Not one stood out from the crowd. They were all mostly dressed neatly in simple suits or dresses. A few daring ones were wearing jeans, all nicely cleaned and pressed.
I looked at the crowd trying to figure out why they all looked alike and then it hit me. None of them had bothered to accessorize their outfits.
Aside from tiny stud earrings, some rings here and there, perhaps a watch and a very thin gold chain, there was no jewelry to be seen. Shoes were chosen to blend in with the clothing, as were the purses. No "it" bag for this crowd. Admittedly, the weather was warm, but there were no scarves to be seen.
All these women had succeeded in looking like little brown wrens. And why?
What's wrong with standing out from the crowd? Why not attract attention?
What takes a dress from simple to sensational is the way the wearer accessorizes herself. A pin on a lapel adds so much as does a silk scarf worn for flair, not warmth. Black shoes worn with a black suit go perfectly well, but red shoes would look so much more striking.
Your shoes and bag don't have to match each other or your dress. A yellow purse with a gray dress is so much more attention-getting than a gray one. And what's wrong with attention? I think we women have passed the stage where we have to dress like men to be taken seriously.
As I've said before, every woman should have an accessory wardrobe. In many cases they're cheaper than clothing and change your whole look. Start collecting costume jewelry—beads, pins, bracelets, and earrings (not just tiny studs). A silk scarf flung around the neck adds a touch of chic. One thin bangle bracelet is nice, but why not throw caution to the winds and pile on the bracelets? I know a woman who was a receptionist who had inherited a dozen or so ivory bracelets. She wore them piled on one arm. They were her signature and everyone commented on them (favorably).
Miriam Silverberg is a freelance journalist and the owner of Miriam Silverberg Associates, boutique publicity firm in Manhattan. She may be reached at silverbergm@mindspring.com.
