Accessories can elevate an outfit but can also ruin your look if not chosen carefully. Whether you’re overdoing it or making outdated choices, your accessory habits can sabotage your style in an instant. Here are the accessory mistakes you need to stop making immediately, along with tips on how to up your game instead.
1. Adding Bulk with Chunky Scarves
Statement pieces are just that, a way to make a statement, so you should stick to one or two in every outfit and avoid bulky pieces. Wearing chunky scarves, too many necklaces, giant rings, oversized sunglasses, and logo handbags and shoes can create a chaotic look that is totally overwhelming. This doesn’t mean you can’t accessorize; use your discretion to pick one or two of your best statement pieces to wear.
2. Wearing Cheap, Tarnished Jewelry
Cheap jewelry may be more budget-friendly and fun than upscale pieces, but tarnished jewelry can make your outfit look unpolished. Rather than buy 100 cheap pieces that don’t last a year, try investing in one or two higher-quality items that won’t turn your skin green.
3. Mixing Too Many Metals
While mixing metals can be trendy right now, most people can’t pull this look off. Overdoing the whole mixed metal look can often clash and look disjointed. If you want to experiment with this fashion trend, stick to two metals at most and balance these pieces throughout your outfit for a well-rounded look.
4. Overstacking Bracelets
Stacking bracelets can add a fun element of texture to your outfit, but piling on too many at once can look messy and juvenile. Limit your bracelet stacks to a set of bangles or pieces that complement each other without clashing and looking gaudy.
5. Wearing Sunglasses Indoors
Sunglasses are a great accessory that is also sun-safe, but when you wear your sunglasses indoors, they can come off as pretentious and aloof. If people rarely approach you in public, it’s it’s likely because you use a visual shield by wearing your sunglasses indoors. Save your shades for outdoor use to maintain a more approachable look.
6. Ignoring Your Skin Tone When Choosing Jewelry
Just like with clothes, the wrong metal or gemstone color can clash with your skin tone, making your accessories look out of place. For some of us, our skin glows when wearing gold; for others, it’s better to opt for silver. Stick to metals and stones that complement your natural coloring for a harmonious look.
7. Wearing Socks with Sandals
This one should go without saying, but socks and sandals are major fashion faux pas that make you look out of touch. If you want to wear open-toed shoes, leave the socks home and opt for a stylish pedicure. We get that it can be a comfortable combination, but it’ll bring you the wrong kinds of attention.
8. Outdated Hair Accessories
Hair accessories like clips and ornaments are a fun way to liven up dull hair, but be mindful that overdoing it can make you appear juvenile. Avoid loading your hair with ribbons, bows, clips, or tinsel, or risk looking like you’re clinging to your youth. Instead, choose one or two pieces that complement your hairstyle for an elegant, sophisticated approach.
9. Wearing Belts That Don’tDon’th Your Outfit
Belts are a fun accessory to take an outfit to the next level. However, a mismatched belt can throw off your entire look. Choose belts that complement your outfit in color and style, and avoid overly flashy buckles unless they suit your look or you’re wearing a basic outfit.
10. Bags Too Big for the Occasion
Oversized bags can be practical when heading to the office or out for errands, but in other circumstances, they can also make you look weighed down and out of proportion. Choose a bag that suits the occasion and complements your outfit’s silhouette. If you’re heading to a wedding or a formal event, chances are that you won’t need an oversized tote; instead, opt for a smaller flap bag or clutch that’s sleek without distracting.
11. Overdoing the Rings
When it comes to jewelry, rings are one of the best ways to accessorize. Whether you gravitate towards simple gold bands or statement cocktail rings, these can be a fun and quirky way to dress up an outfit. However, wearing too many rings on every finger can look excessive and tacky. Instead, opt for one or two statement rings or a few dainty ones spread across your fingers for a balanced look.
12. Clashing Patterns with Scarves
Scarves are a great way to add texture to your outfit and keep you warm and chicly layered in those colder months, but mixing too many patterns can clash and look chaotic. If you’re going to add a scarf to your outfit, stick to solid colors or simple patterns that complement the rest of your outfit, not clash with it.
13. Wearing Outdated Accessories
Just like clothes, accessories can also go out of style. Wearing an outdated accessory can immediately draw attention and convey that you don’t keep up with trends. If you’re handing on to old trends like chunky necklaces or outdated bag shapes, it’s time to retire them and opt for more modern alternatives.
14. Choosing the Wrong Footwear for Your Outfit
Your shoes should complement your outfit, not compete with it. Just as you don’t have a bold lip with a bold eye makeup look, you shouldn’t have bold shoes with a bold outfit. Accessorization is all about balance, whether it’s it’s shoes with a delicate dress or loud heels with a formal gown. If your outfit is already vivacious, pair the look with understated shoes so as not to overwhelm the entire look.
15. Wearing Too Much Animal Print
A little animal print can add a fun, edgy touch to your outfit, but too much can be overwhelming. For example, if you wear a cheetah print skirt or blouse, match it with a cheetah print hat or bag. This can make you look tacky and gaudy. Animal print is a statement piece, so if it already appears in your outfit, pair it with more subtle accessories for a balanced look.