The Accessory Handbook: A Costume Designer's Secrets for Buying, Wearing, and Caring for Accessories

by Alison Freer

A practical and inspiring guide to how to style, wear, buy, and care for every kind of accessory, from the New York Times best-selling author of How to Get Dressed.

Costume designer and writer Alison Freer is beloved for her sassy, rule-breaking fashion advice, which emphasizes that style should be fun, personal, and functional. Instead of prescribing what to wear or own, Freer empowers you to wear whatever you want--and shows how to pull it off--with humor and wit. In The Accessory Handbook, Freer breaks down every type of accessory--from hats and hosiery to jewelry, bags, and shoes--and explains how to best shop for, care for, and wear each with flair.

Genres: Nonfiction, Fashion, Self Help

192 pages, Paperback

Published August 14, 2018

About the author

I am a costume designer from Texas living and working in Los Angeles, California. I dress people for television shows, commercials and music videos. This means I shop A LOT and have turned numerous inanimate objects into costumes.

You can also find me at New York Magazine talking about my favorite useful purchases in the 'Strategist' column. I don't believe that there are any 'rules' for fashion -- and you shouldn't either!

Reviews

[Lisa of Hopewell · Rating 4 out of 5]

n her first book, How To Get Dressed, (which I reviewed here , https://hopewellslibraryoflife.wordpr... ) she explained how to pick clothes that are right for you. And, even better, she told you how in a fun way. This gal has both style and panache. She also uses words that non-fashionistas can understand.

This time around she’s addressing how to finish the look–that is how to accessorize yourself. From scarves to hats to purses to shoes to jewelry and beyond– it’s all in this wonderful little book with lots of great illustrations. But wait! There’s more! You also get instructions on how to clean, store and even repair the items! There’s help with colors, with textures, with…..well EVERYTHING to do with accessories of all kind.

Take beanies. Now, I don’t know about you, but beanies really don’t hit my fashion radar. But, should I see one suddenly that I love…..she’s got me covered! “How to wear a beanie like a cool girl” is right there on page 108. Read it and rock it!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was entertaining and funny with lots of advice for accessorizing with style!

[LINDA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this up on a whim, as fashion isn’t a huge focus or priority in my life. I was delighted to find this book to be full of applicable tidbits. Though I typically don’t carry a purse, when I next carry one this book has inspired me to tie on a colorful scarf! This book is full of useful tips for fashion debacles-like hair getting caught in necklaces. Who knew a few inches of aquarium tube could solve that problem? I also liked the advice for dealing with a lost earring. Even my husband was interested in her suggestion to make a ten dollar investment in a leather hole punch to adjust belts. (He is ordering one right now.) The book has a nice clean layout, with an enjoyable simplicity to the illustrations and a simple champagne color scheme.

[ToboReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really nice surprise! This book is chock full of wonderful advice not only for people looking to step up their accessory game on a daily basis, but frankly, to be much more efficient and cost-effective about it too. Alison Freer isn’t just going to tell you to invest in a bunch of expensive pieces- she, like me, enjoys her costume jewelry. But she also has great tips like how to combine earrings you love but have lost the matches to, so you can feel confident doing so and not have to throw them away. Also, I can’t believe I never thought to just use a cheap chain bracelet for a necklace extender?! What a handy little book.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

For those who read Freer's previous book, "How To Get Dressed" and liked it...go ahead an pick this up. It's really more of a guidebook than a sit-and-read book, but if you struggle a bit with your wardrobe, particularly with accessories...then this is well worth it.

A great deal of this is just practical advice (basic pieces that work with every wardrobe), but there's also a lot of encouragement. Freer wants you to play around, to experiment...AND she's very clear that a snappy dresser does NOT have to spend a lot of money, which I appreciate.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

An A-Z style introduction to accessories for those who are unfamiliar or lack confidence to navigate them. I liked this book for its thorough index-like approach. Some of the stylish suggestions are outdated and that's OK. It's interesting to read something published before the rise of Aesthetics TM. More illustrations of particular pieces would have been helpful. With some recommendations I wonder if they work as well in real life as they do on a movie set.

While it's outside the scope of this book, I'd love to see examples of the author talking through her work.

[Niki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just like her first book, Alison's take on accessories is practical and full of insights. I've since gone out to get more accessories + organising my drawer to find my long-forgotten accessories. If anything, I'm inspired to try out most of the advice here and cannot wait to rock this accessory game to the nines.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a basic guide for selecting and using accessories to enhance your outfit. Lots of great tips for different items: jewelry, scarves, shoes, belts, hats, purses. Now I know why my purse strap keeps slipping and how to fix it. Freer also gives advice for those interested in buying vintage items.

[J Crossley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is packed with information regarding accessories. The major sections are: jewelry, belts, scarfs, hats, purses, and shoes. The book talks about the best way to wear and care for your accessories. I liked the asides that gave tricks on dealing with issues such as cleaning glasses and washing baseball caps.

[Cameron Toney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this- a guide to accessories that both appreciates hats, and also thinks that "investment pieces" might not be as good as, well, actual investments.
This book is full of good, practical advice, of how to choose, care for, and modify your accessories to work for you.
Worthwhile for anyone looking to jazz up their look with the power of your scarf, your jewelry, or,yes, your hat.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nifty accessory handbook covering: Jewelry, eyeglasses, belts, scarves, gloves, hats, purses, shoes, socks, and tights and more. Lots of interesting tips on how to use them, care for them and combine them. Unfortunately, there are no photos, just nice drawings.

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must have for accessorizing your wardrobe! Lots of good advice from caring for and using accessories.

[Bel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very handy book about how to accessorize and features some great tips ranging from scarves to brooches. Mostly has illustrations but some more diagrams and photos would have made it even better.

[Lina Dakwar Nwesry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very recommended for the stylish people who likes to look amazing even in the "small" things

[Maria Katrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best Accessory guide!

[Serenity · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would have to say I liked this book better than the how to accessorize book I picked up a couple of weeks ago. It was very informative and even had history on certain accessories.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

a great review of accessories and how to love them!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has great tips and writes in a relatable style. An easy and enjoyable read.

[Aneesa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some people will just never learn (me).

[Shhhh... Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not exactly an entertaining read but full of good tips.

[Sandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not nearly as good as her first book. Just ho-hum information. Disappointing.

[Mazie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this one to be more interesting and helpful than “How To Get Dressed” (also by Freer). Really helpful little tidbits on how to accessorize and then how to take care of your accessories.