Accessories help you to complete your outfits, from hats and jewelry to scarves and socks. But accessorizing can be complicated, especially when you start trying to mix and match them. Coco Chanel said that before you leave the house, you should look in the mirror and take at least one thing off. However, even this wise advice might not stop you from over-accessorizing or getting it wrong. You can find lots of different advice for accessorizing, some of which might contradict each other, and it can be confusing. This guide will give you some essential tips to make accessorizing easier than ever.
Get the Classic Accessories
If you think of classic accessories, there are probably a few things that come to mind. Diamond earrings, pearl necklaces, and other accessories can be great to have in your collection. They’re excellent for everything from work and special occasions to everyday wear when you want something sophisticated. If you want to build up your collection of accessories, starting with some of the classics is a good idea. If you can’t afford the real deal, don’t worry. Faux diamonds, pearls, or leather can look good too, and they’re a lot more affordable. If you’re looking for diamonds specifically, lab-grown diamonds are an excellent option as they’re considerably cheaper. Stick to buying classic jewelry pieces if you are still not sure what will match your style. These classics will look good on almost anyone.
Try Something Quirky
As well as the classic accessories, there are plenty of more modern accessory choices. If you’re not really someone who vibes with a string of pearls, you might prefer to look for something a bit more quirky and out there. Sometimes you want to make a statement and do something different instead of sticking to the tried and tested options. Choosing some interesting accessories doesn’t have to mean being too out there. You might follow the current trends but still find some accessories that speak to you and show some of your personality too.
Play with Necklace Lengths
Necklaces are the perfect accessory to wear in any situation. As long as it’s safe to wear one (you don’t have to worry about it getting caught in anything or picking up germs), you can pair a necklace with any outfit. They come in so many different lengths and styles that you can easily have one for every situation. Playing with different necklace lengths is a great way to get the right necklace for the right outfit. Sometimes a shorter necklace will look good, while sometimes a long and dangling necklace could work better. Try out different lengths with the other things you’re wearing to see what works.
Give Yourself Glasses Options
For some people, one of their accessories isn’t just an accessory. If you wear eyeglasses, they’re both a necessary medical device, and they can make you look good. Just because you need to wear them to see clearly, it doesn’t mean they can’t be stylish at the same time. A lot of people may only have one pair of glasses, which is perfectly fine. You can choose a pair that feels right for you and goes well with anything that you wear.
However, you can also give yourself options. Buying glasses online is often more affordable and can help you to buy more than one pair.
Avoid Going Overboard
One of the most difficult things to get right when you’re accessorizing is just how many accessories you should be wearing. This isn’t an issue if you’re bundling yourself up against the cold, putting on a hat, scarf, and gloves. But if you’re deciding which jewelry to wear and what other accessories to choose, it can be a little more difficult to get it right. Too many accessories can look over the top and even a little ridiculous. Layering necklaces and bracelets can look trendy, but it doesn’t always work. If you’re not sure, it’s always better to keep things simple.
Match Statements with Simple
Your accessories should complement your outfit, not compete with it. When you’re choosing accessories, think about the style of your outfit first. If your clothes already make a statement, you probably don’t need to wear statement jewelry too. Keep it simple instead, so that your jewelry adds something to your overall look. The same is true when it’s the other way around. If you have a simple outfit, you can afford to dress it up with some fancy accessories instead of choosing jewelry that’s also simple. However, you can go with simple accessory choices too, especially if you want to keep things sophisticated.
Go from Day to Night with the Right Accessories
If you’re someone who sometimes goes out to dinner or for drinks after work, the right accessories can transform your outfit. Changing your shoes, putting on a necklace, and carrying the right purse can get you ready for a night out, instead of a day in the office. It’s easy to take an everyday outfit and dress it up when you want to make it a bit more special just by swapping your accessories around. If you’re changing into heels, it’s also handy to have a pair of flats in your bag for later.
It’s Not All About Jewelry
Remember that jewelry doesn’t offer the only option when you’re choosing accessories. There are also things like belts, bags, hats, scarves, and shoes to choose from. Even a pair of socks or tights can be a great thing to add to your outfit. Matching your bag to your shoes might be a little old-fashioned, but you can still mix and match these accessories to finish off your outfit. In fact, something like a belt or a scarf can serve multiple purposes and be used to alter your outfit in several different ways.
Avoid Too Much Matching
Mixing and matching different pieces is a good way to layer your accessories. However, you probably don’t want to make things too matchy-matchy. When your accessories are the same color or the same patterns, metals, or textures, they might not give your outfit the pizzazz that you’re looking for. In fact, it might make your outfit look out of date, or it could mean your accessories don’t stand out. Be careful before buying a jewelry set with matching pieces or at least be wary of wearing the pieces together. Select accessories that complement each other without being perfect matches.
Be Careful with Patterns
Pattern and textures can add to your accessories and your outfit. But when you’re choosing different patterns, make sure you’re not putting together patterns that clash with each other. Consider your clothes first and any patterns that might be there. If you then choose a patterned accessory, such as a scarf, try to make sure that there’s a similar color in the two different prints. Another thing to consider is the scale of the pattern. Either pick the same pattern in different sizes or choose two different patterns in roughly the same size.
Try Some Hair Accessories
Not everyone is a fan of wearing things in their hair, but it can be a great way to add accessories to your outfit. You might find a clip that you like, a scarf, or even a scrunchie that you like to wear. It can help to dress up a simple hairstyle or add something extra to a more complicated style. Hair accessories don’t just have to be for little girls, and there are lots of available options. You can even find some particularly fancy and expensive hair accessories if you’re so inclined. On the other side of the scale, for luxurious but more affordable options check out Tegen Accessories for beautiful accessories like fabric headbands and clips.
Choose a Signature Accessory
For anyone who is overwhelmed by the number of accessory choices, choosing a signature accessory or two can be helpful. Pick something that you can wear with lots of different outfits in different contexts. It will make it much easier to accessorize, whether you’re getting dressed for work or going out to a bar. Give yourself at least a couple of different options so that you have accessories that work for more casual or formal situations.
Experiment to Find the Right Accessories
When you need to find the right accessories for an outfit, experimenting with a few options can help you. Give yourself time to play around with what you’ve got and work out what looks good. If you’re planning a really important outfit, whether it’s for an interview or a date, plan in advance so that you have time to buy something new if you need to. Of course, you could always borrow from someone else, too, if they have something that you think would work perfectly with your outfit.
Accessorizing doesn’t have to be complicated. There are lots of ways to do it, and it’s all about finding what you think looks good. If you’re ever unsure, get a second opinion from someone else.
