Accessorizing Is a Recession Indicator
It's little treat time
We’re a nation awash in financial anxiety. Between tariffs, inflation and tax day (like could the tariffs have gone into effect in a worse month already??) I don’t know a single person who isn’t giving their finances an anxious analysis. Even for those of us where direct impact is less felt (I am lucky to work in a subscription based streaming business so tariffs play less of a role; though certainly macroeconomic conditions will play a big role in consumer confidence and my marketing job) we are all looking around and battening the hatches for what may come.
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It’s been interesting reading the many articles swirling around women and our economic force in the US, and our spending as a bellwether for economic health. This WSJ article paints a picture of female discretionary spending as the canary in the recession coal mine. The memes and videos around recession indicators are flying, and while I’m laughing at “hug your blonde friends” there is such truth to how our spending habits, and therefore our style itself, shift during times of uncertainty or financial prudence.
Balayage became popular in the mid-2000s for a reason. Lipstick sales and the health of the economy are in inverse proportion to one another. Lipstick and other little luxury treats may still be attainable when bigger ticket items like designer handbags, shoes, and jewelry are off the table.
I’d like to enter into the ring accessorizing as another recession indicator
The first few months of the year have seen a return to the big bold jewelry of the early aughts (not a dainty layering piece is in sight on Zara’s jewelry page), along with bright plastic sandals (cheap & cheerful) and preppy boat shoes (meant to look weathered and age well).
We’ve started considering if we should invest in those $30 bangles instead of $300 jeans. Accessories are:
An easy way for old outfits to feel fresh again.
A potentially lower cost option to participate in trends and fashion. Obviously, accessories don’t have to be lower cost, and especially bags often aren’t (I know all too well you can spend an insane amount on a pair of shoes quite easily). But on average it’s pretty easy to spend $200 on a Reformation dress or $350 on a La Ligne striped sweater these days. Accessories can cost far less, across a broader range of sources.
Able to outlast our clothes. I have shoes that are 8+ years old that I still wear. With a good cobbler your shoes will last longer than the new jean style that is trending, or the paper thin Reformation dress you bought for that baby shower.
Plentifully available on the resale market. The RealReal, Vestiaire Collective, Etsy and Poshmark have ten million amazing accessory options on offer, and they are normally a) in better condition than their clothing and b) easier to search through due to much better merchandising (no wrinkly clothes on stark white mannequins).
As you plant your gardens, grow out your highlights and monitor your 401ks a few accessories for consideration:
A hair + makeup refresh
Don’t forget that you, yourself can count as an accessory! Changing up your haircut can have more impact on your overall look than any purchase. I’m ready to cut my hair super short again (had a short bob ~5 years ago), but for now I bought this $23 beach waver to mix it up. It’s brought an entirely different energy and beachy sensibility to my look.
Makeup can also bring that fresh factor to your look. The magic of a punchy lipstick or shimmery shadow that packs as much oomph as a new outfit. Particularly in real life, makeup matters (whereas on social media maybe a new shirt or dress is more noticeable).
Chanel bright lipsticks are my fave formula. Freeze and Raspberry Kiss (I just bought this one from their spring/summer collection) are beautiful and with how long it takes to use up a lipstick you’ll have it the entire recession! (jk, but not)
Bobbi Brown crushed lip oil in Freestyle is a fiery option that pairs beautifully with summer breezes and tanned skin
Merit Lusitano blush is a peachy coral that signals “just got back from the beach vacation I can’t afford” and Dior blush glow provides artificial health in a pan
I have a very old, and likely expired stick blush from Tom Ford that is my absolute fave for summer. It still works so well though, you’ll pry this from my cold hands.
Colorful eyeliners are one of my favorite makeup tricks to add a little something new. I love these Chanel eye sticks which consistently come out in funky colors and I still have some of the old Marc Jacob colorful liners from back in the day (iykyk these were truly the best, why did they ever discontinue????).
I haven’t tried anything from either brand, but Violette FR’s eye paints come in a multitude of shimmering and shocking colors, and I’ve been wanting to try MAKE Beauty’s pastel liners forever.
A hat to hide your roots
Love a classic sports team or marquee sporting event hat option. You can be wanky and accessorized at the same time! Mine this summer will be my pink tie dye US Open hat.
I’m also looking to buy the Magpie birding hat to support my all time favorite blog read, Magpie by Jen Shoop.
A signature summer jewelry piece
I love when I can look back and place a photo based on what sunglasses or jewelry I was wearing, or what bag I had on my arm. “Oh the summer of the tortoise oval sunnies, you were a good one”. It’s like seeing a picture with old friends that were of a time and place. Buy one piece and wear it enough to become an instant recall to summer ‘25:
sculptural arm cuffs in silver from Mango and Cos and a gold coral delicacy from Zara
chunky chain Zara two tone metal necklace
a bit of hippie chic with Alemais’ sea shell necklace and Roxanne Assoulin’s red cord necklace
A personality pair of sunnies
My personal favorite type of accessory, I live for a fun pair of sunglasses. I’ve been really wanting a blue or teal pair and here are a few that have piqued my interest:
this is a prime area to hit TRR if you know what styles and brands suit you.
mirror blue Dior. remember when these were everywhere? I still rate them
sick green and black tortoise Gucci
Chanel nautical blue + white
azure blue Victoria Beckham and minty green Prada*
*This site is legit- I’ve bought many pairs here. I acknowledge it looks shady as hell. I mean, maybe I should double check nobody has stolen my identity, but I’ve been buying from here for years for discount designer sunglasses.
Sunny sneakers to lift your outfit + mood
A pair of interesting sneakers is both practical, as well as adds a little something more to your standard jeans + tee or leggings + hoodie outfit formulas. Some fun options out there:
green + tangerine Adidas retro runners
Autry baby pink suede sneaks
reflective silver Alohas
Some fun and frivolity must persist this summer. Little treat summer here I come!
xx AV
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