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Home » Six accessory “families” – groups of accessories that share an aesthetic DNA

Six accessory “families” – groups of accessories that share an aesthetic DNA

June 14, 2013
 
Many people asked to see more groupings of accessories- including a scarf and a cardigan – in order to better understand the possibilities inherent in this idea.  When I choose these accessories, I don’t necessarily match the colors exactly, or make sure that everything has a “theme” to it (like flowers, or dots, or stripes).  I’m going more for an elusive sensibility – the idea that all of these things could easily belong to the same woman.  To me, that seems like the most logical criteria of all for assembling any  wardrobe, or a wardrobe of accessories.
 
grey and yellow accessories with a grey cardigan and yellow boots

citrine earrings – Blue Nile, bracelet – David Yurman, cardigan- Miu Miu, sunglasses – Coach,  tote bag – Marni, scarf – Vera Bradley, desert boots – Jamie Fame

 
pink and mint green accessory family with a pink cardigan and green ballet flats

cardigan – J.Crew, peridot stud earrings – John Lewis, peridot bracelet – Blue Nile, bag – Alexandra de Curtis, sunglasses- Oakley, flats – Franco Sarto, scarf – Brooks Brothers

 
deep ruby red accessory family with cardigan, pumps, scarf, bag and jewelry

bracelet – Armani Collezioni, sunglasses – Gucci, earrings – John Lewis, bag – Marc Jacobs, scarf – Gaudi, pumps – Daniele Ancarani, cardigan –  Woolrich

 
green accessory family with cardigan, flats, scarf, bag and jewelry

jade earrings – Mija, bracelet – Bounkit, sunglasses – Oakley, bag – Audrey Brooke, scarf – Coach,  cardigan –  J. Crew,  flats – Jil Sander

 
yellow accessory family with cardigan, ballet flats, a bag and jewelry

bracelet – Inbal Bittan, earrings- Linnie McClarty, bag – Georgina Skalidi, sunglasses – Dorothy Perkins, scarf – Wonderfold, cardigan – Jucca, flats – Aldo

 
pink accessory family with pink cardigan and silver flats, and pink jewelry

earrings – A.B. Davis, bracelet – Madison Precious Jewels, cardigan – Ralph Lauren, scarf -L.L.Bean, sunglasses –  Ray-Ban, bag – RIEN by Penn Vomva, flats – Marsell

 

I always feel that thinking of accessories and accent colors as family members makes it easier for me to focus on a particular color or theme…

love,

Janice

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06.14.13 24 Comments

Tags: accessories
<<One outfit, six different scarvesPacking from the 333 Capsule Wardrobe, with a few essential deviations from the system>>

Comments

  1. VPL says

    June 14, 2013 at 10:43 am

    I'm going to have to re-read this VERY slowly and try to absorb it – accessories are my biggest struggle. I guess some just have natural instincts – or do you think with effort and time it could become instinctive …

    Reply
    • Janice Riggs says

      June 14, 2013 at 11:01 am

      Well, OKAY. My first response went "poof"…

      I think the key to becoming a master accessory-er is to give yourself full permission to determine what it is that you really most love, what most "sings" to your heart, and then giving yourself permission to use those things as your signature. It's so easy to get caught up in the idea of wanting to wear things that are beautiful, but not us, or that are "current", but NOT US, or that are on those lists of things that "all women must own", but WHICH ARE NOT US…
      Ignore all advice except what your instincts shout to you…

      Reply
    • VPL says

      June 14, 2013 at 11:19 am

      as usual you are spot on with your assertions. it might be more a case of uncertain instincts about WHO we are (style wise) that lead to acquisition of 'not us' items.

      Reply
    • VPL says

      June 14, 2013 at 11:29 am

      At some point could you do a more in depth post on SIGNATURES … identifying, developing etc …

      Reply
  2. Cornelia says

    June 14, 2013 at 11:47 am

    I'll take everything in the burgundy selection, please…

    Reply
  3. Anonymous says

    June 14, 2013 at 11:59 am

    that's a wonderful post, Janice, thank you !
    orangette

    Reply
  4. suzynjgonzalez.com says

    June 14, 2013 at 12:45 pm

    Oh, fun! You inspired me to put together my own accessory capsule. http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=85593961

    Reply
  5. Madame Là-bas says

    June 14, 2013 at 1:11 pm

    I am working at pulling my accessories together and I will try to use my orange/coral colour group. I like your choice of pink and green together. I expect that I could pull orange and blue or orange and purple from a scarf and use them together. Or better yet, orange and pink. Your blog is so inspiring. Thank you.

    Reply
  6. Anonymous says

    June 14, 2013 at 1:11 pm

    There's much to think about here; thanks for another great post. I do want to ask, though, something that I and others have wondered about: your thoughts on colored shoes. It doesn't seem as though they're in your personal wardrobe, or have I got that wrong? They add so much to the outfits you illustrate … Yet despite my intentions, I always seem to buy black or beige shoes. Any advice, Janice? Thanks! Joy

    Reply
    • Janice Riggs says

      June 14, 2013 at 1:19 pm

      I'm a big fan of metallic shoes – silver ballet flats and gold penny loafers are big in my rotation. I buy preposterously expensive shoes, because I try to walk at least 5 miles per day, and I don't always do it in my gym shoes. My preferred option to colored shoes is socks – I really adore colored socks…

      Reply
  7. Ellen says

    June 14, 2013 at 2:29 pm

    This may be my favorite post yet. I love the idea of these groupings. It makes for such a cohesive idea…taking all of the "does this, or doesn't this, go?". I think the best way for me to try to 'group' my own oasis of accessories, in my mind, is to take them out, put them on my bed and just begin to play with combinations. Sometimes, when things are all put away nicely, it's tough to reimagine wearing a scarf, sweater, shoes or earrings with different pairings.

    This is great food for thought to create new 'groups, using pretty pieces I already own.

    Reply
    • Anonymous says

      June 14, 2013 at 2:45 pm

      Yes, and take a photo of each group for future reference.

      Reply
  8. Susan says

    June 14, 2013 at 2:59 pm

    I love the gray/black/yellow grouping and the pink/green grouping. And, I didn't know Vera Bradley sold scarves. I'll have to go by the Vera Bradley shop here in Dallas and see if they carry them.

    Great post Janice!

    Reply
  9. Anonymous says

    June 14, 2013 at 3:03 pm

    Another great post. I will take the burgundy ensemble but make it slightly more brownish red. Thank you. I also note you are including other options for scarves in your creations….very helpful for those of us who may not choose Hermes for a variety of reasons.

    Deb from Vancouver

    Reply
  10. Kristien62 says

    June 14, 2013 at 4:08 pm

    The top combination and the all-yellow vignette inspire me. Now to gather up the scarves and scattered jewelry (my biggest problem) and make some combos. Thanks, Janice.

    Reply
  11. Cornelia says

    June 14, 2013 at 4:37 pm

    you may have addressed this before, and I missed it, but how do you store your scarves?

    Reply
    • Janice Riggs says

      June 14, 2013 at 5:17 pm

      Folded in a wire mesh Alfa drawer in my closet. I don't have a proper dresser!

      Reply
  12. Shreddie says

    June 14, 2013 at 6:17 pm

    Another winner, Janice. One thing I have been wondering for some time now is why your collections rarely (ever?) include hats. Possibly a hat is more an outerwear item than an accessory (a hood on coat, for instance.) I live in the desert southwest where a hat is a necessity in the summer sun. I'm not talking full out Royal Mum here, but I think some of these collections here could incorporate a hat or a head scarf. Just wondering.

    Reply
    • Anonymous says

      June 15, 2013 at 5:56 am

      I am making a big effort to wear hats, not so much for style as for sun. I already slather 50 SPF on my face, neck and arms, but re-application is difficult when you're out and about. So I've been grabbing a hat. Sometimes I feel a little flamboyant, when I am anything but. However, I think it just requires practice and getting used to.
      I am on the hunt for a hat with a wide brim for maximum coverage, which can be flipped down when there's wind (high winds are a problem here), that sits tightly on the head (again for the wind) and that can be squished–nothing fussy or fragile.

      Reply
  13. Kirsti says

    June 14, 2013 at 6:21 pm

    My Swedish mother has always been puzzled by Americans that insist everything must match exactly. This is a beautiful post–thank you!

    Reply
  14. Anonymous says

    June 14, 2013 at 9:18 pm

    You are amazing! Love this post. You make everything look so simple. Have you ever thought about being a wardrobe consultant? I would hire you to critique my wardrobe! Then we could shop! Just a thought!
    Sarah

    Reply
  15. webb says

    June 15, 2013 at 12:01 am

    One of the things I have {finally} learned from you is that it's ok – actually desirable – to have multiple accessories in the same color. I used to think that one pink whatever took care of "pink". Now let's get one green thing and check that off the list, too.

    Multiples make it so much easier to mix and match within in palette. thanks.

    Reply
  16. Anonymous says

    March 10, 2014 at 12:17 am

    I like to see how you combine the different colors and types of accessories. I love accessories because they seem for the most part timeless and sizeless. I have my mom's and grandma's jewelry and scarves. They are precious, just as the woman who wore the necklace everyday.

    Reply
  17. GlassesShop says

    July 26, 2016 at 9:26 am

    Amazing pieces!

    Reply

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