Accessorizing Your Outfits: What Really Goes With What

When it comes to putting your clothes on in the morning, you’re usually one of two types of people. There are those who don’t really mind what’s going on in their wardrobe, and simply put on the colors they first grab – super nonchalant. Then there are those who spend at least 10 minutes just finding the right pair of trousers or hating everything they put on (yours truly). Alas, the saving grace in all of this – the more pairing your wardrobe together gets easier with practice, but if not – you have me and a variety of other fashion influencers to choose inspiration from. We’re here to help, in our own ways.

Dressing up to look your best (for work, dinners, dates, etc.) can come in all sorts of forms, and there are so many outfit and style combinations out there everyone can craft their own style easily! That’s one of my most loved aspects of fashion and style, you can always try new things without losing who you are/your sense of style in the process. And yet, we still acknowledge some regular rules regarding what pairs well with this or that – when to not wear things and when to bust out some sass. So let’s utilize a little bit of new knowledge with some good ol’ sense and set you on your way to feeling comfortable and confident in your own style, shining like a pretty penny! Here are some of my fail safe tips!

Take a Spare Pair of Heels

One of the main things to keep in mind when you’re out and about is it’s not ideal to march to work in your favorite heels. A) You can ruin a good pair of heels doing that B) You can seriously rub your feet the wrong way or even risk hurting your back (yes, trotting around on heels all day isn’t good on the vertebrae) and C) let’s not risk tripping and falling before your day has even started. Your feet are going to hate you for the rest of the day and subsequent days after if you rub blisters on your feet – we don’t all have my tough old ballerina feet! Be aware of how far you walk and the wear on the shoes will happen significantly faster than you’d like! So instead, pack them in your handbag/tote and change when you get to your desk or enter your building. I don’t really like mixing my dirty shoes with lord knows what kind of germs on them with the rest of my purse/bag contents, so I put them in this adorable shoe bag first!

It’s a lot more comfortable to have a pair of sneakers/comfortable walking shoes on hand to run around in (imagine if you broke a heel, yikes!), and if they’re a neutral color like white, black, grey, or brown, they’ll pair with nearly anything. You’ll save some unnecessary pain in your knees when you’re walking, and your legs are going to be in a much better shape. Plus – comfortable chic is totally a thing now. I’ve seen some of my favorite influencers pairing cute sneaks with dresses – even dressy dresses! The combination is modern, edgy, and fun!

Know the Difference Between Statement and Subtle

What’s the difference? If something is more of a statement piece, it’s going to be big and beautiful, and immediately eye catching for anyone who lays their eyes on you – think colorful prints/jewelry. If you’re wearing something that’s a little more subtle or reserved, it’s going to be a piece of jewelry that completes your outfit and would not completely alter your look if you didn’t end up wearing it.

So let’s consider – maybe you’re wearing something plain, with a deep or open neckline, unassuming print or just a basic color. Dress it up with a statement necklace! Statement necklaces and/or earrings have the power to transform your most basic looks into something extremely chic and entirely glamorous. Perfect for dates or nights out! On the other hand, subtle pieces work well layered together, such as a bracelet and earrings that complement each other, and are better for everyday outfits. They can be worn with any kind of bold patterns, and add an air of sophistication to your look.

If you’re not sure how much of a difference there is between the two types of jewelry you can bedeck yourself in, check out this site which offers plenty of variants in the delicate and statement menus. It’s a beautiful line of affordable designer jewelry, so you’re sure to find something that fits your well crafted style! 

Get a Good Manicure

I always strive for a manicured hand if not clean and well maintained. There’s nothing more unappealing than seeing someone’s dirty nails. SO many germs live under our nails and our hands are the primary way of spreading germs. If your nails are clean at the very least, you’re going to feel a lot more comfortable in yourself and look more polished. Well manicured nails, however, make me feel like my best self – even when I’m in my sweats! Haha! So when it comes to accessorizing your outfits, don’t forget your pretty little hands.

I like to change my nails every couple of weeks or so (sometimes longer), and no matter what paint I’ve got on them, they fit with my outfits. Hands are always slightly removed from the rest of us after all, so your black nails won’t detract from the white blazer you’re wearing to an important meeting – plus, who cares about your nail color? It’s your way of making your own little statement!

I used to always add some nail art to the base polish on my hands. I kind of miss nail art actually! Highlight your nails with some lighter colors, and feel free to add some glitzy elements to them as well – all the more fun! Check out this article on how to get started with nail art if this is a new concept to you. Personally my go to is a gel manicure, they lost longer and keep my nails from breaking.

Don’t Forget the Scarf

No, they’re not just for the cold weather. If you’ve got a scarf on, just like a statement necklace, your look is instantly elevated and eye catching. Scarves tend to accentuate on outfit, adding a surprise element of cohesiveness with a side dish of cute. Scarves of instrumental in the winter, but double as a “just in case it gets chilly” accessory any other time of the year. I don’t know about you but I’m almost always cold. I look slightly less crazy wearing a scarf in the summer than a sweater, especially here in Texas!

If you’ve got a scarf on, you can easily hide any errant necklaces or necklines on underneath, if you’re feeling unconfident about them. I might have plans after work but the neckline of my blouse or dress wouldn’t be quite work appropriate. Scarf to the rescue!And then whip the scarf off when the time calls for it and revel in how good you look at the plans you were going to straight after work!

Of course, please make sure you’re not overheating for the sake of fashion on hot days. You only look good if there’s a healthy glow to your skin, and you’re not face down on the floor because you’ve passed out or worse, dripping sweat and warding off anyone around you because you stink!

Consider How Your Bag Looks

It’s always useful to have more than one handbag to your name, as lugging everything about in the same black messenger bag isn’t going to do much for your style – or the lifetime of the bag. Of course bags are meant to be practical, but don’t forget to treat yourself when it comes to them as well. I have zero problem treating myself in that department. I also love me a good designer dupe! I’ve rounded up some of my absolute favorite dupes of all varieties and created a shop where you can easily see them all. Check out the dupes section under Tara’s Picks. 

When it comes to bags, have something in a light shade, an in between shade, and a dark shade. If you’ve got range to work with, you’re never going to be worried over whether your shoes and handbag match (and let’s face it, those are the two items that should always go together!).

Accessorizing your outfit doesn’t have to be hard if you get creative, but consider this post a good guide for helping you out in your efforts (hopefully!). And at the end of the day, you do you boo!

How do you like to accessorize? Do you have a go-to pair of earrings or a favorite bag? Do you throw a cap on it? I’m loving that hats are now a thing again!