The Accessory Handbook: A Costume Designer's Secrets for Buying, Wearing, and Caring for Accessories

“ The Accessory Handbook is a must-have for the fashionable … or the fashion challenged. Alison’s advice—which covers everything from how to avoid buying a bad bag to turning a scarf into a shoulder shrug—is practical and perfect (and now I know what to do about the fact that every hat is too big for my tiny head!).” —Jolie Kerr, author of My Boyfriend Barfed In My Handbag … And Other Things You Can’t Ask Martha “Alison Freer sparkles and makes you want to do the same. Her helpful hints on how to accessorize any outfit can turn a blah look into something special. With Alison's guidance and helpful hints, anyone can look like they paid for a stylist... without actually having to!” —Sara Rue, actress " The Accessory Handbook hits that rare sweet spot of both deeply charming and incredibly useful, tackling all of your scarf queries, belt questions, and bracelet conundrums—admit it, we all have them!—with expertise and wit. It’s the next invaluable, timeless piece of your wardrobe." —Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan, founders of Go Fug Yourself and authors of The Royal We ALISON FREER is an in-demand costume designer living and working in Hollywood and is the author of the New York Times best-selling How to Get Dressed. She was the longtime fashion writer for xoJane and is a permanent contributor to Food52 and New York magazine's The Strategist. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. INTRODUCTION WANT GREAT STYLE? ACCESSORIZE! It’s tempting to write off the idea of accessories as frivolous and needless, but every accessory first existed as the answer to a realxa0 human need. Since the dawn of time, if you had to carry something bigger than your own two hands, you needed a bag. A diamond ring was portable wealth that women could carry at all times; umbrellas are mobile shelters; pins and brooches held capes and jackets closed long before buttons became a thing; and belts handily carried swords for easy access. Most people don’t feel the need to keep a sword close at hand these days (though if you choose to, I won’t judge), but the right accessory can still be a lifesaver: a good cross body bag leaves your arms free to fend off possible attackers, a light scarf will keep you toasty warm in an overly air-conditioned office; and a fierce cocktail ring provides a conversational jumping-off point in an awkward social situation. Accessories, as the name itself implies, are accessible to everyone. It doesn’t matter what age, shape, or size you are (or even the size of your wallet), there’s an accessory out there that will complementxa0 fit, and totally elevate your existing look. Accessories are the great equalizer—true democracy in fashion. Inexpensive clothes can sometimes look poorly made, but a cheap bauble can look like a million bucks when worn in an interesting way. That little scrap of ribbon you’re wearing around your neck could be Chanel, for all anyone knows. Accessories are usually a far better investment than clothing, because you can spend a measly five dollars, wind up looking great, and nobody will ever be the wiser. Plus, they take up way less space than clothes do—so they’re far easier to store. Accessories even transcend eras—and a bauble from eighty years ago can look fresh and new when paired with a modern garment.*** Incorporating accessories into your everyday look (no matter where you’re headed) is actually far easier than the fashion magazines make it out to be—because half the art of wearing accessories is just remembering to put them on in the first place. After all these years, I’ve finally trained myself to always take a minute before I leave the house to consider if I own an accessory that would work with what I’m wearing—and I instantly look more put together for it. Put a sticky note on your mirror to remind yourself to do the same, and it will soon become second nature for you too. Read more