How to Accessorize Your Outfit on a Budget

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How to accessorize and why should you do it? Now aren’t these some pretty good questions to discuss now, when every magazine in the world is busy suggesting new trends and every woman in the world starts having those gloomy thoughts about not having anything to wear.

Accessorizing is a creative process and maybe even some form of art, not a pointless, boring process that is supposed to give you headaches. Accessories will help you stand out, they will also help you save money and you’ll always look fabulous.

How? Well, it’s actually very simple – experimenting with different types of hairpieces, belts, jewelry will make the clothes you already own look totally different enabling you to wear them more often. But that’s not all – you’ll actually get complimented for your looks and nobody will even notice that’s the same shirt/skirt you wore two days ago.

Choosing accessories can be daunting. With so many options and styles, it is easy to pile things on and end up looking like an over-styled disaster. Don’t worry! Deciding on what to wear to make your look pop is very simple.

how-to-accessorize-your-outfit-on-a-budget

Look at your outfit. What colors are you wearing? Neutrals? Pinks? Black and green? If you are wearing neutral, or darker clothes with less color, you may want to accessorize with something colorful. What styles of clothing are you wearing? Is it girly? Tailored? Elegant? What your outfit looks like is important in choosing the right accessories. Clothes are an important part of accessorizing, so it's best to make them as tasteful and stylish as possible. Jeans should flatter your legs and backside. Skirts would look best if they were as fun and colorful as your shirts, but black or white work.

Accessories can help you make any outfit look fresh and exciting! Accessorizing is the easiest, most inexpensive way to make a style statement. Here's some quick ways to accessorize any outfit.

1. Choosing Basic Jewelries

how-to-accessorize-your-outfit-on-a-budget-jewelries

The quickest way you can change your look is with jewelry. It’s like a punctuation mark at the end of a sentence. The very same dress can become dressy with crystal jewelry, or go casual with wooden accessories.

The rules of necklace wearing is fairly simple: if you’re wearing a “busy” shirt, keep the neckline simple. If your top or dress is simple, rock out all out want! Also, be sure to stick to only one statement piece (the IT piece for fall accessories) or multiple layers of simplicity. On trend this season? Neon rhinestones. And mixing metals can be oh-so-chic when done well.

Your necklace should be working for you—a long strand that hits just below the bust makes you look taller and leaner.

Wear only enough jewelry to complement your outfit, not overwhelm it.




2. Earrings can Change the Shape of your Face

how-to-accessorize-your-outfit-on-a-budget-earrings

You can actually change the shape of your face with the right pair of earrings. Larger earrings make the nose look smaller. Avoid drop or shoulder earrings if you have a long face or short neck.

When shopping for earrings, consider the shape of your face: Pendants look best when yours is round or square. Studs, buttons, or short drop earrings offset a long or oval face. Hoops are always a good choice.

Colored stones can brighten your complexion. Petites need delicate earrings.

Dangling earrings look best with short hair or up-dos. Smaller earrings look best with glasses.


3. Rings

how-to-accessorize-your-outfit-on-a-budget-rings

A ring should flatter your fingers. Narrow bands or styles that extend toward the knuckle make your digits appear longer; thin fingers can pull off a wider style.




4. Comfortable Shoes

how-to-accessorize-your-outfit-on-a-budget-shoes

Not only are they an important accessory, they can create an entire look. Let’s face it, the shoes stage the outfit.

Go for comfort. If you can’t wear a pair of shoes comfortably for more than an hour, don’t bother. Your face will show your pain, no matter how much makeup you apply.

There should be enough width to wiggle your toes.

The end of your longest toe should be about one-quarter to one-half inch from the end when you’re standing.

The widest part of the shoe should fit the widest part of your foot comfortably. The shoe should not slip when you walk. Purchase late in the day when your feet are largest.

Never buy a shoe that wrinkles when you flex your foot.


Wear what you love. The shoes will dictate what follows.

Flats look best with long skirts and slim pants.


5. Sandal Solutions

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The simpler the sandal, the more use you’ll get.

Be sure the straps are well made, not too tight or too delicate.

Avoid sandals that cut any area of the foot. Look for built-in arch support. Inner padding is the sign of a well-made sandal.

Inexpensive shoes look richer in natural browns than in black.


6. Boot Boosters
how-to-accessorize-your-outfit-on-a-budget-boots

Chunky boots need heavier hose. Don’t wear sheer hose with boots.

Buy your size. Boots should be snug without cramping. Don’t buy boots that are too big.

Don’t stuff your calves into the boot. Look for stretch materials if you have large calves.

Get non-skid soles from your shoemaker if your boots don’t already have them.


7. Hat Advice

how-to-accessorize-your-outfit-on-a-budget-hats

Never spend a lot for a hat. They blow away in the summer and take a beating in the rain and snow. They’re a great accessory, but not for everyone. They look best outdoors.

Once you have a hat on, you need to keep it on. Hat head is always a sure thing.


8. Choosing Eyeglasses

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Here’s a great way to show off your style. Your glasses can make a major statement. A long narrow face looks best in oval frames. Cat’s eye frames add width at the cheekbones.

Heart-shaped faces look best in oval or square frames, which hide width and create balance.

A round face is most flattered by an angled or squared shape since they add contours. Soften a square face with round or oval frames. They help de-emphasize a strong jaw line.

Shorten a long nose with light wire frames. Aviator styles help slim a broad face.


9. Sunglasses Styling

how-to-accessorize-your-outfit-on-a-budget-sunglasses

A great accessory, but you’ve got to look at more than the style.

Plastic frames are less likely to pop out but scratch easily.

Polarized lenses filter out glare.

Mirrored lenses reflect it back.

Green works well in low and bright light.

Brown and amber are good for high glare or haze.

Gray, rose, and yellow are good for outdoor sports.


10. Hair Considerations

Gold rims bring out golden highlights.

Red or wine frames look great on redheads.


11. Eye Impact

Tortoise shell is a good choice for brown eyes.

Blue eyes sparkle in clear or silver frames.


12. Belts
how-to-accessorize-your-outfit-on-a-budget-belts

You likely need to start by figuring out which placement works for your figure, then which WIDTH of belt you like best.

How should you implement belts? The right belt can make you appear slimmer and taller. It can dress an outfit up or down. A skinny belt can make your legs look longer. It draws the eye up; making your lower half look longer.

A thick middle can look smaller with a wide belt worn just below the waist. Wear it loosely.

Add height with a chain belt. Always wear it slung on your hips.

If you wear a wide belt, let it rest on your hips. Wearing it right at the waist will make the belt look like a corset.


13. Selecting Scarves

how-to-accessorize-your-outfit-on-a-budget-scarves

So start with a scarf: Put on a fairly loose dress or tunic, and try belting it with a scarf at various spots on your body. Hips, wearing waist, natural waist, and close your bust like an empire waistline. See what looks best. Then try making the scarf wide like an obi belt and see how that looks. Fold it so it’s the width of a pants belt. Roll it tight as you can so it’s skinny. See which width is most flattering. You may find that multiple combinations look good – skinny at your natural waist, wide up by your bust, medium at your wearing waist. But this little exercise will get you on the right track.

In my experience, most women own scarves. They see them worn by others, love how they look, buy them, get them home, and realize they have no idea how to deploy them in actual outfits. Does this describe you? Well, sadly, the only way to give those scarves some wearable love is to suss out which ties work for you. And that means some research and experimentation. Let’s research first:

The perfect scarf can add glamour and polish to an otherwise dull look. There are many ways to use scarves.

Wear a scarf as a belt.

Use a scarf as a men’s tie with a feminine touch.

Cheap scarves are a bargain buy. They double as belts and head wraps.

Remember that your #1 accessory should be your wonderful personality. You want people to like you, not your clothes. Shine on!


14. Finding the Perfect Handbag

how-to-accessorize-your-outfit-on-a-budget-handbags

It’s such an important accessory, and so often overlooked. It’s more visible than your shoes because it’s closer to eye level for everybody to notice.

You don’t need a bag that’s more than 10 x 13 inches unless it’s for business or travel.

It’s not that important or necessary to match every outfit with an exactly matched bag. Actually, it makes you look like you’re trying too hard.

Pick a neutral color or a multi-colored bag if you want it to look like it goes with what you’re wearing.

Find a handbag with one or two extra compartments to help you find things.

Matching bag to your body. A small bag with a short shoulder strap will slim your hips and butt. If you want to look less top heavy, let your bag fall at your waist or just below. Look taller by locating a bag with a contrasting vertical detail.

Choose a bag that falls at the area that you consider your biggest asset, because that’s where you’ll be noticed.

Lighten up your load. It’s not necessary to carry everything in your purse, and it’s not practical to carry full-sized products. Don’t ever have a bag so big that people ask you what you could possibly have in there.

Your Basic Handbag Needs

1) Wallet
2) Keys
3) Breath mints
4) Comb/brush
5) Nail file
6) Tissues
7) Notebook & pen
8) A cosmetic bag with these essentials: lipstick (doubles as blush); foundation/powder combo; multi-use pencil for eyes, lips, brows.

Don't try to carry loose powder in your purse unless it’s in a separate container. It just makes a mess.


15. Types of Wallets

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Consider a wallet’s material first. Nylon is durable, easy to keep clean, and inexpensive. Leather gets better as it ages. Calfskin is the best leather for wallets.

Light colors stain in any material don’t wear well.

A leather change area is strongest.

Edges should be finished, not frayed.

Check for loose threads.

Test to make sure the metal tops of the wallet “kiss.”

Test a zipper by tugging on the outside edges. Make sure it’s strong and stays on track.

Store your cosmetics in a clear pencil case. In this way, you can see everything at a glance without having to dig. Keep a mirror in it, facing outward. Not only will you protect the mirror from getting dirty, but you’ll also be able to see yourself at a glance.

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