5 Tips for Accessorizing a Handmade Wardrobe + a Giveaway

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I’ve had a lot of fun sharing my daily outfits for Me Made May. Accessories are a great way to express your personal style and even create a signature look. It can be a lot of work to put together a whole outfit and then select accessories too. So many decisions to make, especially when you’re running out the door. So, today I’m sharing a few tips for how to accessorize your handmade wardrobe. These tips will help you learn how to quickly choose accessories and start building a personal accessory wardrobe.

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There’s no doubt that accessories can instantly take any outfit from ho-hum to oh-wow. I tend to really like simple silhouettes and plain fabrics so accessories are integral for pulling it all together and making an outfit look extra special. I always try to wear earrings (especially since I have short hair) and then often a necklace or bracelet. When I need to add a pop of color, I love wearing big chunky vintage plastic bracelets. But when my clothing already has a lot of color or I’m going for a more subtle look, I opt for one of my wooden bracelets. I have a collection of them that I've been wearing for years. I love that they match everything and never go out of style. As I’m getting ready to walk out the door, I just pop one on to finish off any outfit. Read on for my top tips and photos of some of my favorite handmade and accessory combos.

5 Tips for Accessorizing a Handmade Wardrobe

Tip 1: Lay it out first. Laying out an outfit with all your accessories is a great way to see if you have the right balance of color and pattern. Of course, the ultimate test is to put it all on but a quick gathering of clothes and accessories is not only useful planning but fun too. Check out my Instagram to see how I lay out my outfits. You don't need to be this organized if you're not taking a photo. :) But it would be really helpful to do it before going on a trip.

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Tip 2: Choose one oversized object. This is all about balance. You only want one thing in an outfit to be oversized. This could be your top, your skirt or an accessory. For example, if you’re going to wear a chunky bracelet, choose earrings and a necklace that are more delicate. Likewise, if you are wearing a big flashy top, delicate accessorizes in neutral colors are the way to go.

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Tip 3: Select one thing to be your pop of color. This could be your shirt, a bracelet or even your lipstick. I love color as much as the next person and I totally believe you don’t have to only wear one color at a time. But, if you’re looking to quickly put together an outfit, the easiest way is to choose one colorful hero item.

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Tip 4: Choose a signature accessory. For me, this is the chunky bracelet. For you, it might be dangly earrings or winged eyeliner. Whatever it is, you should feel completely comfortable in it and want to wear it everyday. Then add a few of these to your wardrobe and you’ll be set for years to come.

Tip 5: Build an accessory wardrobe. Over the years, I’ve collected a few core accessories that I rely on all the time. These are items that go with everything in my closet and with each other. I think it's best to build your accessory wardrobe over time. You'll be able to see which kinds of things you like best and get worn most often. And as your tastes change, so will your accessory wardrobe.

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My latest addition to my accessory wardrobe is a wooden watch. When Jord Wood Watches asked if I’d like to try out one of their wooden watches, I jumped at the chance. Not only do I love wearing wooden wrist wear (so much more comfortable in warm weather!) but Wood is also my last name. Given a choice, I will always choose wood. It’s a great neutral accessory and, for me, a little kind of secret personal identifier. 

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I’ve really enjoyed wearing this watch. It actually took a little while to get used to reading the time on a dial instead of a smartphone (how embarrassing!). It's such a beautiful statement piece and it goes with everything. While we would all like to DIY as much as possible (and I've done my fair share of jewelry making), there are a few things that would be impossible for your average DIY'er to make. Like a watch! If we can’t make our own watches the next best thing has got to be one made out of natural materials like this gorgeous wood number.

I’m also really excited to be a hosting a giveaway sponsored by Jord Watches. Everyone who enters the giveaway will receive $20 off their purchase and one lucky winner will receive $75 off the watch of their choice. Click here to go to their website to enter. The contest will close June 5, 2016 at 11:59pm. A winner will be randomly selected and emailed the following day. The winner's $75 coupon code will expire July 5, 2016 and the "losers" $20 coupon code will expire Oct 5, 2016.

Do you have any tips for accessorizing a handmade wardrobe? Do you have a go-to accessory? 

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Jord Watches. I received free product yet all opinions and content are my own. Thank you for supporting our sponsors.

My Dream European Travel Wardrobe

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I’m leaving for Paris in just one week and I can’t wait! I haven’t been abroad in six years. It’s been eight since I’ve gone to Europe and 20 years since I’ve been to France! It’s a trip that I’ve been wanting to make for years and I’ve finally made the time to do it. Of course as soon as I booked the trip, I started thinking about what to pack and what to make.

My dream European vacation wardrobe is full of chic and comfortable handmade garments. I have exactly what I need for every occasion but have not overpacked at all. I did a lot of research on what I should pack for my two week adventure and started to compile my packing list. The list looks pretty much like the moodboard above (links right below this paragraph). The shoes and backpack are actually coming with me and I'm super excited about them. The shoes are all amazingly comfortable and the backpack can be converted into a shoulder bag. I really wish that I had time to make an organizer like the one in the photo that would hold all my electronics but I don't think I'll have enough time. C'est la vie!

Top row from left: Striped Top //  Navy Tee  //  Chambray Skirt  //  Backpack  //  Sandals
Middle row: Green Pants  //  Flared Jeans  //  Chambray Dress  //  Striped Dress  //  Booties
Bottom row: Bra Top  //  Organizer  //  Keds  //  Leggings  //  Buttondown  //  Jacket

My sewing plans were going fairly well in the beginning. I chose 4 things to make: a Brumby skirt, Moji Pants, an Archer shirt and and Alder dress. It is quite worth noting that I had only made one of these patterns before and the fit was not right (the alder dress). I do not recommend an ambitious list plus untested patterns plus a time constraint.

My original plans were ambitious and yet I continued to add ideas to the list. Why? Because good ideas can not be left undone. Right? Yes and no. I realized as I drove to work a few days ago that I was putting way too much pressure on myself. There are things that one needs to worry about a little bit and take care of but I was piling on lots of other things that just don’t matter. Namely, wanting to make more things.

Unfortunately, there just isn’t enough time in the day/week/month to actualize everything I want make. And that’s really ok. As much as I like the idea of having a completely handmade wardrobe I know that it’s not realistic for me. If I find something in a store that fits me and my lifestyle perfectly, I’m probably going to buy it, especially if it’s good quality. I recently bought a pair of flared jeans that I love. I’ve also made flared jeans (check out my Birkin Flares here). And I love them too. But they also take a really long time to make. So, I bought myself a new pair of jeans. I wear them a few times a week and I’m seriously considering taking them on my trip. And one day I might trace the pattern and sew a copy. Or not. Because there are so many things to make!

I am a big planner. I have multiple to-do lists. I’ve tried all the time management apps. I’m constantly consulting my calendar and shuffling things around. The problem is I have so many things that I want to do that there is rarely a day when I can actually accomplish all of them. The list is never finished and lately it was starting to make me feel stressed. So I forced myself to go to plan B. Rather than making everything I want to make for the trip, I will make a plan and then sew as much as I can without being stressed about it. I have substitutes in my wardrobe for most of the things that I wanted to bring so I won't be going unclothed.

So, back to the sewing. I ordered fabric and set out to make the two easiest things first. (A great way to check some things off the list, btw.) I completed my Brumby Skirt with only minor fitting issues. Then I hit a snag with the Moji Pants. I had almost completely finished them when I discovered that they were too tight at the ankle to fit over my feet. I’ll do a full post on these pants in a few days but in short even though I did some mods to make them wearable they are not wearable enough to be a core wardrobe item. The good news is that they fit my mom so I’ll be giving them to her.

After that fail, I still really wanted a pair of peg leg pants. So I bought the Alexandria Trousers pattern from Named Clothing and more fabric. Exercising caution this time, I made a muslin. It went quite well and I’ve cut out another pair in green woven fabric. They are pretty quick to sew up and I'm hopeful that I will finish them quickly.

I have cut out the Archer but I don't think I'll have time to sew it in the next week. I still need to do an FBA adjustment to the Alder dress pattern and I’m not even going to think about that until I finish a few other projects. That dress is going on the someday list for now.

Before I had my realization, I added a few other things to my wish list: a woven Lou Box Top, the Virignia leggings and a cross back Watson bra. And if I wanted to travel completely handmade, I’d have to add the Lark Tee and Driftless Cardigan. I own both patterns but have yet to sew them. So for now, RTW will have to do.

The woven LBT is cut out and I’m pretty confident that I can sew it together in 2 to 3 hours but I don’t think I will have the time. Instead, I will pack a few extra knit t-shirts that will not be as prone to wrinkling. The Virginia Leggings pattern is printed and taped and the fabric is purchased and washed. I may make these because I know it will be a quick project but I’m really trying to resist adding more things to my to-do list.

I have spend the night before many a trip sewing late into the night. I love taking handmade things on a trip but it does have a knack for causing me stress. To add to the stress of wanting to sew a gajillion things I'm also trying to study French (I took it in school but need a big refresh) as well as work as much as possible. Do you sew things for your travels? Are you a night before the big event sewer? Share in the comments how you combine sewing and travel. By the way, I'll be taking a sock knitting project on the road with me. It's my favorite portable craft.