Everyone has a different style and taste, so it’s difficult to give blanket fashion advice. Take from this advice whatever you like, and hopefully it helps you the next time you’re choosing accessories for an outfit. We’ve included tips on pairing shoes with outfits, how much jewellery is too much, what to do about handbags, scarves and have even included tips on how to choose the right make-up and hair look to highlight certain features of your outfit. We’re here to help you with the art of accessorising, as we consider colour schemes, the size and number of accessories, and more. Choosing the right accessories allows you to make a good outfit even better, and even gives you the opportunity to bring old outfits to live with new season accessories that are trending. Rather than updating your whole wardrobe, you can add in a few new statement accessories. It’s a lot cheaper and smarter when you think about it!
Here are a few tips on how to pick the right accessories for your outfit:
Avoid black footwear if you’re wearing pastel tones
Rather than choosing black shoes when wearing pastel tones, which will most likely clash, opt for these more interesting options. Chunky white boots add neutrality to the outfit, paired with a bright yellow purse giving the pastel look a much needed contrast. Pair with a gentle, darker pastel for the bottoms, and add a long dusty pale pink coat to finish the look. Work with what you have, and tweak your outfit to reflect your style. If bold isn’t for you, stick to pastel and white/natural toned shoes.
Decide on either bright clothes or eye-catching accessories
You don’t want your outfit and your accessories to be fighting for attention. Choose either bright clothes or eye-catching accessories because it won’t work if you have both (unless you get lucky and have the right mix). Ask yourself if you’re the kind of person that will dress in a bold, colourful patterned outfit, or dress up an otherwise simple outfit with statement accessories. If you’re the latter, invest in a few bright accessories to mix and match with different outfits and to suit different occasions.
Disregard the rule that states your handbag must be the same color as your shoes
This rule is outdated and not fun to live by. Having your handbag match the colour of your shoes sometimes means they’re competing for attention. Don’t make the mistake of carrying around the same multipurpose bag everywhere you go. Different styles/sizes are appropriate for different events. You don’t want to lug around a bulky handbag everywhere you go, but some events call for more than a coin purse or clutch to be practical.
Don’t hide a large collar underneath a bulky scarf
Large collars are a statement on their own, and don’t need the added layer of a bulky scarf to make a statement (however, if you’re going for comfort over style and need a scarf to protect you from the cold, by all means, wear it). Scarves and wraps are a good addition to simple outfits, adding a different texture. If you’re choosing a scarf, don’t bother with a necklace, unless it’s a small simple necklace that you can’t bring yourself to take off.
Use bold make-up as an accessory
Sometimes if you’ve already got a lot going on with your outfit, it’s best to let your make-up be an accessory. Dress up your look with lipstick, bold eyes, nail art, or hair accessories. If you’re looking for inspiration on current make-up trends that can take your outfit to the next level, take a look at these 2018 make-up trends, straight from fashion runways.
Wear no more than 3 or 4 large chunky accessories
Choose a couple of accessories that suit your outfit, rather than piling on every accessory you own. When it comes to accessories, generally, less is more. If you’re hiding under jewellery, a watch, a hat, sunglasses and a scarf, nothing will stand out and your look will appear crowded. Rather than choosing all of these accessories, pick a few that will highlight the feature you want.
If you choose to wear a lot of different accessories, make sure they aren't competing for attention. Match your metals and colors so that your accessories look like they were chosen with intention. For example, instead of choosing large hoops, chunky bracelets and earrings, you could wear big gold hoops, a colorful warm-toned scarf, and a gold watch for a simple yet stylish look.
Here are a few basic accessories that are essential in styling your outfits:
Earrings: silver or gold hoops, jeweled studs, and a couple of bigger, brighter earrings (think tassles, large hoops, colourful or beaded).
Necklaces: a tasteful silver or gold chain, a string of pearls and a bold chunky statement necklace.
Scarves: a neutral scarf that matches everything and a few patterned or colourful scarves to show off your personality.
Belts: a classic leather belt, a wide statement belt and an elegant skinny belt.
Hair accessories: a headband or two and a sunhat.
If you have these in your collection, it’s a good base to add onto. It will make it a lot easier when choosing accessories for your outfits in the future if you’ve got these basic accessories.
A polished appearance is achieved through balance, so try not to go overboard with your accessories. Too many accessories can make your outfit appear cluttered, overdone or inappropriate. Too few can result in a drab or uninteresting look. It’s all about creating the right balance.
We hope this has made it easier for you to pick the right accessories to complement your outfit! Remember to tweak your outfits to your own personal style, after all, you’re the one wearing it! You should feel comfortable, confident and ready to take on your day!
We have a range of different accessories, jewellery and scarves if you’d like to browse our range or visit us in Nelson Bay to try them on with any outfits you already have!
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