Accessories add spark

BLACK dress and black shoes to work, then later on jeans, T-shirt and pumps to meet the girls.

BLACK dress and black shoes to work, then later on jeans, T-shirt and pumps to meet the girls.

There is nothing wrong with these outfits except that they are too plain. Outfits don’t have to be boring or plain. The magic word is accessories.

Accessories are toys fashionistas love to play with, but you don’t need to be a fashionista to accessorise, you just need to want to look amazing. Accessorising adds spark and gives normal clothes an extra edge. People have misconceptions of what accessories are.

Everyone owns accessories, because “accessory” is a broad term used for jackets, shoes, scarves, bags, hats, earrings, rings, sunglasses, the list is long.

Accessorising is all about finding balance. Don’t wear a lot of different accessories at once, sometimes less is more. Avoid being too matchy, eg blue skirt, blue stockings, blue shoes, blue earrings, blue blouse, blue handbag, it becomes too much.

summer accessories
summer accessories

With the following accessories worn correctly you can never go wrong : A jacket: Be it plain colour, or formal, or leather, a jacket can always change an outfit from formal to informal vice-versa depending on the look you are going for.

A good leather jacket can be worn both formally and informally, on a good night out and during the winter season. Make sure the jacket harmonises well with the rest of the outfit. A bright or sequen jacket will need a toned down outfit.

A scarf: Scarves can be worn around the neck, as a belt or as a head wrap. When an outfit is made up of dark colours, a bright coloured or printed scarf will bring life to the outfit. On a bad hair day, a scarf will always save the day.

Necklaces, earrings and bangles: Necklaces always add sparkle to any outfit. They come in different shapes, colours and sizes. It could be bronze, gold, beaded, ceramic, silver, but it will look good when worn correctly.

Necklaces, earrings and bangles complete an outfit. Stud earrings work well with a big necklace while hoop earrings should be worn with a toned down necklace. Leather bracelets are trendy among young adults.

Bangles and bracelets should match either the outfit or earrings. Avoid wearing all types and shapes of bangles at once. Experiment with jewellery, which should complement your skin tone.

Belts: Belts are not only an attractive accessory, but they bring out your best assets. It is important to know what type of belt is worn with what, for example thin belts that come with formal dresses can break if worn on jeans in order to pull the jeans. Do get a nice strong belt with crazy detail on the buckle for those low cut jeans. Figure belts can be worn with dresses and some two-piece suits.

Sunglasses: A lot of people are wearing eye glasses as an accessory, but whether it looks good or not depends on the type of frame. Sunglasses are always made fashionable.

When you look fab and still protect your eyes it’s a bonus. The colour of sunglasses should complement your outfit, black or brown always do the trick. Do not wear them at night, it looks weird.

Accessories will help you bring attention to your best parts, bring an older outfit up to date and make it last another season. Get the look you are going for, chic, elegant, artistic, fun, casual or sophisticated.

Trendy accessories at the moment: Circle handbags, statement earrings, gladiator sandals and platform shoes.

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