I am definitely NOT convinced by the examples in the article linked. They all look the same. However, I have definitely seen tights. boots/shoes, belts and hairstyles change a style entirely.

While toppers are generally considered wardrobe items, they are the very best way to assure diversity in a wardrobe of basics, IMO. I have just introduced my DD to the idea, and she LOVES it. She has comfortable basics she enjoys wearing for school, and the toppers make the entire outfit different. Scarves, for people who enjoy wearing them indoors, can also create the same effect. But changing to a different coloured pair of pumps and changing one's earrings just aren't enough to create a different look in my eyes.

I have just started getting more into accessories lately, mostly of the jewelry variety. This is tough for me, though, because I am very sensitive to a lot of metals and so have to buy sterling silver or gold (and it gets pricey fast!). So I would have to say that for me, the most important accessories are shoes and jewelry. But overall, I choose to have variety through owning more clothes in different styles.

I have noticed that you are a good accessorizer, TG! Accessories are absolutely crucial to your style. I think that anyone who dresses on the more minimal side of the spectrum needs to have a good grasp of accessories.

I love accessories. The ones I use most are:

Scarves
Necklaces
Belts
Rings

I don't count handbags and shoes in accessories as they are part of the outfit for me.

I'm not great with accessories, but I understand that they can be used to dress an outfit up or down. I am less convinced, in common with many above, that the examples given change the look of an outfit that much and are all you need to give variety to the same outfits underneath.

I think they certainly can enhance an outfit. I love how Imogen at Inside Out style uses necklaces, and I loved Angie's use of them in the past (before she chose not to use jewellery) too.

I confess to wearing just my wedding ring and the same earrings nearly every day. I do wear scarfs quite a bit in winter, and appreciate that they mean I can wear top colours that aren't so flattering close to my face like black and grey because there is a scarf next to my face (plus I like the warmth)

Like E, many of my shoes are expensive, in my case because they are specially made for orthotics, and this means I have quite a lot fewer than I might like, and they aren't as attractive and outfit enhancing as would be nice.

Shevia and Maneera mentioned my first thought....since when are shoes an accessory??!! It's not like I am going to skip adding shoes to an outfit. And for me they function as an important part of the outfit, as does a bag even though it's usually part of the look for only a small part of the day.

Last winter I got into wearing scarves and went into spring wanting to do more with completer or third pieces. I got a few very lightweight scarves, a white vest, and a couple of statement necklaces. I regularly wear a watch (currently white or silver), my wedding ring, and a right hand ring. If I wear a scarf or a necklace then I don't wear earrings. I agree with others that jewelry is especially useful for dressing up an outfit.

So I guess I use accessories to 'finish' an outfit more than to add variety. And overall, to me the looks she showed still looked very much like the same outfit.

I do rely on accessories to change up my look because it's an affordable way to achieve variety in my wardrobe. I accept that others may not notice too much difference, but it makes me feel different.
Of course, adding more tops and jackets would make a more distinct change to an outfit, but for those on a smaller budget, that isn't always an option.
Mostly, I use scarves, statement necklaces or cuffs to change things up, but they do need to be large/colourful enough to make an impact; dainty items don't have the same effect.

I don't think of footwear as an accessory either. Footwear is so extremely important in an outfit - that it gets its own category. That's why I always refer to, "clothing, footwear and accessories".

My hair is my most powerful accessory. My eyewear next. Then comes watch and belts. Occasionally a scarf. No jewellery.

To me, an accessory is something that is extra or optional. So I don't think of hair as an accessory because it's not optional, you HAVE to wear it everyday! In your case, Angie, I do see your hair as a key element of your style.

I think of accessories as the sass that you can add to your look & that accessories are definitely the fun part of getting dressed, so I include shoes in that part of the equation.

I wear a ton of scarves when it's cold & wintry. I like them so much, sometimes I wear two at once.

In the summer, I wear a lot more pendant necklaces. I also love a funky colorful shoe, have about a dozen pairs of eyeglasses, and a pretty good collection of handbags.

I have a pretty well-stocked jewelry box with pieces that I buy at art shows, and those get thrown into the mix all year round.

Amazing trove of ideas here! I agree that some of the examples on the site don't demonstrate much of a change; great point. I like the idea of also choosing a category of clothing, e.g. topper or shoes, to be the "spice" (I really liked her chicken analogy

Gigi, thank you for the kind comment; I'll have to look back on some of my WIWs with an eye to the accessories.

Thanks everyone for the inputs - great thread thanks to you all!

TG, I'd agree with Gigi that you are an expert with accessories, and also that accessories can be key to a minimalist closet. I'd also agree with those who said that the example in the article did not look all that different from one another! At the same time, I also know from my own experience that the same simple black or navy shift dress can look completely different with pumps and pearls vs. knee high brown boots, warm tights, a scarf, and a tee layered underneath. I'm not sure that's so much the power of "accessories" per se as of outfit composition -- that is, it's not so much the pearls that make the difference as all the components working together.

I have always been pretty minimalist when it comes to jewellery. I wear a wedding ring, the same pair of earrings 9 days out of 10, and often a cuff bracelet. I have been trying to experiment a bit more with different earrings and cuffs and even the odd necklace lately -- now that I am not wearing specs, I find I'm more open to other accessories.

My favourite winter accessories are scarves. I wear them for warmth and for a bit of pattern. They work well for my climate and my hairstyle.

Another here who doesn't consider footwear an accessory. For me, it's really only a fab hair 'do that I'd consider essential. Everything else is just a finisher, not a way to "change" an outfit's look. Personally the silhouette of an outfit makes a bigger difference to me; the article's examples don't show much variety to me, just different finishes. As far as my own accessories go, for me "important" is earrings and watch (which I wear every single day), and then the occasional necklace, bracelet, belt, scarf, or hat. I do also change my sunglasses per outfit.

EDIT: Did want to add that I do quite enjoy a statement accessory. Most of mine are bold

Yes, Susie. That's certainly one way of looking at it, and it's a good way. But I'll throw you a curve ball with a smile. I don't wear accessories like earrings and necklaces because of my hair and specs. That's why I consider them my accessories. Does that make sense?

YES!! That makes perfect sense.....Just like I don't wear earrings if I wear a necklace!

Hmmm, wondering about my accessorizing habits. Perhaps this is an area I need more focus on!

Very interesting. Especially since I don't even wear my wedding rings at the moment. I got tired of taking them off for some of my work tasks, and I haven't worn them for months!

High five, Susie.

Wow! What a conversation my blog post generated! I happened to notice it my traffic stats and had to come by and see what all the chatter was about. What a really great conversation! Torontogirl, thanks for starting it.

I think everyone has different points of view, none right or wrong, but I do see shoes as an accessory because, the way I see it, any non-clothing item falls into that category. I also consider them accessories because they can change the look of an outfit in some many ways. But, I completely see the views of others who see them as non-accessory items.

For those of you who can't see the changes in the original post that started this whole thread, I can also see how it's hard to really get how much of a change a few accessories can make from a bunch of polyvore sets. This link (http://bridgetteraes.com/2014/.....k-outfits/), that has actual working client photos (not professional, and a little crude) may help in seeing my thinking. Sometimes it is easier to get concepts on a body and I wish I had the time to photograph everything for my blog that way. Oh time, there is never enough of it. I like to show the way accessories can change clothing up so that my clients feel they can get more with less and can mix and match. Of course, this may still not be enough of a change for some people. Everyone is certainly different, but thought this might be helpful. Another post that might show how mixing and matching and the use of accessories can be used might be this one that also shows not only how accessories can be used to change up one look but how they can be used lots of different ways to finish outfis- http://bridgetteraes.com/2011/.....-for-fall/

Anyway, thanks again for starting this engaging dialogue. It's always great to get feedback on a post that you have written and see different points of view! Thanks!
Happy accessorizing!
Bridgette

Bridgette, thanks for stopping in and posting the new link. Very interesting. The base/accent/pop approach might deserve its own separate conversation but it does relate, for me, to how I feel about accessories. If I wear scarves or noticeable jewelry, the rest of my outfit is very basic.

I look at Bridgette's photos in that post and I think ok, the base is fine, and then the accent is nice, but when the third layer of pop is added my reaction is that there is way too much going on at once. It looks nice, and I can see how it would suit other people, but I would feel way out of character wearing it. I do base plus accent and that's all, and that's why I've never been a big accessories person, because clothing accents are to me more interesting and versatile than accessory accents.

Partially it might be a dressiness thing too. Bridgette's client photos are for work at a business formal workplace, with suiting and jackets and heels. Jewelry in that situation has a different, "oh but I know how to have fun and am feminine" vibe. When worn with a more casual outfit, say jeans and a knit top, jewelry makes the outfit more dressy rather than less, and a little fussy and 'done', which is counter to the environmental norms I live in most of the time.

Great thoughts, Laura, and I can definitely see where you are coming from. Every client I work with is totally different. I am remembering a client from last week whose clothes really stood on their own without a lot needed. It's really all a just preference, really, and, as you said, dependent on the environment and lifestyle.

And I just wrote a post further talking about the Base Accent Pop approach, for what it is worth, should you want to expand on that in a separate topic. http://bridgetteraes.com/2015/.....l-outfits/

Thanks again for the lively conversation!

I think that eye-catching accessories (by whatever definition) can add pop to an outfit and dress it up or down. An LBD with heels, jewelry, etc. can work great for a night out or be worn with sandals, sunglasses, etc. for a casual lunch or shopping. However, except for toppers and maybe scarves, I think it is difficult to accessorize an outfit in such a way as to make it look like a different outfit.