Studs Then Duds: Accessorize First

Guest Grit by Amanda Gilbert

{Amanda Gilbert has accepted a challenge: NOT to buy clothes for an entire year. This is the second of four posts that track her endeavor (read the first one here). The Virginia native moved to Charleston in 2007, and currently lives with her husband in Mount Pleasant. A speech-language pathologist and board certified behavior analyst, she's the co-owner of Aspire, LLC, a clinic in the Goose Creek area that provides therapy to children with autism.}

Now eight months in to my no-new-clothes for a year challenge, I try to create new looks by focusing on things that complement my outfit. For example, when I’m getting ready and have absolutely no idea what to wear, I usually look in my jewelry box or at my shoes first. I pick one statement piece of jewelry or unique shoes and build an outfit around my accessories. If I’m particularly feeling a certain piece, I’ll see how many different outfits I can make around it.  

Case in point, this fringe necklace I’ve worn at least three times in the past week.

Fringe necklace, Piperlime

Dress & jacket, Old Navy; bag, TJ Maxx; necklace, Piperlime; sunglasses, Ray Ban; booties, Steve Madden

Shirt, Urban Thread in Columbia, SC; necklace, Piperlime; skirt, Teal; scarf, downtown marke; boots, TJ Maxx

This pair of purple boots is one of my favorites to start building an outfit.

Boots, TJ Maxx

Another statement accessory go-to, my grandmother’s fur collar.  I love attaching it to jackets and vests.

Shirt and jeans, Gap; vest, gift; fur collar, my grandma’s; boots, Aldo