Accessories help us put the finishing touches on our grooming. They add colour, flair, and style. Shoes, handbags, jewellery, scarves, belts and even dupattas all fall under accessories. These adornments help set off our clothes, making them seem right for the occasion.
You can have a few good clothes that look different with different accessories. For example, the same salwar kurta in one colour can look informal with a printed dupatta and glamorous at night with a rich sequined dupatta.
You can learn how much scope there is by experimenting with colours, combinations and different looks. Of course, one should exercise good taste. Project the look you want, as long as it is in good taste and you carry it off with flair. A few simple rules will help.
The first rule is subtlety. Decorative clothes, like heavy embroidery, or large prints, need simple accessories, otherwise they clash with each other and detract from both. With printed outfits, use accessories of neutral shades for bags and shoes. Neutral colours, like black, brown, beige or white can be used for very bright colours too.
One outfit in a solid colour can look both formal and casual, depending on the accessories. A simple strand of pearls and pearl tops can be worn with the outfit for the daytime. The same outfit can be worn in the evening with heavier jewellery. In other words, accessories can ‘lift’ the entire outfit.
Nothing is as feminine and exotic as traditional Indian clothes worn with conventional jewellery. Today, various costume jewellery is available that can be safely worn without detracting from style or class. In other words, wearing jewellery does not have to be a matter of being able to afford it. A unique piece of jewellery will help to lend that touch of style.
For choosing jewellery, some attention should be paid to the facial shape. For example, if you have a wide jawline, you should not wear earrings with a wide base that ends at the jawline. Instead of wearing traditional jhumka, long drop earrings are more flattering. Something dainty and delicate is better for you.
The neck also counts. Keep away from heavy chokers if you do not have a long neck. For short necks, wear long chains, or strands of pearls that hang down and form a long oval. A chain with a locket would also suit. This helps to create an illusion of length.
What you wear around your neck may decide whether you need more jewellery. A pair of heavy earrings may need only a bracelet or bangles. This helps to set off the earrings. Your jewellery should be appropriate for the occasion. A unique piece of costume jewellery, like a wide bracelet, long bead chains, a brooch made from an old earring and so on, can make the outfit stylish. If you are creative, there is no limit to the ways by which your clothes can be fashionable.
Shoes and bags are also part of accessorising and contribute to the final effect. Basic neutral-coloured shoes and handbags go with many outfits. You do not have to match your accessories exactly to your outfits. Instead, a little imagination and taste can make you more creative. For the night, carry a decorative evening purse, with a sling. If you have a plain one, add your touches, like stitching tiny sequins, or attaching an old brooch or earring that you don’t wear anymore. Shoes or slippers in gold and silver are also needed for gala evenings. A strappy pair of shoes in silver or gold is ideal for formal evening wear.
Look out for unusual pieces of jewellery, watches, handbags and so on and relate them to the outfits you possess. Good accessorising does not need a big bank balance. Costume jewellery can be safely worn, without detracting from style or class, provided you select good pieces.
You can even try your creativity. An old earring, for instance, can be made into a brooch or attached to a hair clip. Or you can attach it to a chain and wear it on the neck. It can even be pinned to a black evening purse. There are certainly no limits to creativity.
