Do you ever notice how some women have a style that appears effortless? Truth is the reason they look so fabulous is that they have learned how to accessorize. It does take a little creativity and practice to master the art. Think of it like you are accessorizing your home. Any basic outfit can be totally transformed with the help of a few key accessories. I have gotten better about it over the years, but I am far from an expert. ,Today I am joining Sandra from Apart from my Art, and Elizabeth from the Vintage Contessa to talk about the value of accessories. I am going to show you how to style one dress five ways.
If you have been reading this blog long you know I am all about layers. I love texture and tend to be drawn to more textural accessories, especially in the summer. I love vintage jewelry and I like to mix my pieces up with some natural elements. In the summer I tend to favor linen separates that I can accessorize minimally.
I don’t normally wear sleeveless (note arms behind back) but this Tandem shift dress I found on sale at An Be in Paso Robles. Miraculously it is pretty flattering. For a casual look, I am wearing it with a Paula Carvalho (love her stuff) necklace (you can find her on Instagram @paula_carvalho_designs) simple sandals, capri leggings, and a pair of complementary earrings (vintage). I will try to link to similar things after each pic. This dress would look great alone if you have nice legs.
Next, I added a white linen shirt from J Crew (I have this shirt in almost every color imaginable) and just tied the ends. I styled it with a Love Heals necklace (an anniversary gift from Steve) and vintage coin earrings, silver bangles (I have a group of these that I have collected over the years), a wrap bracelet, simple gray leggings, and gray flip flops,
The third incarnation involved adding a shawl (from Tancredit & Morgen in Carmel Valley), white leggings, the Paula Carvalho necklace & earrings from the first group. Remember it is summer keep it light and simple.
Next, I added my trusty Gap jean jacket, sneakers, a Madewell bandana (love these for summer), and a simple pair of Native American cross earrings.
Some of my takeaways. I almost always wear silver as it looks best with my hair. Most of my earrings, bracelets, and necklaces have similar finishes so they can be mixed and matched. You might want to read my friend Brenda Kinsel’s article about how to build a beauty bundle. Keep summer accessories to a minimum. Heavy scarves and weighty jewelry don’t work for summer. When you are accessorizing an outfit consider these five tips.
# 1 COMPLIMENT YOUR OUTFIT BY REPEATING COLORS OR PATTERNS
#2 IF YOU HAVE A LOT OF PATTERN OR PRINT KEEP ACCESSORIES SIMPLE
Here my necklace repeats the color in my tunic
Note Elizabeth wore simple earrings with this bold print
#3 USE PROPORTION APPROPRIATE ACCESSORIES THAT SUIT YOUR FRAME
Elizabeth is tall. She can pull off bold patterns and accessories
I am anything but tall if I wear large scale accessories they look like they are wearing me
#4 DON’T BE AFRAID TO ALTER OR REDESIGN AND ACCESSORY
A scarf can be tied at your wrist or on your handbag instead of at your neck.
Here I wrapped and looped a long necklace to make it work at the neck of a shirt
#5 HAVE FUN BE CREATIVE AND LET YOUR ACCESSORIES EXPRESS YOUR PERSONALITY
Sandra is an artist and she expresses her ebullient artistic personality in her accessories
27 Accessories that can update a basic outfit
How to Train Yourself to Accessorize
My friend Brenda has a great article on How to Build a Beauty Bundle
Thank you for sharing at Best of the Weekend! I could definitely use tips like these– fashion is one of my weak points. : )
Liberty @ B4andAfters.com
Of course Liberty! Always fun!
Fabulous post! Simple, chic and stunning. I appreciate all the additional styling tips. Am looking for a white linen blend top like yours. Not as easy as it seems. Even looked at making my own. Putting it out to the universe to find the right size, style and price. Thank you for the inspiration and letting us know that style doesn’t have an age <3
Love this fashion post!
Such a versatile sheath dress!
Your accessories are just right for your frame too! I think I need a long necklace now!
Hi Leslie
Thank you so much for weighing in! I am loving long necklaces. I have learned a little trick make sure you buy one with a clasp then you can loop it around and wear it at your neckline as well.
Thank you so much Leslie. Long necklaces are great! Thanks for popping over!
love this post Cindy, I will take a closer look at my wardrobe & accessories. the one outfit 5 ways is brilliant, and you look smashing in each one!
xx
Debra
Thanks Pal! You have such great style and fabulous accessories. I always admire your choices!
Cindy, I so enjoyed reading this (with my glass of wine in hand, ha) tonight!! I loved all of your outfits! And, you look terrific in them!!
Thanks for the inspiration!!
I’m off to check out Elizabeth;s and Sandra’s posts…I adore these ladies, too!
Cheers to the weekend!! 😉
Hi Renee
Cheers! Thanks for stopping by and the sweet comment. Have a great weekend!
Cindy I really loved seeing all the options, you look so adorable in each outfit. Great ideas for accessorizing.
You and Elizabeth are so wonderful to share all your fashion tips.
xo
Hi Leslie
So great to hear from you! We need to get you involved in another of these group posts. I so admire your style and talent!
I 🖤 it all!
I need to acquire the Planet hoodie before it’s gone, because I absolutely LOVE it! It is stunning on you, Cindy!
I love how you style everything, my friend!
It is a great sweater especially this time of year. It adds just enough weight for cool mornings and evenings. Thanks Lynne!
All versions are adorable. Pinning to my What to Wear so that when my creative juices are on a slow drip, I can pop over to your cute ideas! Thanks for the inspiration!
Holly you are one of my favorites from blogland. Your comments are always so kind. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your support. I am not real fond of the modeling part of this job!
Cindy,
You are so darn cute I can’t stand it!!! I love your longer hair. You look great. Mine is all grey but I think it makes me look soooo old. I am not sure whether to color it or not….great article and again, you look fantastic!
Hi Brenda
Thank you so much for the sweet comment. I wore my hair this way for years. I was afraid to grow it out now that it is gray. Thank you so much for the encouragement and support.
I love the white Vince dress and the white leggings. So fresh and summery and you can do so much with it. I may have to see if they have my size. Thank you ladies for doing these posts this week. It’s been fun and full of ideas. XOXOX, Brenda
Hi Brenda
Leggins are a must at my age and with my legs!! Thanks for weighing in always love your fashion friday posts!
Cindy – I love all these combinations, but you saved the best for last. When I saw your stunning photo on Instagram – Gap jacket over linen dress – I wrapped up my comment on La Contessa’s post (is she the Queen of the statement accessory … or I don’t know what!) and rushed over to your blog. Yes, I can juggle blog reading/commenting and Instagram scrolling all at the same time! I’m going to take a look at Brenda’s article. It’s about time I got this accessory thing right! xo
Juliet I am sure from your beautiful interiors you need no help accessorizing yourself! But I do appreciate the kind comments, We are all learning all the time aren’t we?
Thank you Juliet for the kind words. You can’t beat a great old jean jacket, really can you? Sometimes I forget about them!
Cindy,
You look so stylish and pretty. I always admire your clothes selection, they are items I would wear and I get inspiration from your posts.
xo,
Karen
Thank you so much Karen. I find the older I get the simpler I like everything. Is it being lazy or wise? I am not sure!
Cindy, you would look great in anything but you certainly know how to choose beautiful clothing. I love how you liken how you design your wardrobe to how you design a room, it makes so much sense. I’m amazed at how by layering you made that dress take on so many different lives. Brilliant!
Celia you are so kind. I hope we get to meet before you leave the state! I am so excited to hear about your new venture. I certainly can understand wanting to be closer to your grandkids. Loved todays post on Chicago! Love that city!
Bravo Cindy!! You look fabulous in each combo. BTW- I love your hair longer. It’s looks fabulous on you.
Xx
Thank you so much Jennifer. I wore my hair this length for years but kind of shied away from it due to the gray hair. Hope all is well with the move. Give me a ring one of these days!
Your creativity really shines through these outfits, Cindy, and boy can you rock linen! Love your blog. Brenda Kinsel has inspiring accessory beauty bundles ideas too!
You look simply adorable. I love your smile, you look like your daughter.
Thanks for sharing,
Kim
Hi Pal!
Still pining after that Gannon property! Thank you so much for your support, I sincerely appreciate it, I won’t pass on your comment to Jen I might scare her!! Hope to see you next summer or before!!
Wow, so glad I found your Blog, you are my new favorite. So nice to scroll down and see different options. Sadly, so many of the Bloggers have you scroll down and see the same outfit over and over…what is the point of that. Look forward to more from you.
Hi Dawn
Welcome! You seriously made my day. I am not yet comfortable with the posing thing so I really appreciate your support. Keep sharing we all love and benefit from your input!
You wear each ‘look’ so well, Cindy! Thank for all the cute ideas!
Thanks Pal! I really hate the modeling part of this job but I have just had to buck up and realize that folks like to see the clothes on an everyday woman with gray hair!
I think you really rocked the grey-silver theme. All looks great. Linen is perfect for summer. I bought a Ralph Lauren linen skirt years ago, but I still remember the tag: 100% linen guaranteed to wrinkle. I laugh every time I put on something linen to this day! It’s part of linen’s charm I say. Your jewelry “box” is amazing!
Hi Patty
I love linen and I don’t mind the wrinkling. Sandra says I always have kind of a messed up look. Yep that is me!
I didn’t mean my comment as a negative. I don’t iron my linen tunics—in fact I noticed that ironing made them look kinda’ weird like when when people iron jeans and get those yucky creases in the legs. I think you and your choices look smashing! The Ralph Lauren comment—I spent most of my career in advertising/PR jobs—and that tag comment is so Mr. Perfect. You take what could be perceived as a negative and flaunt its uniqueness. I found it amusing. I hope others did too. Definitely not a criticism. So sorry if you felt it was.
Hi Pattie
Your comments have never been anything but kind, supportive and valuable to all. Please don’t ever think I would take anything the wrong way. If I do give me a kick in the pants! I love the RH comment. It is so true! If you don’t like wrinkles linen is not for you. Please keep your comments coming we all benefit from your input!
Love the way you change your dress. Very creative use of your closet. I must know what leggings you prefer? What is the name of that J. Crew linen shirt? You really have a creative way of putting yourself and your house and garden together. They all work beautifully! Wonderful tips on accessorizing. You blew it out of the ballpark!
Hi Sandy
The J crew linen shirt is linked in the post. I think it is the only one they have in the store right now and it is 40%off!! There are so many great leggings. In the summer I tend to wear cotton HUE or similar due to the heat. In the winter I go for Spanx or something with more support to hold the tummy in!!
That is a very cute dress–it looks more casual or dressier depending on what you wear with it. You look great in white.
Between you and la Contessa, I am thinking over my long necklaces and whether any can be wrapped around. Scarves are a favored accessory here–at least until the weather gets warm, which has just started. Now necklaces feel cooler.
It is a great dress. I was shocked honestly how flattering it is. I RARELY wear sleeveless due to the bingo arm look. I used to look terrible in white…could only wear off white…it is the gray hair. I adore scarves to I just tend to keep them smaller and lighter in summer due to the heat. I always so enjoy your input. You need to join us in one of these posts. Email me would love to have you!!
MY FAVORITE WAY is with the GREY SWEATER!ALL LOOK FANTASTIC HOWEVER!YOU are the QUEEN of LINEN and LEGGINGS!What a GREAT LOOK and SO easy for summer!
YOU match your GARDEN in BEAUTY!
THANK YOU for including me TODAY and our photo together from last years Birthday Soiree!
I am off to read BRENDA’s BEAUTY BUNDLE TIPS as I do NOT know what THAT MEANS………..
HAPPY SUMMER!
IT is ALMOST HERE………..I THINK!It’s a bit GREY OUTSIDE this morning!!!
XX
Thank you Eliz for joining us! I really need to study your compositions. Probably no one would believe this but we do have similar tastes in accessories. Although you can layer much more we both love tribal influenced jewelry, and natural elements. If it weren’t for your encouragement I would never have the guts to pose!!