How to accessorise

 Accessorising  is a way to enrich and complete your outfits by including small but important fashion items into your look.

Fashion accessories are pieces that, although they have a practical function, complement the rest of an outfit. They are the finishing touch. Accessorising can add fresh energy to old outfits.

When done properly, accessorising is at the same time fun, satisfying and cost-effective.

In this article, we will have a look at the most common types of fashion accessories and we will provide some hints on how to select the right ones to complete that outfit.

The Fashion Accessories Types

Accessories fall into a few basic categories.

1. Footwear: Although you’d want to have neutral footwear in your wardrobe (such as a white or black sneaker, flat shoes, and brown boots), statement footwear will elevate your look. Make sure they are as comfortable as they are eye-catching, otherwise you will end up not wearing them.

2. Jewellery: These items add sparkle and glam to your look. If you’re not too big in jewellery, opt for subtle pieces like diamond studs, thin hoop earrings, or a small pendant necklace: easy-to-find pieces that match almost everything.

3. Hair accessories: They offer an easy way to show off your personal style. They truly are that finishing touch that can turn your look upside down. They are also easy and cheap to upgrade: you can swap a plain hair tie for a silk scrunchie or drop a plain clip in favour of a colourful one.

4. Handbags: Different bags can make the same outfit appropriate for different occasions. If you have handbags in varied styles and colours, you’ll always have a unique accessory.

5. Belts: For many people, belts are nowadays they are a fashion item rather than a functional one. Whether you choose a narrow or wide belt, a simple belt or one with a big buckle, defining your waistline with a belt is one of the easiest ways to make an outfit look more polished.

6. Winter accessories: Scarves, stole, pashminas, hats, and gloves keep you warm, but they’re also an opportunity to add colour and patterns to your look, especially if your outerwear is more neutral. Fashion houses nowadays produce light fabric versions of the abovementioned items, so that you can accessorise your look any day of the year.

How to Accessorise?

Accessorising is all about finding a balance, and the right accessories can make any outfit look glam.

1. Consider what you are wearing. The first place to start when you learn to accessorise is to consider what you’re wearing. How you accessorise jeans and a t-shirt will differ from how you accessorise a formal dress. For example, if you’re heading to Sunday brunch, you’ll likely want to look effortlessly casual but cute. If you opt for a pair of high-waisted shorts and a multi-colour blouse, you can use accessories like an oversized hat, a straw tote, a pair of brightly coloured sunglasses, and summer sandals to complement your look. Each accessory will make a statement, without overdoing it.

2. Choose a signature item. Initially, just choose one hero piece that makes you feel great and that you can wear with multiple outfits. When you’re ready to add more accessories, create balance by choosing a hero piece to dominate your look for size and colour. Then add more subtle accessories to complement the one.

3. Think about colours and patterns. Accessories are a great way to add a pop of colour to a simple outfit. Bright colours and animalier motifs will limit your options, while vibrant, fun accessories like shoes, belts, or scarfs can elevate your look.

4. Use accessories to transform an outfit. Accessories are an easy way to take an outfit from the office to have dinner with friends. A classic little black dress looks work-appropriate when paired with a blazer and flat shoes. Leave the blazer behind, swap the flat shoes for high heels, add chic earrings and a handbag, and you’re ready to impress on your night out. Have a few of these versatile accessories handy for those days when you need to go from one place to another.

5. Your accessories don’t need to match. Colour-matching accessories with clothes or other items is not a must. If you like matching styles, by all means, but some people much prefer to combine different colours. You define your style! So, if you’re not convinced of which colours you should pair, start by adding one colourful accessory to a base of neutrals. Then, use the colour wheel approach to find the killing colour combinations.

6. Create balance. Another essential step is to create a balance amongst your accessories. For instance, if you go for a large statement necklace, pair it with smaller accessories to create balance. If you choose a dopamine-like pattern for your outfit, you may not need bright accessories to finish the look; pick something understated, like a silk scarf in a solid colour. Balancing accessories is an art. You can create daring looks or maintain simplicity depending on how you style your accessories. Let your personality drive your choices!