Fashion Accessories PlusLots Of Information On Fashion Accessories
5-piece wardrobe fashion challenge
One of my favorite poems is by William Wordsworth. It is titled “Nuns Fret Not at Their Convent’s Narrow Room” and speaks to the creativity that arrives when an artist is constrained by strict rules.
In Wordsworth’s theory, the less choice we have, the more we are forced to be inventive.
In practice, it’s another thing entirely. And I know this, having just finished my own, modern-day adaptation: “The Intern Frets Not With Five-Piece Wardrobe.”
Except, there was fretting. And sweating. And accessorizing.
For 10 days, I wore only five items of clothing: a black pencil skirt, a pair of jeans, a sheer white tunic, a mustard-colored sweater and a formfitting dress.
The assignment? To illustrate versatility in a work wardrobe based on a few flexible pieces.
The coach? The Arizona Republic fashion writer Ginger Murphy, who counseled me on which five pieces to buy, and who let me wear unlimited accessories and shoes from her own closet.
The results? I had triumphs, such as the epiphany the dress could be worn backward, and hardships, such as wearing a sweater in 114-degree weather. More than anything else, I learned I need more belts.
For day-by-day accounts, see the Style Files. For lessons in versatility that can benefit anyone, read on.
A professional look fit for a first day: tunic, $17.95 at H&M, black pencil skirt and black pumps from my closet, and a white studded belt from Ginger Murphy.
Tunic
The long, sheer tunic: Part blouse, part dress, part “The Emperor’s New Clothes”-esque diaphanous coverall, this piece proved as versatile and essential as duct tape.
It lends itself especially well to being belted, which introduced me to the vast world of belts: thick belts, thin belts, leather belts, tin belts, belts with shiny clasps, belts with bottle caps
Takeaway: “One Belt, Two Belt” children’s book in progress.
Brown is beautiful, so I raided Ginger Murphy’s closet for brown accessories to add interest to the yellow sweater, $49.50 at Ann Taylor Loft, and taupe dress, $43.99 at Banana Republic.
Sweater
I would say yellow is the new black, but it’s not. Yellow will never be the new anything, except perhaps orange or lime green.
A brightly colored, boyfriend-style cardigan is a comfortable and stylish way to add a splash of color, but I suggest not wearing it every other day. Especially not outside of the air-conditioning.
Takeaway: Little Miss Sunshine is an undesirable nickname.
My fashion advisers tell me a splash of orange keeps a work wardrobe looking young and fresh. These orange wedges are from my closet. Tunic, $17.95 at H&M, sweater $49.50 at Ann Taylor Loft, black skirt, my own, and belt courtesy of Murphy.
Pencil skirt
A staple of any office wardrobe, a black pencil skirt nearly screams, “I’m professional! Really!” Whether paired with a blouse, a sweater, heels or flats, the pencil skirt is the LBD of the office.
Takeaway: Pens, pencils and pencil skirts are essential for office work.
Thank God, it’s Friday! Tunic, $17.95 at H&M, tucked into boot-cut jeans (from my closet) with Ginger Murphy’s striped belt and my pink flats.
Jeans
High-rise, vintage-wash, skinny, bell-bottom, jeggings the days of one-style-fits-all blue jeans are a distant memory. However, this season Murphy suggests dark-wash boot-cut jeans as the must-own style.
“Boot-cut jeans are the most versatile cut. There is only one way to wear skinny jeans, but boot-cut can be rolled up and worn with flats for a casual look, or paired with heels to be dressier,” she said.
The only downside: Cuffing boot-cut jeans is more of an art than a science, and the Huckleberry Finn effect is to be avoided at all costs.
Takeaway: Dark wash, careful cuffs.
Right: “Can’t talk, Mom, I’m at work.” The dress, $43.99 at Banana Republic, looks classic with skinny cream belt and peep-toe heels from my closet. On Day 7, I wore it backward and it looked less professional and more like an Angelina Jolie-in-”Tomb Raider” wannabe.
Dress
Speaking of duct tape’s versatility, a 6-inch strip was all I needed to create a new look out of the often-worn Banana Republic dress. The neutral-colored, formfitting dress was a godsend: It could be belted or layered, dressed up with jewelry and worn day or night.
Day 7, however, was when I learned the piece’s true versatility: It fit backward!
The only hitch: The slit in the front was less than office-appropriate – hence the strip of duct tape on the inside.
Takeaway: Clothing more attractive worn forward, but not impossible backward.
Conclusion
The project was worthwhile. I now cherish my boot-cut blue jeans and wear yellow wisely. I scour Goodwill for funky belts, and I realize that less can be more – particularly when it comes to late-night loads of laundry.
That said, do I think Wordsworth ever worked as a summer fashion intern? Doubtful.
Similar Posts:
- Fabric texture adds pop to your style
- 4 chic belts add flair
- This Season, Fall for Skirts
- Joe Zee of Elle shares spring style must-haves
- What to Wear: Chic, casual staples
Leave a Reply