Under $100: oxblood accessories


You say oxblood; I say crimson; you say bordeaux; I say burgundy. No matter what you call it, this dark, blood-red hue is shaping up to be this season's must-have color. To avoid looking like Carrie, however, I suggest using it sparingly; a little pop of color goes a long way, without taking you to full-on Goth.



1. I like the structured, ladylike look of this faux-ostrich bag, and its itty-bitty (by my standards) size makes it a great holiday-party purse.

2. With their sewing-machine-decorated stores and vague Edwardian vibe, Allsaints Spitalfields can work the neo-Goth vibe like no other. Considering 95% of their merchandise is neutral, this very subtle yet refreshing infinity scarf adds just a whisper of color. 

3. This haircalf Topshop collar is one of my favorite pieces in this post. It's so unexpected, it immediately perks up sweaters, T-shirts, even dresses. 

4. Blood-red nail polish has been a staple in my beauty arsenal ever since Chanel's Vamp appeared in the '90s, but RGB's crimson is a refined take on the shade, minus many of the nasty chemicals commonly found in nail lacquers. 

5. With their wide wraparound leather bands, La Mer watches are kind of jewelry, accessory, and timepiece all in one. Yay for multitasking. 

6. I feel like belts are one of the more under-utilized accessories out there, which makes me sad. They're a great way to emphasize your shape (everyone can benefit from a waist, or the illusion thereof), and they often have great details, like the buckle detail on this Banana Republic skinny belt

7. Okay, so this Oak tank top is not actually an accessory, but it's a great layering piece, whether you wear it under a suit in a conservative environment or pair it with a cardigan and jeans on the weekend. Also, the cut is gorgeous.

8. How fun are these Charlotte Russe booties? (The answer: superfun!) I'm still into booties with tights, so you can wear these on the holiday-party circuit—the skinny stiletto heel and hidden platform with bring you that much closer to the mistletoe. 

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