We all know that no outfit is complete without the right accessories, but only a few of us feel confident about the way that we accessorize. Sometimes what we do works, and sometimes it falls a little flat.
The good news is that you don’t have to put up with failed attempts to pair your accessories with your main outfit anymore. Here, we’re going to look at some of the tricks that the pros use to pair practically any accessory with any outfit. Check out the following and prepare to be blown away. You’ll undoubtedly learn something that you never knew before.
Carry A Bag, Even In Sweater Weather
When you’re wearing a turtle neck and jeans in the winter, it can be tempting to avoid accessorizing altogether. After all, you’ve got all the pockets you need to carry all your stuff, and your entire body is completely covered up. But sweater weather isn’t an excuse for not accessorizing at all. After all, the jeans and turtleneck look can be a little bland, even if your top is made of the finest materials.
When you’re wearing a winter outfit like this, there are two obvious accessory choices: a bag and suede wedge boots. The bag adds a little interest to your upper body, while the shoes complement the fluffy, cozy look. Pumps don’t work as well.
Don’t Allow Naked Wrists
According to professional fashion designers, your wrists should never be naked, no matter what outfit you wear.
You can dress up your wrists in all kinds of ways and get really creative. At the moment, dressing the wrists in multiple pearl bracelets is a popular choice, stacking them up so that they look like a wristband.
If you want to save money, you can buy pearl-effect wristbands that come as a single piece and look like many pearls stacked one on top of the other.
Of course, the exact type of wrist accessory that you choose depends very much on the outfit that you want to wear. However, the general pattern remains: the current trend is firmly in favor of multiple bracelets covering a larger area of the wrist and forearm.
Choose Long Necklaces
Don’t get me wrong: short necklaces are great. But when it comes to what works for most women, most of the time, it’s best to go long. The reason, according to the pros, is that long necklaces help to elongate the body and make you appear taller and slimmer. A long chain can also contrast to a large bust, extending the body and creating a beautiful shape. This factor can give you confidence and help you feel ready to rock at your next party.
Combine Piercings With Sheer
Piercings and sheer go hand in hand and complement each other perfectly. If you’re wearing a sheer top, a belly or nipple piercing can provide additional detail, besides the natural form of your body, creating visual interest. Sure, it’s a little risky and perhaps not the type of look you’d choose for the office Christmas party, but if you’re going to a different kind of event, this look can work perfectly.
Jeans Count As Accessories Too
Many women associate jeans with dressing down. But while there’s some truth to that, it’s not the whole story. Demin is a far more versatile fabric than many people give credit. There’s a reason it has been one of the most successful style trends over the last century.
Jeans are a great accessory when you want to add a little “casual” to a smart outfit. They work well with blazers, heeled boots, and smart blouses, giving you a toned down professional edge, for those situations in which you aren’t quite sure what you need to wear.
Avoid Matching All Your Accessories
While matching outfits can work well, they’re not always the most visually appealing, especially if you choose loud colors.
There’s no need to go all out “matchy-matchy.” The days where women were expected to match their accessories with the rest of their outfits are long gone. Many of the pros now recommend that women wear accessories that contrast the rest of their outfits. So, for instance, if you decide to don a bright blue dress, choose a tan leather bag and tan shoes to go with it. Don’t stick with bright blue: it’s too monotone. Likewise, if you’re wearing a dark outfit, don’t be afraid to add silver shoes or a bight clutch bag to help add interest and color.
Don’t Add Too Much Noise To Your Hands
The amount of nail art and rings available today can tempt some women to go overboard with hand accessories. Nail art, nail tattoos, and rings can all combine to create a visually exciting but messy appearance.
Manicurists recommend you do one of the following: either wear a lot of different rings and keep your nails clean or add art to your nails but keep the rings simple. If you go down the ring route, make sure you choose rings with different band designs, but try, if possible, to stick to the same color: usually gold or silver. Also, don’t feel that you have to place your rings on the same part of the finger. You can put some near to the knuckle and some just above the first joint of the finger.
Prioritize Comfy Shoes
If you’re not in comfortable shoes, you’re never going to maximize your look. It’s not just about the clothes that you wear, but the way that you wear them. That’s why choosing comfortable shoes should be a priority, over and above, wearing elegant shoes or even high heels.
The good news is that today, there are a plethora of beautiful shoes that also offer additional height. You want shoes that evenly distribute the weight of your body over both the heel and ball, not just one or the other.
If you love shoes with heels, then choosing varieties with wide heels can help enormously contribute towards balance and stability. If, however, pumps are more your thing, then wear wider types as these will provide more support.
Use Gold And Silver In Combination
The years of matching jewelry are now well and truly behind us, with some of the most fashionable people in the world now mixing their metals, using gold and silver in combination.
You can mix gold and silver (or white gold, bronze, brass, or copper) in practically any way that you like. You can choose dainty, whisper-thin gold rings for your fingers, go all out and wear a statement silver cuff on your arm.
Just beware that mixing metals by placing delicate items alongside bold doesn’t always work. While differences in color can have a powerful visual effect, variations in bulk and texture can be problematic.
Add A Belt
Adding a belt has been a popular way to add elegance to outfits for many years, and it is a trend that is here to stay. Cinched outfits became popular as a way to increase body confidence at the end of the last decade. Oversized belts helped to bring in the waist and create the hour-glass effect.
Today, you’re just as likely to see belts on women of all sizes. Belts help to add interest to any outfit while inspiring greater confidence.
1980s Earrings
You might have thought that the days of over-sized earrings ended in the 1980s, but it turns out that they weren’t just a passing fad: they’re here to stay.
You don’t necessarily have to stick with hoops. You can choose wind-chime effect earrings or simply go for large studs. Large earrings help to add a little drama to your face and head, especially if you decide to wear your hair up or you have short hair.
Don’t Overdo It On The Number Of Accessories That You Wear
It can be tempting to go a little overboard when it comes to accessorizing, but there is such a thing as wearing too many additional items besides your basic outfit.
If possible, stick to two or three accessories: shoes, bags, and an item of jewelry. Using too many accessories can create a “messy” look.
Use Accessories That Say Something About Your Personality
Accessories don’t have to be boring: you can use them to say something about your personality too. Many people, for instance, like to wear engraved jewelry with a message. These messages can range from a favorite quote to a special inscription about somebody you love. You can also experiment with heirloom items. Perhaps you’ve got a ring that has been passed down from generation to generation and is now in your hands. The possibilities are seemingly endless.
Choose Accessories That Go With Your Outfit
Some outfits naturally lend themselves to oversized jewelry, bags, and high heels, while others don’t. It’s not just the color of the accessories that matter, but their size too. Some dainty outfits demand delicate handbags and necklaces. Other, bolder varieties allow you to wear more prominent gemstones and items with brighter pops of color.
