10 Classic Fashion Accessories

Message from Diana
Feature Article: 10 Classic Fashion Accessories
Glossary: Minaudière

We're enjoying a hot, lazy August here in Delaware, with the kids out of summer camp and me playing lots of hooky. Hope you're able to enjoy some time off as well, before the busy fall schedule restarts in a few weeks.

The "Dressing Room Chaos" post I made a few weeks ago is STILL generating plenty of comments, with tales that are NOT for the faint of heart. As I read through them, it made me think of Jerene, one of the fashionistas I worked with in my 20's, who would NEVER try on clothes ANYWHERE. Instead, she'd buy things she liked in various sizes and take them home to try on. What didn't fit, she'd return. It was a time-consuming, expensive process, but she was adamant about not using dressing rooms. After reading a few of these comments, I can see why. I wonder what HER bad experience was.. .

A continuing look at wardrobe classics - with a list of classic fashion accessories.

Look Great Whatever Your Age

Want to look "hip" without looking silly? Want to look younger than you are? Then avoid the common mistakes most women make that AGE them before their time. You don't have to be young and pretty to turn heads; you just need to know how to REALLY "dress your age" with the secrets in AGELESS STYLE.

Warning: Your mother may not approve.

Looking for accessories that might be missing from your wardrobe? Want to add a little "pizzazz" to the mix? Here's a look at some classic fashion accessories, not including shoes or jewelry. We'll look at those another time.

A Wide Brimmed Hat

A wide-brimmed hat is both stylish and practical in keeping the elements at bay. A felt hat for winter will keep your head warm and the snow out of your face, while a straw hat for summer prevent sunburn and provides instant shade.

Macys.com

Dark Sunglasses

Sunglasses help keep the sun out of your eyes and can immediately increase your "cool" quotient. Find frames that work with your face shape, and go cheap if you like variety, tend to lose them, or have small kids at home who can't resist playing with your stuff.

Macys.com

A Silk Scarf

A large, square silk scarf with a beautiful pattern can last for years and enjoy endless uses. Fold it various ways and use it as a headband, wind protection for your hair, a splash of color around your neck, wrist, or handbag, or even as a belt. While scarves go in and out of popularity, they're never out of style.

Macys.com

Gloves

Once upon a time, hand touching was considered too intimate between strangers, so women wore gloves of various lengths and styles throughout the day and evening to prevent inappropriate touch. Today, we wear gloves mostly for warmth, but they have much more use than that: they prevent blisters in sports, protect hands when gardening, and look elegant with evening attire. Wear them and draw comments.

LoveToKnow.com

A 1" Leather Belt

Belts, like scarves, go in and out of style, but a dark, 1" leather belt is a classic that will last you for years with proper care. Wear it with jeans, dresses, skirts, and shorts to fill those belt loops and finish the ensemble.

Macys.com

Thigh-High Stockings

Women have worn hosiery for a thousand years to keep legs warm, and in the last century, to make legs look good with shorter hems. Wear thigh high stockings to add polish and keep you cool in summer, comfortable during pregnancy, and forever sexy to your man.

Amazon.com

Trouser Socks

Wearing closed-toe shoes without socks or hosiery will make your foot sweat and your shoes damp and smelly. So don't do it. Use trouser socks with pants and jeans to wick away foot moisture, polish your look, and extend the life of your shoes.

Amazon.com

A Leather Handbag

A dark, well-constructed leather bag in a simple style can take you to most day functions three seasons a year. If you opt for a color that goes with most of your wardrobe (black, brown, taupe), you can invest a lot, use it a lot, and get your money's worth by the time you have to replace.

Macys.com

Straw Handbag or Tote

A flat-bottom straw handbag or tote in a simple style will look fresh and appropriate with most of your summer-time wardrobe including - quite possibly - your business wear. Avoid cutesy things like beaded animals or sea creatures if you use it for work and want to be taken seriously.

Zappos.com

Evening Bag

Evening is a time for dressing up and being elegant, so put on your heels and leave your big daytime bag at home. Evening clutches need to be large enough to carry credit cards, money, lipstick, and your keys, and can have a short chain handle that can be tucked in or left out. If you invest in one dark one and one light (or metallic) one, they should see you through years of use. I have a beautiful pearl bag my mother carried in the '60's that I still use a few times a year.

Zappos.com

Now if you see things on this list that you don't or won't use, don't buy them. That's fine. But if you're trying to fill out your wardrobe and cover all your accessory bases, use these as a guideline to fill in the holes.

Need more help finding the right fashion accessories for you? Download a copy of ACCESSORY MAGIC to see how you can use accessories to define your style and extend your budget.

Minaudière (mean oh d'air)

A minaudière is a small, hand-held evening case, frequently made of metal, that's often elaborately decorated. These tend to be more expensive than fabric evening bags and clutches, and in the hands of a master craftsman like Judith Leiber, amazing works of art. Look for them around the holidays or anytime online, on eBay, or in vintage clothing stores.

Judith Leiber
minaudière