Overinvested in Chic Basics? 36 Accessories That Will Bring the Personality
If you're anything like me, you've spent the past few years concentrating on investment pieces. I have a couple of very chic friends from back home—Sara Crampton, founder and buyer at The Undone, and Beck Wadworth, a brand consultant and creative director of Makespace—who have built entire brands and incredible wardrobes around their love of elevated neutrals, and they've been a huge influence on my purchasing decisions as I've intentionally reined in my own style.
Between the rise of quiet luxury, pandemic clear-outs, and a move toward more mindful consumption, it's not really a shocker that somewhere along the way our overflowing closets turned into capsule wardrobes of black, white, denim, and a slew of earthy neutrals. My own wardrobe is finally in a pretty great place: I have my core staples all set, from summer jeans to black dresses to modern tailoring. It's very chill. Perhaps too chill? What I need now are those pieces that make it all feel a bit more like me. If you're in the same boat and looking for either a little something to set you apart when you're wearing neutrals or a punch in the face of personality, these elevated, on-trend accessories understand the assignment.
Necklaces
Always here with a summery little pop of red to vibe up your neutrals.
Bags
Scarves Bandanas
It's not entirely shocking that Free People has a great range of scarves and bandanas.
Belts
Sculptural belt hardware might be my favorite accessory trend this year.
Corded belts are so good, and their versatility comes from not being limited by the measurements of buckle holes or the stiffness of the leather.
Footwear
Pairing dark denim slingbacks with dark jeans feels so effortlessly forward.
Earrings
If you require baby steps, swap out your regular gold hoops for something subtly seashell inspired.
I pulled these for a shoot, and they're so good I just might have to purchase.
Hair Accessories
There are so many variations of chic hair ties with metallic hardware at the moment.
I could have told you that a floral hair clip makes a chic brooch that creates the illusion of an asymmetric tank, but would you have believed me?
Eyewear
If you loved Bottega's dome earrings.
Jazzy but still black and white (if that's your safe space).
Hats
Dare to veer away from plain old raffia.
Truly, even the unexpected sportiness of a basic baseball cap can give a tailored or romantic look a little something.
I'll still be proud of you if a classic Ralph Lauren cap is where you land.
Natalie Cantell is an NYC-based style director, creative consultant, and contributing fashion editor. She was the executive director of Who What Wear and Marie Claire’s brand studio until 2023, and now freelances globally on shoots, stories, and special projects across fashion, luxury, beauty, home, and travel.
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