What do you want your wardrobe to say about you? Would you like it to be a unique reflection of your personality? Accessories can be your best friend after 50 (or in my case way after 60!) They can highlight your features and light up your faces. They can add interest to a simple ensemble, extend the life of your wardrobe, and add your own unique stamp. Today Annie, Mary Ann and I are joining Brenda and Tania. Let’s talk about How to Make your Style your Own with Unique Accessories.
Accessories are one of the best ways to express your personality and personal style. Pair the unexpected with the expected. Your choice of accessories can make your outfit unique and allow you to feel authentic. If there is someone whose style you admire, take a little of their look and incorporate it into your own. If you like it, wear it and don’t worry about what others think.
Here are my tips on how to make your style your own with unique accessories.
COLLECT ACCESSORIES 0N YOUR TRAVELS
If you find something special while traveling you will forever reminisce about that special time every time you wear it.
Here I am wearing the Madewell Reversible Poncho (on sale for $39) that I featured in the Outfit of the Week here. I accessorized it with one of my favorite Gigi Pip hats (they are the best), Native American bangles, earrings, and a pin that I collected from our many trips to Santa Fe over the years. I am wearing it with the fabulous Lysee faux leather leggings and my Bedstu boots. FYI the good folks at Lysee are still allowing you to use the code Cindy20 to receive 20% off your purchase.
SHOP THE LOOK
I am wearing a new fall blazer from Banana Republic with old jeans, a chambray shirt, and Artemis design slippers. On a whim, I decided to cover the white buttons with several of my vintage silver pins that I have collected over the years.
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SHOP SMALL BOUTIQUES- VINTAGE AND SECOND-HAND STORES
If you have been reading this blog for long, you know that my favorite second-hand store is eBay. Most of my clothes and accessories are sourced from eBay. Here I am wearing two more items from Lysee, the quilted convertible sweatshirt, and their faux suede leggings (love them just as much as the faux leather). I accessorized the outfit with faux tortoise earrings, Birdies velvet starlings, and a J Crew shoulder bag that I found brand new on eBay. You may remember it was on my fall wish list here. The vintage horn bangles were found on Etsy a few years ago.
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Here is another great piece from Lysee their aimee vegan pant. I was worried that these would not be flattering on me but I love them (note at 5’4 they aren’t really cropped on me-they do have a raw edge so they could easily be cropped more). I like them just the way they are). I am pairing them with a vintage Ralph Lauren belt, a leather jacket from Bijou Paso, and the birdies starling (bought on ebay, already broken in-I have better luck with that due to my bunion). I added the simple engraved earrings and bracelet from Engrave This on Etsy.
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ADD A STATEMENT SHOE TO A SIMPLE OUTFIT
I am a huge fan of Artemis Design Co. shoes. They always add pizazz to a simple outfit. Here I am wearing BR wide-leg cropped jeans, a simple Michael Stars tee, with water buffalo horn accessories, and a favorite Gigi Pip hat
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STYLE ACCESSORIES IN UNEXPECTED WAYS
I am wearing a necklace from Love Heals that Steve got me for an anniversary several years ago. It is meant to be worn long, which I normally do, but it is even more interesting doubled up.
Here I am wearing an embroidered scarf that I have owned for years, properly as a scarf.
Maybe this is a little outside the box for most, but don’t be afraid to style things in unexpected ways. Scarves and wraps can be worn multiple ways. You might enjoy my post Eight Ways to Style a Scarf for inspiration.
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DON’T BE AFRAID OF BOLD ACCESSORIES WHEN WEARING A MONOCHROMATIC LOOK
In this photo I am wearing an oversized cashmere sweater, faux suede leggings, bed stu boots and native American jewelry from my collection. I wouldn’t wear a big bold necklace with a patterned outfit, but someone taller could carry it off. Go bold if the rest of the ensemble is simple.
In this photo, I am wearing an oversized cashmere sweater, a native American treasure necklace inherited from my MIL, Artemis Design Shoes, and faux leather leggings. You can find similar Native American bangles on Ebay here.
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EMBRACE SCARVES AND WRAPS
Honestly, there is nothing more versatile that can add pizazz to an outfit quicker than a scarf or wrap. Here I am wearing a felted scarf (IBU Movement a few years ago) similar here, with a long black blazer from Peruvian Connection (no longer available). Instead of wearing the scarf outside, I belted it with one of my concho belts (a gift from Steve on one of our Santa Fe trips). The vintage turquoise zuni cuff was purchased as a gift for my birthday last year (by Steve with my assistance on eBay). You can find similar here on eBay. For more ideas you might enjoy my post, Favorite Ways to Style a Shawl.
Here I am wearing the same scarf styled as a shawl. Nothing is more versatile than an interesting scarf. I know we aren’t seeing them as much this year but I am still wearing mine! You can find narrow concho belts (faux and legit) here on Etsy. or on Ebay here.
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I absolutely love wraps and scarves as you know. You might enjoy my post How to Style a Shawl here. I am wearing another Lysee piece the Charlotte Sweater Wrap (also soft as a baby’s bottom and warm). I am wearing it with their faux suede leggings, a black mock neck from Anthro, my Bedstu boots, and a Gigi Pip hat. You could easily pair this
I am wearing the simple cashmere wrap from J-Crew over a leopard skirt. The shawl adds panache to a simple outfit.
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I purchased this scarf at Anthro several years ago. There is a pretty one I spotted on Sundance that I have my eye on that would work equally well. Here I paired it with jeans and my concho belt. Belt it and it gives the illusion of an expensive jacket. I paired it with jeans
In this photo, I am wearing the same scarf over one shoulder with Native American jewelry.
SHOP THE LOOK
Here I am wearing the absolutely gorgeous (I am not kidding this is a winner) Alice Fringe Sweater Coat from Lysse. It is soft as butter and warm and cozy. Instead of wearing it open, I pinned it closed with a vintage pin. I am wearing their fabulous faux leather leggings and my fave Gentle Souls Emma booties. My earrings and bracelet are from Etsy. All items will be linked below each graphic (except the Lysse items which are in bold).
Here is the same coat styled more traditionally but with a statement necklace.
SHOP THE POST
I hope this post has given you some inspiration to embrace those accessories that you aren’t wearing and enjoying. You might enjoy reading
Over 50 Fashion The Collected Look
How to Develop Your Own Sense of Style
Don’t be afraid to style them in new unexpected ways. Remember to use the links in bold if you would like to purchase anything from Lysee and to use the code Cindy20 for 20% off. I just love their line and I know many of you have been very happy with the items you have purchased from them. Thank you for reading How to Make your Style your Own with Unique Accessories. Now let’s pop over and visit my other friends and see what suggestions they have for you.
Cindy Hattersley Design Cindy
Classic Casual Home Mary Ann
Most Lovely Things Annie
1010 Park Place Brenda
50 Is Not Old Tania
I always enjoy your outfit posts and pin many of them. I ordered a bracelet from Engrave This on Etsy after seeing yours. I love silver jewelry and especially anything “monogrammed” (being from the South we love our monograms – LOL)!. Next on my “want” list is a pair of the silver square cross earrings.
Thank you for always inspiring me with your fashion posts!
Hi Judy
Thank you for being such a wonderful supporter of my blog. I am so lucky to have each and every one of you!
~ Hi Cindy H. I saw your fashion archives and found an English gentleman named Andy Poupart (hope I got that right; I have British/English ancestry, too). Having worked in the NYC rag trade/retail sales, I developed a “Code of Personal Style.” My husband and I live in the mountains; in the panhandle of West VA. We both agree that folks are way too casual in the way they dress. One of my favourite movies is The Thin Man with William Powell. Like Andy Poupart, he KNEW how to dress and what looked good on him. People have lost that. My husband loves cuffs in his dress pants, peak lapels on his suit jackets and bowties! He even had his tailor put cuffs in his tuxedo pants before we were married (2011). She told him, “Nobody puts cuffs in tuxedo pants.” He replied, “I’ll be the first!” My personal style is mountain cowgirl. I wear a lot of Double D Ranch, Ralph Lauren and Vintage Collection. Old Gringo boots (I wear cowgirl boots year round), cowgirl hats, jeans, leather jackets/pants and lots of turquoise. We just celebrated my 68th birthday on 7 October and I feel great. People are not only much less stylish; we see folks in their jammies in Walmart! They look at my husband and me and don’t know what to make of us. We love dressing up, esp. on monthly date nights. I’m a HUGE Ralph Lauren fan and own a lot of his clothes, shoes & handbag. RL is a legend in his own time, as is Double D Ranch. Both are timeless. BTW Cindy, your smile is infectious! ~
Please tell us how you store your scarves and shawls. Mine are always in disarray.
~ Howdy. This time of year (my favourite), and I wear quite a few shawls. The heavier ones hang in my cowgirl closet on a red huggable pant hanger. One would think the bar at the bottom would make creases in the shawls but it doesn’t. I also have quite a few shawls of different textures from Isra’el. I began wearing them when I lived in S. Florida in the early 2000s to protect myself from the hot Florida sun. When I arrived at work, the temperature was nearly freezing, so they did double duty. The rest of them I fold in half–width-wise and just roll them up and put them in a dresser drawer. Cheers! Hope this helps. ~
Hi Mrs. M
I need to look for those hangers. I have a different space in this new house, so I need a new storage strategy!
~ Howdy Cindy H.: Please allow me the opportunity to thank you once again. The article you did on Andy Poupart and his lovely wife Michele Free was so inspirational. I’m excited that you had the insight to think outside the box by considering fashionable men over age 50. I just had a birthday on October 7th and am in my late 60s. We don’t get older, we age like fine wine! The article on Andy Poupart and Michele Free has also helped me to step up my game. You have great taste in personal style AND YOUR SMILE IS INFECTIOUS! Keep ’em coming. Cheers! ~
~ BTW, during my cowgirl closet clean out, I ordered a pack of Joy Mangano’s Velvet hangers in my favourite colour, RED. They give my closet cohesion and pull everything together. These hangers are fabulous to use and really do provide more space. I prefer breathing room between my clothes. Lastly, my personal style extends to the rest of our house. It too, has a western vibe. ~
Hi Liz
I have not figured it out properly in this home yet. I am working on that!!
I love every one of your posts! I especially like your posts about clothing. They are very helpful!
Hi Susan
I am so happy to hear that!
Cindy, I love your style. Scarves, necklaces, broaches, boots, plaid and so much more. My favorite things in my own wardrobe. Love how you styled the scarf as a skirt.
Hi Elizabeth
Thank you so much! We need to see more of you on your blog!
I read yesterday but forgot to comment!
You do Fall very well period.
It’s a beautiful time of year but we Californians do not get to dress the part too much!
I have so many coats that never get worn!
Blazers I tossed years ago.
Hung on to the green leather pants for years GONE.
Scarves I find I wear more of to keep the chill off my neck which works beautifully for me!
So I guess my answer to your question is Scarves!
Hi Elizabeth
It will be interesting to see if I wear my jackets/coats more here. It is a little colder in the winter. I love scarves too and you wear them so well! I thought for sure you would say necklaces! You are the queen of layering them, or should I say the contessa!
Hi Elizabeth
I am so behind on responding to comments. I apologize. Yes to scarves!
AGAIN…you look great in everything you put together!! Love your style of jewelry and those GiGi pip hats.
Hi Nancy
Those Gigi Pip hats are the best! So fun. Thank you for your sweet comment. You are the best!!
Hi Nancy
The Gigi Pip hats are the best I have found. I just love them!
Fabulous looks. Love them all though not practical in Florida. I love them for travel to Europe though
Several links I tried do not work.
Maybe I’m doing something wrong.
Hi Judy
I will check the links. I wonder what is going on?
Hi Judy
I will check the links
Beautifully shown and very inspiring! I just ordered the Lysee’ vegan “leather” pants, using your 20% off code. Thank you!!
Hi Kathryn
I hope you like the pants as much as I do.
Hi Kathryn
I think you will love those pants. They are extremely flattering
Cindy,
Maybe it’s because I love fall clothing, but honestly, I love every outfit you’ve pulled together in this post! That black scarf with red flowers as a skirt is genius. You pull off all the outfits you create. Thank you.
Karen B.
Hi Karen
That really pleases me Karen. I do love fall clothing too. Is it because it lasts from year to year? I wonder?
Hi Karen
I love fall clothing too! I am glad you enjoy the looks. I work hard at it.
You and I have such similar tastes! If it weren’t for the difference in height, we could swap wardrobes sometimes. Thanks for asking me to do this post with you. Please ask me again, xoxox, Brenda
Hi Brenda
So true! I wish I had some of your height! We always love having you!
Hi Brenda
I agree! If only I had your height!
Cindy! No one does accessories better than you! This post is inspiring me to get more creative and and take more fashion risks! It’s all about the mix and trying things! I adore your style!
Hi Annie
I feel exactly the same way about you! That chore coat to die for!
Annie Diamond fashion risks?
Cindy love the look with the leather vegan pants and the black top especially.. Also I have to try and make my large scarves into a skirt like you. The new check jacket and the wrap on the top photo are also gorgeous! So much to love and you are the queen of great style and how to accessorize well.. xx
Hi Kim
Thank you so much…those pants are super flattering!
Wow, Cindy! 17 different looks and all are terrific. I did buy the Lysee faux leggings and the Aimee vegan leather you show are now on my radar. It’s too bad that I have 3 pair of leather pants, from the 90s, which are not longer stylish cuts. I’ve taken then to a special tailor in SB but he says there’s nothing to be done to bring them more up to date. I should show you with your innovative mind. Thanks for putting together your pieces in so many ways for this fun post. Now for cooler weather…..
Hi Wren
Let’s take a look at those pants! I am betting they have pleats? I have a leather skirt that I have had since the 80’s but I know pants can be tough. I outgrew my leather ones so they had to go!
Wow!! You certainly know how to do it..
I fight my weight … wish me luck in getting into my gorgeous black leather pants someday ….
Thank you for all the wonderful ideas…
Hi Jenny
Thank you! I think covid caused us all to struggle with our weight. I have never gotten down to my pre-covid weight.
You look amazing in every outfit! Your style is so inspiring!! I must dig out my fall pins and start wearing them more.
Hi Jennifer
Thank you so very much, I just love my pins!
Thanks so much, you gave me lots of great styling ideas to style my fall outfits. I have lots of similar items and you reminded me of items I own and different ways to use them. I also purchased the Madewell poncho and love it (well so far it has been too hot to wear it, but I will love it).
Hi Maddie
That Madewell poncho is a winner, isn’t it? So glad you found some ideas that will work for you.
Love it all !! Gorgeous styling and ideas thank you Cindy.Happy weekend 🙂
Hi Francesca
I am late replying, I got behind last week! Thank you so much and Happy Thursday!!
Boy, you are so talented with your accessories… out-of-the-box creative and it always works!!!
Hi Mary Ann
Thank you so much. Accessories are my favorites in decor as well!
Cindy—you are such a fantastic example of what unique accessories do for your personal style! I have found my favorite jewelry pieces from estate sales and thrift stores (where I am on the hunt for my booth goods). It’s amazing what’s out there—and at all price points! Thanks for sharing your expertise!!
Hi Carol
I completely agree the best accessories are found in the most unlikely places!