all you need are 2 POV-accessories reimagine your entire closet
+ how personifying your clothes will bring you closer to your desired essence
Hi from Austin, Texas. Lot’s to say about this magical place, but in summation, I am in love.
I’m incredibly inspired not only by the natural landscape, art advocacy, and delectable food here- but also through my current client work as we transition together into fall.
While there’s lots to discuss (& some really great recs + inspo coming your way soon), I wanted to first share a principle I’ve been applying to my own closet that has completely changed the way I see potential unfolding through my style - especially during this 3-week trip I’m on (yeehaw). See everything I packed here. I’m calling this hack the POV-duo.
The POV-duo is when you identify 2 Point of View accessories specifically that are always worn together and work in unison to deliver the strong message that is your style point of view- even & especially on top of “basics”. Bonus points if these accessories can transform into different things. It might sound a bit confusing but it’s really not, and I’ll show you what I mean.
POV pieces are articles that consciously represent a component of the way you consider your Style POV (& personal ethos) loudly & strongly. They’re most often your favorite, possibly “statement” pieces.
I was very deliberate & intentional about packing accessories for this trip (as any stylish woman would be). My style is anything but minimalistic or one-dimensional (not that there's anything wrong with those styles, they just don’t reflect me). However, adding the depth I crave in the heat can be challenging.
When temperatures exceed 85 degrees, I rely on layering scarves, bold jewelry, and playful hats to inject some flavor into my light linen basics. I brought items that:
Very clearly illustrate my point of view with little to no effort. They can pull their own weight.
Transform into different variations for maximum versatility & fun (I get bored easily). Silk scarves are great for this, but you can also reimagine your necklaces as belts, silk house robes as light jackets, necklaces as bag charms etc…
On top of the two items you see above, I brought an array of bangles, handbags, earrings, and 3 additional silk scarves to play with- but in actuality, I probably don’t even need them because of the POV-duo.
The effectiveness of this approach stems from the personification of each item. To truly grasp the unique personality of every piece in your closet and how they contribute to your look, it can be helpful to envision them as characters or friends. This perspective allows you to understand how each item plays a role in telling your style story.
My black silk scarf, a vintage piece passed down from my mom, radiates a certain Liza Minnelli vibe for me. Liza, with her undeniable presence, is both a performer and a persona— always in character, draped in costume, exuding mystery. I find her qualities captivating and aspire to embody that same theatrical essence. To me, life is a stage, and our style is the costume we choose to wear each day. I revel in the drama and boldness of fashion as performance (often drawing further inspiration from the likes of Austin Powers, Mick Jagger, Madonna, and Julia Fox).
Wearing this black silk scarf emboldens me and also connects me to my beautiful Mamma.
The hat however brings a fresh texture, adding a subtle layer of nuance that grounds me. If this hat were personified, she’d evoke a scene forever etched in my memory: a few years ago, while driving through northern California, I encountered a mesmerizing woman, barefoot, leisurely walking her pet bison through her neighborhood. I was captivated by her presence, and her aura lingers in my mind as a source of inspiration. This hat, to me, mirrors her spirit— free, effortlessly in touch with nature, and utterly unforgettable.
The pairing of these two items reflects the balance within me. Combining them has led to effortless but deeply resonant looks for me.
The versatility in styling these pieces also adds a playful and liberating component, while illustrating another key style principle I frequently highlight: Iteration (rewearing the same piece in many different ways to both understand their full value & strengthen your personal brand).
The flexibility of these items gives me numerous options, allowing me to experiment with even more iterations.
The brim of my hat can be worn down, halfway lifted, or fully turned up which has a dramatic effect on the tone it offers. Flipped up, it transports me back to Martha’s Vineyard, evoking a relaxed, coastal feel, while worn down, it takes on the essence of Southeast Asia, a region I deeply admire and hope to visit soon.
The scarf on the other hand mutates from a piece of outerwear to a skirt or belt, it can even be worn around my hat, through my bag, as a top… the options are endless.
Because these pieces clearly represent very fundamental aspects of my POV and have mutating potential, they work perfectly for in my POV-Duo.
Here are some POV-duos I’ve identified for my clients.
Courtney’s POV: She’s captivated by natural materials and is fascinated by bones, concrete, wood, and rocks. She also is entering a new chapter of her life where she wants to feel fully self-expressed in her artistry which manifests through playing with large shapes and silhouettes. One of her POV duos is: this gorgeous wide-brimmed floppy hat I found via Banana Republic and tanzanite earrings I sourced for her on The Real Real. Together they create a bold & interesting shape that represents her creative inclinations while ground her through the earthly elements she loves.
Hannah on the other hand loves to play with the flirtation of her feminine & masculine personas. She finds herself just as confident in something uber laid-back like baggy vintage levis + an oversized tee just as much as a silky slip dress and barely-there stilettos. Her POV-duo comes in the form of this fabulous leather jacket, which is sharply masculine through her lens & this gorgeous YSL silk scarf I found for her on Etsy for $35 (!!). This combination is soooo gorgeous together and can be paired with essentially anything underneath.
Ryan is another stylish gem- coming from Southern Cali, she is a line-dancer and lover of vintage whimsy. She deeply enjoys having playing through accessorizing while keeping the overall aesthetic classic & clean. Her POV-duo was found in this perfect straw cowboy hat & silver arm cuff by Justine Clenquet. Together, they represent her roots & aesthetic interests while seemelssly pairing with a go-to formula of jeans and a tee.
When taking this into your own closet start by asking yourself questions like, “how would I describe the essence of my ideal style?” “What are some words, feelings, or even fictional characters I aspire to represent?” Can you draw parallels to the items you see in your wardrobe?
This approach is similar to Allison Bornstein’s genius 3-word method, but instead of identifying broader style words like “edgy” “western” and “classic” we dig a bit deeper to find true resonance and interpersonal awareness of our taste. We untangle the knot of our unique point of view & connect deeply to ourselves, our loves, & our curated worlds.
Although my looks were designed for the heat, the POV-duo can be used in any season! I’ll share how I utilize it in cooler weather when I’m back on the East Coast. Let me know what you think and if you give this a try yourself!
Dying over how good these three client outfit boards are! Each one is so unique and different😍
I call these items the “piece de resistance” in a closet! They are the items that crank your outfit up but I love the idea of having two items worn together to do this! Bravo!