--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My mother was a big influence; she was…" description: "\"My mother was a big influence; she was exceedingly chic, completely dressed in a completely different manner than I did. I was a child of the Depressio..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/575/iris-apfel-2319_accessories_my-mother-was-a-big-influence-she-was-ex_3056800.png" --- # My mother was a big influence; she was exceedingly chic… ![“My mother was a big influence; she was exceedingly chic, completely dressed in a completely different manner than I did. I was a child of the Depression, so she taught me all about accessories, and I always tell everybody she worships at the altar of the accessory.” quote by Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/575/iris-apfel-2319_accessories_my-mother-was-a-big-influence-she-was-ex_3056800.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/575/iris-apfel-2319_accessories_my-mother-was-a-big-influence-she-was-ex_3056800.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/575/iris-apfel-2319_accessories_my-mother-was-a-big-influence-she-was-ex_3056800.png) > “My mother was a big influence; she was exceedingly chic, completely dressed in a completely different manner than I did. I was a child of the Depression, so she taught me all about accessories, and I always tell everybody she worships at the altar of the accessory.” [Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Her mother’s distinct style taught her to view accessories as personal statements. **In simple terms:** Distinct style taught importance of accessories. Key Takeaway Embrace personal style. Themes fashion individuality influence Mood playful inspired Type cultural fashion When to use this quote - wardrobe planning - personal branding - creative projects - social media presence Key Concepts accessories personal branding cultural trends Questions to Reflect On - What accessory defines you? - How does style reflect inner values? A Different Perspective Fashion can become superficial if not grounded in self‑expression. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accessories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accessories/) [Big](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/big/) [Chic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chic/) [Exceedingly Chic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exceedingly-chic-5109629/) [Influence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/influence/) [Influence Exceedingly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/influence-exceedingly-5109630/) [Mother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mother/) [Mother Big](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mother-big-4775773/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [She](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/she/) ## Related quotes > [I think dressing up or down should be a creative experience. Exciting. Fun. For me the key to personal style lies in accessories. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/i-think-dressing-up-or-down-should-be-a-creative-experience-exciting/) [Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/) > [My mother and I are big domestic violence advocates.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-marshall/my-mother-and-i-are-big-domestic-violence-advocates/) [Brandon Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-marshall/) > [“The heart of a good mother is as big as the ocean; accommodating all kind of things and sweeping all unwanted things to its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-agyemang-yeboah/the-heart-of-a-good-mother-is-as-big-as-the-ocean-accommodating-all/) [Ernest Agyemang Yeboah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-agyemang-yeboah/) > [I always like to incorporate one or two chic accessories that contrast with the more gritty look of my daily uniform: a leather jacket…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johan-lindeberg/i-always-like-to-incorporate-one-or-two-chic-accessories-that/) [Johan Lindeberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johan-lindeberg/) > [I try to wear a watch all the time, because I think guys get the short end of the stick when it comes to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-blasberg/i-try-to-wear-a-watch-all-the-time-because-i-think-guys-get-the-short/) [Derek Blasberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-blasberg/) > [I always feel that if you're gonna be uncomfortable and unhappy in something, just because you think it's in or it's chic, I would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/i-always-feel-that-if-you-re-gonna-be-uncomfortable-and-unhappy-in/) [Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/) > [I had a great example with my mother, who was extremely chic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/i-had-a-great-example-with-my-mother-who-was-extremely-chic/) [Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/) > [If there was a choice on spending a lot of money on accessories or dress, I always chose accessories. I think jewelry can change…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/if-there-was-a-choice-on-spending-a-lot-of-money-on-accessories-or/) [Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/) > [My mother worshipped at the alter of accessories and I got the bug. She always said, if you have a good, little, simple black…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/my-mother-worshipped-at-the-alter-of-accessories-and-i-got-the-bug/) [Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/) > [I used to collect frames. I've been collecting accessories since I was 11-years-old, creeping around flea markets and sales and everything. Whenever I saw…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/i-used-to-collect-frames-i-ve-been-collecting-accessories-since-i-was/) [Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/) > [Given the choice, I would spend my money on accessories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/given-the-choice-i-would-spend-my-money-on-accessories/) [Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/) > [My mother knew if you bought a couple of really good architectural outfits and put your money into accessories, you could create a million…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/my-mother-knew-if-you-bought-a-couple-of-really-good-architectural/) [Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/) > [My mother worshipped at the altar of the accessory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/my-mother-worshipped-at-the-altar-of-the-accessory/) [Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/) > [These are things I love, things I've worn. I get more compliments on accessories than anything else. I think they're kind of like herbs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/these-are-things-i-love-things-i-ve-worn-i-get-more-compliments-on/) [Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/) > [I've always been attracted to unusual eyewear. I thought glasses were an interesting accessory, depending on the shape of your face. People would always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/i-ve-always-been-attracted-to-unusual-eyewear-i-thought-glasses-were/) [Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/) ## More by Iris Apfel > [I think dressing up or down should be a creative experience. Exciting. Fun. For me the key to personal style lies in accessories. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/i-think-dressing-up-or-down-should-be-a-creative-experience-exciting/) [Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/) > [I don't spend my life getting dressed! I have to put clothes on during the day; I don't get dressed up at all when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/i-don-t-spend-my-life-getting-dressed-i-have-to-put-clothes-on-during/) [Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/) > [I think some people like me because I'm different. I don't think like everybody else. People are so tied up in the worst parts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/i-think-some-people-like-me-because-i-m-different-i-don-t-think-like/) [Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/) > [Throughout history, clothes represented who you were; they are a great vehicle for explaining who you are. During the Ching dynasty, for example, what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/throughout-history-clothes-represented-who-you-were-they-are-a-great/) [Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/) > [If you don't have any individuality and you're happy just being one of the girls (or boys) be my guest. I'm not the fashion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/if-you-don-t-have-any-individuality-and-you-re-happy-just-being-one/) [Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/) > [I think jewelry can change an outfit more than anything else. Transformation, punch, individuality: One or all of the above are why you should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/i-think-jewelry-can-change-an-outfit-more-than-anything-else/) [Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/) > [When you go to a nice restaurant, you want to be relaxed and have a drink and everything, you want to look at people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/when-you-go-to-a-nice-restaurant-you-want-to-be-relaxed-and-have-a/) [Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/) > [I'm happy. I give thanks every morning that I can get up, that I still have my husband with me. I'm extremely grateful. After…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/i-m-happy-i-give-thanks-every-morning-that-i-can-get-up-that-i-still/) [Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/) > [It's not easy to know who you are and it's very painful and takes a lot of time and that is why a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/it-s-not-easy-to-know-who-you-are-and-it-s-very-painful-and-takes-a/) [Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/) > [If you put something together and it doesn't look so good, the fashion police are not going to come and take you away. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/if-you-put-something-together-and-it-doesn-t-look-so-good-the-fashion/) [Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/) > [The world is always full of promise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/the-world-is-always-full-of-promise/) [Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/) > [First you have to know who you are. That is the most important thing, as if you don't know who you are you will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/first-you-have-to-know-who-you-are-that-is-the-most-important-thing/) [Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/) > [The fun of getting dressed is it's a creative experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/the-fun-of-getting-dressed-is-it-s-a-creative-experience/) [Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/) > [In America, it has been proven that the bulk of spending money is in the hands of women between 60 and 80, so it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/in-america-it-has-been-proven-that-the-bulk-of-spending-money-is-in/) [Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/) > [I don't believe in rules. It's different for everybody. Everyone has to make their own decision and find out what's comfortable for them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/i-don-t-believe-in-rules-it-s-different-for-everybody-everyone-has-to/) [Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/) [Explore all 171 Iris Apfel quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/) ## More Accessories quotes > [The tie's a multi purpose accessory, y'know, belt, school boy, Rambo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noel-fielding/the-tie-s-a-multi-purpose-accessory-y-know-belt-school-boy-rambo/) [Noel Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noel-fielding/) > [Off the court, I tend to stick to the classics, but I like to have fun with color and accessories. I'm from Spain, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-hilfiger/off-the-court-i-tend-to-stick-to-the-classics-but-i-like-to-have-fun/) [Tommy Hilfiger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-hilfiger/) > [I think dressing up or down should be a creative experience. Exciting. Fun. For me the key to personal style lies in accessories. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/i-think-dressing-up-or-down-should-be-a-creative-experience-exciting/) [Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/) > [I love watches. I have a Hublot, a Breitling, and a Cartier. Different accessories that I match together just to be comfortable and casual.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chandler-parsons/i-love-watches-i-have-a-hublot-a-breitling-and-a-cartier-different/) [Chandler Parsons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chandler-parsons/) > [The unary Photograph has every reason to be banal, 'unity' of composition being the first rule of vulgar (and notably, of academic) rhetoric: 'The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-barthes/the-unary-photograph-has-every-reason-to-be-banal-unity-of/) [Roland Barthes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-barthes/) > [“Once you are dressed there may be still more you can do to enhance, complement, or complete your look. Simply changing your accessories will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/once-you-are-dressed-there-may-be-still-more-you-can-do-to-enhance/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [To complete my look, I like to add fun accessories such as a dainty necklace, bracelets and a ring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skai-jackson/to-complete-my-look-i-like-to-add-fun-accessories-such-as-a-dainty/) [Skai Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skai-jackson/) > [For interiors, if you have a basic sofa, you can add fun throw pillows, and cool lighting to make the space more interesting. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremiah-brent/for-interiors-if-you-have-a-basic-sofa-you-can-add-fun-throw-pillows/) [Jeremiah Brent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremiah-brent/) > [When I think of Italy now, I think of accessories, possessions, bad TV, fake boobs, BMWs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valeria-golino/when-i-think-of-italy-now-i-think-of-accessories-possessions-bad-tv/) [Valeria Golino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valeria-golino/) > [Since I've become a mom, I'm more about comfort and simplicity. I'm essentially a jeans girl, and I dress them up or down with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessalyn-gilsig/since-i-ve-become-a-mom-i-m-more-about-comfort-and-simplicity-i-m/) [Jessalyn Gilsig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessalyn-gilsig/) > [I'll probably always have some black in my accessories, but it's also important to have a pop of color.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/coco-rocha/i-ll-probably-always-have-some-black-in-my-accessories-but-it-s-also/) [Coco Rocha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/coco-rocha/) > [We're not saying 'no guns.' We are saying we want to regulate semi-automatic weapons and the accessories that make them fully automatic because fully…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-gonzalez/we-re-not-saying-no-guns-we-are-saying-we-want-to-regulate-semi/) [Emma Gonzalez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-gonzalez/) > [I decided to do everything around fashion but fashion itself, and that's accessories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paloma-picasso/i-decided-to-do-everything-around-fashion-but-fashion-itself-and-that/) [Paloma Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paloma-picasso/) > [Curiously, ghosts are rarely if ever seen in the nude. They appear fully clothed, and may even change clothing on subsequent appearances. They may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loyd-auerbach/curiously-ghosts-are-rarely-if-ever-seen-in-the-nude-they-appear/) [Loyd Auerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/loyd-auerbach/) > [Everyone has a best feature, so find clothes and accessories to accentuate those, whether it’s your shoulders or your long legs!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-gunn/everyone-has-a-best-feature-so-find-clothes-and-accessories-to/) [Tim Gunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-gunn/) [Browse all 275 Accessories quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accessories/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "My mother was a big influence; she was exceedingly chic, completely dressed in a completely different manner than I did. 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