closet full of junk.
I remember when I first started out, I was guilty of this myself. I thought more was more. I thought the more accessories I wore, the more stylish I would look. But then I met a woman named Linda—let’s call her Linda—at a coffee shop on 5th. She was wearing a single, delicate gold necklace, and she looked effortlessly chic. I was wearing enough bling to blind a small child. I learned my lesson that day.
And look, I’m not saying you should never wear more than one accessory. But maybe think about what you’re wearing and why. Does it add to your outfit, or does it just add clutter? Is it drawing attention to your best features, or is it distracting from them? Be honest with yourself. Your outfits will thank you.
Skin Care Routine Tips Natural
Okay, this is gonna sound random, but hear me out. I was talking to a friend last Tuesday about how accessorizing is like skin care. You don’t need a million products to look good. Sometimes, a simple skin care routine tips natural can make a big difference. The same goes for accessories. A few well-chosen pieces can elevate your look without overwhelming it.
I’m not saying you should stop wearing accessories. I’m saying you should think about what you’re wearing and why. And maybe, just maybe, consider laying off the costume jewelry. Your future self will thank you.
A Digression: The Time I Wore Too Many Bracelets
I need to tell you about the time I wore too many bracelets. It was about three months ago, at 11:30pm, and I was getting ready for a party. I was feeling fancy, so I decided to wear all my bracelets at once. Big mistake. By the end of the night, I looked like a human wind chime. And not in a good way.
My friend Sarah—let’s call her Sarah—took one look at me and said, “Margaret, what are you doing?” I told her I was accessorizing. She told me I looked like I was trying to conduct an orchestra. She was right. I looked ridiculous. And I felt ridiculous. And I learned my lesson.
So, please, learn from my mistakes. Don’t be like me. Don’t wear too many bracelets. And for the love of all that is holy, don’t wear too many necklaces. Your future self will thank you.
And look, I’m not saying you should never wear more than one accessory. But maybe think about what you’re wearing and why. Does it add to your outfit, or does it just add clutter? Is it drawing attention to your best features, or is it distracting from them? Be honest with yourself. Your outfits will thank you.
And that’s all I have to say about that. Honestly, I could talk about this for hours, but I won’t. Because I respect your time. And because I have a deadline to meet. So, I’ll leave you with this: accessorize with intention. Accessorize with purpose. And for the love of all that is holy, accessorize with less.
About the Author
Margaret Thompson has been a senior editor at various fashion magazines for over two decades. She’s seen it all, done it all, and has the opinion to prove it. When she’s not writing about fashion, she’s probably complaining about it. Or wearing too many bracelets.
