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Wardrobe Architect :: Week 12

I think this will be the last of my posts scripted based off of the Colette Patterns Wardrobe Architect series.  They have several other exercises and posts, but I've sort of been combining those in my updates as I go along. Having said that, let's jump right in: this week accessories.

The longer I take part in this project, the more I pay attention to my own style, the more I realize functionality and practicality are very important to me, perhaps more important than anything else.  Yes looking nice is important, but I would rather walk around in a half dozen mismatched layers and feel warm rather than wear a cute t-shirt and shorts when it's 50 degrees out.  The longer I continue this project, the more I realize that the whole point of curating a wardrobe is to make sure I have enough compatible items to make whatever practically necessary outfit I need that day.  Yes, I picked the color scheme I did to keep things simple and streamlined, but I picked the pieces I did because I need to be able to layer or change things up easily to deal with fickle weather.

All that being said, there's not a whole lot of consideration for accessories in there.  Partly because things like scarves and hats to me aren't fashion accessories but practical items worn because I'm cold, or anticipating being so, or because I don't want the sun on my face, or the cold wind on my ears.  Color and form are important, but they're definitely secondary to me.  I would happily reach for the same grey hat and navy scarf every day.  I will occasionally feel like an uncustomary pop of color and I like that accessories are a cheap and more versatile way to do this, but I've never spent a lot of time making an effort to play with any of this.

With belts, bags and shoes things are a little different.  I like to stick to one bag, maybe two.  I don't like having to switch my stuff around and I don't like forgetting anything.  I like to grab my bag and run.  I don't want to have to worry about what's in it.  In the past I've had two bags, one for work and one for the rest of the time.  Lately, I've been looking around trying to decide how I would like to consolidate this a bit.  I'll obviously still need a backpack for days when I'm doing a lot of shopping or when I'm traveling, but for quick errands or nights out I would like something a bit more timeless.  I'm specifically looking for something that I'm comfortable dragging along on public transit so nothing too precious, although I do want either leather or a nice dark wash canvas.

As for belts, I've worn them religiously in the past and enjoyed them, particularly the way they look, but lately with my shift toward more comfortable pants belts just seem too restrictive.  That's not to say I don't have my eye out for a set of nice leather belts (red and black, as well as a braided brown).  Shoes are similarly problematic.  For most of the summer I've been wearing the same pair of sneakers.  They're not pretty, they're not the sneakers that I want but they do do wonderful things like take a lot of stress off my joints which means I can do a lot more walking with a lot less pain.  I'm working on finding some more shoes, practical and cute, but as always I'm not going to end up with a large shoe collection: brown and black flats, black and possibly brown leather boots, a cuter pair of sneakers, possibly a pair of oxfords either mixed color, taupe, or grey, and the tan and black winter boots I already own.

Jewelry is a topic all it's own.  Back before I worked in a library, and spent days choking myself with my own necklace, I wore quite a bit of jewelry.  Mostly it was the same thing, the same rings and bracelet every day, changing out the necklace, switching between a couple.  I wouldn't mind going back to that, but I tend to forget, and when I remember I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to wear with what and when.  I have picked up a couple of pieces but I think I need to take some time and figure out what I'm doing before I splurge on anything.  Mostly it's statement necklaces and layering necklaces that confuse me.  Maybe it's my aversion to all things flashy that's getting in the way. I'm not sure, but for now I'm going to stick with what I have.

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