I thoroughly enjoy wearing accessories. Some aspects of my accessory style have stayed constant throughout my 53 years, while others have seen more change. I wore some accessories for decades then stopped cold turkey and never looked back. Others I wore for years, stopped, and ventured back into wearing them later. Some accessories are new to my style.

Handbags and necklaces are my favourite accessories. I’ve carried a fun bag since I was little. Necklaces I’ve worn my whole life too. Usually dainty and gold, and some type of white pearl. That said, about a decade ago, I stopped wearing my pearls. This shocked my friends and clients, who kept asking where are your pearls! That was a rebellious style phase, in which I thought I needed to sport a more minimal, strict and modern look. It wasn’t authentic, and therefore short-lived. My playful and pretty pearls are back, and I’m not looking back!

I had my ears pierced at a young age and wore studs or horse shoes daily. On our wedding in 1996, I wore my late Mum’s dangly vintage gold and pearl earrings. I never worn earrings again, and don’t miss them at all.

I much enjoy scarves and belts and have worn them most of my life. That said, I left off belts for many years because I wasn’t in the mood. My mood is back! I’m embellishing my belt capsule, and wearing belts with pleasure. Loving the way a belt adds a polished finishing touch to my outfit.

Dainty bracelets are a newer-to-me accessory that I’ve been sporting daily for about a decade. I much enjoy the arm candy with my watch, and how it matches my pearl wedding ring. Speaking of rings, I wear my wedding ring daily. No other rings.

Hats I wear as a practical necessity, and not for their visual appeal. Beanies in Winter to keep warm. Sun hats in Summer to protect my face and neck.

I’m not sure if watches and eyewear are accessories, but I’ve been wearing them daily for decades and can’t function without them. My colourful and Modern Retro eyewear is an integral part of my style, so it feels like an accessory to me. And probably the most visually impactful accessory because specs are on my face, and people speak to your face.

Our accessory styles can stay much the same over the course of our lives, or evolve into a different vibe depending on our needs and moods. How has your accessory style changed over time?

I loved shopping at Esprit back in the ‘80s when I was a teen and young adult. I’m shopping there again after being inspired by Inge, who does extremely well with the brand. Always colourful, casual in an expressive and vibrant way, nice fabrics, reasonably good quality, good fits, and won’t break the bank. Plus you’ll see a mix of classics and trends.

Esprit does simple relaxed items in a range of colours and patterns. The Finds will take you to the Belgian Esprit website, but most of the same items are available on esprit.us

1. Esprit Unisex Logo Fleece Hoodie

Esprit has been offering a simple logo fleece hoodie since the ‘80s, and it looks just the same. Simple, bold, unisex, oversized, super comfy, playful, and retro. The fabric is lovely and as cosy as can be. Comes in sixteen colours, and in an XXS on the US website. Runs big so size down unless you like a very roomy fit. I had one in bright green with a navy logo back in the ‘80s. This time round I chose bright yellow with a navy logo (the second one in the collection). I wore one at 18, and am wearing one at 53. Love a nostalgic classic that makes me smile. I’m wearing it here. Available in the US.

2. Esprit Striped Rib-Knit Top

An excellent long sleeve fitted ribbed tee with heft and weight. Very neat neckline. Good to wear as a layer under a topper, or on its own. Surprisingly, it does not cling. It’s long so fab for Team Tall, and Team Long Body. Available in the US.

3. Esprit Spring Striped Sweater

If you like classic 100% cotton simple striped knitwear in a fine gauge knit, this is an option. Super comfy, crisp and silky with a flattering fluid fit. Plenty of length. Neckline works well on a larger bust. The lemon with lilac stripes is unique. The green and white is super fresh. Not available on the US site.

4. Esprit Long Sleeve Poplin Shirt

Last, a trendy item that looks best when you can fill it out with a broader shoulder line and/or larger bust. Its oversized boxiness is greatly tempered with a high-low hemline. The wide cuffed sleeves do not scrunch because of their width. Instead, cuff them once leaving the button unfastened to create an architectural vibe. Has pockets on the bust line that are unobtrusive. Comes in solids and low-contrast stripes. Breezy and covered for on a hot day. Available in the US.

Chocolate browns made a comeback after more than a decade’s hiatus, which is great news for Team Dark Brown. Wear dark brown from head to toe and as a dominant outfit colour. Or wear it in a more subtle way as these outfits show. Using dark brown items instead of black is a common theme. 

1. Footwear and Bag Complement

An oversized pea soup green sweater is worn with flowing wide dress pants. The black trousers match the model’s hair. Instead of finishing off the look with black shoes and bag, dark brown boots and satchel grace the look. To my eye, unexpectedly punchy, softer, and more interesting.

2. Brown Topper

A fitted cream midi sweater dress is worn with tall black stompy boots. A roomy black jacket would match the boots. Instead, a mismatched dark brown shearling flight jacket completes the look. The cream shearling trim matches the cream dress, which creates visual harmony. That said, a chocolate jacket without the trim would work well too. Neutral fabness.

4. Pattern Accent

A blue and earth tone marble patterned dress is combined with tall caramel slouchy boots. The caramel boots match the caramel in the pattern. The bits of dark brown in the pattern are small and subtle. The outfit could be topped with a coat or jacket in any of the colours of the pattern, with a bag to match.

4. Fresh Colour Combination

Last, a pair of slouchy light wash jeans is combined with an oversized white shirt. A cropped sweater vest in an unusual patterned combination of dark brown and lilac is the punchy third piece. Black shoes bookend the model’s hair. I like the unexpected addition of brown and purple, instead of a pattern that includes black that would work well with the model’s hair. Add jewellery, topper, eyewear and headgear as desired.

This week, I enjoyed reading this article about Mums dishing out style advice, and how some tenets of fashion wisdom are passed on from generation to generation:

“Always Accessorize & 5 Other Fashion Lessons My Mom Taught Me.” I thought this part fitted in nicely with Angie’s post yesterday on defying your environmental norm if that’s your preference:

“Like my mother, I’ve often been met with the following question: ‘What are you all dressed up for?’ This would bother me when I was a child, and I’d often ask my mom to change me into something more casual. But as I’ve grown older, I understand that what looks like being ‘overdressed’ to others has always been a way for the women in my family to assert their personhood, especially in a world that may otherwise seek to stifle it. Now, I’m proud to be extra whenever the moment calls for it.”

Fab Links from Our Members

April loved looking at all these shoe storage ideas, even if some are deeply impractical.

This thoughtful essay really articulated Roberta’s suspicions that she’s veered towards being too matchy-matchy, and what the difference is between matching and coordinating.

Suz has been making her way through the last season of ‘Articles of Interest’ and loving every show. She found the episode about the Corduroy Appreciation Club very funny and particularly apt for those who love this fabric on cold Winter days. You can see associated images on the Substack.

Nuancedream is a big fan of corduroy too, and enjoyed this Guardian article on how to stay sharp while sporting double corduroy.

BlueJay directs us to this article, from a menswear perspective (but relevant to everyone), discussing how to build a sustainable wardrobe. She particularly enjoyed the advice about creating “emotional durability” by building attachment and having items that we continue to love and wear. 

Kyle thought this was interesting: The LA Times theorizes that malls may not be dead after all, thanks to a generation of young people that yearns for connection.

Here’s the NY Times Best Underwear Review for 2024. Angie says: “I have to agree that Tommy John rocks! Those are the knickers I wear, although a prettier version with a bit of lace. Well worth the price. Fits, lasts, looks good, feels good, and launders well.”

Here are 8 ways to prevent, or at least minimize hat hair this Winter. Especially useful for curly and oily hair. Angie says: “I’m generally a fan of dry shampoo, and apparently it’s a way to spruce up hat hair that lies flat. I’m trying it!”

Suntiger wanted to share this video about a simplified version of Kibbe — with only 3 types! She adds: “It’s a little odd cause what they call ‘straight’ is what I call curvy, and ‘wavy’ body types are straight-figured — but the style recommendations are helpful.”

She also liked this video about the difference between deep and dark seasons, which are often used interchangeably but are not the same.