Let one accessory lead

The story

Choose the detail you want to notice first: a sculptural earring, a textured bag, an expressive shoe or a scarf with an unexpected colour. Build the outfit around the role it plays, rather than adding it at the end by habit.

If the detail has a strong shape, try a quieter silhouette elsewhere. If it is the colour that interests you, repeat a small amount of that colour in another part of the outfit and see whether you prefer the connection.

Look at the whole outfit from a little distance. A close-up can make a detail seem more dominant than it feels when worn. Then move, sit and pick up your usual bag.

Restraint is an option, not a rule. You may decide the outfit needs another interesting thing. What matters is noticing the effect of each choice instead of treating accessories as a checklist.

OUR WRITERSToni Mela

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