the path of least resistance…

Givenchy Pandora, French Kande necklaces, Eileen Fisher cardigan

Some days weeks you just need to keep it simple and serene. For me that’s often meant black-on-black-on-black, but I’ve been working on incorporating some lighter and softer neutrals into the mix. With simple outfits like this, accessories are key to achieving a pulled-together look. Here I’ve let the necklaces take the spotlight.

earrings (similar) | necklace | necklace | top | watch | bracelet (similar)
cardigan (similar) | jeans (similar) | bag | boots 

Givenchy Pandora, French Kande necklaces
mix those metals!

The black medallion necklace (c/o French Kande) from last fall’s collection has become one of my favorites. The one with the silver medallion (also c/o French Kande) is from the new Spring/Summer collection. I’m crazy about those “sea mist” jade beads and it’s nice to add some silver to my collection. It also pops nicely against a darker top, which I’ll show in a future outfit post. Don’t be afraid to mix your metals; it’s the modern way to wear jewelry.

The boots and bag are both travel souvenirs. I purchased the boots in London in 2013, and the bag in Paris last year. The silver bangle was a Christmas gift from a former boss, probably about 20 years ago. I recently re-discovered it in a jewelry box, polished it up, and have been wearing often since. Many solid bangles are too big for my hands/wrists and tend to fall off. This one with an oval shape is one of the few that fits me well.

What accessories do you rely on most to pull together your outfits? Do you purchase accessories or clothing as souvenirs when you travel?

If you sometimes find accessorizing a challenge, or just want to up your accessories game and find inspiration, Sylvia of 40+ Style is launching a new online course, Accessorize Me Confident and Beautiful. I’ll be taking this course too, and look forward to sharing some ideas and impressions.

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16 Comments

  1. You look very sleek and elegant. I like every detail, including your charming haircut, which in itself is a shimmering, stylish accessory!
    The combined medallions, along with the gentle taupe-ey color of bag and boots have an over-all softening effect which is very becoming.

    I love changing up my accessories to vary my “uniform”, but do have some tried-and-true faves. A sideways oval steel bracelet watch, a steel buckle bangle, a gold byzantine bracelet, a coin-pearl-and-chain necklace, a white agate link-and-chain necklace, a heavy silver rectangular ring, and so on.

    Am totally with you on mixing metals. A favorite pendant is an old, Asian brass coin (the kind with the hole in the center) set with a garnet in the center and thickly mounted in silver. The yellow and silver combo is great and I mix silver and gold bracelets and rings with abandon.

  2. I just want to thank you for introducing me to French Kande. I purchased a wonderful necklace from a local shop. It caught my eye and when I looked closer and saw it was from French Kande, I took a longer look. I didn’t buy it on the first trip, but went back to the shop a few days later to buy it. It has become a favorite. I’m considering a second French Kande necklace now. I’ll check back at the local shop before shopping online.

  3. I buy handbags and occasionally a piece of jewelry when traveling. I love pulling my “Barcelona bag” or my “Assisi bag” out of my closet because the memories immediately come flooding back, including the smells and tastes of the place a I visited.

  4. “What accessories do you rely on most to pull together your outfits? Do you purchase accessories or clothing as souvenirs when you travel?”

    I’m not really one for accessories. Maybe it’s due to the fact I wore uniforms to school and we were not permitted to accessorize–the nuns wouldn’t even allow pierced earrings! Anyway, I’m somewhat uniform in my accessorizing. I wear gold hoops for every day and pearl drops for the big evenings out. I have a few statement necklaces but I’m OCD about the way they fall and HAVE to lay just so against the collar or I can’t wear them. (But that’s another story). I wear a bit of arm candy and love to wear gold/silver together. I do love my scarves–especially my Herme’s scarf–and I do love a great hair day as an accessory.

    When we travel, which is mostly to France, I always treat myself to a pair of Repetto flats and a pair of Rondini sandals. I also add to my Nat & Nin bag collection. I love those buttery soft and affordable bags. There is a really great costume jewelry shop on Pont Neuf, Jeanne Danjou–I always manage to find a nice pair of earrings or bracelet. Clothing I mostly keep away from because I have curves and the European cuts don’t flatter my body. I also load up on beauty products that aren’t sold here.

    BTW, your hair looks fantastic!!!

  5. This is my comfort zone as well and I love it! I also love these necklaces so much! I would wear them often if I owned them…like you I try to soft things some times, but more and more, no matter the season I am happy in my neutrals! Very nice look, Susan.

  6. Thanks so much for suggesting the Eileen Fisher long cardigan. I would never have thought to buy one without seeing how great it looked on a petite person as yourself.
    Am going to Paris in late April and would love ideas on stores to shop for “softly structured” clothing. Any suggestions?

  7. You look very cool. I came by to get a closer look at the necklace. Wow. Fantastic combination. Lately I’ve been having an obsession with antique medallion necklaces. I just found a great piece on eBay. I can’t wait to wear it. Your look inspired me.