How do you find your accessories? (long)

shipskitty

I've been looking for more interesting watches and handbags lately to make my look a bit more "mine" and found myself overwhelmed sometimes by the sheer number of choices available.

While I love being able to use resources like Etsy, Amazon, Google and Shopstyle to see what is out there at the same time sometimes having so many choices is in itself a problem. Too many options LOL.

Also I like to touch the items when I'm chosing them. I enjoy the process more when I can feel the texture of the bag, or the weight of a necklace. Plus with bags it is easier to judge the size/look in person (although some sites now have a picture with model or shop dummy wearing the bag which helps a lot).

Thinking back my favourite workhorse accessories - the ones I go back to over and over and or love to death - are always the ones that I had some kind of inital gut reaction to. But sometimes it helps to put them in a wishlist and make sure I still feel as excited about them a few days later. Although occasionally it has meant I've missed out on an item - those stripey sequinned flats I mentioned in Angie's stripes post for example - it has also saved me from some impulse buys that a few days later I had forgotten about.

I'd love to find more hits than misses in the future so I was wondering how other people go about the process of looking for accessories.

When you are looking for something to fill a hole, like a casual watch, a summer bag or a long pendant do you start with something in mind?

Do you search only in person or online?

Do you buy with your gut as soon as you find something you love or do you sit it in a wishlist?

How do you go about finding it in the first place? Do you search by colours (purple watch), by descriptive words (edgy bag, urban watch), textures or details (tassel pendant, studded watch)?

For example someone mentioned in another post I was reading this morning that they use "visually similar items" on Google. I've never tried that and wonder how many other ideas are out there.

(Edited for typos and to add photo)

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

14 years ago

Shopping

10 replies

Latest reply was from ButterflyLady

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I just usually go to some place like Winners (TJ Maxx) for inspiration - there's a bunch of different stuff, and if I find something I like, it's discounted! I like holding things like watches in my hand before I buy them - that being said, my go-to-watch ($0.10 cost per wear, anyone?) was bought online.

I also have go-to-brands that I try to look for on ebay or on their website, just to see what is new - I really like Fossil for my watches and bags.

For jewelry, i have a few favourite sellers on Etsy that I frequent, and I subscribe to their Facebook updates so that I can see what new stuff they have. I also like to cruise places like Forever 21 because of their wide selection - once I find something I like and wear a ton of, then I invest in a similar more high-end piece.

Hope that helps!

14 years ago

Anonymous

I have to meet my item in person usually. I'm learning to go more with my gut with things like handbags. I really must fall in love with them. I've been looking for a bag the last two shopping days and I just haven't found one that spoke to me. I'm looking for one that will mesh well with my new taupe moto jacket and I'm striking out.

I did however buy some sandals (they called to me as I passed by) and white jeans on the first day at TJMaxx and some reading glasses and another pair of sandals today, again while shopping for a handbag! Things tend to find me when I'm not looking for them, I guess.
As I was driving home I realized that I tend to buy shoes at Kohl's, TJMaxx, Marshall's or Ross. Cheap bags I find at Ross or Kohl's. Sterling silver jewelry is good at TJMaxx and Target always has great scarves. That's my circuit!

14 years ago

sarah

Veteran

GREAT question. I also struggle with accessories, and don't have a lot (of jewelry, at least). I tend to shop at a couple of local boutiques that I like and at JCrew of all places. I'm very new to the whole handbag thing, and so far have been shopping by brand (Fossil). I've searched 6pm.com and Endless sales for those. I don't think of shoes as accessories, but those I buy from Zappos and Endless so I can return with no shipping charges if I don't like them.

14 years ago

Ginny

Veteran

Well Iam not a big online shopper I like to look, touch pick up and try on in person. I love jewlery, and scarves and such. I too like Kohls, Target, TJMaxx and love going through boutiques and such to find accessories. I love the hunt when it comes to accessories.

14 years ago

Jjsloane

Veteran

I am not organized enough to really know what I need, just gravitate to what I like (which is why I end up with 4 long silver pendant necklaces, but I love and wear them all) I try to keep a mental list, but as a bargain shopper I'm more in the reactionary mode than proactive mode unless it's something vital. My SIL likes to buy me very expensive bags and has good taste. I enjoy the bags even if they weren't my choice, I just can't justify spending the $ when someone gives me one that is perfectly fine (these are Cole Haan and BCBG brands so far so I'm not complaining at all just might have picked something a tad smaller)
I am a huge online shopper, but rarely purchase accessories for the reasons you mention (can't visualize size, weight, quality etc..) If I see something in a magazine that I'm interested in I will look at similar items at stores I frequent with good return policies. I won't hesitate to buy from Nordstrom (knowing returns are easy) and I stick to brands I know.
For jewelry (costume) I browse my Lord & Taylor department store. They mark items down every Sunday and they are usually an extra 40-50% off and coupons work on top of that. I've found Kate Spade jewelry and other quality items I like but like the discount stores you are more at the mercy of their selection rather than being able to pick a particular item.
I knew what I wanted for my next watch and stalked them on Amazon and Nordstrom until the right one hit my price point and I sent the link to DH (it was almost my birthday). I also like vintage jewelry so I look at etsy for that, but you have to really have an idea or a shop you like to hone in on something as the selection is overwhelming.
I've found great jewelry at Nordstrom Rack, Banana Republic, Talbot's and LOFT, but you have to really look regularly.
I consider shoes as staples and buy brands I know quite regularly from places with free shipping and returns unless I'm certain of the style and brand. Lately it's been 6pm (not free returns, but I buy Doc Martens or other brands which I know well), DSW (can return in store).

14 years ago

Jem

Veteran

My favorite place to buy watches is at Ross. Everytime I am in the US, I always go there to look for watches because I like to have colorful watches. Actually, last time I was there, they even had some Michael Kors watcjes. I also agree with Winner's (canada) for accessories.

14 years ago

Jewell

Veteran

I start by making a mental note of what's missing when I put together an outfit, thinking to myself, "This would be perfect with a _____" (fill in the blank with whatever handbag, jewelry item, or scarf is missing to complete the look). Then I stroll through the accessories sections of the stores I frequent with those specific items in mind. I've even gone as far as to plan a shopping trip while wearing the outfit in question so I can try my new accessory on in store to be sure it will be perfect. That's what I have to do whenever I go to Charming Charlie because the store is a literal explosion of accessories (all organized by color) and I get overwhelmed by it all.

I tend to buy accessories in person because it's harder to judge the size and luster of things online.

14 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

So glad you asked this question, Shipskitty! I have trouble with accessories and need to learn shopping tips, too. It's fascinating (and affirming) to hear how many people feel they need to see and touch the item; I always feel this especially with bags. I don't have a strategy other than to make a note of whenever I feel an outfit is lacking something, and then to forget to bring the note when I actually go shopping, LOL!

14 years ago

Veteran

I don't like to shop online. Like you mentioned, there's just too many choices out in cyberspace!

Whenever I go to a store, I hit the accessory areas first. Sometimes I may have a specific item in mind, such as "bling earrings for holiday outfits," or "light colored necklace to bookend my tan shoes." Most of the time I'm just thinking, "new bag," and I wander around to see what sings to me. Lately, I've been doing a lot of walking and leaving stores without buying anything. The pre-YLF me would have been very frustrated with leaving empty handed. Now I feel secure that I'm probably good on the basics and I'm weeding through for the 10's.

If you do find yourself looking for specific things, one good tip I've read is to only go shopping for those items and leave a store immediately after you've looked at the appropriate department and find that store didn't have what you needed. For example, if you were looking for a red bag, only go to the bag section and if they don't have what you want, move on to the next store's purse section. Don't get distracted to shop for something that isn't on your list. This helped me when I was shopping the end of summer sales (my dominant season) and all the new fall items were displayed. (I didn't dare step into Nordstrom's during their anniversary sale. LOL!)

14 years ago

ButterflyLady

(website)

Veteran

This is a very timely thread for me - I don't really plan my outfits, and often find that I am lacking accessories which would really finish off what I'm wearing. Of course, when I'm shopping, I've totally forgotten what I needed, so I never actually seem to buy anything!

I also need to see jewellery, bags and scarves in person rather than online, to assess size and weight. And wearing the outfit I want to accessorize when shopping is an excellent idea, I will try that!

I think I need to add 'buy more accessories' to my new year's resolutions ...

14 years ago

Category