When it comes to looking fashionable, accessories are crucial. Many people underestimate how much accessories can impact their style. It’s amazing how a few simple accessories can instantly change your look.

To fashion loving women, accessories are essential. You see, by adding a couple of cute accessories to an outfit, you can completely change the look and style. This is what is so great about accessories – even when you can’t afford to buy a new outfit, you can use accessories to change up your look.

By adding a few accessories, like a necklace, you can change the look of any outfit. (Photo: estall/pixabay)

 
When it comes to choosing accessories, sometimes it can be hard knowing what accessories are essentials. Luckily for you, that’s where we come in. To help you ensure that you have all the accessories you need, we have put together a list of five accessories you must have.

1. Scarves

Okay, so the fact that it is “scarves” and not “a scarf” could be seen as cheating. But, every woman knows that when it comes to scarves, you need a few different options. The best thing about scarves is that not only can you wear them in the winter when it’s cold, but also in the summer. That’s why there are scarves made of different materials and thicknesses.

Ideally, you want to have at least four scarves in your wardrobe for summer and four for winter. That way, no matter what your outfit choice or the occasion, you should be covered. For the warmer summer months, pashminas are the best option, as they are nice and light. For winter, woolen scarves are ideal, as they will keep you nice and toasty while adding style to your look.

2. Statement necklace

As well as having your everyday and special occasion necklaces, having a couple statement necklaces is also important. These should be color neutral so that they work well with various outfits and should be in a style that you love.

Many people make the mistake of thinking that all statement necklaces have to be long, but that isn’t true. Statement necklaces can be any length you like, they just need to stand out and work well with most outfit choices.

3. Handbag

Of all the accessories on the market, handbags have to be one of the most versatile. Not only are there thousands of different designs and styles to choose from, but each can be used with almost any look.

From satchel-style bags to clutches, there are so many fantastic styles of bags to choose from. While each style of bag tends to go well with any outfit, ideally you should aim to have a shoulder bag, satchel bag and a clutch.

4. Watch

One of the accessories that many of us forget about is watches. Many of us make the mistake of thinking of them as a functional item, instead of a stylish one. But, believe it or not, if you choose the right style and design, your watch can be your best accessory.

There are so many fantastic styles of watches for women, that no matter what your style, there is sure to be something perfect for you. The key to choosing the perfect watch is ensuring that you don’t rush your decision. So make sure to take your time when buying and do lots of shopping around.

5. Stunning earrings

Last but not least, one of the best accessories a woman can have is, of course, fantastic earrings. You may not realize it, but the earrings you wear can make a huge difference to the overall look of your outfit.

The best thing about earrings is that if you opt for earrings that are neutral, like earrings made of gold or silver, you can team them with any outfit.

Of all the accessories on the market, to look stylish, these five are all that you need. So even if your budget is tight, you don’t need to worry.

Article by Beth Mahoney

I have a deep and long love affair with D.C., but years ago (I think like many who grew up in this area) I wanted desperately to leave. What did D.C. have to offer compared to the skyscrapers and opportunities of New York? Or the glitz and beaches of L.A.? Or the allure of the unknown of everywhere else? And when it came to fashion and shopping, before the days you could shop online, D.C. was a dud. It was an uninspiring place to be.

Throughout the years, I’ve traveled and I’ve dreamed, but I’ve always come back to D.C. For all its deserved ill repute, D.C. and the people within it have a charm and their own steez that give the city away from the Hill a distinct and captivating style. The suburbs have their massive shopping malls, New York has Fifth Avenue designer names and D.C. used to have just Georgetown, which used to be lined with independent boutiques instead of the brand name chains we see there today. So when it comes to fashion in the District, Georgetown doesn’t really cut it. To get the real flavor of the city, you need to explore the city’s many independent local boutiques — and the city is brimming with them!

I’ve put together a list of a few of my recent favorite independent shops within D.C. that have come to define how I see D.C. More than just the merchandise within their shops, the owners themselves are incredible and interesting people. The individuals behind the carefully-eyed and selected items within these shops have impeccable taste and a commitment to quality from which I think anyone can benefit from and appreciate. If these shops diverge for your style set, they are still replete with inspiration. Even if just from their window display or wall decor, they provide endless eye-candy for the style hungry.

Redeem/Mutiny

The perfect pairing of modern, edgy aesthetics with rustic, manly charm at Redeem with a curated Mutiny installation. (Photos: Redeem and Mutiny)

Redeem recently celebrated the re-opening of its store after moving into a new location on 14th Street. With a vertical garden outside and massive wooden doors and an angled pine floor detail inside, the physical store itself is beautiful. I’ve been an admirer of Redeem clothing for a long time. The owner, Lori Parkerson, consistently chooses items that are at once edgy and modern. Her selection is classy with a minimalist and rebellious feel. You will find signature items and incredible jewelry here.

And for men, I would highly recommend Redeem! Most boutiques specialize in women’s clothing, but here, I’m envious of how cool the men’s clothing is. The pieces are current, but not trendy. They maintain the masculinity that today’s men’s fashion has since forgotten.

Inside Redeem is a curated Mutiny installation called “The Outpost.” If you’re into old school manliness with new school enlightenment, you will love Mutiny’s rustic and well-crafted utilitarian items.

Their bio is perfect. “We revel in the hard to find and well made. We are aesthetes and our stuff is damn good.” Their items are simple. Pens, paper, bags, scents — nothing complicated, but the quality and design is amazing. I was speaking to a Mutiny man at Redeem’s launch party and he explained some of the Mutiny philosophy with me. He said owner Gert Barkovic aims to share objects that have a narrative behind it. Many are fascinated with the daily habits of famous men-folk like Ernest Hemingway, Jack Kerouac, Steve McQueen. What did they write with? From what mug did they drink their coffee? How did they shave? Mutiny items embody this enigma and story. It’s a salute to masculinity with style, to the man with an eye for beauty and the well-made.

Blue’s Hard Goods

Walking into Blue’s Hard Goods is like taking a timewarp back to the best eras of American style. (Photos: Dafna Steinburg and Los Gitanos Vintage and Blue’s Hard Goods)

Blue’s Hard Goods is another D.C. staple specializing in vintage clothes and Japanese denim. I’ve heard this store’s name thrown around for a long time but finally went in to take a look and I wish I had come sooner!

Walking into this shop is like walking into a wonderful time-warp of America’s best fashion eras. Old western, motorcycle memorabilia, rock and roll and military garb fill the shop. You’ll find ’70s, ’80s and ’90s pieces curated by Dafna Steinberg with I Found That Vintage.

Again, the men’s selection here is almost even better than the women’s. But one of the best parts of the store is in the back, where you’ll find Los Gitanos Vintage, a women’s vintage collection from the 18th century through the late 1960’s run by Tara Papanicolas. Think Victorian era lace and gothic motifs — basically brilliant.

When I was browsing through the selection, I mentioned to the store owner that I often admire vintage pieces, but have a hard time wearing them and making them work. He gave great advice. The secret to shopping vintage is that you’ll often need to take an old item and it give it a modern fit. Tailoring, in one word. My thoughts went to Ginger Root Design, a local shop specializing in basic tailoring, creative repairs and revamping those vintage/delicate items. Between the leather fringe jackets, ripped and studded jean shorts and awesome army jackets, I was sold. The owner joked that customers often call his shop a museum, but that’s exactly what it is! A gallery of the incredible history of style picked by expert eyes.

Dr. K’s Vintage

D.C.’s best secret vintage hideaway run by the most knowledgeable and intriguing man. (Photos: Dr. K’s)

Similar in feel to Blue’s Hard Goods, but altogether different is Dr. K’s Vintage on the U. St. Corridor. This crammed little shop is run by Somkiet Umkerb, possibly the most knowledgeable man about vintage fashion in D.C. You can’t think of Dr. K’s without thinking of Somkiet; he is his store, or the store is him. His hours are all over the place but, honestly, it’s worth picking up the phone and calling to see if anyone’s in. If he is, you’ll want to go. He is a character worth getting to know. Ask him about any item in his store, and he’ll give you the story behind it. Or just ask him for a story.

The first thing that greets you when you walk in is a wall of vintage and tattered denim and a sea of men’s vintage leather boots and shoes. Turn to your right and you find racks crowded with clothes. My favorite has unexpectedly been the little jewelry display by the cash register counter. It’s not a large selection, but it’s always great. And if you take a look at Somkiet’s fingers when you’re there, you’ll see the coolest vintage skull rings, bracelets and leather cuffs. My other favorite finds here include leather bags and vintage sweatshirts. He offers great vintage picks for both men and women. His shop is a D.C. treasure.

Tabletop

Tabletop is a unique shop offering everyday items with a modern aesthetic. (Photos: Refinery29 and apartmenttherapy.com)

Tabletop is a really cute shop in Dupont Circle. It’s not a clothing store, but it has lots of style. It’s like a gift shop of all the items I would actually want to receive as gifts. Like Redeem, Tabletop always has a collection that consistent to its style. It’s a mix of the modern and contemporary with the quirky and cute for everyday home and work items. Rugs, candlesticks, wall decorations, mugs, candles, calendars, handbags, wallets, ice trays, business card holders — it has everything.

What I have come to love about this shop most are its subtle-scented candles, unique luggage and handbags, coffee accessories and unique gifts for children. They also have cute jewelry and great home decor items. When I used to work in Dupont Circle, I would often stop by in this store on my way to the metro when I was having a bad day. Walking into the bright little shop is a great pick-me-up. The shop provides beautifully functional objects for everyday life, and why not surround yourself with beauty?

Upstairs on 7th

A quirky boutique that caters to older clientele. However, it’s wacky and wonderfully unique clothes and jewelry are worth a look for any adventurous outfitter. (Photos: Upstairs on 7th and Liz Parker/DC on Heels)

Upstairs on 7th is a wacky and wonderful upscale boutique run by Ricki Peltzman. Her clothes and accessories take quirky to a couture level. Imagine high-end fashion runway wear made accessible — but you have to have personality to pull it off! Petlzman is as wonderfully wacky as the clothes she sells. It’s weird and it’s magnificent. Big baubles, billowy skirts, asymmetrical and flouncy jackets, it’s Alice’s fashion wonderland and Peltzman is the rabbit.

Her boutique caters more to the older and professional women, but it is worth just stepping in and admiring the totally unique character of her store. “I don’t want to be the most exclusive store in D.C., I just want to be the best,” she says on her website. No one else offers what this boutique does and, in that sense, this, too, is a secret D.C. treasure.

Young professionals working in the D.C. metro area face a unique style dilemma. We need to be poised to face the political, business and legal environments that identify our city, while also being prepared for the after-work happy hours, dinners and cultural amusements (which are often just as important to carving out a fulfilling career). I often find myself swapping pumps, changing blouses and touching up my hair and makeup in my car to make myself appropriate for an after-work function. For the style-inclined, it’s a skill to find a balance between good style, comfort and looking professional.

I recently went to a pop up shop at the Science Club for Maono, a young company that, I think, speaks to D.C.’s unique blend of politics and power with passionate professionals. With perfectly tailored clothes and beautiful quality-made bags, I felt this brand was truly trying to cater to the ambition and youth that characterize D.C. Francesca Ruberti, director of operation at Maono, told me a little bit about the up-and-coming company and picked out some of her favorite items from their collection.

Syga Thomas, CEO and founder of Maono, is bringing style to young professionals in D.C. (Liz Parker/DC on Heels)

DC on Heels: Can you tell me a little bit about how and why Maono was started?

Francesca Ruberti: Maono was launched in 2011, by Syga Thomas, CEO and founder. The word “Maono” in Swahili means “vision” or “dream.” Mr Thomas, after traveling in several countries, conceptualized his first high-end clothing line for young professionals with the aim to give back to the local community. By shopping with Maono, people make a direct financial contribution to the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington, providing our youth with the support and guidance they need to succeed – Syga thought the word Maono was very inspiring in representing his dream.

Perfectly tailored blazers by Maono. (Liz Parker/DC on Heels)

DCOH: Why did you choose to be in D.C.?

F.R.: Maono was launched in Washington, D.C. due to the area’s unique cultural blend of fashion and power. The District is a playground for some of the world’s most influential minds, working together to create lasting change. What then could be more appropriate than outfitting the power-players to make a good impression, all while allowing them the opportunity to bring up a new generation of game changers?

Beautiful leather bags, silk shirts and accessories. (Liz Parker/DC on Heels)

DCOH: What kind of men and women are Maono designs made for?

MAONO is an essential gear for the classic, young professional man and women. With an exclusive feel and price point that you can’t get anywhere else.

DCOH: Can I try on before I buy?

F.R.: Now you can. Schedule an appointment and come by our office for a quick shopping experience. Email: [email protected]

Various products featured at the Maono pop up shop. (Liz Parker/DC on Heels)

DCOH: Do you have any products in particular that are your favorites from Maono or that you would like to highlight?

Francesca’s Bag ($220): Bold and beautiful, the limited edition Francesca is a classic silhouette with modern detailing. A large zippered center divider pocket keeps the interior separate and organized, allowing for a sleek exterior free of pockets and clutter. Handcrafted in Italy from sturdy premium leather, this spacious tote is perfect for weekends, travel and commuting to work.

Joy’s Wallet ($68): Glossed finish, mock croc calf leather. Featuring an outside zipper coin pocket, an interior ID window, multiple bill compartments and 15 card slots. It goes from day to night in a snap! The timeless clutch zip wallet is practical and luxurious. If you are looking for a wallet to contain your life … here it is! Colors: yellow mimosa, red temptation, black diamond, white pearl.

Forget designers and tall, lean models. This was a fashion show with a twist. Personal stylist Shelby Cheri of Shell B Cheri partnered with Ratliff Events and Lifestyle Experts for a rooftop, sunset fashion show highlighting 20 local D.C. women and the clothes they already own in their closets. This show wasn’t about trends, new designers or what’s new in the world of fashion. Instead, the show was all about helping women see their closets in new ways to maximize their wardrobe. It was about creating looks to fit each woman’s style, shape and budget.

D.C. fashionistas on the rooftop waiting for the fashion show to begin. (Liz Parker/DC on Heels)

You have a closet full of clothes and still nothing to wear

We’ve all been there: we have a sea of clothing before us in our closets and, yet, everyday we encounter the age-old dilemma of never having anything to wear. I, myself, probably have about 15 pairs of jeans, but only find myself regularly wearing one or two. I have those dresses that I only wear on those very specific and special occasions that come up maybe once or twice a year. There are the shirts and skirts that are always worn together as an outfit, never paired with anything else. The forgotten blouses, abandoned skirts, discarded jeans.

Essentially, most of us women have a closet 50 percent of which we never wear. Talk about a colossal waste of money and inefficient use of wardrobe! This is where a personal stylist like Cheri enters the story.

Style Evolutionized was Cheri’s attempt at showing women an economical way to renew their wardrobes. Instead of a designer fashion show promoting the unattainable, this fashion show was all about accessibility without sacrificing style from a stylist’s perspective. “A fashion show is typically a fantasy –- it is clothes we can’t usually afford worn by women with bodies we will never have. This fashion show is taking that fantasy and grounding it in reality,” Cheri says.

The founder of Ratliff Events and Lifestyle Experts, Kristus M. Ratliff, collaborated with Cheri to to empower and inform women. According to Ratliff, enough women have been invited to those “How to Lose 5 pounds in 10 days” events. She wanted to hold an event to uplift women. Thus came about Style Evolutionized.

Shelby Cheri and a few of the looks from the models’ closets. (Liz Parker/DC on Heels)

The runway models represented the diverse women of D.C. — they were of all races, ages and sizes. Cheri hand-picked and styled each woman’s look from items from their preexisting closets. Each model walked twice, debuting a summer and fall outfit using the same articles of clothing. There were only two rules: (1) the clothes had to styled in a way that the models had never worn them before, and (2) the outfits had to be something the models would actually wear.

Cheri said she particularly enjoyed working with Jonelle (bottom right) because she stepped out of her comfort zone and truly embraced the experience of having a stylist. For instance, Jonelle said she typically wouldn’t pair two different prints together and was wearing a skirt shorter than she normally would be comfortable with. Cheri said that she loves pairing two different prints, especially black and whites, which is a huge trend right now. But for Jonelle, this was something she never would have thought to do. The best part for Cheri, however, was seeing Jonelle looking at herself in the mirror and seeing how amazing she looked in her own clothes.

Take your summer clothes into another season

It was quite a remarkable and enjoyable show. All the women looked like they felt absolutely gorgeous. They looked comfortable in their clothes and each of looked like they had an individual personality. At the end of the show, Cheri took a few of the models aside for a live styling demo to explain how she transformed their looks from summer to fall, while keeping the looks true to their owners.

Sally (second from the left) was a petite, doe-eyed beauty whose closet was full of gray and blue dresses. For the fall outfit, Cheri added an edge to Sally’s modest striped dress with long, layered necklaces. Sally’s summer look was double belted with ribbons for an unexpected touch, while while maintaining Sally’s demure style and sensibility.

Each model walked twice, wearing wardrobe items in both summer (top row) and fall (bottom row) variations. (Liz Parker/DC on Heels)

Sasha (third from the right) wore a beautiful green, buttoned-up dress for her summer look. According to Cheri, an easy way to take this kind of dress into the cooler fall season is to open it up and use it as a coat instead of a dress. Add some leggings and a tank top, and you have a completely different look using the same dress.

Samara (second from the right) originally came out in a one-piece bathing suit and beautiful, long kimono. For the fall look, Cheri used the bathing suit as a top and paired it with a sleek and tailored skirt. It was an unexpected, sexy and stylish look. Lisa (far right) is seven-months pregnant. Her summer and fall looks included a yellow dress that she originally bought for Vegas. Cheri specifically wanted to showcase Lisa’s look to show how pregnant women can be modern and sexy by making creative use of their wardrobe. Pregnant women do not have to be relegated the maternity wear racks, but can get the most out of their wardrobe by rethinking old items in their closet.

I never thought I needed a personal stylist, but seeing how happy and confident these women were in their own clothes made me consider otherwise. I’m all about making the most of what I have, and I’ve already come up with new outfit ideas from the show. But what resonated with me most was something Samara said during her styling demo. She said that Cheri’s superpower was showing women how to express more of their personal story through style. We each have one. It’s worth wondering: what kind of story is your style is telling?

One of the best kept secrets to looking great for any season: secondhand shopping! I’ve always been a lover of secondhand, or “gently used,” clothing. From my days as a broke college student to a working adult with bills to pay now, shopping secondhand has been one of the best things for my budget and my style. And it looks like I’m not the only one who feels this way. Hundreds of women recently came out ready to swap and shop for spring at the SNOBSWAP & Dewdrop‘s “Swap in the City,” and to score vintage designer deals at the Yours/Mine Secondhand Shopping Soiree (YMSSS).

Women swap out their old closets for new threads at Swap in the City. (Liz Parker/DC on Heels)

Women put away their pocketbooks and swap for designer deals

SNOBSWAP is an online marketplace where users can buy, sell, swap and save on coveted luxury and designer goods. While the site aims to bring the thrill of swap parties and high-end designer consignment shopping online, this spring it helped host Swap in the City at the tech startup hub, 1776 to raise awareness for Becky’s Fund, a non-profit helping victims of domestic violence started by Becky Lee (who was also the second runner-up contestant from the 2006 CBS show Survivor: Cook Islands). Shoppers, fashion bloggers and designers came to swap in their vintage designer clothes, to trade with other guests, to party and enjoy a fashion show.

Julie Donaldson, Comcast SportsNet anchor, emceed the night in a flapper-era dress from upscale consignment boutique, TARI. She introduced a fashion show with a sneak preview of curated pieces from SNOBSWAP’s secret celebrity closet and which ended with the D’Milikah collection, a Brazilian swimwear line by local designer Emily Gonzaga.

Top row: some vintage Chanel, clutches and jewelry for swap and sale. (Liz Parker/DC on Heels). Bottom row: Becky Lee and Julie Donaldson, blogger Elle Choi and Emily Gonzaga with her D’Milikah swimwear models. (Photos by Phil Kogan)

D.C. bloggers share their tips on emerging spring trends

Well-known and well-loved D.C. fashion bloggers also came to share their tips on emerging spring trends. Liz Fassbender first spoke about D.C. as a fashion hub. She is the blogger behind So Much to Smile About and co-founder of The Capital Area Fashion & Beauty Bloggers (CapFABB) organization, a group under which local bloggers can connect, collaborate and organize fashion events in the D.C. area. She said that with over 700 members in the organization, D.C. is actually a very fashionably involved and style-conscious city. Her spring trend report included less color blocking and more lace and pastels. But her favorite is the all white look. Bold stripes and fun florals are also OK in her book.

Jen Jean-Pierre of Comme Coco also shared her closet and spring style tips, many of which I have been seeing in new designs and on the street. She said black and white, thankfully, are still in and is the easiest, simplest and classiest way to look great. Everyone has black and white in their closets, and it’s a look that’s always on trend. For bottom-heavy women, she recommends wearing a dark item on bottom and a light colored top. Another trend mentioned that I’m excited about is warm-weather leather. In neutrals or in bold colors, leather is an easy way to add a little fun and edge to an outfit.

Elle Choi, the cutest and sweetest fashion blogger, demonstrated ways to create many looks from one outfit. Wearing slim and tapered floral patterned pants and a white tank, she transformed her outfit by simply changing her top. She first added a bold yellow pullover for a casual look then a gold, shimmery cardigan to class it up and lastly, a thin white leather jacket for edge.

Yours Mine Second Hand Shopping Soiree (Liz Parker/DC on Heels)

First it was yours, now it’s mine

Yours/Mine Secondhand Shopping Soiree is a quarterly women’s secondhand and vintage clothing and accessory “sip and shop” created by Patrice W., a D.C. native aiming to reshape the idea of thrifting. She wants women to know that past stigmas behind thrifting are no more. According to her, thrifting is for the financially conscious woman and she holds YMSSS for stylista’s on a budget looking to score great deals.

As an avid thrifter, this was a dream shopping event. It was a relaxed, fun event with women and store owners who gave great care about their goods, but without the seriousness that can often accompany high-end and vintage consignment. Sellers help you try on clothes, pick accessories for you or simply tell you the story behind an item you were eyeing. There were pop up shops for exclusively online shops that didn’t have D.C. storefronts. I especially fell in love with the vintage clutches at B4 by Kizzy Evae. She often gets her vintage items from estate sales. She says she loves to learn the story behind the items, restore them and bring them back to life with her online boutique.

The most beautiful part of this event was that everything was reasonably priced. I walked in not expecting to buy a single thing and walked out with bags of items I couldn’t walk away from because they were either too good of deal to pass up or just one-of-a-kind items that would be so hard to find otherwise. The overall atmosphere of this event was pure happiness. Women were giddy with excitement, elated with the joy of vintage. And if you’re a woman trying to look your best while watching your budget, you would be too!