The Accessories Worth Owning

Accessories are where wardrobes accumulate fastest and get used least. A small number do almost all the work.

Wardrobe Essentials1 min readAugust 14, 2026Priya Nair

In short

A bag you carry daily has the lowest cost per wear of anything. Used every day for years, a good bag costs pennies per use.
One belt per shoe colour. That is the whole rule.
Scarves are the cheapest way to add colour. They sit near the face, they need no fit, and they let a neutral capsule carry colour without disrupting the palette.

Accessories are where wardrobes accumulate fastest and get used least. A small number do almost all the work.

Used every day for years, a good bag costs pennies per use. It justifies real spending in a way most garments do not.

That is the whole rule. Two belts covers most wardrobes entirely.

They sit near the face, they need no fit, and they let a neutral capsule carry colour without disrupting the palette.

Which accessories are worth spending on?

The bag you carry daily, and a belt that matches your shoes. Both are seen constantly and used for years.

How many bags do I need?

Two for most people — one everyday, one smarter. A third is usually bought for a specific occasion and then rarely used.