It’s often said that beauty is only skin deep; that we should never judge a book by its cover. These popular sayings serve as a reminder that physical attractiveness is superficial and fleeting, subject to the inevitable passage of time. They point out that looks can be deceiving, and we never know what hides underneath. So, instead of focusing on how one dresses and presents themselves, we should pay more attention to their personality, character, and inner qualities, like kindness, honesty, perseverance, and courage, because true beauty lies within.
While there’s certainly truth to that perspective, there’s also something to be said in defence of outward appearance. When you look good, you feel good: your self-esteem and confidence increase, you’re more likely to be social and enjoy yourself, and you generally tend to see things in a more positive light. So, clothes may not make the man, but they can surely make a positive difference. That’s why paying attention to what you wear is important. Creating nice outfits is not just fun but also benefits your mental and emotional well-being.
And part of the secret to putting together fab fits is knowing how to accessorise them. If you ever get the feeling that your ensembles are missing something or seem a bit underwhelming, despite having a solid selection of clothes in your wardrobe, it might be because you need to add some accessories to the mix. So, let’s see what items you should choose to elevate your outfits and make them truly stand out.
Statement Jewellery
If you’re looking for an easy way to give your outfit the wow factor, look no further than statement jewellery. Whether you want to elevate your evening look or simply add a bit of flair to your daily wear, statement jewellery provides a simple solution to your styling needs. Think chunky necklaces, oversized earrings, or a nice stack of bracelets or rings.
The best part about these accessories is that one piece is enough to do the magic. You don’t have to adorn yourself with jewellery from head to toe. You just have to choose one standout element and let it do all the talking. For example, you can make a basic jeans and t-shirt ensemble look a lot more sophisticated by pairing it with a layered necklace or large hoop earrings. Similarly, you can style a simple black dress with a pair of chandelier earrings or a standout gemstone necklace to create a striking look. It’s all about creating a focal point with statement pieces and keeping everything else simple to maintain a sense of balance.
Belts
Belts are the unsung heroes in fashion. They provide support, refine, define, and complete outfits, and yet they don’t get the attention and love they deserve, often being overlooked. Think of this as a manifesto to bring back the belt into the spotlight and into people’s wardrobes.
High-quality classic belts are a must-have since they are extremely versatile and can complement many different types of outfits, from jeans and trousers to dresses and skirts. Belts also come in a wide range of styles, so you can choose pieces that work best with the clothes you have. If you want to get creative, you don’t have to stick to traditional belts. Instead, you can use alternatives such as waist beads, scarves, and even chains.
Scarves
Many don’t really see the point of wearing scarves until they realize just how incredibly practical and versatile these delicate pieces of fabric can be. There are so many ways to wear and arrange scarves that once you get the hang of it, you’ll surely become a scarf enthusiast. This small addition can turn into an addiction pretty quickly, but one that can only bring you benefits.
You can tie scarves around your neck or use them for layering to provide warmth and add texture during colder days. You can wear them as headpieces during summer or tie them to your bag for an instant style upgrade. The multitude of colours and patterns available provides endless combination possibilities, so feel free to experiment and play around.
Headpieces
No one really wears hats these days anymore, which is a shame because these accessories don’t just provide protection from the elements, shielding you from the rain, cold, or the scorching sun, but can also serve as a form of self-expression and make for a great styling element. Whether it’s a fedora, a beret, a bucket hat, or a baseball cap, there’s a hat for every season and outfit.
However, if you’re not into hats, there are plenty of other headwear options you can choose to give your outfits that extra bit of charm and character. For example, at AfricanFabs, you can find a comprehensive selection of African headbands, headscarves, headwraps, and hair accessories that you can use to complete your look.
Sunglasses
We know what you’re thinking: sunglasses are only for the summer, so you can’t really use them to accessorize your outfits all year round. But the sun is up in the sky in every season, and the harmful UV rays can affect your eyes even on cloudy days, so there’s no reason to put your shades away once summer ends.
But you do need to learn how to use them for styling. First of all, you have to consider your face shape and choose sunglasses that complement your features. For example, if you have a round face, angular or square frames might suit you best, and the other way around. You also need to pay attention to proportions and how the glasses harmonize with what you’re wearing, as you want them to add interest to your outfits without overpowering them.
As you can see, you don’t need much to take your outfits from boring to bold. Accessorizing can and should be fun, so we dare you to give these tips a try if you’re looking to upgrade your style and see how it goes.