Those of you that have been following me for a while know that I favor a collected look in both my home and my personal style. Let’s join Kim from Northern California Style and Sarah from Sarah London Style for our monthly Signature Style Series and chat about some easy tips to create a collected look in your wardrobe.
A Collected look has personality, interest, and history. Collecting and gathering items from your travels, flea markets, art galleries, small boutiques, and resale stores creates interest and originality in your wardrobe. I love a collected look in my home and I guess my fashion style is similar. I don’t generally wear a lot of patterns. I collect artisan-made and vintage accessories and prefer they be the stars. I think layering different fabrics, textures, and metals create interest in your wardrobe as well as your home. Isn’t the real point of fashion to look as interesting and as creative as we can be? Know yourself and know what you like. Your personal style tells the world who you are. A collected look shows your personality and defines who you are.
Easy Tips to Create a Collected Look in Your Wardrobe
#1 Shop at small boutiques, Etsy, eBay, and Consignment Stores
Shop for vintage and creative accessories that reflect your own personal style. You might enjoy reading my post about Owning Your Own Style After 50 here. I buy most of my clothes that aren’t given to me on eBay, and I love Etsy for artistic accessories.
I picked up the belt and bracelets in this ensemble on Ebay and or Etsy. You can find a very similar turtleneck on Everlane here.
SHOP THE LOOK
#2 Pair the Unexpected with the Expected
I know many of you aren’t ripped jeans fans but don’t be afraid to pair a casual (less ripped) pair of jeans with a dressier top. Think outside the box for the holidays and pair a sparkly top and shoes with a pair of jeans for a casual gathering. FYI I bought these H&M jeans on a whim because I wanted to try a distressed jean. Do not buy jeans with distressing at knees. They just continue to rip. I am linking a couple of pairs with light distressing. I also would not pay a lot of money for jeans with heavy distressing.
SHOP THE LOOK
Multipuropose your favorite throw or table topper over your shoulders and pair with jeans or a skirt.
SHOP THE LOOK
#3 Layer Textures, Metals, and Colors
This look as seen in the photo below is filled with texture. The shiny native American accessories provide a counterpoint to the black faux leather and the black and brown IBU scarf (no longer available)
#4 Style Scarves and Wraps in Unique Ways
Belt a scarf at the waist. It looks more like a jacket. You can still purchase the faux leather leggings from Lysee with this link and the code Cindy20 to get 20% off your purchase.
SHOP THE LOOK
Or under a jacket and belted to add texture and contrast to the all-black look. You can find similar Zuni petit point cuffs on Ebay here and on Etsy here.They are an investment but watch for deals and you might find my post on how to score the best deals eBay and Etsy helpful here.
SHOP THE LOOK
Here I am wearing the scarf loose. It could easily be worn as a wrap if it gets chilly. I am pairing it with one of my favorite Gigi Pip hats the Rue Open Crown Olive. If you have been wanting one of their fabulous hats, now is a good time to buy. They are offering 30% off $300.
SHOP THE LOOK
#5 Collect Vintage and Artisan Jewelry
Here I am styling a Banana Republic blazer with a collection of vintage pins, a mix of silver bracelets newish and vintage, and my favorite Artemis Design Mules.
SHOP THE LOOK
I added a Native American treasure necklace by Don Lucas, old and new Native American bracelets, and cross earrings to an all-black ensemble.
SHOP THE POST
#6 Add a Few Wearable Art Items
In my home, I add color and pattern in my accessories. I like to keep my foundation pieces (curtains and upholstered pieces) in a solid or neutral. Don’t be afraid to add a Statement coat or jacket to your wardrobe. Keep whatever you are wearing under it simple as well as your accessories. Let the jacket be the star. This Glinda jacket is on sale now so it is a great time to buy.
SHOP THE LOOK
Here I styled this beautiful Johnny Was Kimono with a simple Native American Cross Necklace. I am wearing the fabulous Lysee Leggings (use this link and the code Cindy20 for 20% off all of their items.
SHOP THE POST
Here I styled the same kimono with Jeans and a Chambray shirt. Again, a column of denim keeps it simple, since the kimono is bold. The Rag and Bone Crossbody I purchased a couple years ago on ebay. It folds flat for travel which is great. I linked a couple below.
SHOP THE LOOK
Below are a few of my posts that you might also enjoy on the collected look:
Over 50 Fashion Spring the Collected Look
How to Own Your Own Style After 50
The Collected Look How to Get It
Easy Tips to Create a Collected Look in Your Wardrobe
Some of my Favorite Unique Online Boutique Stores
Two women-owned online boutiques that I love are Peruvian Connection and IBU. Watch for sales.
Sundance Catalog carries items you don’t see everywhere that are more unique than the major stores.
Artemis Design Co– for great one-of-a-kind shoes. They are pricey but add so much fun to a simple outfit.
Gigi Pip Hats-my favorite hat company with very high-quality hats. They are having a black Friday month with 30% off $300
If you would like a collected look in your wardrobe shop carefully. Shop at boutiques, Etsy, eBay, and consignment stores for vintage and creative accessories that reflect your style. Don’t follow the rules; wear whatever you want to and let go of stereotypes. Mix it up and pair the unexpected with the expected. Thank you so much for reading Easy Tips to Create a Collected Look in your Wardrobe. Now let’s pop over and visit Sarah and Kim. I can’t wait to read their posts!
SARAH LONDON STYLE
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA STYLE
Every look is my favorite! You really rock every look!
Hi Annie
Thank you so much!
Cindy, you can pull off any look as evidence the torn jeans. I think your style is collected, unique, stylish and beautiful. Your smile and personality are my favorite accessories! Have a wonderful weekend.
Hi Elizabeth
Thank you so much. I need to hop over to your blog and catch up. I am waaay behind on my blog reading!
Cindy, Such a fun post. I have to say that truthfully, the ripped jean and bright blouse are probably my most favorite look- and something different on you. I love a good ripped jean with the right mix because of the texture and the insouciance it adds to the look. This is very French and fun. I guess if one doesn’t like patina, they may not like that. Like you, I am all abut patina, and cool things in the home and in the wardrobe! The more worn, the better they look if they are quality pieces. The brown and black scarf is also so elegant worn two ways. As always, you home and look inspire me! Fun doing this together and honored to be part of it with you. You are California home and style personified.
xo Kim
Hi Kim
As I said those jeans were from H&M and a bad experiment as they fell apart. I am on the hunt for a pair that is not ripped at the knees. They just get more torn. I know some people hate the ripped jean look, but I personally like it if they aren’t too ripped! At least on me anyway. One of the over 50 ladies in our neighborhood came to our party in great ripped jeans and a sparkly top. She looked fabulous!
Love your style and blog. It gives me inspiration to try combinations in a different way. I struggle with length of tops and how to layer them and stay cohesive. As a result, I feel I often look ” boring” and basic.
You look so creative in all these looks! I love and am inspired by them. I’ve got to dig out my pins for fall. I never seem to wear them in the warm weather.
Am admiring all of the outfits and accessories. I think this has to be one of my favorite posts. Had a question about the silver pins: How would you describe them if you were searching for them on line? Are they Mexican Silver? Native American? Thanks!
I always LOVE the outfit with the scarf belted at the waist. I have similar scarves and plan to recreate the look. Did you ever post how this looks/works from the back? I’d love to see the mechanics of the backside. Thx!
Yes! Love the look, but feel I’m not doing it right. Have tried in the past, but it feels like a strait-jacket and can’t move my arms very well 😉 Thanks!
Love everything you put together! Including ripped jeans with my cowgirl boots. I’m 65 and grey and get compliments on what I wear….I guess it would depend on body shape and confidence.
This is such an inspirational blog, Cindy. I love your style…clothing and home. I am having fun shopping my closet for new ways to combine pieces I love. Thank goodness I kept my 2 tweed blazers aside when editing a great deal for the consignment shop. Just the time to enjoy styling them with a newer outlook. Like you, I wear leopard print scarves (or tops) , camel and olive and rust during this lovely fall we are having. I’ll add a chunky necklace from my collection.
Birdies shoes look so appealing, but I am reluctant to try ordering through the post, with returns a difficulty from Canada. Our “Shoe Inn” locally is where I find shoes I can try on.
I’d hate to admit how many pairs I have bought there over the years! …shop local indeed!
I’ve decided that I’m lazy in fashion. I buy things that are quite busy and they can’t take much else in the way of accessories. That makes it easy. 🤣 🤣 🤣
Loving your fashion tips but also your home decor tips!
Most especially the rattan chair in your office….can you share your source???
Can’t tell you how much I look forward to your weekly posts.
Thank you!
~ Hi Cindy H.; You always look so polished and put together. It’s such a treat to watch how you pair these items together for more outfit options (owning what you already have). With that infectious smile of yours, you are quite inspiring! Thank you. ~
YES YOU LOOK LIKE YOUR HOME!
FULL OF CHARACTER, COLOR AND CHARM!
A BIT WORN makes EVERYTHING MORE INTERESTING!
Like you, I buy almost all my clothing on eBay. I just read your March 2022 tutorial and thought it was a great primer for the eBay novice — however, I disagree with you that most sellers on eBay are now trustworthy, and “disreputable sellers are few and far between.” I found the pandemic brought all kinds of sellers to eBay, including those so desperate to make a buck that they were dishonest in their descriptions, inaccurate in their measurements, and often offered items they knew nothing about. I still do purchase many items on eBay, but I am, as you suggested we need to be, very well informed as to brand, color names, styles, measurements, shipping costs, return options, etc.
I love all of these looks and you are stunning in every one. I would love to have any of these things in my closet but the only thing that I can not get my head around, is the big holes in the knees of jeans look! I just don’t get it! Otherwise, 2 big thumbs up for all the other outfits!
~ I agree. I own a pair of Ralph Lauren light wash jeans and a pair of Carhartts my husband bought me years ago. I will never wrap my head around torn jeans; it’s a “trend” I will never adopt. Both pairs of jeans are a bit frayed at the hem. Usually, I just cut the loose threads with a pair of [left-handed] scissors. Perhaps I’ll hem them both one day. ~
So enjoy your posts. I am a huge fan of resale and repurpose so every time you mention something like that it really gets my attention! Also loved collected and unexpected looks – it’s personal because it’s put together along the way. Not all at once. Like our own story.
Could you link to the post you had a while back about how you shop on ebay? I am an avid looker but don’t feel confident to buy because I think there are tricks and tips to look for that I am missing! Thank you.
Hi Martha
I actually did right above the picture with the black and brown scarf. Let me know if the link doesn’t work. It works from my end.
You’ve got such great style, Cindy … and I appreciate these tips. Pinning all your looks like mad for inspiration! xo
Hello! Could you please share the link to the vegan handbag shown?
Hi Nicole
The only purse I have shown in this post is the Rag and Bone leather purse. It is no longer available but I linked to two of them from Ebay. right below the graphic in the Shop the Look. It is leather by the way. Let me know if you are speaking of a different purse, and I can help you.
This is so me!! Thank you Cindy for all your inspiration. Since I’m a painter ripped jeans and paint splatters come with the territory. Knowing who you are is part of creating your own unique look. Thank you!!!
I find it ironic this post is about how to look put together but includes a photo of you in torn jeans, a trend intended to convey the wearer is so cool they don’t have to care about their appearance. My comment sounds harsh, I know, I do like you and your blog. It’s the ripped jeans – I just can’t.
Hi Nicole
The only purse I have shown in this post is the Rag and Bone leather purse. It is no longer available but I linked to two of them from Ebay. right below the graphic in the Shop the Look. It is leather by the way. Let me know if you are speaking of a different purse, and I can help you.
Hi There
I totally understand where you are coming from. I actually like ripped jeans but understand many don’t. As I said I purchased those from H&M on a whim and they literally fell apart. I prefer a little less “torn”. The post is about if you dress like your house. My home is filled with not so perfect furniture and accessories, so I guess it was a little bit tongue and cheek. Never be afraid to voice your opinion. If we all liked the same things the blo would be a little dull. Thanks for speaking out for those who hate ripped jeans. I am sure you will not be alone.