When it comes to the art of accessorizing, the smallest details can quickly make the grandest statement. It could be as simple as swapping a pair of old flats for a new stunning pair of heels or as grand as wearing that beautiful pearl necklace you inherited from your grandmother. Accessories are more than an afterthought. These stylish details help paint a vivid picture of your personality. Even Maria Pastor Paz, a professional personal shopper, shares that one of the best ways to accessorize and elevate your outfit is first to understand and identify your personal style and know what looks good on you. If you’re ready to take your style to the next level, try any of these five tips for using accessories to elevate an outfit.
- Keep It Balanced — Don’t underestimate the power of cute accessories like a statement necklace or dainty earrings to elevate your outfit. However, you don’t want to overdo it with too many accessories, either. You can help keep it balanced by selecting a focal point accessory like an eye-catching belt or a pair of bold earrings. Then, once you’ve decided which accessory you want to be your focal piece, wear other accessories that are more subtle to balance it out. For example, if you’re wearing statement earrings, wear a simple bracelet or a delicate necklace to complement your earrings rather than compete with the spotlight with them. Mixing sizes and textures can add visual interest to your outfit while maintaining balance.
- Consider the Occasion — Any outfit is instantly elevated when you swap our flats for a pair of cute heels. Selecting accessories for different events demands careful consideration to ensure they fit seamlessly with your outfit. Formal events like galas or weddings call for elegant accessories like diamond studs and strappy heels. More casual outings go well with relaxed pieces such as stylish sandals or statement earrings. When attending events for work, keep your accessories to a minimum and look polished with understated jewelry and a leather tote. Have fun at festive occasions by embracing playful accents and bold colors with embellished clutches and eye-catching heels. Matching the formality and tone of any event you attend ensures you’ll look perfectly put together.
- Mix and Match with Textures — Mixing and matching different textures can elevate your style to new heights. Begin by wearing a variety of textures, like pairing a tweed blazer with a silk blouse or a chunky knit sweater with velvet trousers. Layer with accessories that complement and contrast these various textures, such as a beaded bracelet with a suede handbag. Different finishes like smooth mixed with rough or shiny mixed with matte help create tactile and visual allure. Playing around with various textures creates a look that’s effortlessly chic and richly layered.
- Try Layering — Layering adds personality and depth to any ensemble, transforming it from your everyday look to a fabulous outfit that’s sure to turn heads. Wear your focal point accessory and then layer on complementary pieces like stackable rings or dainty gold necklaces. Contrary to popular belief, you can mix different metals like silver and gold. However, you will just want to stick to two metals. If you want to mix more colors, try gemstones. You can wear a mixed metal necklace with a white gold bracelet and then add gemstone earrings to add a pop of color. Keep in mind that too many metals or general accessories can overwhelm your look. Thoughtful layering requires making a stylish statement that’s truly yours.
- Coordinate Your Colors — For a casual daytime look, pair denim shorts with a flowy top and cute sandals in a vibrant color. To help make the look more cohesive, you can coordinate your accessories’ colors with your outfit’s colors. The key to coordinating different colors with your accessories starts with choosing a dominant color from your outfit to match or complement it. Pair a navy jumpsuit with a neutral-toned belt and a structured handbag in a matching navy color. Experiment with complementary colors like teal earrings with a red dress or a purple skirt with yellow shoes. The overall color palette should be harmonious and balanced so that no single color overwhelms any of the others. With a bit of careful coordination, your accessories and outfit come together for a stylish and balanced look.
Accessories are like the exclamation points of your outfit. You don’t want to use too many and overwhelm your look, but just one exclamation point can really help your outfit stand out! Elevate your look from the everyday mundane to the effortlessly magnificent with eye-catching footwear, delicate jewelry, and statement pieces. As you allow your accessories to become an extension of your creativity and personality, you’ll soon see how you can transform your look into a true reflection of your unique style.