By Ruthie Prasil
Accessories are crucial to a girl’s look. A plain tee on its own is not the same as a plain tee paired with an amazing diamond necklace. Am I right?! There are days when I’m getting dressed and putting on the final touches and I just can’t decide between my grandma’s pearl earrings or that great leather wrap bracelet I got at the music festival last summer.
You guys, I have great news: you can wear both!
2014 is not the same as 1950. As women, we are given more freedom to express ourselves whether that is through hairstyles and cuts, tattoos or our clothing and it is a great feeling! While there may be some ‘rules’ when it comes to fashion those rules are so flexible and so easy to tailor to fit your look and your style.
When I wear earrings that match perfectly with a necklace, I feel like a Stepford Wife. When every piece of my outfit coordinates perfectly with each and every accessory, it feels too cookie cutter — too perfect. That most definitely isn’t me! Here are some ways you can pull together different accessories and still look polished…even while running errands or doing school pick up.
Mixing Different Metals
You don’t have to stick to either gold or silver, I promise! You aren’t cheating on one metal by introducing the other to the look. I’ve found that layering different pieces is a great way to show each off. In the look above, a long and dangly gold piece is paired with a shorter, chunkier silver one. They are each clean and sophisticated and look stunning together. Once you know you don’t have to commit to one or the other, it makes choosing other accessories (like earrings and bracelets) a breeze.
Mixing Classic Looks with Bolder and Funkier Pieces
Classic accessories like pearl earrings, diamond studs, or simple gold chains are oftentimes our favorites. They are our favorites for a reason, right? They are SO EASY to style! This includes styling them with other accessories. ANYTHING can be paired with these classic looks, including bright and bold pieces that pop. These staples are like a good pair of dark-wash jeans: wear them with a formal lacy top, or wear them with your vintage tee. They look great with anything.
Mixing Chunky and Sleek
I am a fan of layering, whether it’s shirts, necklaces or bracelets. Laying different styles, colors, and textures adds a whole new dimension to your look. Dimension is good! If you are like most women (and people in general) you have different personalities running through you. You are quiet sometimes but crazy and fun others. You are thoughtful and peaceful some moments, but other moments you are loud and obnoxious. Carry that through with the style people see. It’s fun to be able to switch things up and not follow a specific algorithm for how to accessorize. Chunky can most certainly be paired with simple and sleek. Masculine looks are always complimented by soft feminine ones in a woman’s wardrobe.
Mixing Blacks and Browns
I feel like we are always told, “If you’re wearing a brown belt, wear brown shoes.” No. Scratch that. I promise that everything will be just fine if you step outside that perfectly right-angled box. Mixing blacks and browns is totally acceptable and, if I may be so bold to say, it actually is more interesting. Let’s be really honest with ourselves. Although the look is somewhat sophisticated, blacks and browns are also somewhat boring. Mixing it up a bit doesn’t ruin the look at all, it just makes it a little less boring. But still put together. Really.
Mixing Formal and Casual
I saved my favorite for last. There is something so big city and totally fashion about pairing formal pieces with really casual ones. And, you guys, I love feeling big city and totally fashion. For formal pieces, think sparkly purses, over the top drop earrings, bling-y bracelets (I’d stay away from really formal heels paired with jeans…it tends to look a little too much). For the casual side, make it jeans and a tee shirt. Pull your hair back into a sleek pony tail or soft curls and your look is killer.
There you have it. Take these ideas, twist them up with your own style and hit the town! Show off your style! Go crazy….and mix that crazy with soft and gentle.
Happy Styling!
