Accessories - The key to defining your own personal style

Joanne is a personal stylist based in Sydney with over 20 years experience in the fashion industry. Contact Joanne for more info at joanne.becker@bigpond.com

As a mum and particularly as a working mum, it is very hard to find time to shop, let alone follow trends and stay abreast of fashion. The priority becomes wearing clothes that are easy care and not spending half your time shopping or reading fashion magazines.

Whilst this is the reality for a career mum, most professions along with social circles have an expectation that you keep up with fashion and look (and feel) like you have it all “together” My single most important piece of advice to clients, particularly those with financial and time constraints, is keep your own style evolving through the use of great accessories. It is important to buy classic and quality clothing in shapes and colours that best suit you and your lifestyle. It is impossible as a working mum to keep up with trends and constantly be in the most up to the minute fashions (unless you are blessed with a lot of support in the home!) 

However, it is great to feel modern and fresh, and I believe that accessories which represent the hot new colour or fabric can give a classic piece of clothing the update that it needs. I have been an accessory buyer in the past, and the school of thought was always that you spent about ¼ of your clothing budget on accessories. This percentage has grown substantially in the past few years, and the growth of freestanding accessory boutiques and mega stores which dress you from top to toe reflects this. There is much more awareness of and accessibility to stylists. Because of this, the concept of styling an outfit to give it your own signature has become part of the mainstream.

It is very cost affective to update your wardrobe with some great key pieces each season and not have to spend a fortune to achieve this. The very nature of trends is that they go in and out of fashion, so unless time and money are not an issue, you don’t want to be investing huge amounts in this seasons “hot” look. The saturation in press and on the streets of that particular look can leave you feeling decidedly dated by the time that season roles around again the next year. The rule of thumb is to buy great pieces which you can add too, and which will not date too quickly. Once you have built up a great basic wardrobe, you will find you can spend much less and even pick up some really great inexpensive accessories in the youth chain stores which look perfect for the season.

The items that I would always say you should invest a reasonable amount of money in, is great shoes and bags. These items will really bring down your look if they are obviously not quality pieces. Fun weekend trainers or shopping bags are of course an exception. Invest in the right pieces and you will always look polished and professional. Once you have nailed this you can afford to have some fun with some great costume jewellery or gorgeous scarves and hats. Experiment with your accessories and even take some risks. If the foundation is good, you will be able to pull off some fabulous fashion forward looks at any age.
 
Good luck and start rugging up for a colouful autumn. Or you could always take a stylist with you for support and really get it right!