Ideas for bad-arse accessories? - YouLookFab Forum

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Ideas for bad-arse accessories?

Nadya

Veteran

Thanks to Angie, I've been using the term Lady Bad-Arse to describe my aspirational style - a blend of modern classic, mod touches and secret agent toughness. For work I'm finding it's much more appropriate to have an outfit where the main pieces are ladylike, and a few accessories speak to the BA. So I'm on the hunt for ideas of what to even look for - not necessarily specific items but some brainstorming to broaden my horizons. Some examples I've come up with are

* boots of course
* leather jackets
* Alexander McQueen inspired skull scarf (I'm not up for dropping the cash for the real thing)
* studded jewelry or handbags

I'd love your ideas! Thanks for your help.

Dressing

18 replies

Latest reply was from Mia

catgirl

Veteran

My wolverine skull necklace gets a lot of positive feedback! So does the "shark tooth" necklace I sent Rae, which is both feminine and tough.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I have a harmonica necklace That's about as "bad arse" as I get.

Eliza

Veteran

Part of your answer may be to insert a more masculine counter-point to the feminine foundation of the outfit. Examples could be: oxfords, larger faced chunky watch, structured jackets, fedora, briefcase style bag. If you want to change it up, you could go more androgynous with the main pieces (crew necks, tailored button downs, trousers) and add a hint of feminine detail in your accessories. I am using masculine and feminine in a descriptive sense, not a literal one.

Also, it may not be only the print on the scarf that makes it BA, but how and where you wear it. BA has never been my middle name, but I think part of it is keeping your eye open for items that speak to you and using them in a clever way, You might luck out with BA pins or brooches being used on jackets or bags, adding a suitable "charm" or key ring to bags or clutches and finding structured necklaces that read chain. I have a brushed steel thick linked chain almost choker that has this vibe.

Fun question to think about.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Urban Outfitters is a great place for this BA style persona. Prices are fairly low, and you can pick though stuff to find things that are ageless BA style. (I just try to avoid things like the 1-800-EAT-$H1T tee shirt I saw.) You could find scarves and especially jewelry. I found a cool chain link necklace on sale for only 4.99; it's definitely BA.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Watching this thread, as I like to have a bit of secret agent/BA in my ladylike outfits too. I bought this silver cuff recently:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/sp.....h-personal
Looks like it's 1/2 off now!
Agree with black, studs, boots, spikes, skulls, leather, and some patent (my burgundy patent zipper rain boots are pretty BA).

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Nadya

Veteran

Ooh thanks for the ideas!

Una, you reminded me I have an arrowhead necklace that was my great great grandmother's, made from an arrowhead she found on her ranch in Colorado. That would be fun to layer with a couple of other chains or turquoise ... I pinned this awhile ago and never made the connection (I am so bad at visual interpretation!)

http://pinterest.com/pin/151433606193362250/

Eliza, your response is really insightful. I wear a man's watch everyday, and it's such a part of me that I hadn't thought of its contribution. And I have two pairs of heeled oxfords as well! I'm going to dig not the pin idea because I frequently wear jackets. I have some vintage pins I might be able to play with.

CocoLion and Natalie - great ideas! I never think of Urban Outfitters and will check them out. Nat, that bracelet is sold out, but you're pushing me in a good direction.

rachylou

Veteran

Chokers a la Emma Peel!

Anonymous

Honestly, I would go for less literal items, no skulls, spikes etc. There are plenty of utilitarian pieces that can suggest that bad arse persona. It is really easy to go into the " trying too hard" territory with the theme.
Check House of Harlow
http://www.houseofharlow1960.com/jewelry

Nadya

Veteran

RachyLou - Chokers and I do not agree! But you're spot on.

Zap - Good point - I don't think I actually want any stud jewelry and I find I don't wear the leather bracelets I bought at street markets. Perhaps a more nuanced interpretation is called for. I love the House of Harlow - thank you!

FlorenceFearne

Ooooh, this is exactly my style! Something I've had good luck with are very chunky pieces of jewelry. Those big overscaled chains, or braided metal necklaces both add BA but still look polished. I own this necklace, and it's one of the most complimented pieces I've ever had - by green-haired teenagers and pants-suited grandmothers alike!

http://www.kohls.com/product/p.....cklace.jsp

amiable

Veteran

This thread made me look up your other thread, and I LOVE IT! I love that persona, and I love thinking about how to be both a lady and bad-arse in one outfit. What a terrific juxtaposition! (And I have a slight pining toward having that be MY style persona too - perhaps, when I grow up - I don't think I'm refined/polished enough just yet).

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that this is so cool!

And I second the people who suggested chain.

rae

(website)

Veteran

I LOVE the descriptors you used! And I agree with Una and Zap, something a little sinister but not cliche sounds really fab. And if you are a secret agent, you don't want to be too obvious, anyway.

How about a chic decoder ring?
http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/e7b3/

http://www.masaoms.com/18kt/20.....gomensoro/

I have been very happy with Etsy jewelry for my cougar skull necklace and a crystal bullet necklace I got as a gift.

http://www.etsy.com/search?q=c.....ship_to=US

http://www.etsy.com/listing/80.....f=col_view

http://www.etsy.com/listing/98.....38;ga_sear

Aside from jewelry, my own personal trick is beat up men's leather belts. For some reason I don't wear leather cuffs much, either.

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catgirl

Veteran

Agree that menswear does it every time. If I could, I would wear a gun holster (but no gun as I'm really anti-gun and anti-violence - go figure!). Yeah, that would go over really well at work.

Rae's suggestions are FAB! I've seen some cool leather cuffs at Sundance that are pretty/edgy.

Aziraphale

Veteran

The suggestions about menswear are on the money.

How about a skull ring? Not the Harley Davidson kind. You can find beautiful, elegant ones.

Also try a belt with silver hardware. Black boots with buckles. Leather cuff or 5-wrap bracelet, as long as it's not sparkly. Small but chunky silver earrings. Not gold.

Also, have you tried dark-ish lipstick? Not goth, but not too pink or peach. Real red, or brick red, or dark plum.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

http://www.wendybrandes.com/st.....52d-Silver

Actually just look around her site, lots of good stuff.

siniestra

i usually go on my local flea market or used to go to venice beach ..to get my accessories i love uniqueness and that can scream very bad-arses speacially artisan necklaces ....i used to have a spider with crystals from betsey johnson u can check them in google the pics i thought was my best accessorie ever!

Carla

Veteran

RATE or B/A is not really my style descriptor, but I can appreciate it in others. That said, I recently traded in some flat patent peep toes for the gold studded Guess slippers (see below) and am much happier!

So, I would suggest some studded footwear. This could be nude sandals (quite lady-like/summer) with studs, or black boots. Also anything gladiator.

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Mia

Veteran

This is cool thread and helpful in my search to add a "little edge" to my style.

Hats? Men's cufflinks? I buy men's scarves as well. I got my "scull scarf" from H&M in Greece while on holiday and it was only 5 Euro. I wasn't sure about it and didn't want to invest but I find myself reaching for it often. My 'shark tooth' necklace bought on a whim has earned its keep and gets compliments from ladies of all ages. Who knew?