The Power of Accessories

Accessories totally change an outfit and an outfit can totally change the way that people treat you. I realized the accessories part last week. I am not one for jewelry. Don’t get me wrong, like most women I love the idea of jewelry and am ecstatic to receive it. I, however, do not often wear it.

This was not always the case. I have pictures of me from the summer I transitioned from junior high to high school that look like I was in a Mr. T training program. I had multiple chains, a hand full of rings, sunglasses and belt. I remember that everything I wore was for a different reason and since I could not decide which one to wear on a given day, I just wore them all. I also remember how I lost each one. I lost one when my chain popped during a race at a track meet. I lost another down the drain while getting ready for school. I broke my watch when I tried to catch it palm down, but instead wound up smashing it into the tile floor of our bathroom.  Much like the beat, the list goes on until finally there was nothing. I soon decided that I should stop leaving a trail of gold and silver everywhere I went, like a rich Hansel and Gretel. I have mostly been a blank slate ever since.  

So, last week, I had on a dress that I had worn what feels like 100 times before, but this time I wore it with a necklace.  All of a sudden people are holding open doors and saying hello. One person even held open the elevator during the morning rush. It was like I was living in a Coke commercial. I was getting compliments on my outfit. The only thing that I had done different was add an accessory.

I had to test this theory further. So another day, I put on my trusty casual Friday jeans and pulled my hair back in a bun as I am known to do, but this time I added earrings. You would have thought I had gotten a makeover. People could not stop telling me how nice I looked and smiling at me. It was awesome.

Today I decided I would see this through. I put on a plain black dress that I have worn many times before. I added some work heels, a jacket and a necklace. Someone stopped me as I walked through the parking garage. The three women at work who are the office equivalent of Quinn, Santana, and Brittany (God, I am dying for Glee to come back.) each separately stopped and talked to me. It is official! Accessories have made me more acceptable.

Who knew?