Accessories have the power to make an outfit extraordinary. Grab a little black dress, add a spiked necklace and metallic heels, and voila - in just one touch, you'll have gone from an anonymous look to an urban chic style with character. Replace the necklace and heels with a string of pearls and a pair of well-made ballet flats - you'll be ready for an important business lunch. Learning the basic rules for using accessories will help you make the most of what you have in your wardrobe.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Ground Rules
Step 1. Wear a few accessories at a time, but they are chosen carefully
Many people make the big mistake of stuffing themselves with accessories. In principle, it is good to bet everything on minimalism. If you put on necklaces, bracelets, watches, sunglasses, a scarf and a hat, no piece will stand out, not to mention that you will end up with a messy and messy effect. Choose accessories that enrich the outfit or highlight the feature you want to emphasize.
- Putting on a set of jewelry complete with earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings can upset the outfit. Choose a pair of earrings or a necklace, limit the number of rings.
- If you wear a lot of accessories, make sure they don't clash for attention. Match the metals and colors, so they look carefully chosen. For example, for a uniform effect, you could wear a pair of gold hoop earrings, a warm tone scarf, and a gold watch.
Step 2. Combine flashy accessories and simple clothes
Neutral clothing items can be completely transformed with the right accessories. If you have a wardrobe full of neutral colors such as black, white, beige, olive green or navy, the accessories will give you the opportunity to play with bright colors and spice up your outfits. The great thing about neutral tones is that they look good with just about anything, so you don't have to worry too much about combinations. Here are some ideas to make simple clothing more original:
- Pair a thin red or fuchsia belt with a black or navy suit.
- Wear a neon orange / yellow scarf or shoes with khaki or olive green clothing.
- Liven up a white shirt with a multicolored character necklace or a pair of large teardrop earrings.
Step 3. Pairing shouldn't be too strict
Maybe you think it's right to combine a blue polka dot dress with blue earrings, a blue necklace and blue shoes. However, overly precise combinations can be outdated or childish. Add unusual (but surprisingly perfect) accessories to show off your creativity and make the outfit more interesting.
- Use the color wheel to create interesting combinations with colors that enhance each other. For example, if you're wearing a purple shirt, try adding mustard / lemon yellow garments or accessories instead of using the same shade of purple. Since yellow is its opposite on the color wheel, the outfit will be aesthetically pleasing.
- Combine black and white with other colors. If you're wearing a black and white floral shirt, you might want to wear an electric blue pearl necklace and a pair of blue earrings.
- Overdoing the combinations is not recommended, but doing it voluntarily can be nice. Wearing a pair of trousers, a shirt, a pair of glasses and a scarf of the same color (for example red) could create a vintage and chic look. The monochromatic effect is sure to attract attention.
Step 4. Wear accessories that enhance a certain color of the outfit
If you create a multicolor combination, accessories can make it more interesting because they allow you to emphasize one of the less noticeable colors. For example, if you are wearing a black dress with a small floral print, you could bring out the green of the flower leaves with ceramic bracelets. Emphasizing a color evens out the outfit and makes it elegant.
You can also use accessories to combine two apparently very different items of clothing. Choose an accessory that has colors in common with both garments, such as a scarf that matches the pink of the shirt and the beige of the trousers. At this point it will seem that you have carefully chosen all the pieces, without having worn them haphazardly
Step 5. Create a balance between the size of the pieces
If you wear drop earrings, don't pair them with a large character accessory. The effect will be more balanced by wearing a necklace (or nothing else), so that the face is not covered by too many accessories. When deciding what to combine, keep in mind the size of the various pieces.
- Accessories can also be used to create balance between the details of the clothes. If you are wearing a shirt with an embroidered collar, do not cover it with a scarf. Instead, choose a necklace that highlights the details you want to show off without hiding them.
- Let a piece be the undisputed star of the outfit. If you can't wait to get a new hat with character, don't pair it with a flashy belt.
Step 6. Choose articles that enhance you
Accessories give you the opportunity to enhance the best features of face and body. If chosen well, they can enlarge the eyes, slim the neck or define the calves. For instance:
- Wear large hoop earrings to enhance your cheekbones.
- Put on shoes with heels to help slim your legs.
- Put on a scarf that stands out the eyes to brighten the look.
- Put on a necklace to draw attention to the collarbones.
Step 7. Use flashy makeup as an accessory
If you apply red lipstick or cat eye makeup, you won't need a lot of accessories to complete the look. Let the make-up itself become an accessory; just make sure that the colors you choose match the clothes and help to even out the look. Here are other elements that can unexpectedly function as accessories:
- Nail polish and nail art.
- Fake eyelashes.
- Tattoos.
- Glasses and colored contact lenses.
- Hair extension.
Method 2 of 3: Select the Accessories
Step 1. Adapt the accessories to your style
The options available on the market are practically endless, so it can be difficult to select them. If you've just started collecting them, first choose pieces that fit your current style. Once you get used to it, you can go further and experiment with bolder accessories that you wouldn't even consider for now. Here are some basic items to add to the list:
- Earrings: gold or silver hoops, ear studs and pendants.
- Necklaces: gold or silver chains, a row of pearls and a colorful necklace with character.
- Neutral scarves and foulards that go with everything, but also add a few quirky ones to show off your personality.
- Belts: a classic in leather, a wide one and an elegant thin one.
- Hair accessories: a variety of barrettes, one or two headbands and, if you like hats, one for the sun and a cap.
Step 2. Get ideas from magazines and blogs
When deciding which accessories to buy, check out newspapers and websites for ideas. Get inspired by people with a taste similar to yours or with clothes not so different from those in your wardrobe.
- Pay attention to how accessories are worn. What textures and colors are combined?
- Most magazines and blogs give information about the brands, so you can buy the accessories shown yourself.
Step 3. Browse thrift stores and clearance sales to find trendy accessories
Accessories give you the opportunity to show off the latest trends without having to do a bank robbery. If you see one you like, you will likely find a similar one in your price range. Instead of saving for a piece that is likely to go out of style by the end of the season, look for the less expensive versions.
Step 4. Spend more on classic pieces:
it's worth it. If you are absolutely certain that you will put an accessory to good use, buying a higher quality one could be a good investment. For example, diamond earrings will probably get you a lot of use, so it's worth it. To decide whether to spend a little more, ask yourself the following questions:
- Will it always go out of style or is it a passing trend?
- Does it fit most of your wardrobe or will you have a hard time matching it?
- Is it a high quality material (like sterling silver or 14k gold) or is it high priced just because it's branded?
Step 5. Choose accessories that suit your complexion
Those that enhance your natural colors will look better, whether you have a warm or cool complexion. In the first case, you prefer earthy colors and golden tones. In the second, opt for shades such as ruby red and emerald green, also prefer silver to gold.
- To figure out if you have a warm or cool undertone, put a silver bracelet on one wrist and a gold bracelet on the other, then bring them close to your eyes. Which metal enhances the skin the most and makes the eyes shine? If you have a warm undertone, it will be gold. If it is cold, it will be silver.
- Whatever undertone you have, accessories can help you play with colors you tend not to wear. If you avoid wearing peach-colored accessories close to your face because they make you look slammed, try choosing a pair of ballet flats or a peach belt. You will therefore be able to take advantage of the color even though it does not suit your undertone.
Step 6. Consider unusual accessories
Anything you carry with you can become an accessory, think for example umbrellas, parasols, tattoo sleeves, feather boas, brooches, veils, key rings attached to the loops of your pants and candy necklaces. Be creative!
Method 3 of 3: Try out different looks
Step 1. Use accessories to create a cute but suitable outfit for work
If you work in an office, you may want to show a touch of personality, yet look professional at the same time. Accessories are perfect to highlight an outfit in a sophisticated way and suitable for the context. Here are which accessories to use to enhance the classic office clothes, neutral and simple:
- Stud earrings. In reality, other types of earrings would also work, the important thing is that they are not too big and showy. If you have an important meeting, choose the silver, gold or diamond button ones, while in everyday life you can vary by adding a touch of color.
- Chic glasses. The wayfarer black or tortoiseshell frames will give you an intelligent and sophisticated air.
- Colored ballet flats or spool heels.
Step 2. Give your usual clothes an extra touch
With the right accessories, you can transform a classic sweater and pants outfit into a sparkling, rock star pairing. In fact, it is the overlap of the two looks that creates an interesting effect. Use the following accessories to modify sweaters, dresses or shirts:
- Mixed metal jewelery and costume jewelery. Try stacking gold and silver bracelets.
- Jewelery and costume jewelery with metal studs and spikes: you will show everyone who's in charge!
- Intense eye make-up. Apply eyeliner and create smokey eyes to enhance goth-style accessories.
- Biker boots, which go well with a suit or a pair of jeans.
Step 3. Create a bohemian beach look
It doesn't matter if you live in a landlocked city, you can still dress as if you've spent the afternoon on the beach. Try these accessories to get a cheeky and sparkling look:
- Colorful beaded necklaces or earrings.
- A clear and semi-transparent sarong that you can use to protect yourself from the sun or wind.
- A pair of sunglasses.
- Natural stone rings.
Step 4. Dress right for a classy event
If you're going to an awards ceremony, formal wedding, or other event where you need to look your best, go for elegant and understated accessories. The following are perfect for evening or cocktail dresses:
- A row of pearls, diamonds or other precious stones.
- Small drop or button earrings, combined with a necklace.
- A tennis bracelet or chain to match your clothes.
Advice
- Enhance yourself with clothing.
- If you're tired of an accessory, like a pair of shoes or a hat, don't leave it in the closet - give it to charity for other people to use.
- If you want to highlight the accessories, use silver stud earrings paired with red necklaces and bracelets. If you want to create a uniform and discreet effect, use long silver earrings or blue stud earrings combined with blue or silver bracelets and necklaces.
- Make jewelry and trinkets stand out on clothes. For example, if you are wearing jeans and a blue and purple striped shirt, then you should emphasize purple.
- Choose the opposites. For example, if you're wearing a green shirt and black skinny jeans, put on a green Converse and a black hat. Don't worry and try to experiment.
- You don't have to spend a fortune to get beautiful jewelry, for example try buying it second hand.
