Beauty & Fashion Kuel Thought Leader: Gail Scott
Accessories are the secret weapon in every woman’s wardrobe; the subtle details that can transform an ordinary outfit into a statement of personal style.
Do you ever see other women that you deem to be “well dressed” or “put together”, but you cannot put your finger on what makes their look so amazing?
The Magic Of Accessories:
Accessories can be the magic that takes an outfit from okay to WOW. Accessories can be used to:
- Add pops of color to bring an outfit to life.
- Tie colors together to give a look harmony.
- Add interest to balance body shape.
- Change a look from casual to dressy.
- Make an older garment look fashionable again.
- Draw attention to your face.
- Make an outfit more seasonably appropriate.
- Wear a garment in different ways.
- Get more looks from your clothing.
So let’s talk about how to use different accessories!
“They can also put the cherry on top of a monochromatic look, or echo one of the shades in a color-blocked look.”
1. Shoes:
Shoes, my favorite accessory, often get relegated to being a boring neutral afterthought when they can be so much more. You can give an outfit cohesiveness by coordinating a solid shoe to your top or jacket, or by using a multi-colored shoe to bring together the colors in your top and bottom. They can also put the cherry on top of a monochromatic look, or echo one of the shades in a color-blocked look.
Lastly, you can add a surprise color with a shoe that is in harmony with the look, like pairing a red pair with a crisp white blouse and jeans.
ACTION: Find a great pair of shoes in one of your signature colors.
2. Jewelry:
Jewelry has so many options since it always fits, so what is not to love? We often reach for our pre-selected metal hoops or pearls to make it easy. But jewelry has so much power to make a look! The same outfit can look casual or dressy based on the jewelry that you add. I advise clients to choose two to three pieces for their look.
Metals have their place, and everyone needs a great hoop in their best shade; gold or silver. Warm gals should lean into gold, and if your coloring is soft, choose a brushed or antiqued gold versus the shiny gold that looks best on brightly colored gals. Follow this same logic in silver if you have cool coloring. For colored jewelry, choose solids in your signature colors to get more wear from the pieces.
To bring solid-colored garments together, look for multi-colored stones or crystals to tie in the various colors of the outfit. Use jewelry to set the tone of the outfit, with crystals and pearls usually feeling dressier than wooden or acrylic pieces. Fashion jewelry, formerly known as costume jewelry, is a great way to bring an on-trend look to a simple garment. With a basic turtleneck or crew neck sweater add an on-trend necklace and bracelet to make your look feel more modern.
Matchy-matchy sets can feel dated, and mixing and matching can give a chic look. Wearing jewelry around our face adds color to frame the face and also draws the eye up away from a fuller tummy or hips. Lastly, keep your statement pieces proportionate to your size for the best look.
ACTION: Have a great pair of hoops in your perfect color and add at least one statement piece in a signature color.
“When shopping for bags, consider the hardware as much as the material.”
3. Handbags:
Handbags and totes give a lot of clues about your style. So what are you saying? Are you safe and basic when it comes to your bag choices, choosing a simple neutral bag and carrying it nonstop? Or are you a style maven who uses her bags to add to the chicness of your look? Are your bags a utilitarian after thought, or part of your wardrobe planning?
Since we use a bag of some kind nearly every day, and our bags are often seen more than any other accessory, it’s worth giving considerable thought to this major accessory. A well-chosen bag not only adds a pop of color but can further punctuate the style of your look, adding more of your personality. I know that you may be thinking, “But I don’t want to change my bag daily”. No worries, there are great inserts that you simply pull out of one bag and slip into another. This makes changing bags quick and easy.
Another on-trend option is to carry a small clutch as your wallet. You can throw it into a larger bag when you need to carry more items, but then carry it on its own when you don’t need a full-sized bag. When shopping for women’s bags, especially those that express your personality, consider the hardware as much as the material. Chunky metal hardware can make a bag look glam or edgy, while details like pearls or crystals usually make a bag look more dressy. When it comes to the material and finish of the bag, shiny and highly polished leather will look dressier, while distressed and low-shine leathers look more casual. Fabric, raffia, macrame, and other woven textiles usually have a more casual feel as well.
ACTION: Take a look at your bags and ask if they help complete your looks or look like an afterthought.
5 Ways To Wear Your Accessories:
- Choose all accessories in one color from your outfit OR a contrasting color.
- Choose accessories in no more than two colors from your outfit.
- Select accessories in the same vibe as the outfit for the most harmony, for example, choose natural accessories like a raffia bag to go with a safari dress.
- Choose only ONE statement piece.
- Don’t always wear threesomes “necklace, earrings, & bracelet”, choose the pieces based on the look.
Until Next Month, Happy Accessorizing! If you are interested in shopping some of my favorites, here’s the link.
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About the Author:
Gail is the Beauty & Fashion Editor for www.yourcolorstyle.com.
As a 28 year veteran in the beauty industry, she is passionate about helping women to look their best and to express themselves in their outward appearance. She is also co-host of the Midlife Moxie podcast, available on all major platforms. Find Gail on IG: @gailsscott
Email: gailscott@bellsouth.net Or through www.yourcolorstyle.com
