When getting dressed in the morning, most of the time one wants to be noticed by their peers. It feels great when that girl that sits next you in your GenEd class notices the toil you spent on choosing your outfit the night before and pays you a compliment.
I am six-feet tall and going unnoticed is something that rarely happens to me. However, for those of you who feel under the radar because you aren’t walking monoliths, there is a solution: statement pieces.
A statement piece is just as it sounds: it is an accessory that makes an eye-catching statement and triggers conversation. This could be chunky jewelry, headbands, hats etc.
Starting a collection of these pieces is simple. Choose pieces that speak out to you, literally. A shopping excursion is not a one-sided experience. I believe that clothes choose the wearer just as much as the wearer chooses the clothes.
My collection began in a Betsey Johnson boutique in Palm Beach, Fla. For those who are not familiar with Johnson’s work, she creates eccentric pieces that can easily be described as wearable art.
I was looking in a glass case when I spotted it. The experience that ensued can be described as nothing short of a religious experience. It was one of those moments when the clouds parted and a heavenly choir of cherubs fluttered down singing sweet music just for me.
I left the store that day with a necklace from her recent nautical collection featuring eight different charms ranging in size from that of a pea to a large walnut. Every time I leave the house with it on, curious onlookers and fellow fashion aficionados who absolutely must know where I purchased it stop me.
Since then, my collection has grown exponentially.
For those ladies (and gentleman) brave enough to begin their SP collection, here are some tips.
Statement pieces do not have to be hundreds of dollars. In fact, they can even be handmade. Chunky tribal inspired beads can be purchased at your nearest craft or fabric store. Using ribbon to string beads instead of string adds a soft feminine touch to even the brashest beads.
Artificial flowers can be purchased by the basketful at these same stores. These are great for headbands and hats; all you need is a hot glue gun.
It is difficult to decide what to wear around your statement piece. For those who are dipping their toes into the fashion pond, start simple. Buy a piece that truly expresses you and keep the rest of your outfit basic.
However, don’t be afraid to jump in headfirst and mix it up. Once I realized that the fashion police would not kick down my doors for mixing patterns, my closet exploded with new possibilities.
When you wear a statement piece, you don’t ask to be noticed. You demand to be noticed. To me, fashion is about taking charge of your life. Clothing and accessories are empowering because you and only you can choose what to wear on your body.
The number one mistake you can make when purchasing a statement piece is letting others’ judgments sway your decision. Fashion should be fun and all about you. Always remember to accessorize boldly, and accessorize often.
