Do your clothes or your accessories do the talking?

Lori's post on whether you like dressing in all solids (http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....all-solids) got me wondering--do your clothes or your accessories do the talking? Which are your statement pieces? Do you wear mostly solid, neutral clothes and use cool accessories like scarves, hats or jewelry to add visual interest, or do you like your clothes to be the statement pieces, with prints, bright colors, dramatic silhouettes, ruffles or embellishments?

I am mostly into statement clothes--I have some scarves but I can't seem to integrate them into my outfits very often because I already have a lot going on with my outfits with lots of pattern and color. I love bright colors and especially lots of prints! I usually only wear one piece of jewelry at a time, if I remember to at all. I don't change out my watch. I almost never wear a hat. I do have some handbags but not an extensive collection. On the other hand, I do like statement shoes/boots, and my satchels have prints on them too, so I guess that makes it hard to put outfits together when everyone is talking all at once! I have a closet full of divas!

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20 Comments

  • biscuitsmom replied 12 years ago

    I try to do both, I guess...when I have on 'plain' looking clothes, especially an all-solid outfit, I try and wear eye-catching jewelry or scarves and when Im wearing a top that is embellished or interesting cut, etc I wear minimal jewelry....but Im still trying to find my way, lol

  • nicoleb replied 12 years ago

    I do both but i find i more frequently have statement clothing. Or, um, both. XD If i dress in all solids, or non statement clothing and just do statement accessories a lot of times i still feel rather plain. But that's just my personal preference.

  • Jonesy replied 12 years ago

    It's a toss up for me between the clothes and accessories. I like statement pieces of clothes, but one-of-a-kind jewelry or footwear can be really powerful too, you know?

  • Abie replied 12 years ago

    I do both, but I think I do statement clothing more often.

  • rae replied 12 years ago

    I'm on Team Statement Clothes. I tend to forget about accessories or just find them fussy and irritating. I count shoes under "clothes" for this question.

  • Jilly replied 12 years ago

    I tend to have more "statement" clothes. When I'm wearing all black, then i might wear more jewelry.

  • Sarah A replied 12 years ago

    i am all about accessories right now, most of my clothes are pretty plain, simple and neutral. Plus as I have changed sizes my beloved accessories come with me while some statement clothes were abandoned along the way for poor fit. Maybe when my weight is more set I'll buy some statement clothes.

  • Laura (rhubarbgirl) replied 12 years ago

    Um, neither? Thanks to YLF I'm more of an accessory person than I ever was, but I still don't gravitate to really bold pieces. And my clothing tends to be pretty basic, too. I guess I am trying to focus on fit and proportion, because I just don't feel like myself with a lot of details or bling.

  • christieanne replied 12 years ago

    Accessories especially if you count a coat as an accessory. I have a major problem with pattern in clothes - especially tops so tend to stick to solids. Accessories/shoes/switching bags is "the fun part" for me.

  • machanteuse (Lori) replied 12 years ago

    Interesting thoughts! I think I'm much more likely to have statement clothes. Playing with accessories is new to me - e.g., I have now worn a scarf outside the house exactly two times! LOL! Shoes for me are always a challenge with XW feet, so they rarely look special at all. I am experimenting a little more with bags. The only accessory category I feel a little more comfortable with at this point is jewelry. But I started thinking about statement pieces there sooner than I did with clothing.

  • Transcona Shannon replied 12 years ago

    I think I'm a little of both - items like my purple leather b-day jacket and VC striped top are statement clothing items; but then my Docs Sara oxfords and red quilted Nine West handbag are statement accessories.

  • bj1111 replied 12 years ago

    accessories, hands down. i think i like so much black or neutrals in clothing because i love using them as a canvas for accessories like scarves or necklaces. overly patterned or embellished clothing is hard because my fave accessories are harder to integrate.

    for "statement" clothing, i prefer striking silhouettes and textural fabrics, rather than color or pattern, to speak.

  • Angie replied 12 years ago

    Benched.

    Clothes are my statement, and I do not wear jewelry. I am very strict about fit.

    Yet my hair, specs and watch go a long way to defining my style - all accessories.

    Yup. Benched.

  • ManidipaM replied 12 years ago

    I buy statement jewellery and patterned scarves, then don't wear them a lot because it is 'too much going on' with my colourful or embellished or printed clothes. I used to buy attention-getting bags and shoes once upon a time too. I guess this is a vociferous wardrobe, then? Yes, on the bench with me...

    Interesting how you put the question, though, Natalie, in terms of the clothes/accessories "doing the talking". Just the other day I was saying to someone that I'd almost rather let my clothes be 'louder' than myself, because that way I am shielded by them ('spoken for'?) and need not deal with my shyness issues as much!

  • Debbie replied 12 years ago

    I love statement jewelry but often forget to wear it.

  • annagybe replied 12 years ago

    I'm on the bench with Angie. I love big statement necklaces and bracelets, but also attention grabbing clothes.

  • DonnaF replied 12 years ago

    I don't find too much in the way of *statement* Petite clothing and fussy feet shoes that fit me; finding *statement* earrings and scarves are much easier plus they survive weight fluctuations. I love seeing and admiring the statement clothing on others, however. When it comes down to it, I think I have an easier time figuring out the earring and scarf thing (though I must admit I'm a bit matchy-matchy) than styling statement clothing pieces.

  • fashionista replied 12 years ago

    My clothes are always neutral and plain that includes jeans/ leggings, tops/dresses, coats in winter, mostly you can say wardrobe staples and investment. So I always try to make a difference with shoes, bags or belts and scarves(in winter). However, neither my clothes nor my accessories are statement making (i need tips on this-anyone??).
    So that tells my personality, my style and my mood. A more of a crowd blending but put together girl.

  • Meredith1953 replied 12 years ago

    I am on the bench. None of my clothing or accessories are "statement" pieces. I'm pretty basic. I wear scarves to add color and pattern but none of them are statement pieces.

  • replied 12 years ago

    I'd say my accessories talk louder than my clothes, though it's a close tie.

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