Accessories Guide: Choose Pieces You Will Keep For Years

This practical accessories guide walks you through building a small, usable collection you reach for every day.

Start with what you already reach for

Before you buy anything new, lay every accessory you own out on a clean bed surface. Separate them into three piles: things you wore in the last month, things you wore once or twice last year, things you have not worn at all. You will almost always find that a small number of pieces get nearly all your use. This is not a trick, this is just how many people dress. You do not need dozens of necklaces, bags or belts. You need pieces that work with the clothes you already own. When you note which pieces you actually reach for, write down why. Is it the weight of the bracelet? The length of the chain? The way the bag sits on your shoulder? Those small quiet details are the ones that will tell you exactly what to look for next, not online trend lists. You can log all your existing pieces in the Virtual Closet to see what works together before you shop anything new.

Pick for fit first, not appearance

Most accessories get left in a drawer not because they look bad, but because they are uncomfortable. A necklace that pulls on your neck, a bag that digs into your shoulder after one hour, a ring that catches on every jumper sleeve will never get worn. No matter how nice it looks on the screen. Always check fit first. For jewellery, check the clasp works one handed. Check the weight against your wrist or neck before you commit. For bags, load it with the things you actually carry every day and walk around the room for five minutes. If you want to take it off before that, leave it. You can try pieces on your own avatar before ordering using the Avatar Studio. This lets you check length, weight and sit before it arrives. Browse everyday options in Women's Accessories.

Choose plain shapes that work with multiple outfits

Trend pieces are fun for one season. They also end up at the back of your drawer twelve weeks later. When you build your base accessory collection, pick simple, unadorned shapes first. A plain thin chain will work with a t-shirt, a work blouse, and an evening dress. A smooth solid belt will go with jeans, skirts and tailored trousers. One good medium bag will work for shopping, work, and meeting friends. You do not need a different accessory for every occasion. Good neutral pieces work everywhere. Once you have this base solid, you can add one or two playful pieces for days you want something different. Try out combinations before you buy in the Mix & Match Studio. You will also find base pieces in Jewelry & Accessories.

Learn basic care for every piece

Every accessory will last much longer if you do three small consistent things.

• Take jewellery off before you wash your hands, cook or sleep
• Wipe bags down with a soft dry cloth after every use
• Store pieces separately so they do not scratch each other

Most damage does not happen from one big accident. It happens from hundreds of small, thoughtless actions every week. Five seconds of care at the end of the day adds years of use. When you buy any piece, read the care note that comes with it. Different materials need different small actions. You can also find general guidance in the Fabric care guide. Browse hard wearing everyday options for Fine Necklaces and Sculpted Earrings.

Work out cost per wear before you buy

This is the simplest check you can make before you buy anything. You just divide the price of the piece by the number of times you think you will wear it. For example: a €60 bag worn 60 times costs €1 per wear. A €15 bag worn 3 times costs €5 per wear. The cheaper one ends up costing you much more. This is not about spending more money. It is about spending money on things that will actually give you use. It will stop you buying things just because they are cheap, or marked down. You will very quickly notice that the pieces that feel like good value when you do this calculation, are the exact same pieces you will still be reaching for three years later.

Only add one piece at a time

Do not order three new accessories in one go. When you add multiple pieces at once, you never learn how each one works with your actual life. You will end up ignoring at least two of them. Instead, when you decide you need something new, buy just that one piece. Wear it every day for four weeks. Only after that time, if you have reached for it without thinking, and it has worked for all your usual days, then you can add another. Building a good collection takes time. That is not a bad thing. You will end up with only things that fit you, that you like, that actually get used. There is no rush. 5% of each sale goes to a cause you choose.

How giving works when you shop with us

5% of each sale goes to a cause you choose. After your order you pick one of three causes: CARE International, Cool Earth or Project Zero. The donation is paid out through PayPal Giving Fund UK. Those three causes, together with how we run our own store (honest product data, fair prices), are matched to 11 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

That is the heart of the 1% Movement: small choices × millions of us = change. It is a giving promise we can show you, and it is the only promise we make on this page.