How to Spice Up a Really Plain Outfit With 4 Fun, Bright Accessories

Simple grey and khaki outfit accessorised with brights: Multicoloured scarf, pink satchel bag, red lace-up espadrilles | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style

Take one charcoal grey t-shirt and one pair of grey/khaki track pants, and what do you have? A really plain outfit, that’s what. 

However, it’s the sort of thing I throw on most days – swapping the grey tee for a white one, or the track pants for jeans. Not the most imaginative outfit I can think of, but when I’m not really going out anywhere (apart from my daily morning walk) then it’s the easiest thing to grab and put on.

No-one, not least me (and of course as a fashion blogger I have a reputation to uphold, ha!), wants to look that boring on a daily basis. But it’s so easy to fall into that trap of throwing on something dull every day if you’re not going to the office, or you’re “only” doing the school run, or you’re “only” doing the grocery shopping…

Begone, boring outfits, and let accessories be your friend!


JEANS AND T-SHIRTS WILL BE TRANSFORMED WITH A BRIGHTLY COLOURED SCARF OR FUNKY BAG. WHITE SHIRTS AND BLACK TROUSERS (THE YAWNIEST OF YAWNY OFFICE OUTFITS) WILL COME TO LIFE WITH CRAZY-GORGEOUS SHOES AND A STATEMENT NECKLACE.

Using fun, bright accessories is the absolute easiest way to spice up any outfit, no matter how plain. Jeans and t-shirts will be transformed with a brightly coloured scarf or funky bag. Or both. White shirts and black trousers (the yawniest of yawny office outfits) will come to life with crazy-gorgeous shoes and a statement necklace.

So you imagine how, on the day I actually had to go out unexpectedly on a (weekend) day I had done the unthinkable and thrown on my old grey t-shirt and track pants, I immediately wanted to change. But…

Simple grey and khaki outfit accessorised with brights: Multicoloured scarf, pink satchel bag, red lace-up espadrilles | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style

SHOP THE LOOK:

… Mr. Summers insisted we were just popping out, no need to dress up (I almost expected him to say what my dad used to say to me when I was young: “This isn’t a fashion parade, you know!”… Yes it is, Dad, yes it is – I’m 14 and the world is my catwalk…!)

So I did what any seasoned fashion blogger would do: Run around in a blind panic.

Not really… I had to think, and think quickly. I realised that if I made an effort I could potentially get a photo shoot out of this trip: One multi-coloured [sadly, sold out] Zara scarf, one pair of red lace-up espadrilles and one pastel pink satchel later, I was ready. Luckily I’d already painted my nails earlier that weekend in this gorgeous orange copper colour (Leighton Denny’s ‘Let Your Hair Down’) so only sunglasses were needed to hide a lack of eye make-up.

Never think you need to go out looking plain or uncoordinated (believe me, I’m the Queen of Uncoordinated most of the time): Accessories are your friend. Your t-shirts can be old and you can wear those jeans or track pants all you like, but get some funky scarves, bags and shoes in the mix and you’ll always look pulled together.

If you scroll right down you’ll see I’ve shown a selection of super gorgeous accessories that’ll brighten up any old plain outfit. No excuses now…!

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WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE WAY TO BRIGHTEN UP A PLAIN OUTFIT? COMMENT BELOW, OR TAKE IT TO TWITTER @NOTLAMB!

Simple grey and khaki outfit accessorised with brights: Multicoloured scarf, pink satchel bag, red lace-up espadrilles | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style
Simple grey and khaki outfit accessorised with brights: Multicoloured scarf, pink satchel bag, red lace-up espadrilles | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style
Simple grey and khaki outfit accessorised with brights: Multicoloured scarf, pink satchel bag, red lace-up espadrilles | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style
Simple grey and khaki outfit accessorised with brights: Multicoloured scarf, pink satchel bag, red lace-up espadrilles | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style
Simple grey and khaki outfit accessorised with brights: Multicoloured scarf, pink satchel bag, red lace-up espadrilles | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style
Simple grey and khaki outfit accessorised with brights: Multicoloured scarf, pink satchel bag, red lace-up espadrilles | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style
Simple grey and khaki outfit accessorised with brights: Multicoloured scarf, pink satchel bag, red lace-up espadrilles | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style
Zara scarf SS16 (this autumnal-tones scarf  is my favourite) | Cambridge Satchel Co cloud bag c/o | ASOS red lace up espadrilles | Leighton Denny ‘Let Your Hair Down’ nail polish c/o | Topshop t-shirt (I’m really loving this charcoal high neck top) | Marks & Spencer track pants (try these joggers with side stripes) | Badgley Mischka sunglasses (these ombre sunglasses are similar)

SHOP SCARVES BELOW:

SHOP BAGS BELOW:

SHOP SHOES BELOW:

SHOP NAIL POLISHES BELOW:

Catherine

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19 Comments

  1. 28 October 2016 / 10:32 pm

    Can we have a post about tying scarves that stay in place please? I find they look good when I first arrange them in front of the mirror then they often shift around and loose their panache. (I can so remember the 'it's not a fashion parade' admonishment when I was a teenager!)

  2. 30 September 2016 / 11:57 am

    Absolutely love this! Accessories really do MAKE an outfit – you look fab! #brilliantblogposts

  3. 30 September 2016 / 11:11 am

    WOW, this is such a gorgeous look. I love 'trying' to spice up simple outfits with bright colours and accessories (I don't always succeed though lol!), but you've got it down brilliantly. I would SO wear this!! Absolutely love it!!
    Suzy xx
    http://www.suzyturner.com

  4. 29 September 2016 / 8:37 am

    Yep I love bright accessories! Scarves and statement necklaces are my loves. I really like the ones you've chosen. Think I need a new pair of bright shoes. Tor x #brillblogposts

  5. 24 September 2016 / 11:44 pm

    Love this, Catherine. Accessories are my friends and that is essentially how I take my go to jeans and a top and make it dressy or classy or fun or whatever. Sometimes I'll add a jacket or cardigan to give the look more layers and texture, especially with the weather turning cooler. Great post and cute outfit! – Amy
    http://stylingrannymama.com/

  6. 24 September 2016 / 5:38 pm

    Great post Catherine! I am a big fan of interesting accessories they can spice up any outfit. Renata xo

  7. 24 September 2016 / 1:06 pm

    This is such a perfect way to add color! I always love those espadrilles and that bag is absolutely gorgeous. You look amazing.

    Heidi || Wishes & Reality

  8. 24 September 2016 / 7:29 am

    I agree – NOTHING's better than some fabulous accessories for zhushing up an otherwise "basic" outfit, dearest Catherine!! Your red espadrilles are amazing paired with the grey-on-grey top and bottom combo; the pink bag is adorable; and that scarf?? The sartorial cherry on top!! 😀

    http://www.StyleIsMyPudding.com

  9. 23 September 2016 / 7:50 pm

    To be honest Catherine, even in your joggers and Tee your fabulous hair and perfect manicure would be all the accessories you would need (plus those sunnies, of course).
    This is a great post… and so true!
    I've lost count of how many times a boring jeans, gutties and T-shirt was made "chic" by adding a scarf/necklace and bag.
    XXX
    Samantha

  10. 23 September 2016 / 6:36 pm

    Btw, my dad used to say the same in my puberty! 🙂

  11. 23 September 2016 / 6:36 pm

    I love wearing a chunky belt and big earrings! I think that's a great outfit, love the colors together!

  12. 23 September 2016 / 5:37 pm

    I love wearing basics to showcase amazing accessories!!!

  13. 23 September 2016 / 4:23 pm

    Oh yeah! You have your spark back!

  14. 23 September 2016 / 3:13 pm

    Thanks for sharing. I hope it will be helpful for too many people that are searching for this topic.
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  15. 23 September 2016 / 1:38 pm

    Most of my clothes are very plain because to me the whole point of getting dressed (apart from avoiding hypothermia and policemen/psychiatric social workers) is accessorising. Hats, handbags, scarves, jewellery… these are my joys in life.

  16. 23 September 2016 / 1:17 pm

    I so agree with your Catherine—accessories are not just the cherry on top—they are the chocolate sauce, the whipped cream & the cherry!!
    Besides the scarf adds some great color to your complexion and it looks so expensive!!
    jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

  17. 23 September 2016 / 12:36 pm

    I love that scarf, Catherine. Looks great with the grey top and pants. And those pants look sooo comfy.

  18. 23 September 2016 / 8:52 am

    I'm very guilty of a white shirt/black trouser combo for the office but I do have some pretty sexy shoes to spruce the whole thing up a bit, I do love a bright red or electric blue. I always love a statement necklace to liven up an outfit but I've not yet found the right balance of showy but not tacky.

    Thanks for the inspo Catherine.
    Michelle X

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