I use the blogger's tips for special occasion items (i.e. I will wear the same dress to 3 different weddings, but wear it with a different topper and jewelry each time -- specifically I have a white/black/citron/turquoise tile-print dress that is cap sleeved and knee length--- sometimes I pair it with peridot pieces, other times with turquoise, sometimes with simple silver, occasionally with onyx and have worn my leather jacket, a shrug sweater, and two different textured black wraps w/ it and 2 pairs of shoes). I do similar things with my gallery looks-- I have a capsule of mostly black (jeans, black slacks, black blouse, black turtleneck, black oversize dress, black tights, black leather jackets) and then have 3 pair of boots, several scarves, and several jewelry looks I combine. Sometimes I will wear a gallery outfit to work and then add jewelry to go out.
In my day-to-day life, this doesn't work as well. First off-- I can't wear jewelry to work, but still need to look "dressed" so I try to layer or wear tops with some interest or different necklines-- which often means that the look doesn't work with accessories piled on top. Second-- my work life and life outside of work generally are about the same formality level, so why change? When I do change, it is usually because I was dirty at work, because work was esp. casual (tee and jeans for cleaning day) or I'm going somewhere esp. casual or esp. dressy, or because I want to wear something not appropriate for work (sandals, shorts, sleeveless).
Of course, I think that this absolutely has to do with my lifestyle and sense of style. If I worked in an office and had a more feminine style I would totally rock the same dress with 4 different accessories looks or take a suit from day to evening by adding a romantic scarf or a edgy cuff.
My personal must-have accessories are belts, my watch, stud earrings, ball caps, stocking caps, patterned bags, and red shoes.
