Don’t Leave Home Without Those Accessories!

Before becoming a stylist officially I was known among my friends as the fashionable one. Every time we went out for a special occasion I insisted we get dressed up and many times I wanted it to be in theme. I got such a kick out of implementing a “we all have to wear tube tops” or “we all have to wear this specific dress” rule, because I knew even if we all wore the same thing we would all look completely different. How? Because we would all style it differently, wear it with different layers, shoes and most commonly, accessories.  I knew that regardless of the garment we would all still be rockin’ it with our own personality showing through. (now let’s take a moment to give my friends a round of applause for being good sports and participating! Clearly I was destined to be a stylist if this is what I came up with for “fun”!)

Accessorizing is the epitome of personal style. They go hand in hand with one another; as I tell my clients “accessories are like the punctuation mark to your outfit”.  Here’s why you shouldn’t leave home without them:

1. Accessories like costume jewelry, scarves, belts and sunglasses instantly polish any look. Have you ever been wearing just jeans and a tee but then threw on a scarf or statement necklace and all of a sudden, ta-da it’s an outfit? It’ s that easy with minimal effort.
2. They make the outfit your own. The same way my friends did it, the same with school or work uniforms. Everyone could be wearing the same thing but they’re not rockin the same thing! Accessories are a fun way to let your personality… and mood… show through. Are you romantic or bohemian? We can tell by your dainty layered necklaces. Feeling badass? That studded leather cuff bracelet is a dead giveaway!
3. Accessories are an inexpensive way to update your wardrobe. Once you have invested in basic clothing pieces you can safely experiment with seasonal trends and colors without breaking the bank. Not sure about summer’s neon trend because a lime green top makes you feel like a crossing guard? Try a lime green belt instead for a pop.
4. They always fit! Ate a few too many desserts? That time of the month? Guess what- your still going to be able to wear your necklaces and sunglasses just fine!

Check out this real life example below. When I met with this client to review her wardrobe she had this dress set aside. She had bought it because she liked the color, but hadn’t worn it because she wasn’t sure if looked good on her.  The dress was a little long, the belt that came with it was in the wrong place for her height and the butterfly sleeves emphasized the “girls” even more. But I immediately saw it’s potential, adding a thick black belt for a waist cinching contrast (that also helped to lift the long hemline) and an orange statement necklace that gave a shape and pop of color to her top half.

So then if so important, how come people so commonly disregard them? Because they are the last step. Once you are completely dressed sometimes you’ve just got to go! But this is a crucial mistake! Also, many times people are unsure of how to wear them. Many have a belief that costume jewelry is gaudy. Or they think they can only wear matching sets. Or they simply haven’t seen the magic of how accessories can transform their very wardrobe. If any of these sound like you, then we need to chat! We can’t have you leaving the house “naked” again!