I am often asked the question, what makes a person look really well put-together? The answer usually lies in their use of accessories. It is the “pièce de résistance” that moves us from an “outfit” to a “look.”
There are three simple steps to great accessorising and achieving that great accessorising with the accessories you already own.
1 The rule of odd numbers
This originates from the golden ratio, or Vitruvian Man, from which the concept of (pleasing) balance and proportion to the human eye originates. Our eye likes odd numbers. This is true in flower arranging, even placing candles on a table; three looks better in a cluster than two. We follow this rule when we accessorise also, choosing colour pops of three, five or seven, rather than pairs or even numbers.
Betty and Biddy Gold hoop pearl earrings.
Few of us have time to count our accessories and add or discount as the case may be particularly when we are under time pressure or it is early in the morning. However, it is a concept to consider when you are planning an outfit for a special occasion or have decided to put some extra time and effort into your look.
Have you ever seen a person on the street who looks great, but you can’t quite decide why. You go through the usual checklist of clothes that flatter, or colours that suit skin tone, but there’s still a general “put togetherness” that is difficult to decipher. The answer often lies in matching hardware.
Betty and Biddy Baroque pearl earrings.
This occurs when all metals in an outfit are matching, ie gold jewellery combined with gold fixtures on your handbag, zip or buttons on your coat, boots, belt buckle etc. A small consideration, but one which makes a big difference. When you are purchasing a new coat, bag or pair of boots, check to see if the fixtures and fastenings are gold or silver and go for the option that matches the jewellery you wear most regularly, whether that is your rings, or a watch, or favourite necklace. This is a sure-fire way to look well put-together at all times and something to think about when you’re next purchasing.
This may seem like common sense, but it is no harm to explore the importance of scale when we are choosing accessories.
Betty and Biddy Floral Glass Drop Earring - Clear.
The basic premise is that larger accessories work better on larger frames and smaller accessories work better on smaller, more petite frames. The same goes for choosing pattern and print.
Show your style and personality
The premise of accessorising effectively, is that it finishes an outfit, adding polish and sharpness to a look.
No two people will accessorise in the same way, allowing this to be a way to show your personal style and indeed your personality.
Betty and Biddy Circle Disc Multi earrings.
This is particularly true if you are working somewhere where there is a strict dress code, or a corporate office where your favoured style of dress may not be the most acceptable to the environment. Accessories are the way to add a bit of “you” to a look, allowing you to feel more engaged with your outfit for the day.
They also allow us to link nicely back to the concept of cost-per-wear, which we explored last week.
M&S Collection Rope Necklace.
When I am working with a client who has a strict budget, there is often a raised eyebrow when I suggest that we start with a visit to the accessories section of each department store. The phrase “but I need clothes, not jewellery” has been uttered.
Stretch your wardrobe
The magic of accessories is that they can allow each clothing combination to look different.
If you buy two tops, all you have is two tops. However, if you buy two tops and two necklaces, you have six outfit combinations; top one by itself, top one with necklace one, top one with necklace two, top two with necklace one and top two with necklace two. And they say fashion isn’t maths!
The learning here is that by investing in accessories, you stretch your wardrobe. Buying simple, basic clothing and changing up the pieces you wear with them is the key to a highly functional and easily adaptable wardrobe.
So, which accessories should you invest in?
This is a good question and one I am often asked, as people can often confuse accessories with jewellery. The best accessories to change up an outfit are costume – colourful and inexpensive. This allows you to rework then every few months and add more to your wardrobe.
Look for colour pops; gem stones, resin, beads and enamel, to really add interest and variety. In terms of classic looks, yes there is merit in investing in heirloom pieces, or designer costume jewellery but note that these will add polish, not necessarily variety.
M&S Collection Ball Necklace.
Lastly, we must acknowledge the important role that accessories play in controlling the focus of our outfit. We are magpies by nature and our eye will go to the sparkle, as much as it will to print, pattern or other embellishments. You decide where a person looks, by the placing of your accessories. If you are slow to show off your tummy area, avoid long pendants which hit that spot. If you are happy with your neck or collar bones, consider statement earrings to bring attention to this spot. We can trick the eye through clever use of accessories.
M&S Beaded Shell necklace.
In short, accessories are the unsung heroes of the wardrobe. They add variety, stretch the wears we get from the clothes we own, allow us to express our style and personality, while allowing us to control the focus of our outfits. An all-round win for these humble additions to our wardrobe. Long may they continue to be such an asset to our daily style.
Read more
The value of determining ‘cost per wear’
Flatter the body that you have
Determining your horizontal body shape
I am often asked the question, what makes a person look really well put-together? The answer usually lies in their use of accessories. It is the “pièce de résistance” that moves us from an “outfit” to a “look.”
There are three simple steps to great accessorising and achieving that great accessorising with the accessories you already own.
1 The rule of odd numbers
This originates from the golden ratio, or Vitruvian Man, from which the concept of (pleasing) balance and proportion to the human eye originates. Our eye likes odd numbers. This is true in flower arranging, even placing candles on a table; three looks better in a cluster than two. We follow this rule when we accessorise also, choosing colour pops of three, five or seven, rather than pairs or even numbers.
Betty and Biddy Gold hoop pearl earrings.
Few of us have time to count our accessories and add or discount as the case may be particularly when we are under time pressure or it is early in the morning. However, it is a concept to consider when you are planning an outfit for a special occasion or have decided to put some extra time and effort into your look.
Have you ever seen a person on the street who looks great, but you can’t quite decide why. You go through the usual checklist of clothes that flatter, or colours that suit skin tone, but there’s still a general “put togetherness” that is difficult to decipher. The answer often lies in matching hardware.
Betty and Biddy Baroque pearl earrings.
This occurs when all metals in an outfit are matching, ie gold jewellery combined with gold fixtures on your handbag, zip or buttons on your coat, boots, belt buckle etc. A small consideration, but one which makes a big difference. When you are purchasing a new coat, bag or pair of boots, check to see if the fixtures and fastenings are gold or silver and go for the option that matches the jewellery you wear most regularly, whether that is your rings, or a watch, or favourite necklace. This is a sure-fire way to look well put-together at all times and something to think about when you’re next purchasing.
This may seem like common sense, but it is no harm to explore the importance of scale when we are choosing accessories.
Betty and Biddy Floral Glass Drop Earring - Clear.
The basic premise is that larger accessories work better on larger frames and smaller accessories work better on smaller, more petite frames. The same goes for choosing pattern and print.
Show your style and personality
The premise of accessorising effectively, is that it finishes an outfit, adding polish and sharpness to a look.
No two people will accessorise in the same way, allowing this to be a way to show your personal style and indeed your personality.
Betty and Biddy Circle Disc Multi earrings.
This is particularly true if you are working somewhere where there is a strict dress code, or a corporate office where your favoured style of dress may not be the most acceptable to the environment. Accessories are the way to add a bit of “you” to a look, allowing you to feel more engaged with your outfit for the day.
They also allow us to link nicely back to the concept of cost-per-wear, which we explored last week.
M&S Collection Rope Necklace.
When I am working with a client who has a strict budget, there is often a raised eyebrow when I suggest that we start with a visit to the accessories section of each department store. The phrase “but I need clothes, not jewellery” has been uttered.
Stretch your wardrobe
The magic of accessories is that they can allow each clothing combination to look different.
If you buy two tops, all you have is two tops. However, if you buy two tops and two necklaces, you have six outfit combinations; top one by itself, top one with necklace one, top one with necklace two, top two with necklace one and top two with necklace two. And they say fashion isn’t maths!
The learning here is that by investing in accessories, you stretch your wardrobe. Buying simple, basic clothing and changing up the pieces you wear with them is the key to a highly functional and easily adaptable wardrobe.
So, which accessories should you invest in?
This is a good question and one I am often asked, as people can often confuse accessories with jewellery. The best accessories to change up an outfit are costume – colourful and inexpensive. This allows you to rework then every few months and add more to your wardrobe.
Look for colour pops; gem stones, resin, beads and enamel, to really add interest and variety. In terms of classic looks, yes there is merit in investing in heirloom pieces, or designer costume jewellery but note that these will add polish, not necessarily variety.
M&S Collection Ball Necklace.
Lastly, we must acknowledge the important role that accessories play in controlling the focus of our outfit. We are magpies by nature and our eye will go to the sparkle, as much as it will to print, pattern or other embellishments. You decide where a person looks, by the placing of your accessories. If you are slow to show off your tummy area, avoid long pendants which hit that spot. If you are happy with your neck or collar bones, consider statement earrings to bring attention to this spot. We can trick the eye through clever use of accessories.
M&S Beaded Shell necklace.
In short, accessories are the unsung heroes of the wardrobe. They add variety, stretch the wears we get from the clothes we own, allow us to express our style and personality, while allowing us to control the focus of our outfits. An all-round win for these humble additions to our wardrobe. Long may they continue to be such an asset to our daily style.
Read more
The value of determining ‘cost per wear’
Flatter the body that you have
Determining your horizontal body shape
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