Such an interesting thread - reading as another with rather a lot of essentials and not many statements.
And like everyone else, I'm in awe of your current looks Susan!

Longchamps, Lisap. , and, they already have! Le Pliage Cuir!

Great thread and very late to it.

I know in Jenn's thread we talked about statements and getting 30 wears from them - and how it can be hard with some categories (for me especially tops).

I love the idea of statement handbags, shoes, sunglasses worn with essentials with a twist on you.

And I think you have an interesting, modern, signature style!!

Sal, that's a great observation -- I'm more likely to get 30 wears from statements in those categories Hmmm. I wonder if this is partly why I end up spending so much on footwear, though-- because I count on it to make my statement. And while I wear my casual footwear to death, in some cases, I must confess that I don't wear my shoes 30 times before I tire of them -- if they are dressy booties or a dressy shoes. I try to reduce my purchases of those but it is tempting to go overboard on them.

However, the 30 wear benchmark is a great reminder for when I purchase. Everything I've purchased so far this spring will be a 30 wear item for sure (assuming I keep things) -- but some I'm considering in shopping carts would not be. I need to be careful.

Interesting thread Suz. You have a great style. I agree with Angie that your hair is a statement and you wear that everyday. I also live in jeans and a simple T. My statements are jewellery but I am a jewellery lover.

If you wanted to add an interesting accessory I would suggest looking in the gift stores of art galleries. They have the best and most unique jewellery and scarves. I also bought a great graphic T at the Dali Museum in St. Petes in Florida. The AGO has a great gift store. I haven't looked in the ROM lately.
I have also bought jewellery and leather bags at craft shows. The One of a Kind has always been amazing for that. Muskoka has a summer version.

As another with an essentials-heavy wardrobe, I'm reading this with interest. Honestly, though, I think your style is statement enough, given your silver hair, beautiful footwear and your ability to incorporate new trends seamlessly into you wardrobe.

I like Angie's, Deb's and Penny's suggestions and comments, though: more scarves, statement watches and cuffs. Also, how about adding more texture or luxury fabrics into the mix?

Sometimes it's okay to run with the pack. Let your statement be your smile, personality and intelligence. (I think everything else has been said.....)

Suz, I could have asked the same question, so thank you for doing it way better than I could. I am happy with my essentials heavy wardrobe, because I enjoy knowing that there is intention behind creating an outfit from them. Where my dilemma is, is mostly in the fine line between being perfectly contended and missing to update.

Sorting my needs, wants and fictions has brought order in my wardrobe and peace to my mind. But the process that brought me here is the same one that opened my mind to the need to know how to choose for my modern classics loving style, which in turn means I should keep an eye on things to some extent... Yet there's so much out there and I'm not even bothered to try many things, as I get easily overwhelmed, and shopping is challenging for my height anyway, that I sometimes just want to ignore it all. Still, ignoring things and shopping only when pressed to patch a whole, is particular no no. Ah, the balance...

Is this written by the style master who owns sequinned culottes? Suz, you have amazing style! I do love the idea of aiming for 30 wears per item. That rationale has stopped me from making some unwise purchases and rules can always be broken.

Bijou, thank you! You are right...I do have the odd statement piece hiding away.

But your comment makes me understand the issue more clearly. I have some good statement items for special occasions. (Like sparkly tops, culottes, a kimono jacket). But I lack them for every day wear.

Ornella, I have been thinking so much of you. It's lovely to see you comment. More and more as my hair has gone silver I am drawn to your very simple style and I was in Cos in Toronto the other week and couldn't help but remember you writing to me about them. I think you manage this clean classic style so well -- it looks perfect on you. Your height alone adds some drama, perhaps, as my new hair does. And yet one does want something to stand out, no? I hope you are well.

Suz, I don't have any helpful advice, but I did want to chime in and say that I feel very much like you do. In fact I am contemplating some of those J.Crew shirts you have They look like good additions to my currently nearly empty summer wardrobe.
I think I have turned to classics out of some combination of practicality and desire. My wallet is flat, my time is spare, and simple, well-cut pieces that go the distance make sense to me right now. I also worry at times that I am missing something, but I don't have the time and focus to sort that out for myself right now, which makes it all the more enjoyable to see how you do it.

Scarlet, so lovely to hear your voice. Mothering young kids is a huge job -- I'm amazed you can even get dressed at all, remembering those days! Hang in there. You always have amazing style.

You know, Suz, I think it makes total sense that essentials vs statements is a stumbling block for you. You're a writer, and writing is all about how to pare things down, how to strip away whichever words aren't essential. I'm sure this informs your aesthetic and methodology in other areas of your life, including how you present yourself.

Moreover, I suspect your statement items are hiding in plain sight, disguised as essentials, because they're things you can't imagine doing without, and because they're well integrated into your style persona, so they don't necessarily "stand out" the way the word statement suggests.

La Pedestrienne, that's exactly what I was trying to get at--statements as embellishments versus a statement as an intrinsic.

It was so interesting to read all the wonderful suggestions presented to Suz because they revealed so much about the personal style of the commenter. To one person, statement jewelry, to another statement bottoms, to another statement footwear, and on and on. My own preference for statement construction, fit, and quality is pretty apparent in my comment. Funny how seeing it as a Suz suggestion actually helped me recognize my own direction for finding MY statements.

Admiring and appreciating the statements chosen by another doesn't mean I ought to copy--in fact, that route probably just leads to a less defined personal style, a drawer full of lovely, but unused, jewelry, and money spent on items which just don't feel right when put them on my body. If I think of a statement as something intrinsic, my statements will be unique to my way of dressing instead of an add-on.

It was your writing analogy, La Pedestrienne, which clicked the switch. Good writers have a distinctive voice; copying the linguistic style of others is fine when you are learning the tricks of the trade, but at some point you have to venture out on your own journey of discovery by looking inward, not outward.

So many good comments already.
I like the idea that the dum is more than the parts. I've always admired how you put together perfect proportions and just the right combinations. That sort of " effortless" look of course is not effortless, but it achieves an effect that a single statement item won't necessarily do.

I haven't read all the responses (just skimmed them), but I like the idea of adding nail polish and changing up some of the makeup. Maybe you could do statement lips in some unusual colors, or maybe do colored mascara (which normally isn't that loud; once it's on, it's pretty subtle, but adds a little extra dimension). How about expanding your handbag collection?

Hi Suz- I want to thank you for this thread as this is something I have been contemplating. Reading the responses has been clarifying for me.

I admit it I am a pants + top woman. Mostly neutrals, mostly solids (except a few geometric prints), and clean lines. And it has to be comfortable or I am not going to wear it. Jewelry and scarves are not my thing, at least on a everyday basis. Also not big on layering.

So I have decided to just embrace this and really focus on looking for/making what I call "quiet statements" in tops- fabulous fabrics made impeccably and/or subtle details in style like some of the COS tops Angie linked to. Also statement shoes.

Not sure if this helps at all. Mostly just wanted to thank you.

I got these earrings for Christmas. They're made by an artisan woman silversmith in the Yukon! They got a flurry of attention (and the price went up) when Cate bought a pair on her Canadian visit. Anyway, I love mine, and the silver would look lovely with your hair.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/4.....=related-2

You've already noted what I was thinking: silver hair=more drama, so it makes sense that a leaner wardrobe and a limited palette works for you now. You are clearly comfortable with certain statements (like silver shoes) that play into that drama, and I'm sure you will keep adding more unique pieces as you find them. I agree with Textstyle that jewelry may be an easy addition. Vintage silver pieces from Mexico or Scandinavia, in particular, are worth checking out--boldly sculptural and reasonably priced, gorgeous with grey hair and cool skin tones. (I know what you mean about creamy pearls feeling wrong.) I find great silver at thrift stores and rummage sales all the time. But I don't think you really need much advice. You're miles ahead of most of us at looking your beautiful best.

I really like this style, actually, it seems classic and elegant. A bright lipstck, a fun handbag, mary janes with a chunky heel, a larger art deco ring or necklace - all ways to add a pop of color/bling. Fun socks, a sexy cami that barely shows, fishnet stockings, or a fancy hat could all work for a more whimsicle look.