38 fashion accessories that you won't see all over Instagram
Shoes/bags/belts/sunglasses that won't go viral but I like them anyway
There’s much to say about the slightly depressing and performative act of dressing to please the algorithm (even if only subconsciously, or to attract more paid work) and the huge impact it has had on our collective personal style. Dressing for success on Instagram/TikTok is so formulaic that you can wager what will perform well long before you’ve slipped your foot into a mesh flat or threaded a Khaite belt through your Raey baggy jeans.
Some clothes and accessories fly under the radar unnoticed while others are sheer engagement machines. Content creators and tastemakers wear these key pieces early on and they generally have the OG versions from The Row, etc. The crowds go wild, the algorithm is informed that it should spread this content far and wide, and then the crowds buy those same pieces because they want the validation too. Then Cos makes a version, then Mango, and then we move on to the next flash-in-the-pan thing and the cycle begins again.
I have three identical pairs of Re/Done jeans that I’ve worn into holes and I’ve used the same woven leather handbag since 2017 (everyone assumes it’s Dragon Diffusion now but it was £15 from eBay), so I try not to get involved…
Sometimes it’s an individual piece that’s suddenly seen everywhere (with its cheaper imitations following shortly after) and other times, it’s a tried-and-tested combination of items. I started to type some of these examples out but felt guilty, so I’ll leave you to imagine the paint-by-numbers combinations I had in mind.
I’m conscious that I don’t want to make anyone feel bad and, truly, there’s no shade intended to readers who wear popular things. I’m certain you look great and if you love them, that really is all that matters. Everyone should dress for their own pleasure first and foremost. I do also empathise with people who invest in something long before it becomes a ‘thing’ and then the internet goes and rains on the parade by spreading its popularity like wildfire. It’s happened to me before and I’m sure it will happen again.
Personally, I shop for clothes and shoes very infrequently. I wear the same things for years and fashion hasn’t been my day job since I left the industry in 2011, so while I always keep my ear to the ground, I’m not embroiled in these mad sartorial Bingo games and there’s no pressure to keep up. Nor am I leading the charge with my own unique way of dressing, let’s be honest. I live in boring jeans and t-shirts through sheer apathy and loss of mojo, but the moment I notice that something is becoming the latest must-have piece to acquire in the hopes of getting traction on social or looking relevant, it makes me want to sprint in the other direction. Plus, I know my personal style so well that I can’t be steered from it, even when I see things looking sensational on others. I know what I like and it’s not always what other people like.
With all that in mind, here are 38 shoes and accessories I’ve saved or tried recently that will almost certainly not make your photo go viral on your Instagram. You probably won’t get stopped in the street by someone about to film a fit check but you’ll look damn good while you’re avoiding all of the Big Fashion Energy.
My picks aren’t from unknown brands – I haven’t plucked anything from obscurity – but they’re not items causing a storm on social media. That means they’re easier to wear long-term without being associated with a specific moment in time, and that is what I’m always aiming for when I invest in a new purchase. If someone asks me where something is from because it isn’t obvious, that is the ultimate compliment.
A note for transparency: I have expensive taste and I wish I didn’t (I don’t have the budget to match) but alas I am cursed, so my choices reflect that. I always shop for quality and longevity and I’ll save up and pay more for one special piece if I know I’ll keep it for years.
The first three items below are visible to everyone and the full edit is for my paid community. Join me via the button below for £5 a month or £50 a year and you’ll get access to ALL of my curated edits (which take bloody ages because I’m so picky) and my most personal and vulnerable writing. Plus, you’re supporting my work and you make my time, choices, and words feel like they hold value, which is an amazing feeling to have.
Chloe oversized sunglasses, £255
I tried these on in Liberty and I have a few pairs of timeless tortoiseshell sunglasses already, so it’s hard to justify another, but I loved the retro shape and slightly unusual cut-out detail. Liberty is generally good with regular discounts for mailing list sign-ups and random weekends with 20% off everything.
Crochet paper sun hat, £29.99 from Zara Home
I tried this on in Zara Home and made a mental note to buy it for my hypothetical summer holiday. It just about fits on my giant head and I like the crochet design. I was with my ma at the time and asked her to take a photo of it on my head. She missed most of the hat but I do have a lovely picture of the Zara Home ceiling…
Toteme striped canvas tote with leather trim, £690
God help me I love a tote bag. Especially if it involves a stripe or an autumnal colour. Absolutely dreadful for my shoulders after a day of lugging my laptop around but glorious to look at. For a similar-ish vibe at a lower price point, try Paravel’s totes but the leather isn’t nearly as lovely in texture as this pebblegrain.