Accessories 1.01 - Basic Accessories Every Woman Needs

Every woman has her own individual taste and her own individual opinion about what no woman should be without. A person's opinion about what no woman should be without is often based on how useful she, herself, has found one, particular, accessory.

If "what no woman should be without" is a matter of assuring that a woman will always have something to wear with any particular outfit and/or that she will never find herself without the right kind of accessories for a specific occasion, the following accessories will serve those purposes well. The list may appear a little intimidating, but consider that not all women will wear all things (so the list can be trimmed) and that most of the items are classic items that won't go out of style and won't be worn so often that they'll wear out easily.

SHOES

Year-Round:

Black casuals that are comfortable for walking

Brown casuals that are comfortable for walking

Black heels (pumps are the most versatile)

Brown heels (pumps are the most versatile)

Sport shoes (like running shoes)

Dressy, strappy, sandals

Late Fall and Winter:

Black "all purpose boots"

Brown "all purpose boots"

Black boots with heels (nice to have if the budget allows)

Brown or gray boots with heels (nice to have if the budget allows)

Late Spring and Summer:

Summer casuals in cream or white

Sandals

HANDBAGS:

Year-Round:

Black "all purpose"

Brown "all purpose"

Evening bag in a color/fabric that matches everything or at least matches the dressy, strappy, sandals

Summer:

Soft, Summer, bag in cream and designed suitable for both summer pants and softer skirts.

JEWELRY:

Gold earrings, small and simple (such as studs)

Silver earrings, small and simple (such as studs)

Diamond studs

Gold earrings, dressier (such as dangling)

Silver earrings, dressier (such as dangling)

Gold, simple, necklace

Silver or white gold, simple necklace

Gold necklace, dressy

Silver or white gold necklace, dressy

Gold bracelet, dressy

Silver or white gold bracelet, dressy

Gold ring in a simple design

Silver or white gold ring in a simple design

Gold ring, dressy

White gold ring, dressy

Gold lapel pin, simple

Silver or white gold lapel pin, simple

HATS:

Knit hat for Winter (in a color that goes well with accessories)

All-weather rain hat

Sun-shielding hats for summer (one sporty, one straw for non-sporty looks)

GLOVES:

Year-Round:

Black evening gloves

White evening gloves

Winter:

Black knit gloves (easily washed and no big deal if lost)

Brown knit gloves

Camel or gray gloves

Warm, insulated, mittens

SCARVES:

Late fall and Winter:

Black "all purpose"

Brown "all purpose"

Camel or gray "all purpose"

UMBRELLAS:

If there will be only one umbrella purchased it makes sense to make it a classic, good-sized, black umbrella or a classic one in a color that goes well with one's raincoat or jacket color.

Nice umbrellas to have in addition to the classic, big, umbrella:

Micro-mini in a neutral color

Large umbrella in a color appropriate for Summer

Umbrella in a designer print that is particularly fashionable and appealing

UNDER-STUFF AND OTHER STUFF:

Bra suitable for strapless tops/dresses and spaghetti straps

Camisole for see-through tops

Half slip in whatever length skirts are

Evening wrap in an all-purpose color

Sport bag

All-purpose large tote in a neutral color or great designer print

Hair clip(s) in neutral color and casual style

Hair clip(s) in gold, silver, or sparkly

Sunglasses, good quality with a frame that goes with everything

A clutch-style wallet that can hold money, credit cards, a pen, and checkbook all in on place

A cell phone (with an easy-to-see time display and emergency numbers in speed dial) small enough to fit in an evening bag

While the above list will assure that a woman will never find herself without the right accessories for any particular outfit or without the right look for any particular occasion, if a budget is too tight for this level of preparedness here's a tip: Having either black shoes and bag or brown shoes and bag in Winter, while having cream shoes and a cream bag in Summer can can go a long way for the very tight budget. If only one or two jewelry items can be purchased simple gold earrings and a simple gold necklace are probably the most versatile.