Accessories That Have Fallen Out of Fashion Yet Still Work Today

By Brian Maynor 

 

With new and improved products being released every day, it’s easy to buy into the ‘newer is better’ mentality, but that’s not always the case.

There are a lot of accessories that are still available and serve a purpose that modern options tend to overlook. Here are my top picks of accessories every professional should have in their wardrobe:

1.    Garters. Today they are regulated to wedding traditions, but garters actually serve a role that hasn’t been replaced by something new or modern, and that is keeping your stockings, socks or even shirtsleeves in place.

While hosiery garters are the most commonly thought of due to the aforementioned wedding tradition, they are not the only options. Historically men have made use of garters just as much, if not more so than women because they were needed for both men as well as women.

While women rarely wear hosiery these days, a topic we’ll address momentarily, men do in the form of socks, and most of the time they spend the day constantly pulling them up. Control-top options are now available that are intended to keep socks and hose in place, but they are not very comfortable, especially if worn for extended periods of time, and leave unsightly impressions on your legs. Hosiery garters let you cut back on the amount of Lycra needed for a tight fit, which allows air to flow threw them, while still keep them in place.

Another men’s garter that has fallen out of use is the sleeve garter. Years ago, shirts were only made in one sleeve length, extra-long, so men needed some way to adjust them to their ideal length and protect the cuffs from dirt and daily wear, thus the sleeve garter was introduced. Today sleeve garters are still the perfect accessories for professionals wearing suits every day, because even though off-the-rack shirts may now offer two lengths they rarely fit perfectly. Since you will be replacing your shirts frequently due to wear and tear, sleeve garters also save you time and money on alterations, which are pointless for temporary pieces.

2.    Women’s hosiery. “Hose are too hot.” That chorus echoes every time I talk about women wearing hoses to work, and that’s true because most of them are made out of 100% nylon which prevents any air circulation, but women feel they need that stretch to keep them in place. If you employ the garter, then you have options like 100% silk stockings, which are a natural fiber and a lot more comfortable to wear. However, you need the garter with these stockings because they have no stretch so they will fall down, and you need to be sure to buy your correct size. They may take a little more effort and investment, but most women feel it’s worth it.

Another tip for purchasing hosiery is to check the denier rating. That is the guide to how thick the hoses are and it ranges from 1 to 70. A single strand of silk is 1, where 70 would be completely opaque. The most common and popular choices range from 10-15 denier because this offers a sheer finish that optically slims your legs.

3.    Slips. Most of us can remember our mothers having a drawer full of slips in all lengths, colors and details they would choose depending on the skirt or dress they were wearing, but few people own slips today. SPANX have taken over that market, but really there is room for both. Slips are perfect for our weather, because it’s warmer and they are not encasing your body, plus they are more comfortable. Unless your skirt and dress are lined, you should always wear a slip to avoid VPL (visible panty lines) among other issues. Slips allow dresses and skirts to lay smoother and cling less, while also offering protection to the garment itself.

Maintaining a professional, pulled-together image comes down to the details. Dirty or too-long sleeves under a blazer, VPL, and drooping socks and hoses will instantly derail your otherwise pristinely coordinated look. Don’t let it happen. Use these simple, tried-and-true options to keep every aspect of your look on point.

 

Click here or on the images below to learn more about the outfit.

 

 

Click here or on the images below to learn more about the outfit.

 

 

 

I am always curious to hear from you and what you see in the workplace. Send your questions, comments and pet peeves to [email protected]. Also find each of these storyboards at http://brianmaynor.polyvore.com with links to purchase each item.

 

About Brian Maynor

Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.