Fashion Tips – How to Accessorize the Right Way
Your accessories can make or break your outfit. Indeed, the right trimmings can make even the simplest clothes look stunning and the wrong ones can quickly ruin the perfect look. But how do you know which ones are the “right” ones? In truth, the question is not about the items themselves but how you used them. Here are some simple tips and tricks so you’ll always be in the fashion “do” column.
Forget Matching Bags and Shoes
It used to be a hard-and-fast fashion rule that your bag and shoes should match perfectly. Nowadays, though, it’s perfectly fine for your bag and shoes to NOT match. Go for complementary colors like orange and blue, or draw attention to one item by wearing it in a bold shade or design and then keeping the other piece neutral. If you’re a little hesitant to play around with contrasting elements, red is always an excellent, stand-out choice.
Draw Attention to One Particular Item
This is one of the most effective ways to make a fashion statement: wear something that draws attention (in a good way, of course!). That’s why they’re called “statement pieces,” after all. Usually this is a piece of jewelry, like a big, bold necklace or a chunky bangle. However, your statement piece can also be your shoes or your bag. The trick is to wear just one statement piece at a time so that you drown in your outfit and that the accessory you’ve chosen gets a chance to really shine.
Statement pieces can also be small but stand out in a different manner. For example, you can wear a personalized lapel pin with a cheerful, pop-culture-inspired design with formal suit. You can also use color contrast: bright red tassel earrings would definitely draw attention if you wear a simple, all-black ensemble.
Don’t Be Afraid of Layers
Layering does not only apply to clothes. In fact, it’s a good principle to follow when it comes to accessories like jewelry. The trick is to choose minimalist, dainty-looking pieces. Think of fine gold chains or thin strips of leather and metal. You can layer four, even five necklaces or bracelets easily without looking tacky if you opt for simple pieces. What’s more, it’s also easier to create more looks when you layer your accessories. You can go with just two layers one day and go full tilt with four or five on the next, and the result will still be as fashionable.
“Slant Match” Your Metals
Unless you are going to a traditional formal event, you can do away with the matching of metals (gold on gold, and so on). Antique-looking pieces (or actual antiques) like gold or brass stand out with sleeker, cooler meta tones silver or chrome. To make it a little bit easier, you can pick a base metal like gold or silver and the mix in a few contrasting accessories.
If you’re going for a more casual look, you can also insert non-metal pieces like braided strips of leather or even canvas ropes. Certain beads also work well with metal accessories, including semi-precious gems and stones.
Long Necklaces Work in a Pinch
When in doubt, a long necklace can be your go-to accessory. It can spice up any outfit, whether it’s a jeans-and-shirt combo or a little black dress. However, you should always get the ideal length. There are various guides that you can find online to match necklace to neckline, but one thing that works with almost any shirt or dress is an opera necklace, which is a long piece that falls about one or two inches below the bust line. It adds just the right amount of drama and also makes you look taller. The opera necklace is one of the best necklaces for layering; it also works well with a wider range of neckline or collar styles.
With these simple accessorizing tips, you can be at the top of your fashion game in no time.
