Defining/Refining Your Accessory Style: Which One Are You?

For the past few weeks I’ve been all about accessories. This week offers you a way to help you bring all that you have learned into focus for YOU. Many fashionable people have wardrobes made up of classic clothing basics. What they do to add personality and finishing touches to their wardrobes is to focus on accessories. With a background of simple clothing pieces, the same outfit could be put together in different ways depending on your accessory style.

You have (or can have) an accessory style, or several styles. This quiz will give you ideas for a style. Once you’ve identified your accessory style then check out the answers at the end to see which accessories can help you complete your look this season. (If none of these suits you, feel free to add your own categories.)

When you look in my jewelry box, the pieces all look:

• A) Bold, chunky, heavy
• B) Delicate, vintage, cherished
• C) Refined, chic, upscale
• D) Rustic, organic, raw

My movie style icon I can relate the most to is:

• A) Uma Thurman in Pulp Fiction
• B) Sarah Jessica Parker in Sex in the City
• C) Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s
• D) Meryl Streep in Out of Africa

Your dream vacation spot would be:

• A) Tokyo, Japan
• B) Paris, France
• C) New York, New York
• D) Machu Picchu, Peru

Your favorite weekend activity might include:

• A) Hosting a loft party for an up-and-coming artist or attending an off-Broadway play
• B) Browsing an antique fair or attending the ballet
• C) The newest hotspot, whether that’s a new museum exhibit or restaurant
• D) Camping, hiking or kayaking; any outdoor activity

Results:

If you chose mostly A’s, your accessory style tends to be more Edgy. This season look for:

• Chunky chained sandal
• Heavy link choker
• Platform sandals or funky modern slip-ons
• Over the knee boots
• Large shoulder grazing earrings
• Biker bootie
• Thick chain linked straps on a clutch or bucket bag

If you chose mostly B’s, your accessory style tends to be more Romantic. This season look for:

• Fabric headband
• Neckerchiefs
• Boater hat
• Sequined heels
• Layered necklaces
• Ankle tied flats or kitten heels
• Earring in refined metals, some with jewels

If you chose mostly C’s, your accessory style tends to be more Modern Classic. This season look for:

• Oxfords
• Crocodile/python print open slides
• Stacked resin bracelets
• Carved wood clutch bag
• Pointy toe flats
• Print matching; exact print on handbag and outfit
• Bold red lips

If you chose mostly D’s, your accessory style tends to be more Natural. This season look for:

• Backpack
• Brimmed hat
• Straw bag
• Hoop earrings
• Tan wide leather belt
• Cowgirl inspired hat
• Cowgirl booties or boots

Are you predominately one accessory style or did you resonate with more than one? You don’t’ have to adhere to only one category! One day you might feel more natural, the next you might feel more edgy. Devising a way to organize your accessories by style or color will give you a new way to think about what style you want to rock on any given day. Here are some models shots to help you clarify each look.

Note: Recently, I worked with a client to sort out her jewelry. We spent over an hour deciding which pieces are right for her now, and how to integrate others that have sentimental value (but are not her style). Some necklaces needed chains of different lengths, some needed to be stacked to achieve a more current look. Now she has fresh new ways of wearing what she already owns. Try doing this for yourself, spend an afternoon or evening going shopping in your jewelry box to make new combinations and to work out what needs to be restyled so you have new favorites all over again.