Funky and Bright Necklace and Earrings Set
Accessories can completely change the look and “mood” of an outfit. Many women are daunted by the idea of accessorizing, except with a few basics. Others go over the top and add so many accessories that they look like they are going to multiple events at the same time. What’s the best way to use accessories in your busy life?
What if you changed your thinking about what accessories are, and how to use them with style? If you were able to pull some accessories from your current wardrobe and use them in a new way? If you could change accessories instead of outfits on a busy day?
This guide will show you how to do that with ease.
What is an Accessory?
An accessory is any item that accents your basic outfit. Accessories include hats and hair accents; scarves and jewelry; belts and shoes, handbags and totes, and even sweaters, jackets and shawls.
What’s the #1 Rule of Accessorizing?
The number one rule is…”And then take one piece off.” There’s an old axiom that says that after a well-dressed woman is completely ready for the day, she removes one accessory. It’s still true. For basic accessorizing, if you are wearing elaborate earrings, don’t wear a necklace. If you are wearing a bold necklace, wear simple earrings. If you add a sleeve of chunky bracelets, take off the fashion rings. The fancier the shoes, the simpler the dress; and the fancier the dress the simpler the handbag.
Basic Accessories and Special Accessories
We can divide accessories into two groups: basic accessories and special accessories. Basic accessories are timeless classics. Special accessories are more trend driven. They can be mixed and matched to create a great look!
Basic Accessories
| Black or brown leather belt with simple buckle |
Plain gold or silver hoop (small) and knot earrings |
Solid or print square silk scarf |
Plain gold or silver bangle bracelets |
| 16” – 20” plain gold, silver, or pearl necklace |
Pearl or diamond stud earrings |
Plain pumps in any color |
Plain black, gold, or silver evening bag |
| Plain tote in any neutral color |
Plain classic-style sweater or jacket in any neutral color |
Simple classic hair ornaments in any neutral color |
A plain felt beret in any neutral color |
Special Accessories
| Red, gold, or silver belt |
Large hoop or dangle earrings |
Chunky, funky scarves |
Bold or colorful bracelets |
| Bold or colorful necklaces or any length |
Bold, elaborate earrings |
Pumps in bright colors or funky shoes of any kind |
Embellished or colorful evening bag |
| Plain tote in bright colors, or embellished tote |
Sweater or jacket in any trend color or style |
Hair ornaments in bright colors or elaborate styles |
Trendy hat in any color, or any classic style in colors |
How to use accessories
You can use accessories to your advantage to create different looks, highlight one of your best features, or to extend your wardrobe. Some accessories are even more versatile – you can wear a scarf at your neck, as a belt, in your hair or as a hat. Pins and brooches can be worn on lapels or shirt fronts, to hold a scarf closed, on a belt loop or on a necklace as a pendant, or even in your hair.
Accessories should also coordinate – a chunky red and white bracelet looks great with red barrettes or a red handbag. Brown suede shoes tie together with a brown suede belt. But avoid being too matchy-matchy – that’s an old-fashioned look instead of the fresh and modern look you want. If you wear two items that coordinate, mix it up in color or texture with other accessories.
Use accessories to add visual interest and oomph to your outfit, but be careful not to go overboard. After you have finished putting together your outfit, refer back to Rule #1.
Example: Busy Work Day to Evening Event
Basic outfit: Simple black dress.
Day look: Dark tights and low to medium heel knee-high boot, neutral cardigan sweater or jacket, bold bracelets or necklace. Add a punch of coordinating color with a tote bag.
Evening Look: Pull these items out of your tote bag at the end of the work day: sheer hose and medium to high heel black pumps, black cashmere bolero or waist wrap sweater; silver or gold (or a mix) bangles or a simple pendant necklace or an interesting hair accessory; add a punch of color with a small to medium sized handbag.
Example: Saturday Shopping and Date Night
Basic outfit: Fitted white blouse, black leather jacket.
Day Look: Wear dark jeans with a low to medium heel knee-high boot and a neutral tote or long strap bag. Add color with a cardigan or vest. Toss a skinny scarf around your neck and top with a funky cap or hat.
Evening Look: Trade jeans for a basic black pencil skirt. Wear the blouse untucked and wear the skinny scarf as a belt over the blouse and cardigan. Add a chunky necklace or earrings and finish the look with a more embellished handbag in a coordinating color.
In the End…
In the end, accessories give flair and express your personal style. The same way that you have a wardrobe of basic apparel pieces, you can create a wardrobe of accessories. As a general rule, the more elaborate your basic apparel, the simpler your accessories should be; and vice versa.
