The Power of Accessories: The Finishing Touches to a Basic Outfit #iwillwearwhatilike

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”.

 

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links which means if you click through and buy I may receive a small commission at no cost to you (click here for my full disclosure). Items listed as* were gifted.

 

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

To get yourself featured next week, make sure you’ve included a link back to Not Dressed As Lamb or my button in your post/sidebar!

Do share the love and visit as many links as you can (you never know what other lovely like-minded ladies you might meet) – the original Instagram campaign forged some wonderful new friendships so don’t miss out!