The power of accessories
Ahhh, accessories. The sometimes-forgotten-about-but-really-pivotal-to-great-outfits part of a really amazing well-rounded wardrobe.
If you’ve ever put together what you thought was going to be a great outfit but somehow it just wasn’t right or you feel like your outfits are too boring, chances are you’re not making full use of accessories.
A well-rounded wardrobe includes seven essential categories – basics, staples, statement pieces, signature pieces, special occasion pieces, work/play pieces, and (you guessed it) accessories. I’ve previously written about how each of these categories is fundamental to a well-rounded wardrobe (you can read that post here) and given special attention to the importance of basics and staples in your wardrobe (you can read those posts here and here), but I want to specifically discuss the importance of, you might even say, the power of, accessories.
Because this is such an important part of every wardrobe, I want to ensure that you know everything you need to know about this essential category – what they are, why they’re important, and how and when to wear them to exponentially increase the versatility and style of your wardrobe.
WHAT ARE THEY?
This may seem like a simple question with an obvious answer (i.e., jewelry!!), but accessories include much more than your jewelry. Apart from the clothes themselves, this category encompasses just about everything else in your wardrobe. I’m talking about your shoes, handbags, scarves, sunglasses, belts, eyeglasses, or even gloves. All of these items fall into the accessory category.
Accessories are the finishing touches to an outfit, the icing on the cake, the cherry on top, the crowning glory, the… okay, maybe that’s enough metaphors, but you get the idea! In addition to how you tweak your clothes after putting them on, how you fix your hair, or what color you choose to paint your nails, accessories fall into the ‘details’ part of an outfit – they are included in the “zhuzhing” that makes the difference between simply wearing an outfit and styling it.
WHY ARE THEY IMPORTANT?
Accessories are important because they help transform even a simple outfit from “okay” or “it’ll do” to “wow, your outfit looks so good!” Accessories also allow you to create multiple different styles and looks using the same items of clothing, which is especially helpful if you have a smaller or more limited wardrobe.
You can make the same outfit look entirely different by choosing different accessories – for example, a simple jeans and t-shirt outfit can be dressed down with a baseball cap and sneakers or dressed up with some statement jewelry and heels.
Because of their versatility, accessories are invaluable for helping you get the most out of even a relatively simple wardrobe. You can be wearing the simplest, comfiest, lounging-around-your-home outfit, but if you add even just a few accessories (a pair of nice earrings, a silk scarf tied in your hair, a pearl necklace, your favorite pair of reading glasses or sunglasses that you know frame your face perfectly) you’ll look instantly more put-together and polished compared to wearing the same outfit without the accessories.
HOW AND WHEN TO WEAR THEM?
Use them to add interest to even simple outfits and to help every outfit feel elevated and well put-together. You can have your ‘basic’ accessories that go with essentially everything else in your wardrobe (maybe a slim, black belt, classic nude pumps, gold or silver hoops, a tennis bracelet, an everyday leather handbag in a neutral color, a pearl necklace, or aviator sunglasses) or you can experiment with ‘statement’ accessories that really help a more simple or monochromatic outfit stand out (maybe oversized earrings, bold or colorful sunglasses, a statement cocktail ring, or even an over-the-top handbag that might include sequins or feathers). Having both types of accessories in your wardrobe will exponentially increase its versatility.
Choose accessories in the same or similar color family but in different styles to easily take your outfit from day to night. For example, consider having your going out or dressier handbag in a similar color to your everyday, more casual handbag and your dressy shoes in a similar color to your casual shoes. This is particularly helpful if you’re in a rush! All you have to do is swap out the shoes and handbag, put on more (or statement) jewelry, maybe a bold lip(?) and you’re ready to go!
Wear your accessories with every outfit, every day. Regardless of whether you’re going to work, going on a date, running errands, staying in, or any other scenario – wear them! I mean, be practical and maybe don’t wear an expensive silk scarf during mealtimes with your little ones or your favorite high heels while doing the laundry, but get used to the idea of always making them part of whatever outfit you’re wearing. One of the reasons that your outfits might feel unfinished or boring is because you’re not taking the time to intentionally style them with accessories.
If you are wearing a really flashy outfit, keep your accessories simple so that the outfit does all of the talking and doesn’t have to compete with the accessories. If you choose statement accessories, keep the rest of the outfit simple so that the accessories really shine. And remember that sometimes less is more. If you’re wearing an over-the-top dramatic necklace, maybe skip the earrings or opt for some small, discreet ones. If you style a brightly colored or bold patterned silk scarf as a top, keep the bottoms neutral and understated to keep the focus on the top.
However, as with so many other things related to style, this is all subjective. Which accessories you choose, which outfits you wear them with, and how you choose to style them will be completely unique to you. There are definitely a few guidelines that I adhere to (namely, the “less is sometimes more” or “one statement piece at a time” or, as Coco Chanel said, “simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance” ones), but at this point, I know what I like so I don’t really even think about it anymore.
There doesn’t necessarily have to be a rhyme or reason for which accessories you choose, there is no “one style fits all” list of must-haves, but do choose your accessories wisely, i.e., take into consideration your personal style preferences and your lifestyle, which ones will have the most versatility in your wardrobe, how often you think you’ll reach for them, etc.
Some of my favorite accessories that I reach for over and over again include my simple gold rings (which I never take off), an heirloom ring that I inherited from my grandmother which has her birthstone in it, some brooches that once belonged to my great grandmother and great-great aunt (plus a few brooches from the dearest, sweetest lady at church), my silk scarves, and of course, my shoes!
(Silk scarves are particularly versatile because they can be worn in so many different ways – a hair accessory, in lieu of a necklace or even styled with a necklace, a belt, various styles of tops, tied to your handbag… so many different options! If you don’t own a silk scarf you might consider adding it to your accessory arsenal. Or if you do own one (or two… or several!) but aren’t sure how best to utilize them, check out my style hacks board on Pinterest where I have so many scarf-styling pins saved.)
And remember, accessories typically don’t take up much wardrobe space (with the possible exception of shoes!) and absolutely don’t have to break the bank, so it’s easy to experiment with all different kinds and styles.
Which ones will you choose?
Amber
Hi, I’m Amber
Creator and founder of A Well-Rounded Wardrobe. Whether you’re looking to start building a wardrobe from scratch or simply want to fine tune what you already have, you’re in the right place.
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