I don't know what it is—the weather and the dark mornings perhaps—but right now I'm too lazy to even think about curating my outfits. The cold means I'm reluctant to wear anything but jeans and jumpers, which, after months wearing on repeat, have become somewhat fatigued.
In an attempt to make my looks more interesting for me to wear and for other people to look at, I decidedly upped my accessories game. I'm not one to blow big bucks on my add-ons, so it was an affordable way to breathe a new lease of life into my daily wares until spring rolls around.
Now, as my accessory efforts increased over the past few weeks, I've come to find that there are six pieces work colleagues, friends and fellow commuters tend to compliment me on most. Naturally, I respond by saying "Oh thank you! These/It's from [insert high-street store here]" to which they always act surprised. "Really?" they'd gasp. "They/It looks so much more expensive."
Indeed, I seem to have unknowingly cracked the code to looking fancy and flush when, in reality, I'm still penny-scrimping post-Christmas, and it's all thanks to these key items. Keep scrolling to see and shop the best affordable accessories on offer right now and you too can fool everyone into thinking you're a rich girl.
1. TOP-HANDLE MINI BAGS
Style Notes: Be it jeans or an embellished dress, the fancy finishing touch I add to any and every look is a top-handle bag. Mini styles give any ensemble a ladylike air, which immediately makes my overall look appear more expensive.
Related: 9 Iconic Chloé Bags We Have on Our Forever Wish Lists
2. SILK(Y) SCARVES
Style Notes: While pure silk can cost you an arm and a leg, sateen scarves offer the same effect. Commonly associated with Hermès, tie one around your neck or to the strap of your favourite handbag and you'll look like a Ritz regular.
3. PEARL DROP EARRINGS
Style Notes: Pearls may be one of this season's top jewellery trends, but I've always been a long-standing fan. A string of them can sometimes look stuffy, so I opt for drop earrings instead. Worn with a camel knit and neutral shades, no-one will know these beauties aren't freshwater.
Related: Prediction: We'll All Own a Pair of Huggies in 2019
4. MOCK CROC SHOES
Style Notes: Commonplace on handbags it may be but mock croc is fast becoming an It material on shoes too. They're effortlessly elegant—use them to add polish to ripped jeans, miniskirts and floral frocks.
5. CAT-EYE SUNGLASSES
Style Notes: Nothing makes you look like an uptown girl quite like a pair of cat-eye sunglasses. However, I never spend a lot on eyewear as, around me, they never seem to last long. Handily, the high street always has a plethora of pairs on offer.
Related: 5 Items Fashion Editors Will Be Buying From Zara This Month
6. HAIR SLIDES
Style Notes: Their appeal of the hair slide is as such: You don't have to spend hours on your hair to make it look incredible—simply slide one (or five) into your tresses and you'll look like you've spent the majority of the day in the salon. Salons = expensive = the rich-girl illusion remains intact.
Next up: Stay one step ahead of the fash pack by consulting our bumper spring/summer 2019 trend report.
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