Let’s continue where we left off - the love of accessories! Last we talked about accessories at work. Accessories carry a message about the wearer. Always have! Think about royal accessories that maybe you stood in hour-long-queue to see for some 5 minutes, or the ones in social history museum showing accessories worn by indigenous peoples priests, eldest or members of regular societal groups. Then and now, accessories will deliver a message about yourself to those around you, but also to yourself! Don’t forget - how you make yourself look and feel has a direct impact on your own mood.
Let’s go through a couple of age groups and messages that their accessories can carry.
Young adults expected to experiment in search of themselves and their place in the society. The large funky earrings that seem to say ‘I am playful and like to stand out of the crowd!’ , or mismatching earrings that send a message of rebellion and desire to provoke.
The necklaces with a message of dainty fragile youth, or anything that goes with the fashion that suggests this person is interested in what’s current!
Now, watch out in professional setting, as you don’t want your accessories speak louder than your CV or send a conflicting message. Those large clunky earrings of a ‘rebellious young person’ may not be what you want, if your CV says ‘I am on my path of a hard working professional, and that’s been my dedication!’
The young parent may wear more practical, less fragile or easy to slip on/ off pieces! Everything is better be free from questionable materials, or paint - just in case that necklace ends up in your baby’s mouth before you manage to slip it off at end of the work day!
In your mid 40’s you’re an accomplished professional. There are watches, pens, and bags but also bracelets, rings, earrings, necklaces that will carry a message of your success in life, your professionalism and (hopefully) good taste of a person who can pick from several options and select a high quality item. The statement pieces can get a bit larger with the confidence of age and your accomplishments allows for it! Yet, watch out though how soon you get there. Accessories can support your professional equity but they cannot replace it.
A 50+ professional can afford wearing the chunky necklace of confidence in themselves and their appearance. The same necklace would look very different on a 20 year old that would either look as if taken from their mom or scream of sole-searching insecurity. The same piece can have a very different message! Getting to statement pieces too early may send a message of slightly desperate desire to appear who you are not (yet). At 50+ you are defined and accomplished in your life journey. Be free to experiment again and have fun with the pieces that may have been not suitable for the life of your parent or a young professional!
Beyond 70, as the need for comfort grows, there is no need to put away your pride and sense of style! Consider leather, wood, pearls and natural gemstones - they are all light in weight, easy on your skin and provide both statement of your style and comfort! There are rings that will allow you to slip them over the somewhat sensitive knuckles and tighten where you want it. There are necklaces with easy closure systems and light weight. There are watch bracelets that are soft and flexible to help if needed with swelling wrists. If you cannot wear earrings, consider clips. Whatever you do - do not succumb to lack of style in the name of ergonomic comfort, - you can and you deserve to wear a statement of your life accomplishments!