ACCESSORIES (Part 1)

WHAT ARE ACCESSORIES?:

Accessories are the most important things to wear once you have picked your main outfit. They are my ultimate favourite things to look for and buy, but most of all to wear. They give me so much joy. They are like the icing on a cake. The final touches of any outfit. You get it. But they are the things that make an outfit yours. The styling is the most important part of anything you wear. As long as the accessories match the style of the outfit, you will look a million bucks.

WHICH ONES SHOULD YOU WEAR?:

So I have a list I use all the time to help me remember them all, as there are 10 of them and they are not needed all in one outfit. You pick and choose which ones you want to wear with a particular outfit. And it also depends on where you are going. Soon we will all be allowed to get out and about more, after the pandemic, so it's a great idea to get organised from now.

WHAT ARE THE ACCESSORIES TO PICK FROM?:

In no particular order, this is the list to have in your repertoire:

1) HATS - you can wear any kind of hat from fascinators, to fedoras, to cow-bow hat. My favourite are summer straw hats, they usually go with so many outfits like little dresses, to shorts and a t-shirt, to cargo pants and a cute top. Even beanies in winter are great, or even a beret. The list is endless. Try one out if you haven't. Some people think it is embarrassing because they attract attention, but that's half the fun.

2) BELTS - This is another integral part of an outfit, if the situation allows for it. They range from leather, to patent leather, to sequence, croc, fabric and anything else you can imagine. They come is every single colour under the sun. That is completely up to you and your preferences. And as always it needs to match your style, you outfit and make sure there are not too many colour clashing together. It's meant to enhance your outfit. They also come in different sizes, thicknesses, and prices.

3) BAGS - Bags are the most essential accessory right after shoes. It's not just a vessel to carry your things in, it can be a statement piece or a status symbol. It's up to you again. The size does matter, there is an unspoken language about what size each person can wear depending on their height. A petite woman cannot wear a huge bag as it will drown her. And really tall women look funny with really teeny tiny bags, it gets lost. The colour and style you wear is completely up to you. Of course these rules are here to break, so if you feel like doing what you like and someone tells you it's wrong, well maybe they are just jealous. The best bag is the most comfortable one that fits all your things and matches with a lot of your outfits. These are rare and hard to find, but hen you do, make sure to look after it, then it will look after you.

4) JEWELLERY - As a jewellery designer, I have to biased on this category. They are my top essentials in every case. My ultimate favourite are earrings ,which I specialise in. Even if you don't want to wear something big or fancy, little studs are so fun and so very necessary. But also necklaces, rings, watch, bangles, bracelets and body jewellery are great to add to any outfit.

The style, colour, size, and price, all depend on you and your style.

The type of materials it's made from is also a personal preference, it can be gold, silver, diamond, cubic zirconia, Swarovski, copper, leather, pleather, fabric, paper, clay, resin, or plastic. They may be studs, dangles, hoops, and can be very short, mid length, long or super long. Never leave home without a pair on. An outfit is incomplete without them. One rule I'd say is to not wear everything you own at once. Curate your look.

5) SCARVES - Scarves are a very specific type of accessory and not utilised by enough people. There are plenty of ways to use one. Traditionally it is worn on your neck, but you can wear it on your head, around your waist, on your bag, as a vest with a belt, in your hair, on your wrist, or any where else you can imagine. The style, colour, fabric, texture, usage, size and price all depend on your style, taste and price range. It can be made of wool for winter, cashmere, silk, cotton, cannabis, chiffon, linen, lace, or any other.