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JUST ADD ACCESSORIES: part 2

By | Accessorizing | 4 Comments

In Part 1 I discussed how to accessorize solid colored garments, how some accessories are linked to a season or time of day and how to create a mood with accessories. This time we’ll go a step further and discover how visual weight harmony matters, how to dress up pr down an outfit with accessories and lastly, how to accessorize a patterned/printed garment.     

Visual Weight

Like the timing of accessories, selecting an accessory that harmonizes with your outfit in weight will create a pulled together and appealing result.

This is not the actual weight if the accessory but it’s perceived weight and is based on a combination of factors.

In general terms, visual weight increases with the following factors:

  • Size: the larger.
  • Opacity: the more opaque.
  • Color: the darker.
  • Structure: the less structured.
  • Surface: the more matte the surface.
  • Texture: the more textured.
  • Embellishments: the more embellished.

In addition

SHOES:

  • Exposure: the less open the shoe/less foot it exposes.
  • Sole: the thicker.
  • Heel Height: the lower.
  • Heel Style: the thicker/ chunkier. 

JEWELRY:

The following necklaces are large which may cause some to believe the scale is inappropriate for them however, if the color of the beads are light or the beads are transparent the visual weight decreases and the necklace will be more easily worn by those who are short, petite or over their ideal weight.   

Likewise the more light reflects off the surface of the the necklace (shiner) the visually lighter the necklace will appear to be. 

Also the finer the detailing the less weight (visually lighter) the overall design will appear to be.  

Combining accessories with a visual weight that matches your garment will also result in a harmonious design.  In this set the accessories on the first dress are too heavy for the lightweight dress while the 2nd and third examples coordinate well to create a stylish and harmonious look.  

FORMALITY

Accessories are perfect to dress a garment or outfit up or down or update it, with relatively little cost. This is stretch the usefulness and life of your garments.

One of the critical factors is to start with a dress or outfit that has a simple yet flattering style to effectively work as a blank canvas to allow for the maximum number of different looks.  These dresses from Dorothy Perkins are perfect examples,
  • solid colors,
  • classic unadorned necklines
  • elegant semi fitted styles

Each allows for a multitude of possibilities and none can be pegged to a particular fashion date making them worth extra dollars, as they are likely to wear out or you get sick of wearing them before they have to be tossed for being out of fashion. 

In general terms, formality increases with the following factors:

  • Size: the smaller.
  • Style: more classic, less trendy
  • Opacity: the more opaque.
  • Color: the darker.
  • Structure: the more structured.
  • Surface: the more reflective (polished/shiny/sparkly).
  • Texture: the less textured.
  • Embellishments: the less embellished.
  • Print/Color: solid colors.
  • Fabric: natural.
  • Condition: good to excellent.

In addition

SHOES:

  • Exposure: the less open the shoe.
  • Sole: the thinner.
  • Heel Height: the higher.
  • Heel Style: the finer and more classic. 

 

Accessorizing solid colored outfits and garments is relatively easy but when it comes to accessorizing patterned garments some women feel a little lost. Like most things it’s not that difficult with a few tips and a little practice.

The following dress has all the basic traits of ‘The Versatile Dress’ talked about in Part 1 with the exception that it’s a graphic print.  No don’t be scared, it’s not that hard.

Breakdown the Style

  • Color Temperature: Cool
    Wearing accessories on the same side of the color wheel as the colors within the garment is the easiest option and will always result in a harmonious look.
  • Color Hierarchy: Black, Yellow, White, Grey. 
    ~ By hierarchy I mean the color that is the most dominant.  In this dress black is the most dominant followed by yellow, white and grey. 

    ~ While you could accessorize this dress with any of the four colors, balance is more often created when you use the dominant colour.
    ~ When it comes to shoes, neutral colors like skin tone can also be used, and in cases of garments with unusual colors neutral shoes are a God send. 
  • Design and Structural Shapes: Mainly curved shapes.
    ~ Echoing the shapes within the garment creates an insync appearance. The top half of the dress is very curved making the selection of similarly shaped earrings the best option.  
    ~ The lace pattern at the neckline makes adding a necklace or pendant un necessary and unless very fine may create a cluttered or overly busy appearance.
    The design angles at the base of the dress allows for pointy shoes to be worn.
    The scooped neckline allows for a short pendant and the rounded shape of the pendant harmoniously echoes the shape of the neckline.
  • Theme: Graphic Print + Color Blocking Trends
    Print based on lace.
  • Image: Strong Femininity 
    ~ The strength comes from boldness of the black against the lighter and softer colours of white and lemon and the delicate lace pattern.
    ~ Being able to look at a garment/outfit and determine its perceived image will give you the advantage of knowing when to select a look that will work towards your daily goals.
  • Size of Print: Large
    ~ As a general rule, the larger the print/pattern the larger you will appear. If you are petite, the larger the print the higher the risk the design will overwhelming your frame.
    ~ The color contrast within the pattern will increase or decrease the effect.  A large print of similar depth colors that softly blend into each other has less enlarging power and a print (any size) of bright contrasting colors has more power to enlarge.
  • Neckline: Scooped (medium depth)
    The shape and height of the neckline determines the type and length of neckline accessory. Some necklines and collars are best left unadorned (see below).
  • Sleeves: Sleeveless
    ~ The type of sleeves (or lack of) helps determines the type and number of arm and hand accessories.
    ~ The shorter the sleeve the more you can add
    .
  • Occasion: Dressy
    ~ The base formality level of a garment will determine how far it can be dresses up and down.  This dress being dressy in its unaccessorized state is unlikely to be able to be dressed down enough to wear on casual occasions. However, the second dress is basically casual and can be dressed up for business casual or down for the weekend but it will always appear too casual for a evening dinner.
  • Timing: Day+
    The dressiness of this dress means it can be accessorized to wear to work as well as evening events such as a dinner.  The second dress is suited to day wear only.    

Accessorizing Necklines and Collars

  • Necklines Best left UnAdorned

Any neckline or collar that is ornate or already impacted by strong pattern are best left accessorized.  The addition of beautiful earrings are all that is required to complete the neckline.

  • General Necklines:

While there are plenty of Google and Pinterest sites with examples of what accessory to place with which neckline, my opinion is that what you place at the neckline has more to do with getting the harmony right with color, style and formality rather than shape.  Mirroring the shape of a neckline does work but being restricted to that idea is very limiting.  My advice is to experiment; accessories are so inexpensive and abundant that you should allow yourself to experiment and play until you find the styling that works with your personal style.

In the meantime here’s some inspiration:    

End of Topic
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JUST ADD ACCESSORIES: part 1

By | Accessorizing, How To... | 7 Comments
I’m often asked questions about how to accessorize various garments and outfits.  It’s one of those skills that many think you need to be blessed with but the fact is anyone can learn how to accessorize with a few easy guidelines and a bit of practice.  

Why Accessorize?

  • To create different moods: From polished professional to cafe charisma, all it takes is the right accessories. 
  • To dress up or down: From a lazy weekend lunch with the girls to dinner to a Broadway show with your man. 
  • To add personality: Some accessories will speak directly to your style personality and the more you express the authentic you through your clothes the more relaxed and happy you’ll be with your image.
  • To play-up your assets:  Great boobs, tiny waist or shapely arms – whatever you assets accessories can highlight them. 
  • To direct attention: OK, we all have areas that are not what we’d consider our best features; accessories can be used to draw attention to other areas. If you don’t like an area, don’t accessorize it. 
  • To make Fashionable: As long as the dress is free of any distinct fashion date adding this seasons trend accessories will instantly update the dress.
  • To have fun: Dressing should always be fun – if not we may have well wear a bag!  Don’t be afraid to express a touch of fun, just be mindful of appropriateness. 

The right accessories

Start Simple

The simpler the garment the easier it will be to accessorize it to produce the greatest number of different looks and occasions it can be used for.  A dress is one of the most complex garments to accessorize so let’s start with it and work down to other items. 

  • Clean lines: a dress with lines that flow freely over your body from neck to hemline uninterrupted by too many seams, ruching, draping etc. The biggest challenge to accessories is clutter, complexity.  The simpler your dress, more versatile it will be and the easier it will be to accessorize to change its look and mood.

Clean, Simple Lines = Lots of Possibilities

  • Tailored: a dress that has some shape/fitting.  A semi-fitted style will deliver you a form-flattering shape while being appropriate to most occasions and lifestyles.      
  • Sleeveless or Short Sleeve: a sleeveless or cap sleeve dress will allow for the widest selection of accessories to be added.
  • Minimal to Unembellished: The more details on the dress such as collar, pockets, ruffles etc the fewer options you will have to dress it up and down with accessories.
  • Solid Color (or close to it): as you’ll learn you can successfully accessorize a patterned dress but it take a little more strategy.  Solid colored dresses allow you unlimited scope to play and experiment with accessories.
  • Medium Depth Color: a medium-light to medium-dark color is the easiest value range to wear as it suits everyone and can easily be transformed from day to evening wear.  
  • Classic Neckline: scoop, V and square necklines allow for many styles and lengths of necklaces. Unusual necklines and collars are more limiting.
  • Above Cleavage Neckline: an appropriate, take you anywhere, flattering depth.  
  • Midi Length: just above the knee to mid calf will be flattering and versatile.
Easy To Accessorise Dresses

Timed Right

Many accessories are best suited to a certain time of the day, occasions or seasons. Sparkly earrings, multiple strand pearl chokers and rhinestone studded clutches are items that are most appropriate for evening wear while canvas bags, straw hats and shell jewelry will look odd with winter attire. The material that the item is made of and/or its surface are the characteristics that most often links it to a particular season, time of day or level of formality. Generally speaking, the shinier the item, the more formal/dressy it will appear to be add sparkle and the item will be best suited to after dark wear.     Accessories with matte surfaces are commonly casual and many are linked in some way to nature making them most suitable for day wear. Winter accessories are often fluffy, furry, heavy, closed, dark or bright. Summer accessories are lightweight, flowing, flat, open, light or bright colored. Color too has its place to play. As winter turns to spring and the temperature starts to increase we see the appearance of pastels and soft, water-color prints. As spring turns into summer colors become progressively righter or spicy to compliment the heat. It’s in summer when we see the emergence of white being used in entire outfits.  

Summer Daytime Accessories

  • Fabrics: Those that breathe and are light to medium weight. For example cotton, silk, chiffon, muslin, linen and gauze.
  • Jewelry: Natural materials, including, cork, wood, stones, leather thongs, colored enamels and bone.
  • Scarves: Lightweight and fluid. For example, silk, chiffon and gauze.
  • Hats: Straw, canvas, fabric, baseball styles and wide brims.
  • Shoes: Light weight and/or open – mules, sandals, toe post (thongs), espadrilles, sling backs, open toe and canvas boat/sneaker styles.
  • Bags: Light weight fabric totes, crocheted, straw, canvas, see-through or transparent plastic.
  • Hosiery: Sheer, neutral or pale colors and ankle decorations.
  • Eye wear: (Sun glasses) – Tortoiseshell, wrap around styles, larger and more decorative frames.
  • Make-up: Light and natural giving a youthful, fresh less contrived appearance.

  Winter Daytime Accessories

  • Fabrics: Denser and more tightly woven. Colors are rich, dark and accented with vivid hues. For example, velvet, corduroy, heavy silks, brocades, tweeds, plaids, paisley and felt. Animal prints re-emerge in felt and fur.
  • Jewelry: Predominantly jewelry is metallic, gold or silver solid or inlaid with precious and semi-precious stones.
  • Scarves: Heavier weight silks, wool, felt, fur and chenille.
  • Hats: Styles worn close to the head (for warmth) and made of wool, felt and chenille etc. Berets, Tam-o’-shanters, Fedoras, Crushers, Cossack styles, Beanies and Cloches.
  • Shoes: Closed (showing little of the foot) – boots, high vamp shoes, lace-ups and closed court shoes.
  • Bags: Leather predominates – animal skins, suede, patent leather and the occasional felt bag, are all examples.
  • Hosiery: Medium to opaque in medium density. Medium to dark colors as well as patterns and textures.
  • Make-up: Medium intensity, highlighting the eyes or the mouth, defined but not over powering.

Evening Accessories

Evening is the time when you can let your dramatic, romantic or sultry impulses run wild. Everything is intensified; the strength of color you wear for clothes and make-up, and the degree of luminescence. 

  • Fabrics: Fabrics that shine or sparkle, such as those run through with metallic thread or those adorned with sequins and rich looking fabrics such as velvet. Colors are vivid e.g., cobalt, fuchsia and deep periwinkle or sophisticated e.g., black, silver grey and pale rose pink. 
  • Jewelry: Anything that glitters or calls attention to the face e.g., gemstones and rhinestones. Or that which has a sophisticated evening elegance e.g., two strand set of pearls, twisted together and joined by a large gold and diamond clasp. Earrings that are medium to large with drop style being the most popular.
  • Scarves: Silk, lame, chiffon, ostrich, velvet and brocade seductively draped over the body.
  • Hats: Decorative and small.
  • Gloves: Fine, black or white, elbow length.
  • Shoes: Strappy, high and delicate in shiny fine leather, fabric or metallic. Shoe ornaments e.g., clips may be present.
  • Bags: Small to medium – leather, fabric, beaded or sequinned.
  • Hosiery: Sheer, either shiny or patterned in nude or dark colors.
  • Make-up: Intensified (to counteract the harsh effect of artificial lighting) and sultry to create a dramatic, formal, sophisticated or seductive look.
  • Hair: Swept up, full and bouncy or slicked back with gel.

Timing

The Mood of Accessories

Movie costume designers skilfully design the exact look for each individual character. So much so, that within a few seconds and without the actor uttering a single word you already know a great deal about the character they are to play — young, old, wealthy, poor, intelligent, stupid, sophisticated, artistic, sinister, immature and so on. It’s all to do with the way they are dressed and accessorized. With a little knowledge you too can control the look, mood, quality, character and attitudes you are seen to possess by the skillful adaptation of accessories.

Here are a few different looks you can obtain by working with color and accessories.  

To look confident, inspiring, stimulating and to be noticed: Wear light or dark colored outfits and accessorize with items that are bright or in a contrasting or complementary color.

To look lively, fun or inspiring: Wear medium-light to medium toned outfits in warm colors and add bright colored accessories.

To Look energetic, eye catching and to attract attention: Wear medium toned garments and bright accessories.

To look friendly and approachable: Wear medium muted, warm colored outfits and accessorize with soft, slouchy bags and tactile scarves etc.

To look dramatic, powerful, dignified or formal: Wear outfits that comprise of mostly dark tones and add light colored accessories.

To look sophisticated and elegant: Wear outfits and accessories in closely related colors; medium to deep (not dark) colors.

To look feminine, gentle and friendly: Wear outfits that comprise of light tones and add delicate accessories in the same tonal value.