5 minute read
Accessories we all need in our everyday looks
Accessories to upgrade your everyday looks.
Feeling like your outfits are missing some final touches? Wanting to spice up the well-loved (for a good reason!) Jesmond white linens and quarter zip combo? Or just looking for some inspo? Look no further as these everyday accessory staples will level up any outfit!
Advertisement
Scarves with scarf-tieing hacks such as the recent craze of scarf balaclavas- whatever your way, scarves are an accessory essential!
Who said scarves are just for winter? In Newcastle anyway, they are not going anywhere- and we should use this to our fashion advantage! I love to layer a chunky scarf over a leather jacket or coat in the colder weather, or a cute skinny knit one with a cami top and linens in the summer.
A cross-body bag
I mean does this one even need explaining? Versatile, cool, and great to keep your night-out essentials in without them falling off your arm. I love my plain black one as it goes with virtually all my outfits, but colourful ones can help you add a pop of personality to your look. Cool and usefulwhat is not to love?
Hoop earrings
A classic staple of a minimally cool look. Hoop earrings are a lifesaver when you are just feeling a bit meh about your outfit. Big or small, day or night, hoops can always add chic. Chunky ones are my favourite for adding depth to your face- if in doubt, always add hoops!
Headbands
Finding the best way to tie your scarves for your own personal style preference is also a cool way to individualise your fit. TikTok is abundant
Recently resurfacing again as a 2023 accessory addition, headbands are making their fashion comeback- and I am here for it! Whether you have a 9am lecture and don't want to wash your hair, or just fancy having your hair out of your wayheadbands are here to save the day. Plus, anything that hides my forehead is always a win LOL!
Chunky Rings
Last (but definitely not least) chunky rings are the ultimate accessory oozing cool vibes. Building your own ring collection is a fun way to explore unique vintage pieces- finding hidden gems is always a flex!
The fun thing about accessories is that it is totally up to you. Individualise your outfit and get
Gender boundaries became increasingly blurred in this period too – jeans became commonplace in women’s wardrobes in a way they hadn’t previously been, while men were donning more tight-fitting feminine cuts. Androgynous looks inspired by glam rock and the New Romantic movements were also on the rise, alongside other fashion trends forged from prevalent music subcultures. The former years of the period arguably saw the birth of Northern soul from the earlier Mod culture – discernible styles here included polos (notably Ben Sherman and Fred Perry), knitted vests and brogues. With the period also dominated by disco style, seventies eveningwear was categorised by a heavy amount of sequins and velvet. Men often wore three-piece suits with flared bottoms, a la John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever, in shades of pastel and white. For women, however, the most popular choice was the universally flattering jersey wrap dress. With a modest knee-length skirt and nipped-in waist, this option became favourable for both style and versatility.
As the latter part of the decade arrived, so did shoulder pads. Leading designers debuted heavy-shouldered styles during the Fall 1978 season and, while these looks were initially met with hesitation, it was the start of a craze that would eventually become distinctive of the decade to follow.
The influence of 70s fashion trends can still be seen today. In fact, some of these styles are even making modern comebacks, especially thanks to the likes of big stars including Harry Styles and Taylor Swift adopting this kind of retro aesthetic into their image. Swift notably incorporated the signature muted tones of brown into some of her most recent looks, complete with bold coloured stripes and wide-leg pants, demonstrating that some things truly never go out of style.
The world is facing a global cost of living crisis. However, the UK is one of the worst affected among the world’s advanced economies, forcing an overwhelming number of Britons to become increasingly concerned about their daily spending habits. Although the conversations seem to principally surround the impact that the crisis is having on gas and energy bills, there have been notable consequences on the fashion and beauty industry.
The fashion industry has responded to this tumultuous period with a new trend that focuses on minimal fashion and makeup, which is rather bleakly referred to as ‘Recession Core’. And while I agree that society must acknowledge its overconsumption, there is something oddly dystopian about labelling the growth in minimalist aesthetics due to a global recession as a trend that I myself have been influenced by. Like many of us, I have spent the past couple of years trying to shop more sustainably, even going so far as to delete all the clothing apps from my phone and resisting the temptation to pop into Urban Outfitters between lectures. This has, however, resulted in me spending hours a day scrolling through Depop, but at least it’s not fast fashion, I guess. Despite already trying to tackle my overconsumption of fashion because of its impact on the planet, the cost-ofliving crisis has forced me to acknowledge its effect on my bank account. However, I feel this crisis has had a much greater influence on the beauty products that I choose to invest in. I was scrolling through TikTok recently and came across a video of someone saying ‘You don’t need ten blushes’, and although I quickly scrolled past as I wasn’t particularly intrigued by her video at the time, I found myself thinking about that statement later on. No one needs ten blushes. No one needs five foundations. And no one needs ten different lipsticks. Yet I, and so many others, do. Despite having all these different makeup products, I always find myself reaching for the same products and recently asked myself why I have so many foundations, for example, when I have a clear favourite that I almost always use anyway. Due to the rise of social media and influencer culture, we are constantly being told that we need to buy the newest products. And although I have bought several new makeup products in the past after being convinced to buy them by someone on TikTok, makeup is starting to feel like an unnecessary purchase.
Once you find a makeup routine that works for you, there is no reason to depart from that, whether there is an ongoing cost-of-living crisis or not. And, as someone who preferred a minimal makeup look anyway, there is absolutely no need for me to add to my already too-big lipstick collection when I only really alternate between two lipstick shades anyway. This difficult time has forced me to look at my spending habits and realise that I already have all the products that I could ever need, and I should only be purchasing replacements when I run out of the products I already own, because no one needs ten blushes.
