Whenever you can’t figure out what to wear, here’s my tip: just wear a scarf. I’m not talking about those sad little limp version heaped up near the cash registers at H&M. The ideal scarf has a bit of heft and meat on its bones. The bigger, the badder, the bolder = the better.
The simple scarf can imbue panache and a “je-nuh-say-kwa” to an otherwise blah winter outfit.
This particular scarf is maroon silk and scattered with mirrored paillettes, gilded sequins and embroidered starbursts. It’s hardcore and heavy — and it’s also the only foolproof method to wearing sequins during the day.
The scarf was the saving grace for an otherwise “zzz” outfit, which consisted of my everyday staples — my pleather pants (last seen here), The Row sweater (last seen here) and Rick Owens top, which I wore as a sweater vest (last seen here, here and here).
I added an 80s twist by pairing the creamy brogues with the gleaming pants. (My inspiration was Duckie Dale in Pretty in Pink, although Gavin Rossdale did something similar at the 2013 Met Ball.)
Every outfit needs its proverbial cherry on top. For me, this was a ring I picked up a few years ago at Free People. Instead of a stone, the ring is a glass oval filled with crumbles of loose pyrite. When paired with the scarf, the outfit transcends its boring beginnings and travels into Stevie Nicks territory — which is exactly where I want to be.
What do you wear to spice up a boring outfit? Share your secrets and silver bullets!
