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lewks
January 9, 2015

17 Ways to Make Sure Your Uniform Has a Personal Touch

By Diana Tsui

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This week on the Cut we’re exploring how to get your act together when it comes to personal style — from organizing your closet, to finding your signature scent, to figuring out your work uniform.

Wearing variations on the same look day in and day out is easy and chic, but can also feel too generic if you lack a personal touch. That’s where the lewk comes in. Jenna Lyons has her impenetrable plastic frames, Iris Apfel has her arms crowded with baubles, and Anna Wintour has her rotation of vintage Georgian crystal necklaces. Figuring out what works best for your life and sense of style will take time, but consider this guide a spring board toward your style self-actualization. Have you always loved big earrings? Do you gravitate toward shoes that seem ugly to other people but seem weirdly cool to you? Have you always wanted to start a collection of faux furs or gold boots? Whatever the twist, here’s 17 ideas to decoding what may be the trickiest part of your perfect uniform.

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Flashy Sneakerhead Envy-Inducing Kicks A favorite of Grace Coddington, these are practical, comfortable, and generally more affordable than most ... Flashy Sneakerhead Envy-Inducing Kicks A favorite of Grace Coddington, these are practical, comfortable, and generally more affordable than most fancy high heels.
Stacks of Resin Bangles With big, statement pieces like this, you have to just go for it and wear them with everything. Mix cheaper ones with tho... Stacks of Resin Bangles With big, statement pieces like this, you have to just go for it and wear them with everything. Mix cheaper ones with those that are more expensive and no one will be the wiser.
Hermès Scarves It's a cliché, but it always works, and you can collect them over time.
Quirky Eyeglasses Consider that you wear these every day and make a bold choice. That way, people will have a clear idea of how to dress up as yo... Quirky Eyeglasses Consider that you wear these every day and make a bold choice. That way, people will have a clear idea of how to dress up as you on Halloween.
Weirdo Clutches  Once you purge yourself of things that no longer give you joy, you might find that you no longer need to drag around a gian... Weirdo Clutches  Once you purge yourself of things that no longer give you joy, you might find that you no longer need to drag around a giant tote. Downsize to a cool clutch that fits your new streamlined lifestyle.
A Crazy Faux-Fur Coat Giant furs: the signature look of the street-style scene and Cruella de Ville. But they also happen to be handy and p... A Crazy Faux-Fur Coat Giant furs: the signature look of the street-style scene and Cruella de Ville. But they also happen to be handy and practical for a cold winter.
A Non-Douchey Floppy Hat Hats are a tricky lewk to adopt. The wrong shape and trim can make you look outdated or like a pretentious jackass.... A Non-Douchey Floppy Hat Hats are a tricky lewk to adopt. The wrong shape and trim can make you look outdated or like a pretentious jackass. This one is in a beautiful midnight-blue hue and swaps a thin gold band for the typical ribbon trim.
Jolie Laide Shoes Phobe Philo might be the biggest proponent of the so-wrong-it's-right shoe (ahem, Furkenstocks) and this season's brogue i... Jolie Laide Shoes Phobe Philo might be the biggest proponent of the so-wrong-it's-right shoe (ahem, Furkenstocks) and this season's brogue is no different. The trick is to treat bold shoes like you would a neutral, and wear them with everything, which is precisely what the Cut's Stella Bugbee does with her gold Saint Laurent boots.
A Fabulous Vintage-Looking Statement Collar This piece looks like something you inherited from a really stylish grandmother. Instead of trying to... A Fabulous Vintage-Looking Statement Collar This piece looks like something you inherited from a really stylish grandmother. Instead of trying to figure out what it "matches," just say screw it and wear it over everything from T-shirts to sweaters to dresses.
Voluminous Skirts Lynn Yaeger, Anna Wintour, and Miuccia Prada all adopt different variations of the full A-line skirt as their signature. They c... Voluminous Skirts Lynn Yaeger, Anna Wintour, and Miuccia Prada all adopt different variations of the full A-line skirt as their signature. They could not look more different, which goes to show that you can try the style and make it your own. Here, three options that depend on whether you're Japanese avant-garde (Junya), street-style-y (Alice McCall), or feminine (J.W. Anderson). 
Gigantic Earrings Oversize, eye-catching earrings straddle the line between feeling feminine and badass. They convey that you aren't afraid to dr... Gigantic Earrings Oversize, eye-catching earrings straddle the line between feeling feminine and badass. They convey that you aren't afraid to draw attention to your face. Céline's take is both sparkly and shoulder-grazing while Ryan Storer (an Australian jewelry designer with a massive following) has a spike that literally covers half the ear.
Graphic, Geometric Jewelry For that artsy gallerina finishing touch. Also worth noting is that the Monica Sordo ring is a two-for-one: It can nes... Graphic, Geometric Jewelry For that artsy gallerina finishing touch. Also worth noting is that the Monica Sordo ring is a two-for-one: It can nestle to form a statement piece or split to be worn as two separate rings.
A Moto Jacket (with a twist) If you see a photo of any model off-duty, their signature look involves some combination of jeans and a moto jacket.... A Moto Jacket (with a twist) If you see a photo of any model off-duty, their signature look involves some combination of jeans and a moto jacket. You could go with an all-black, down to the hardware style, or look for a distinctive detail like a purple pocket.
Kooky Animal Rings Signatures have to be a little strange, like wearing a ring with an animal on it. Cartier's Panther is a 100 years old, so it'... Kooky Animal Rings Signatures have to be a little strange, like wearing a ring with an animal on it. Cartier's Panther is a 100 years old, so it's the upscale elegant weird one, while Nach's parrot ring says, "I'm full-on ready to embrace old-lady crazy."
An Enormous Bib Necklace Big jewelry can be worn with nearly everything, but these are the exception. These giant necklaces are so statement-maki... An Enormous Bib Necklace Big jewelry can be worn with nearly everything, but these are the exception. These giant necklaces are so statement-making that they work best with very plain basics like an unbuttoned white shirt or a slim turtleneck.
Sculptural Bracelets Diana Vreeland was known for wearing a matching set of cuffs. You could do the same with this one from Whistles, or if you w... Sculptural Bracelets Diana Vreeland was known for wearing a matching set of cuffs. You could do the same with this one from Whistles, or if you want something more unusual and memorable, go for Paula Mendoza's, which climbs up your arm like a snake.
Special Sunglasses Iconic, proven to make you look hotter, and practical in the face of glaring daylight. Find the shape that's right for your fa... Special Sunglasses Iconic, proven to make you look hotter, and practical in the face of glaring daylight. Find the shape that's right for your face and you're set. 
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  • lewks
  • uniforms that work
  • uniform week
  • goods
  • accessories
  • statement accessories
  • sneakers
  • shoes
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