I actually wore this outfit in its basic form – biker jacket, sweater, skirt and boots – a few days before I wore this version. The photos now tell me I was right to add all the accessories that I did…!
I called this post “the power of accessories” because that’s exactly how I felt after having another go with this outfit later the same week. Whilst the original outfit worked to some extent, it just didn’t WORK, if you see what I mean. The proportions were right, combining a short biker jacket with a midi skirt, then adding knee high boots so the tops aren’t seen under the hemline, but all in all it was just a bit “meh”.
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Unfortunately I didn’t take a picture without the accessories which I should have done to show you the difference! The accessories I added were the beret, the scarf, the sunglasses and the orange tote – now I absolutely LOVE this outfit. Goes to show just how important finishing touches can be: it’s all about what it does to your confidence and the feel-good factor an outfit can bring.
A lot of people comment that I seem to be an expert at accessorising an outfit, and how I manage to pick out the colours in an outfit with my accessories perfectly. To be honest it’s more luck than judgement, and this is why:
SHOP THE BASIC OUTFIT:
SHOP THE ACCESSORIES:
It’s because I own a LOT of accessories.
Not that I’ve counted them ever, but I own a LOT of scarves, in every colour and pattern you can imagine. I own a LOT of hats, in every colour and style you can imagine. I own a LOT of sunglasses, in every colour and style you can imagine. I own a LOT of shoes and boots… you get the idea!
Therefore when it comes to accessorising an outfit as I needed to here, the law of averages states that due to the number of scarves I own I’ll manage to find one that picks out more than one colour in an outfit and pull it all together. To add interest (and to keep my neck warm) I decided I needed a scarf, so as I was wearing my burgundy boots (last seen here with jeans before the snow came) one with burgundy caught my eye.
And as the pattern also had orange in it I went with the orange tote (similar).
Next up, a hat – just because I like hats and often feel underdressed without one – so the on-trend beret in camel (to coordinate with the skirt) was the logical choice.
And finally: sunglasses (try these) because it wasn’t sunny but I’m a squinter… these oversized 70s glasses make ANYTHING look cool, and I love the orange-pink tint of the lenses.
So that’s it – no expert skills, just the bonus of owning so many accessories in so many colours that I’ll nearly always find SOMETHING that’ll work and pull an outfit together. I wore this outfit to go see our new home, sign a few bits of paperwork and pay a holding deposit, then we went onto my parents’ house. We’d planned to walk Riley later at home but he wanting walking Right. Now. as dogs do, so these pictures were taken on our walk. Luckily this route is picturesque and has mud-free paths so my (super comfy) boots and me were just fine.
Do add your outfits to this week’s link up – and if you’ve added a link to here or my button to your post you may be featured next week!
ARE YOU A COLLECTOR OF ACCESSORIES LIKE ME? TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS…!
Like this outfit? You might also like how I styled…
– The same beret: With a navy pinstripe coat and check trousers, OR with a blue jacquard coat and a blush sweater
– The same midi skirt: With a teddy bear fur sweater and tan boots, OR with a roll neck and 70s-style patterned blouse
Jacket: Debenhams (similar real leather, similar faux leather)
Sweater: Hobbs* (similar)
Skirt: Asos (similar)
Boots: Asos (similar)
Bag: Hobbs c/o (similar)
Scarf: Asos (love this one, this one, this one and this one)
Beret: Asos
Sunglasses: Asos (love these as well as this splurge pair)
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Thank you for joining the #iwillwearwhatilike link up! This started as a campaign on Instagram in August 2015 where women over 30 wore everything on a journalist’s list of “inappropriate” items for 30+ women (including leopard print, short dresses and oversized sunglasses. Yes, really). It was so popular that I decided to carry it on weekly where women of all ages link up their fabulous style, never mind what anyone tells them not to wear!
The link up goes live every Monday at 3pm UK time and will stay open for a week. Whilst the original article was of course aimed at the 30+, you can be ANY age to link up. The only criteria is that you’re wearing whatever you damn well like!
Linking up etiquette…
CLICK HERE to read the rules of linking up (and to grab the #iwillwearwhatilike button). Basically it’s just good manners to link back to here – to leave a comment is even nicer!
Featured favourites
My favourite outfits from last week’s link up (four this week as there were so many good ones!):
(L-R) Stylin’ Granny Mama | Tamera Beardsley | A Pocketful of Polka Dots | Kitty & B
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You’re being a bit humble, there is definitely a knack to *good* accessorizing…and YOU have it! I can visualize this outfit with*out* the accessories and it is certainly elevated quite a bit *with* them, nice job!
Bettye
https://fashionschlub.com
Lovely new neighbourhood. I get that Riley wants his walkies RIGHT NOW. So much green.
And I also think you are very good with accessorizing an outfit. It is not just a matter of owning a lot. It is also knowing what to add.
Greetje
what a fun look. Plus how exciting a move, everything fresh and new. I know it is a huge challenge and pretty chaotic but still must be totally thrilling.. Congras
Love the accessories especially the bag and the beret. I love berets! You look great.
Sorry forgot to add my name on the above comment.
Totally agree , accessories are the icing on the cake, as you so beautifully demonstrate. You can never have too many as they really do stretch the clothing budget so much further. Many thanks for hosting #iwillwearwhatilike.
Way too much going on!!
I love how you accessorized it!!! I am really bad at accessorizing. I usually add nothing!
Loving the colours you are very good at this stuff my girl!
bestest as ever
Ash x
Thanks so much for the shout out, Catherine! I love this outfit and your accessory choices really make it shine. It is amazing what a scarf or a great bag can do. – Amy
Hi Catherine
Such a timely post for me. I have just iordered a leather biker jacket from Topshop mainly because it was the only petite real leather biker jacket l could find. I’m hoping the quality of the leather is good given the reasonable price. It will form a basic in my wardrobe so the quality really needs to be there.
I was wondering how to style it rather than just dark jeans and white Tee shirt. ‘Your take’ is feminine which softens the look.
I have oodles of accessories accumulated over time so l think l will style the jacket with bright leather gloves, a silk scarf with the glove colour subtlety picked out and let the jacket do the rest.
I think it will also look good in the summer with a white linen dress and bright accessories such as espradilles and a bright straw bag.
Just my thoughts ☺
I LOVE accessories and I’m a bit obsessed with scarves. I actually wrote a post about how much I love them recently. I have so many lol! You look fabulous and I totally see how these accessories made this outfit extra special!
Suzy xx
I agree—it truly is all about accessories! Says the shoe addict… 😉
Cheryl Shops
Excellent example of the power of accessories. That’s the one area of getting dressed that I tend to neglect and I see clearly what I’m missing out on! I’m with Sheela, you have skills. Thanks for the linkup! And I’m cheering about the house situation!
I do think you’re downplaying that innate skill of yours just a wee bit, Catherine. We might all own scarves and hats and sunnies and shoes and bags in sufficient quantities to cover the entire expanse of a continent BUT not everyone would’ve settled on just the right dose of orange. Or the right shape of tote. Or shade of burgundy. So there you have go, either you have it or you don’t. And you clearly do 🙂 in my case, I am SO lazy when it comes to accessorising. I really am. But I should make an effort. If only to avoid the glare of the sun. Or rationalise a new shoe purchase.
MUACK to Riley!!!!
You what I think it is Catherine? It’s a natural, perhaps subconscious superpower that you possess 😉
It’s true what everyone says, you really are very good at accessorizing!
Not me though, I tend to leave bits off, barely accessorizing my outfits. Maybe a HOW TO page on NDAL would be handy for those of us in need of a little help?
xx
I love accessorising and have plenty of scarfs, necklaces etc. I really do need more footwear and bags that aren’t neutral colours! Thanks for sharing and hosting. Jacqui Mummabstylish
OMG…..I have to laugh at your reasoning, and my mom will have a heyday when she reads this!! Because my mom has the most accessories ever and whenever I try to have her edit them down-she always says no!!
XOXO
Jodie
All the best with your new house. It will be all over soon and you will enjoy it sooooooooooooo much
Thank you for the link up Catherine
I really have to learn to use accessories more! What a fantastic jacket!
Lots of colour here all working so perfectly well together. Have a great week Catherine!
Laurie xx
I certainly agree about accessories and probably have way too many because of that agreement…but, oh well, it just means more fun to be had!
I have to agree with what others have said Catherine. You ARE an expert at accessorising and at colour and pattern mixing. This is lovely xxx