Tell me you’ve been there. You get dressed, ready to go only to find the planned shoes/bag/jewelry/scarf looks totally wrong. This is never truer than now when daily outfits are a mashup of athleisure, casual, sporty and more dressed-up items. The two choices are changing your clothes or scrambling for different accessories. Here’s a new option that makes the situation easy. Just stick to a core group of 10 accessories that look great with anything. Here’s what you need:
1. A polished tote
We love our bags and until last year counted on several to get us through the week. There was a basic go-to-work bag, a big open tote to haul extras, a casual weekend bag and a ladylike satchel or shoulder bag for tailored days. Well, we’re done with that. Now we want one bag that can dress up or down and hold our masks, water bottle, sanitizer, wallet, cell and glasses 24/7. The do-all solution is a medium-sized tote with a softer shape, compartments or at least pockets, and a top that closes securely, like the C. Wonder Kimberly Quilted Tote in black or navy ($20, walmart.com), A New Day Soft Tote Handbag in olive or gray ($40, target.com), MICHAEL Michael Kors Lillie Large Chain Shoulder Tote in Luggage ($238, macys.com). Choose black or brown or a fresh neutral like navy, gray or olive.
2. An all-seasons scarf
You’ve probably been collecting cozy scarves for winter warmth, neck camouflage and making a basic top instantly fancy. Well, a generously sized oblong in supple viscose — like the Tasha Oversize Scarf in blue, brick or ivory ($48, nordstrom.com), Rebecca Minkoff Animal Print Scarf in Leopard or Snow Leopard ($68, nordstrom.com) or Kate Spade New York Enchanted Stripe Oblong Scarf ($98, zappos.com) — is the accessory you’ll reach for again and again (so splurge) to wrap and drape and pull together your sweaters and joggers, your blazer and jeans. Choose a print or hue that accents the colors you wear most or brightens your face