Today Jennifer and I are happy to be joined by our friend Eugenia from The Age of Grace on the Over 50 Fashion Edit. We are talking about the importance of accessories. Let’s face it accessories are your best friend after 50 (or in my case after 60). They can detract attention from your most unflattering parts, highlight your strong features, and add color to light up your face. They can add interest to a simple ensemble, extend the life of your wardrobe and add personality to it The key to successful accessorizing is finding accessories that emphasize your personal style, taste, and preferences. Let’s talk about the Power of Accessories and how they can amp up your wardrobe.
For simplicity’s sake let’s divide up our accessories into four simple categories
SHOES
Of course, we all need our basic shoes but statement shoes can elevate your style and express your personality. Choose comfortable ones or you will never wear them!
JEWELRY
It doesn’t need to be expensive costume jewelry is fine, or invest in a few vintage pieces that you can enjoy forever.
HANDBAGS
If you have a few in different patterns and sizes they can add color, pattern or texture to your look.
SCARVES, BELTS & HATS
Scarves and belts can add color, texture, and pattern, and hats can add warmth, or provide shade in the summer as well as adding personality.
I took a simple outfit, an oversized Free People Cashmere Sweater, and my favorite Spanx faux leather leggings and styled them six different ways. I love accessories. I love collecting pieces on my travels, and on Ebay, Etsy and small boutiques. Most of my accessories have been gathered over time. Many of my silver bracelets I have had for years, but it is fun to pick up one while traveling as a remembrance.
My accessories roughly fall into three categories, a group of American Indian items that I have collected over the years, vintage sterling silver, and vintage bone and faux tortoise. They are all easy to find on Ebay and Etsy.
Let’s take a look at each outfit beginning with the top left in the above graphic. This look features a scarf that I purchased last year, similar linked below, my favorite spanx faux leather leggings, free people cashmere, and a necklace that my daughter gifted me and an American Indian cross pendant.
I am wearing the same column of black, a scarf, a group of silver bangles, silver hoop earrings, and comfy velvet birdies. All items linked below picture that are available.
Here I added my rag and bone crossbody (purchased on Ebay last year), tortoise earrings, bone bangles and the Madewell Remy Mules.
A crisp white shirt from chicos is added to the column of black with vintage rhinestone accessories I have collected over the years.
Here I am wearing the Spanx Faux Leather Leggings with the Free People Cashmere sweater, a leopard scarf, bone bracelets, and tortoise hoop earrings
This last look you saw in our Fall Fashion Trends Post here.
Don’t be afraid to shop Ebay and Etsy for interesting accessories. If you are patient you can get good deals. I am planning a post on how to shop Ebay and Etsy soon. If you need ideas on how to accessorize you might enjoy the links below. You might also enjoy my interview back in 2018 with Eugenia on Ageless Style here
Masterclass How to Use Accessories
Vogue Fall 2020 most important fashion accessories
Style on the Side Why Accessories are Important
A Quick Guide to Accessorize like a Stylist
I hope you enjoyed The Power of Accessories Fashion Over 50. Do you have some favorite accessories that are your go-to;s? Please share. Now pop over and visit Jennifer and Eugenia for some more fun. I hope you will join Jennifer and me each month for our monthly over 50 fashion edit.
A WELL STYLED LIFE
THE AGE OF GRACE
THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS, BY CLICKING ON THE LINKS YOU ARE SUPPORTING MY BLOG. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
You look fabulous. I love it all. Actually I’m interested in that oversized sweater. But it’s so you and so chic and casual.
Hi Sandra
I love that sweater it comes in a ton of colors too!
Cindy,
You’ve become a natural at modeling. I love all of the accessories and outfits you’re wearing. I definitely believe accessories are key to completing an outfit. There used to be a shop by the name of Backstreet that taught their sales people to encourage clients to complete their looks with the beautiful line of accessories the shop sold. It stuck with me and I try to remember to accessorize each outfit.
Thank you for always providing great style that inspires me to do my best when dressing.
xo,
Karen
Hi Karen
Thank you for always being so supportive. I so appreciate it. Sounds like Backstreet was a great place!
Love your creative use of accessories! You look fabulous in all of them! Like others, I really like your cool shoes.
Hi Ginger
Thank you for the sweet comment and supporting the blog!
Love it all thank you for the ideas Cindy. The Birdies and the tapestry shoes are on my christmas list and I love the way you wrap your scarf, i will have to try that!
Hi Francesca
The birdies truly are like wearing slippers. I love the new woven version. I can’t wear uncomfortable shoes anymore so they are my go to for comfort. I find the artemis sliedes to be comfortable also. They are wide enough to accommodate my bunions. I would love to have another pair I have to confess!!
You look great in anything you wear!! I love your style because it don’t look like an old style….very chic young looking! As other comments your smile is pretty with your natural hair. I love the length of your hair also.
Hi Nancy
Thank you so much. There is a fine line between looking current without looking like we are trying to hard, right?
Another thought from me. I love to stack bangles and have collected many over the years. I find that at my age, if they pinch or bump me, the can leave an awful purple bruise. Another unforeseen consequence of my collected years.😕
Hi Karen
For some reason my skin is not sensitive. I am sure that will come. I certainly have many other age-related issues just not that one yet!!
WELL DONE!
XX
Thanks Pal! Channeling you!!
What a great post. I love the way you curate and collate your accessories, mindfully over time. This makes your look so you and how wonderful that is 😊
Sarah x
Hi Sarah
Thank you so much. That means a lot coming from you! Love your style!!
Spectacular! Thanks so much for all the excellent inspiration.
Mary Ann
I loved this post. Please show us more posts on your accessories, how to stack bracelets and close ups of some of your favorite pieces and why you chose them. Your look is so unique and not cookie cutter which is so refreshing. Thank you very much!!
I love this….showing what one outfit can be changed so much with accessories.
My fave is the white shirt & rhinestones!
I am beginning to want to hide my neck as I age(almost75)
I agree , your smile is the winning accessory
Hi Rita
thank you so much. I still have a toothy childhood smile from my childhood. I have a collection of rhinestone accessories that have been purchased on Ebay and Etsy. When my daughter got married we put a vintage rhinestone pin on each bridesmaids bouquet.
You rock the black and denim. Love your style and your hair and your smile!
Hi Linda
Thank you so much I always appreciate your support!!
All of the looks are winners! I am coveting the animal print scarf that you show because it is in light colors but I guess no longer available.
Could you please comment of how the Spanx faux leather pants fit? Would you say they run TTS?
I agree with Gayle that you have a great smile and I love how you rock a darker lip.
Hi Cindy,
You always look fabulous, and I think your clever use of accessories is what sets you apart from others. I’ve admired your style and it’s fun to see where you purchase items, and to read your tips and insights.
XO Heidi
I love your blog. This was a really fun post with lots of good ideas.
Hi Frances!
Glad you enjoyed it! Have a great day!!
Buonasera Cindy
Nota dolorosa parlare di accessori due giorni fa ho perso un foulard Hermes che era appartenuto alla mia mamma, quindi doppio dispiacere. Sei deliziosa in tutte le foto, mi piace particolarmente la numero tre. Personalmente non saprei quale accessorio considero il mio favorito, dipende da cosa indossi, e che cosa può completarla nel migliore dei modi. Un abbraccio.
Hi Dora
So sorry to hear about the Hermes jacket. That is terrible! Thanks for weighing in. Have a great day!
As I expected, you look fabulous in all of these. I love the type of accessories you use, they are so creative and artistic, like you! This was fun.
Cindy, all looks are flattering and interesting, but your best accessory is your wonderful smile. It just makes me happy to see you smiling!
Great looks, Cindy! My favorite all time accessory is a pair of red shoes. I turned 70 in August and have had red shoes for 65 of those years. There are currently 4 pairs in my closet. Scarves are a close second, but I haven’t been wearing them as long. 🙂
Nancy I can’t tell you how may times I have searched for a great pair of red shoes that are comfortable and stylish! I love that!
All looks are classic and adorable. So are you!
thank you Gina!!
Amazing Blog Very Helpful