Sometimes you get in a rut, a fashion rut. When you find yourself standing in front of the closet and bored with every outfit option, you’re in a rut. Before you go out and spend a lot of money on a new wardrobe, why not try accessorizing what you have? You can take a plain white tee and pair of jeans to end up with a week’s worth of new looks by simply changing up the accessories.
Find A Focal Point
As with all attempts to capture visual beauty, the first object is to find an area to accentuate. If you are having an up-do kind of day, this may be a great time to add a pair of dangly earrings. Add some sparkle with the earrings, and the shine will be reflected by the brilliance of bright eyes or a big smile. If you a shirt with an interesting neckline, you might want to use a necklace to draw attention to the cut or the area known as the décolletage. You may want to add a bold ring or chunky bracelet to offset a shiny new manicure. Whatever deserves a little extra attention on a particular day can be highlighted with an accessory.
Choose the Star
When it comes to choosing a grouping of accessories, keep it to one central piece. It was once very on-trend to have earrings to match the necklace that matches the bracelet and goes with the ring. Those days are long gone. It’s okay if you still have a set of accessories with the same look, but don’t wear them together. Pick the one that best fits the outfit and let it shine. When you add the other types of jewelry to the look, choose more simple designs that complement the star.
There is one exception to this notion of letting one piece be the star accessory of the outfit, and that is when you are clustering pieces together, otherwise known as layering. For this method, typically used for bracelets or necklaces, it works well to pick a few pieces that share a style and wear them together as a group. In this case, it’s like a group of similar pieces works together to share the spotlight. So, the next time you find yourself in a button-down with rolled-up sleeves, add a few similarly styled bangles to create a layered look.
Jazz It Up
Most of us get into those wardrobe ruts because we always go to our favorite articles of clothing. And they’re the favorites because they’re versatile and comfortable. Maybe, instead of those every day wear pieces being accessorized with every-day wear accessories, you could add some pizzazz by using some going with a pair of double huggies from Adina’s Jewels instead of the usual. You’ll feel the instant glamour.
Accommodate the Clothing
The whole point of accessories is to take the outfit to the next level by adding elements to create a finished look. So, it may not be the best day for a dramatic necklace if you’re wearing a turtleneck. Long earrings may be lost and tangled in a chunky scarf. So be sure that the accessories will have a chance to be seen. They won’t be able to complete the outfit if they are hidden under it.
Be You
Just as your clothing represents your individual style, so should your jewelry. Most people like to stretch themselves a little bit to wear something daring or bold. Be careful that you don’t sway too far from what makes captures your personality. Not only might you find that you have accessories with no outfit that it goes with, but you may end up looking a little confused about what your personal style says about you. You want to announce your tastes and preferences, but it should not look like multiple personalities chose your outfits and accessories each day.
Proportion Appropriately
Our bodies come in all shapes and sizes. The same is true with accessories. If you are a petite size, you might want to hold yourself back before opting for the over-sized, chunky, layered necklace. If you are a larger body type, you have more canvas to accessorize. Larger pieces will look right at home. The larger or taller the frame, the larger accessory can work. Go wrong in the measure of proportion and your look may end up communicating comedy over drama.
Invest Wisely
When shopping for jewelry, it’s a good idea to remember what you are looking for. Do you have an outfit that you always struggle to accessorize? Or, as an opposite but still similarly valid approach, when you select the jewelry you like, do you already know which items of your wardrobe it will go with? Either way is a great way to avoid impulsively buying pieces you like but never actually get around to wearing because they don’t work with anything you already have. The last thing you want to do is buy jewelry for that jewelry graveyard you have in the top drawer of your chest of drawers. Don’t worry. You’re not the only one who has a jewelry graveyard.
Don’t Forget These Accessories
Another way to break out of wardrobe rut is to explore ideas outside of jewelry. Do you tend to wear the same shoes every time you wear a specific outfit? Maybe try a different pair of shoes or another handbag. Do you usually wear the shirt hanging loosely? If so, try tucking it and adding a belt. Do this with a different shoe choice and it practically becomes a new outfit.
Break out of that rut with accessories. Experiment with ways to change up what you have by wearing it differently. Step up the drama or the boldness by playing around with what you’ve got. If you find accessories without an outfit or an outfit without accessories, remedy that purposefully. Fashion is about appreciating the subtle cues about who you are through your appearance. Above all else, remember to have fun.