Punk Rock Accessories

retro style

What makes a great outfit? 

I prefer clothes with clean lines and simple cuts. That’s because I’m a minimalist at heart: no frills or frou frou, no ‘interesting’ (= complicated and / or impractical) cuts for me. In fact, I’m happy with the boring old basics most of the time. Mainly because they’re practical and comfortable…

But I do want to look good. No, let’s rephrase that: I want to look devastatingly stylish, in that ‘I-don’t-really-need-to-make-an-effort-because-I’m-too-cool‘ kind of way. I’m sure you’ve met a woman who looks like that. We all have. In my case that woman was my mother. Her clothes were always simple and casual, yet she was always  the most stylish woman in the room.

So, given that I’m not into clothes that make a big impact,  what’s the secret ingredient that takes a bland outfit to the next level? The simple answer is: accessories, and attention to detail.

punky accessories

This is something I learned from my mother. She used accessories sparingly, but she spent a lot of time selecting just the right accessories to complement a particular outfit. And that’s the paradox here: it may look simple and easy and as if you’ve made no effort at all, but it actually does take some time and effort to get every little detail just right.

Now, I don’t even pretend to have the same skill (not to mention patience) as my mother did when it comes to accessorizing. I’m really a slob, and there are days when I can’t be bothered to dress up or make an effort. But when I do make an effort – even a haphazard, half-hearted one – I want my accessories to do the heavy lifting as far as making an impact is concerned. I want my accessories to pop. And I want all of my accessories to tell the same story.

I’m not talking about matchy-matchy here, just that all the accessories seamlessly fit together. That’s rather important when accessories are the cornerstone of your style. Because it is the accessories that create the look and the mood of the outfit.

And the look and mood here? Well, I was going for a bit of a punk rock vibe. That’s why I went for black, white and silver accessories.

I’ve posted 3 looks featuring this chambray shirt dress before: a simple summer look with minimal accessories, an all-out glam look with red accessories, and a classic but quirky look with red, orange and brown accessories. I like them all, but sometimes I like one more than the others. Which one,  well, that depends on my mood. And as my mood changes, my favourite look changes…

accessorising

shirtwaist

accessories

Outfit details:

dress: Phase Eight (old) / sunglasses: Marimekko / shoes: Clarks /

bag: Chanel / belt: LP Selection (old)

How do you accessorize?

Tiina

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10 Comments

  1. Shybiker
    4 September 2017 / 3:58 am

    I like this advice. It's a good attitude to have toward getting dressed.

  2. Nancy's Fashion Style
    4 September 2017 / 6:34 am

    I love your style, it s not boring. It s you!

  3. Jill James
    4 September 2017 / 9:18 am

    Totally agree on the importance of accessories to take any look up to the next level and their ability to totally change the look each time.Yours are always quite unique.

  4. Samantha Blair
    5 September 2017 / 12:42 pm

    I totally agree!Details matter…even the small ones.Thank you for linking this fab post!XXXSamanthaFake Fabulous | Fake it until you make it! Style Tips & Fun with Fashion, over 40

  5. jodie filogomo
    5 September 2017 / 5:48 pm

    You are so right Tiina!! It is the details that can make or break an outfit!! And you styled those shoes so perfectly! Of course those shoes are perfection by themselves!!XOXOJodiewww.jtouchofsytle.comps…thanks for linking up with Ageless Style!

  6. Anastasia Burmistrova
    5 September 2017 / 6:04 pm

    I really like your look! So cute and fresh 🙂 FASHIONLOVIN BLOG' | INSTAGRAM

  7. Regine Karpel
    5 September 2017 / 9:21 pm

    Love.

  8. Nicole Mölders
    8 September 2017 / 4:43 am

    This chambray dress with that stunning belt are awesome. You look stunning in this outfit. Thanks for linking up to the Top of the World Style party.

  9. FunkyForty
    8 September 2017 / 12:00 pm

    Loving your details..as for that Channel bag what can I say…this is one item that is still missing from my wardrobe!xxx Yvonnewww.funkyforty.com

  10. Jennie L.
    13 September 2017 / 8:11 pm

    Super cool belt and I am lusting for your flats! You look great, Tiina! Thanks for linking up with Fabulous Friday!Jennie – A Pocketful of Polka DotsI enjoyed reading about your mother and her style.

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