There’s an old saying: “the clothes make the man.” That may be true to a point, but what about the accessories? The right pair of earrings or the perfect handbag can make or break the rest of your wardrobe for the day. Do you know how to accessorize the right way? Check out these tips to help you pair your favorite fashion pieces in a way that makes you look like you just walked out of a Fashion Week gala.
1. Know When To Use Color
When it comes to your accessories, too many colors can clash and leave your outfit falling flat. If you love bright, bold accessories, pair them with classic outfits in neutral tones like black, white, or tan. Is your outfit colorful on its own? Stick to the basics of the color wheel. Choose colors that are next to each other for accessories that match your bright outfits. Avoid picking colors that are on opposite sides of the wheel. For example, unless it’s December, red and green don’t usually go well together. Of course, you want to avoid using the exact same shade of a color throughout your entire outfit as well. Too much bubblegum pink will leave you looking like….well, a piece of bubblegum. Different shades of pink work better together.
2. Avoid Wearing Too Many Large Pieces
Large accessories are in right now, but when you wear too many of them at the same time, you’ll look overdone (and might strain a muscle). Fashion experts and trendsetters recommend not wearing more than 3-4 large accessories together, and when you do pair them, ensure they are similar in color, style, and ma ial. Do you love huge, chunky bangle bracelets? One or two plastic ones in bright colors look great, but too many colors or materials will draw too much attention from the rest of your outfit. On the other hand, statement necklaces pair well with statement bracelets in natural hues or materials.
3. Don’t Spend More Money Than You Need To
Made from silicone carbide, moissanite is just as beautiful but they’re also quite expensive and often aren’t mined ethically. Perhaps you’ve heard of the diamond vs moissanite debate. Many people are turning to moissanite, a more affordable, ethically created alternative to diamonds. Made from silicon carbide, moissanite is just as beautiful and durable but has a much more affordable price tag and is ethically created in a lab. In fact, the material is becoming so well-loved that many couples are choosing it in place of diamonds for engagement and wedding rings.
4. Think About Your Personal Style
Accessories can help you define your personal style, so consider in advance what kind of look you’re going for. Imagine you’re wearing a simple white shirt and a pair of jeans. What message do you want the rest of your outfit to convey? Are you into classic fashion? Pearl or diamond earrings, a simple leather bag, and traditional black heels convey that. Maybe you prefer to put forth a more edgy vibe. Adding cuff bracelets, chokers, studs, or leather boots to your basic wardrobe tells the world you’re a rocker at heart. Of course, a true fashion chameleon will have accessories that match a variety of styles!
5. Choose Between Clothes and Accessories
No, this doesn’t mean you should head out in your underwear to make your biggest pair of earrings work. It just means that you can’t go big, bright, and bold with every piece of your outfit. Think about what’s in style this season. Giant hoop earrings are all over the runways, but if you pair them with too many eye-catching wardrobe choices, they’ll get lost in the shuffle. Decide which feature or part of your outfit you want to show off most and build the rest of what you’re wearing around that piece. Those giant earrings? They’d pair well with the aforementioned classic white shirt and jeans.
Beyond all else, remember that fashion trial. Do you love huge, chunky bangle bracelets? One or two plastic ones in bright colors look great, but too many colors or materials will draw too much attention from the rest of your outfit. On the other hand, statement necklaces pair well with statement bracelets in natural hues or materials.
3. Don’t Spend More Money Than You Need To
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when you accessorize is spending too much money on them. This is especially true when it comes to pieces you won’t wear with daily outfits, such as more sophisticated jewelry for evenings out. Take diamonds, for example. They’re beautiful, but they’re also quite expensive and often aren’t mined ethically. Perhaps you’ve heard of the diamond vs moissanite debate. Many people are turning to moissanite, a more affordable, ethically created alternative to diamonds. Made from silicon carbide, moissanite is just as beautiful and durable but has a much more affordable price tag and is ethically created in a lab. In fact, the material is becoming so well-loved that many couples are choosing it in place of diamonds for engagement and wedding rings.
4. Think About Your Personal Style
Accessories can help you define your personal style, so consider in advance what kind of look you’re going for. Imagine you’re wearing a simple white shirt and a pair of jeans. What message do you want the rest of your outfit to convey? Are you into classic fashion? Pearl or diamond earrings, a simple leather bag, and traditional black heels convey that. Maybe you prefer to put forth a more edgy vibe. Adding cuff bracelets, chokers, studs, or leather boots to your basic wardrobe tells the world you’re a rocker at heart. Of course, a true fashion chameleon will have accessories that match a variety of styles!
5. Choose Between Clothes and Accessories
No, this doesn’t mean you should head out in your underwear to make your biggest pair of earrings work. It just means that you can’t go big, bright, and bold with every piece of your outfit. Think about what’s in style this season. Giant hoop earrings are all over the runways, but if you pair them with too many eye-catching wardrobe choices, they’ll get lost in the shuffle. Decide which feature or part of your outfit you want to show off most and build the rest of what you’re wearing around that piece. Those giant earrings? They’d pair well with the aforementioned classic white shirt and jeans.
Beyond all else, remember that fashion is all about you. If you prefer to go big and bold with every part of your outfit and you’re prepared for the attention it will garner, go right ahead. The biggest fashion rule is there are no rules, so find what works for you and rock it.
A professional writer with over a decade of incessant writing skills. Her topics of interest and expertise range from health, nutrition and psychology.