Does the following situation sound familiar? You just finished putting together a great outfit, but something feels a little off.
What is the outfit missing? Thankfully, the answer could be as simple as failing to accessorize appropriately.
Accessories really can make or break an outfit.
Style is immensely personal because it conveys a bit of who you are to those around you. Your accessories are a crucial component to making that message clear, but colorful.
If you’re feeling stuck on where to start with your accessories, this guide is for you.
How Many Accessories?
Well, the short answer I’d give you is three to five, depending on your outfit.
A simple outfit doesn’t need much in the way of accessories. So a tee shirt and jeans, for example, might be well-off with a nice watch and your favorite shades or hat.
But the simplicity of this outfit also allows room for more accessories if desired. Say, in addition to the items above, a bag of some sort, a bracelet, and some rings. Tweak the list of accessories to fit your personal style and you get the idea.
More complex outfits such as a suit or a cold-weather, layered masterpiece already have plenty of intrigue to impart. Onlookers might be overwhelmed by the higher number of accessories as are appropriate for the simpler outfit.
Accessories will be determined by the outfit. A cold-weather ensemble might require a scarf and a beanie to help keep you warm. And a suit might require a tie and cufflinks for the occasion.
So, any additional accessories are up to your discretion as the wearer. Just be sure they complement rather than distract from the accessories required by a particular outfit.
Take care when utilizing accessories for finishing touches on such outfits. You may find that all you need is a simple watch and a bracelet to complete an alluring look.
As you may now know, I love a bandana or neckerchief. They can be worn with all sorts of outfits and are a fun way to add a pop of color.
There are accessories that fit all style genres. Be mindful of them and be sure to wear only accessories that you love.
Note that even the best accessories may not pair well with every outfit. So be willing to ditch certain accessories to maintain the integrity of your outfits.
What Color Accessories?
The color of your accessories should largely be based on the colors in your outfit.
Consider complementary colors for a bold outfit, or stick to similar tones for a sleek, monochromatic look.
I’m a fan of both of those looks and also love a neutral outfit with accessories that add a pop of color.
At times, skin tone must also be considered when determining what color accessories to wear. I’ve found this especially true with metals. For example, metal accessories in silver look very different against your skin than accessories in gold.
You might be someone who is able to wear both, and it will just come down to your current mood for deciding what to wear (wearing both together can also look great). But for others, it can be a bit trickier.
Lighter skin tones may prefer silver, while darker ones may prefer gold. Though on occasion I can be found sporting gold, silver is more often the better companion to my skin tone.
With any accessory, start with colors you love and see how you’re feeling. If you’re feeling confident, you’re in a good place and can move on to other details.
Formal vs Casual Accessories
Essential accessories such as watches, ties, and socks come in all sorts of shapes, colors, and sizes. They’re also available in varying levels of formality.
A bright pink tie, for example, would be much less formal than a dark-colored tie. Say, black. But a black tie is less formal still than a black, silk bow tie.
It’s good to know what’s formal and what isn’t. That way, if you want to wear a formal accessory with a casual outfit (or vice versa), you’re doing so intentionally, rather than unintentionally or out of ignorance.
I really like wearing more formal watches with casual outfits like a tee shirt and jeans. Casual watches with more formal outfits, like a suit, can also work really well.
Types of Accessories and How to Style Them
Watches
Have you ever really considered the difference between an outfit worn with vs without a watch? I believe a watch is an indispensable accessory that should be worn with nearly every outfit.
You don’t need an immense or expensive watch collection to get started. There are plenty of great options out there that won’t break the bank, but will still add that extra bit of timeless intrigue to your outfits.
I love high-end watches. But for me, watches are more about looks than anything else. The watch I get the most compliments on is my Casio A700.
Bracelets
A bracelet doesn’t have to be a feminine accessory. There are great options for men, too. When worn in tandem with a watch, I think they can be especially exciting.
The timeless Cuban link bracelet as worn here by Marlon Brando is a great choice, for example. But even a simple friendship bracelet or plain metal band can compliment the surrounding garments.
Necklaces
A simple necklace, even worn mostly hidden beneath a shirt, can add a great level of flair to an outfit.
Don’t be afraid to consider a necklace in your accessory rotation. Just be wary of overly-decorated or bejewelled necklaces. They might be less timeless and are harder to wear with every-day outfits.
Rings
I believe you’d do well to add a ring or two to your wardrobe. Consider what colors of metal best complement your skin tone. Then, start with something simple, such as a signet ring.
The signet ring is a classic menswear accessory that can really elevate your current looks.
Other rings are great, too. My recommendation will always be a ring that is simple, yet exciting to you as the wearer. It should help express your personal style without being overstated or gaudy.
I like wearing rings in odd numbers. So one simple signet ring or wedding band (or signet ring as a wedding band), or three simple rings divided between both hands. More than three or four rings can be too much. If that’s your style, go for it. But less is more for me in this category.
Note: a good way to balance out the look of your rings is to wear a watch or bracelet for the hand with only one ring (usually non-dominant).
Bandanas
I love bandanas and neckerchiefs. They can be worn with almost any outfit and can even serve functional purpose outside of looking good.
From light to dark colors, nearly any bandana can be added to your current outfit to express individuality and style know-how.
Try just tucking the ends into the neck of a tee shirt for a cool, summer look. Or, tie the bandana snug around your neck to help keep it warm on cooler days. You can even tie the bandana like an ascot and wear it under the neck of a nice button-up shirt to dress things up a bit.
Scarves
Scarves are meant to serve the purpose of providing your neck with ample warmth during the cold months. But they look great, too.
Scarves come in many types, like wool for warmth, silk for elegance, and cotton for casual wear. Style a wool scarf with a winter coat, a silk scarf with a dress, and a cotton scarf with a t-shirt and jeans. Each type adds a unique focal point to the outfit.
Socks
Socks should be chosen with careful consideration, just like any other item in your outfit.
They are an easy accessory to gloss over. But taking that extra minute to choose the right pair can definitely raise your outfit to new heights of class.
I like to keep my socks simple. For me, I leave the crazy prints out for this category. So it really comes down to choosing the right color and texture. I love rib-knits.
An easy way to ensure that your socks enhance your outfit is to match the socks to your pants. Or at least get close. This can elongate the leg and keeps the outfit looking neat.
If you want a pop of color in your outfit, the sock can be a great place to do that. It takes more careful consideration, but look for colors that complement your outfit. Yellow, blue, green…the options are endless.
Just remember your outfit first. Socks tend to be one of the last accessories I’ll pick out when piecing together an outfit.
Glasses
If you’re someone who needs to wear glasses, don’t just buy the first pair your optometrist recommends. Take some time to find a pair that you love. Glasses can really change the way an outfit comes together.
I like wearing different glasses with different outfits. Some pairs will draw more attention to my face, while others might blend in more subtly with my clothes for the day.
If you’re not someone who needs glasses, you’ll still want to choose a nice pair of sunglasses carefully. Just like prescription glasses, different sunglasses will have varying effects on how you look. A great pair of sunglasses will elevate your look, while a bad pair will certainly ruin it.
Hats
I’ve been trying to get more into wearing hats. I love the look on other people, but it’s been hard for me to find one that fits me right.
Finding a good hat for you might be as much trial and error as it is for me. But a good hat should not be overlooked. Whether a baseball cap, flat cap, or cowboy hat, there are hats for everyone and every outfit.
Note: wearing a hat is a good example of when I might choose to wear a simpler pair of glasses. If the hat provides a lot of interest on its own, you may not want a pair of glasses competing for attention.
Bags
Bags are in right now. Especially the tote bag. It’s a great look if you’re into that. Plus, bags are clearly very functional.
Though I’m not against a tote bag, my preference would be a nice leather duffel or weekender. To me, the leather has a timeless appeal that works well to enhance any outfit and adds a touch of formality that would be lost on a tote bag.
Whatever style of bag you choose, keep it neutral. Bags can be very costly. So if you only have one bag, make sure it will complement most any outfit you place before it.
Belts
If your pants have belt loops, you should be wearing a belt.
There are countless options at your disposal. I personally like a simple rotation of brown and black leather. A white leather belt could also be a great addition for certain spring and summer looks.
I recommend simple belts. Braided or non are both classic choices. As for thickness, err on the side of thinner. And don’t worry about matching your belt to your shoes. Brown and black can definitely be worn together.
Where to Find
You don’t have to spend a lot to acquire the accessories you need. Thrifting can be a great way to find lots of accessories for cheap.
I also love shopping on Etsy and have found bandanas, rings, bracelets, belts, and even hats that are all great quality for very fair prices.
Of course, check out the brands you love as well. Accessories can be a great way to rep them. You will likely pay more, but investing into items you love is always worth it.
Conclusion
While there are other types of accessories to be found, everything you might need to elevate your looks should be included here.
Stop and think about your accessories before completing an outfit. They really are the cherry-on-top of a well-thought-out ensemble. And they can really be a complete style game changer for you.
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