8 Near-Designer Level Accessories I Wear Constantly To Make All My Boring Clothes More Interesting
And not only one of them is a hat.
by Carolyn Firestone
You might be misled into thinking that I am someone who enjoys styling my clothes. You know, given the fact that you just clicked into an article infested with photos of me doing exactly that.
But the truth is, I am very, very lazy about getting dressed. Most days, I pluck two solid-colored items I know fit me okay, a top and a bottom, from my closet, I put them on, and I think, “At some point, I really should try to style my clothes the way I always plan to at 10:23pm when I’m scrolling Pinterest and fooling myself into believing ‘I’m absolutely going to have the energy to dress like this tomorrow.’”
As much as it bums me out to dress boring, I tend to feel either overwhelmed or under-qualified when it comes to the effort of putting together a complete “look.” Also, and I may have mentioned this before, I’m very, very lazy.
The good news is there are hacks for humans like me - the ones who want to look put together but need the skills to do it. Anyone who has ever watched a TikTok (or thousands of TikToks) wherein two matching figures on a split screen show you how the same clothes look styled versus un-styled, knows that the tricks usually come down to some pretty tiny additions. And by additions, I mean accessories.
It’s wild how much adding one designed thing can make everything else look thoughtful and composed and chic and intentional and … well, really just not bleh.
There are eight such pieces sitting in my bedroom right now that I’ve been relying on almost daily to basically do all the work for me - to transition me from schlumpy to styled, from snoozy, California casual to French lady chic. Or hopefully, something circling in the realm of that. I’ll let you be the judge.
1. The Two-Tone Ballet Flats
WHAT: Vivaia Margot Square-Toe Mary Janes*
The cap-toe reminds me of Chanel but these are more comfortable and breathable than my tennis shoes. I knew Vivaia’s flats were known for being pretty and cushioned and light and unbelievably foot-pampering, but I got confirmation that they were also chic from the source where I find out most things are chic: Katie Holmes was wearing them down the street. If you haven’t pinned 102 of Katie Holmes effortlessly perfect, street-style looks, I suggest you start doing so at your earliest convenience.
But the basic idea is that I can wear literally all black or a black top with jeans or a basic, black dress, black skirt, black track suit, black whatever, throw on these babies and poof, I look like I put in some real effort.
Price: $139
2. The Elegant French Handbag
WHAT: Elleme Small Boomerang*
I first wrote about Elleme’s artful bags in a round up of seven French brands every woman over 40 (and under 40 for that matter) should know about. Parisian women have been carrying these leather and suede beauties all over the city. They’re the perfect blend of understated and statement, so they work with everything but also elevate it. This, as far as I’m concerned, is the only thing that makes a bag worthy of investment. You need to know that simply by snatching it up on your way out the door that suddenly you will be completely and successfully styled.
See what It does to just a simple white tee and blue jeans?
Of course, it comes in every color you could want as well as suede*, leather*, and a woven fabric* that will make you weak. It’s also made in 3 sizes: mini*, small*, and standard*.
After I pined over their bags in print, the brand was kind enough to send me the small boomerang bag you see above. It fits my essentials: compact wallet, phone, keys, sunglasses, whatever lip balms I grabbed in a flurry. But it also comes in a full-size* that I’m ready to make my everyday bag, given the impact this one has already had on my life.
Price: $600
3. The Best Belt I've Ever Owned
WHAT: Favorite Daughter The Jordan Belt*
It sounds silly to say a belt has completely changed the way I dress, but it’s actually true. And since I’m already giving away all my shameful secrets for how I find real-life, getting dressed inspiration, I may as well tell you I saw this particular belt on Kristen Bell in Nobody Wants This. Her character is based on real-life co-founder of Favorite Daughter, Erin Foster, and well, that brand makes the best belts. Again, they have enough “going on” in the detailing to make them interesting but are classic enough to wear everyday. Just adding it to any top and jeans makes my outfit look complete.
I bought this belt and honestly have not felt the need to reach for any other black belt since.
Price: $108
4. The Spring Trench With A Twist
WHAT: Sézane Clyde Coat*
Ohhhhh, the trench. Another French lady secret that’s maaaaaaybe not so secret, but nevertheless it’s damn effective. Sézane is a French label that makes unbelievable quality staples that always, always have a twist that also makes them deeply original. Yes, this trench also comes in the traditional camel and a bunch of other lustful colors and prints, but the detail on the lining will get you more compliments and comments than you’re likely comfortable with when strolling down the street. Plus, that touch of plaid makes it so it goes with everything.
Price: $355
5. The Minimalist Ankle Bangle
WHAT: Jenny Bird Dane Anklet*
This bangle was a birthday gift from my Editor-in-Chief, Audie. She owned the exact one, and I was not very subtle about loving it.
I think what appeals to me so much about this anklet is that it combines the two things we all want to be at the same time: classically minimalist and breathtakingly original. It’s not loud, but by virtue of being an anklet, it’s unique and alluring and a little offbeat. It’s also so easy to wear, and everything is that much more lovely because of it.
Price: $118
6. The Chic Sandals That Have Replaced My Ratty Flip Flops
WHAT: Beek Starbird Leather Toe-Ring Sandal*
I promise you I don’t have some sort of penchant for bejeweling my feet. Then again, perhaps I do, because buying these studded toe sandals to replace my sad flip flops was maybe the most joyful sartorial decision I made this year. What needs to be said, more than describing how they look, which you can see for yourself and therefore, decide for yourself whether or not you like, is that they are surreally comfortable. Orthopedically so. There is cushioning and buttery soft straps and somehow, arch support? In a slim, strappy sandal. It’s unheard of.
I’m not someone who spends upwards of $200 on a sandal, or any shoe to be honest, but because of the comfort I want to wear these all the time. And because of the detail, I can even wear them to dress up. So for me, it’s been well worth it.
Price: $240
7. The Just Right Size Sunhat
WHAT: Aritzia Sunbeam Raffia Medium-Brim Hat*
Sun hats are often either cartoonishly large and make me feel like I’m in costume as someone whose life occurs mainly in a chaise lounge or they’re sort of small and don’t actually protect my face from the sun. Aritzia started making a mini-brim*, short-brim*, medium-brim*, and wide-brim* sun hat, and I will just say this, the medium sells out fast. The reason for that, I believe, is that it is the perfect size hat for all sizes of head and all shapes of face.
Price: $78
8. The Classic Sunglasses No One Can Tell Aren't Designer
WHAT: Quince Malibu Polarized Acetate Sunglasses*
Sunglasses don’t need to be designer to make you look 17x cooler and chicer. But it does kind of help if they look designer. And this $50 pair from Quince does just that. The universally flattering shape and cappuccino-colored frames just sort of up-level anything I happen to be have on - in this case the same hat I kep raving about above. I do think I’m ready for that chaise lounge now.
Of course, there is another trick I firmly believe in when it comes to sunglasses, which is this. Go ahead and buy designer, make it Gucci, choose a classic frame that will never go out of style, and most importantly buy it on sale at Nord Rack*.
Price: $50
Carolyn is the Managing Editor of The Candidly. Her favorite thing to do is to write about her favorite things, especially when they have even the slightest chance of making someone else’s something (mood, relationship, travel plans, or toiletry kit) a little better. You can find more of her articles here.
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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