Goes With Nothing, Works With Everything

12 statement pieces that make any outfit better. Just pick one!

I love a good basic and so appreciate classic style. But! The items in my closet that I cherish most are my statement pieces. Specifically, the somewhat crazy pieces that, in theory, don’t go with very much. This feels somewhat like an extension of

Allison Bornstein

’s “wrong shoe theory.” Pieces that feel a little bit off and wrong, but because (not in spite) of that, they pull the whole outfit together.

These slightly weird pieces work well with just about everything. In my own closet, I seemingly gravitate toward warm red-orange, shiny chartreuse, and animal prints. Here are twelve things from my closet that go with nothing but work with everything. A warning that these pieces are a bit more splurgey, but the idea is you pick one and pair it with your basics.

one // Le Monde Beryl Leopard Flats: These are fabulous. My favorite thing about them is the fabric. It’s listed as velvet, but feels almost like a fine-wale corduroy. It’s a bit fluffy, almost like fur. The pattern is perfection, and they are very, very comfortable.

two // Sezane Coat: I love a statement coat. When I lived in New York, I’d frequently run errands in sweats, sneakers, and a cool coat. You can’t really do that in Charleston (too warm, too formal, no bodega around the corner to dash into!), but I do still love a fun coat. It works over just about everything!

three // Alaia Red Studded Flats: This was my second pair of Alaia flats (I bought them after the white pair, which I wear like sneakers). They are like jewelry!!!! After years of spending all my money on expensive high heels (see also: when I lived in New York), a pair of fancy flats feels very much worth the money to me

four // Chartreuse Satin Clutch: my stylist pal told me to buy this. It’s amazing. Huge and oversized; truly, an outfit maker.

five // Sezane Leopard Flats: Another great leopard flat. These are a little more subtle than the Le Monde Beryl pair but still pack a punch. I truly wear them with everything. (I also love these btw, and while I have you, how fun is this leopard clutch?)

six // Retrouvai Lollipop Ring: I had wanted one of these rings forever, so for my fortieth birthday, that’s what I bought myself. Mine is malachite with a green tourmaline center. Fun fact: if you email them, they can make you pretty much anything you want (in whatever size you’d like). Four years later? This is easily my most-worn piece of jewelry. I’ll wear it with jeans and a tee, a cocktail dress . . . a big sweater . . . truly: anything goes!

seven // Aligne Jacket: Obviously, chartreuse is one of my favorite colors, so I am biased, but this jacket completely makes an outfit. You could style it with a skirt or flowy pants (I love mine with my Gala pants), or wear it open over a tee.

eight // Saint Laurent Sunglasses: These are just pure fun. I love the color!

nine // Ulla Johnson Skirt (also here): This is such a cool skirt. It’s made from a thick, heavy material that almost feels like neoprene. Very flattering as it holds you in. Wear it with a tee, a button down, a cozy sweater, a chambray shirt, it works with everything!

ten // Khaite Bag: Oh man do I love this bag. It’s so special, and the color is super saturated. I bought it this fall and reach for it constantly. I think you’ll get the same effect with any other bag in this color family (some other ideas: this Savette, this DeMellier, this Veronica Beard pouch!)

eleven // Marisa Klass Orb: I am so drawn to these weird orb pendants. I have one in malachite and another in Libyan glass. Usually I’ll wear just one but on occasion I will put them together on a single cord. They layer with all my other jewelry and always elicit compliments.

twelve // Alaia Crystal Flats: I bought these two years ago and was so close to buying these in black. Every practical voice in my head said: white is impractical! They’ll get dirty! Don’t do it! But the white just felt so special. Two years later, I am glad I went with my gut and got the white. They are one of my most worn (and most treasured) pair of flats. And! Despite pretty much constant wear, they have not gotten dirty. They will make a basic outfit (like jeans or a tee or a nap dress) feel unique and interesting. And they are so much more comfortable than an expensive pair of heels.

Do you have crazy pieces like this? Tell me about them!