Top 5 Ways to Spice Up an Ordinary Outfit
We all have our go-to outfits: those old standbys like a great pair of worn-in jeans, or favorite top. Sometimes, though, as much as you love your favorite outfits, they just need a little something extra!
The following five pieces (three accessories and two articles of clothing) can spice up any outfit alone or in combination! So if you’re looking to make a big impact with a new style, pick up one (or more!) of these five things and you’re good to go.
1. Scarves.
A colorful or patterned scarf can totally change your entire look. Whether you wear it tied around your neck, as a belt, swinging from your purse, or as a head wrap, you’ll get lots of millage out of these little guys.
Scarves are a great way to add some spice to an ordinary outfit–choose a chunky knit for added texture, patterns for pizazz, or neons for an added burst of color. It all depends how you want to wear it!
Hot Picks
Product Information: Gold Sequin Skinny Scarf, Dorothy Perkins. Kirra Tie Dye Scarf, PacSun. Women’s Chunky Sweater-Knit Scarf, Old Navy. Purple Psychedelic Silk Scarf, debenhams.com.
2. Jewelry.
As any Rachel Zoe fan would know, accessories are one of the easiest ways to change up an outfit. You can pile on an arm full of bangles, show off a giant cocktail ring, or rock a bib necklace to make your every day look stand out from the pack.
My personal favorite jewelry tip is to wear great statement earrings–chandelier or door-knocker styles work nicely–a favorite ring, and a simple bracelet for a quick dose of style-infused fun. I’m sure fellow CF intern Michelle would agree that brooches are also great accent jewelry if you’re looking to update your style! Try pinning one on a cardigan or scarf, or even wearing it in your hear as a head piece!
Hot Picks
Product Information: House of Harlow 1960 Leather Stations Necklace in Black, ShopBop. Orange Cocktail Ring, Top Shop. Shulda Bangles, aldoshoes.com. Marc by Marc Jacobs Zipper-pull Studs, net-a-porter.com.
3. Shoes.
I have a confession to make: I’m not a shoe girl. Unbelievable, I know. I also know, however, that a hot pair of shoes is sometimes all you need to completely change up an ordinary outfit.
Usually wear flip flops or flats? Try a pair of knee-high boots with your skinny jeans! In heels all the time? Invest in a pretty pair of flats or moccasins! Whatever you choose, if you’re looking to create a really interesting look, try playing with unexpected patterns or colors. I love patent, animal print, and metallics, just to name a few shoe trends.
Hot Picks
Product Information: Faux Jewel Suede Flats, yesstyle.com. Jeffery Campbell Oakley Fringe Boots, Bluefly. Ciao Bella Pause Flats, Piperlime. Suede Peep Toe Booties, ardenb.com.
4. Headbands.
I may not be a shoe girl, but I absolutely LOVE headbands! There are so many styles out there: from statement headbands to basics, and thin bands to ultra-wide, 60′s style pieces. The list goes on and on, with each pick more fabulous than the last.
If you’re looking to really change an outfit, a statement headband is the way to go. Not only will it push that hair off of your pretty face, but it’ll also instantly complete that outfit of yours! This season, look for styles with feathers, braided details, or jewels if you’re looking to update a favorite look!
Hot Picks
Product Information: Sherry Satin Bow Headband, Forever 21. Peacock Feather Headband, shop.monikapolitan.com. Versailles Headband, modcloth.com. Tasha Feather & Flower Headband, Nordstrom.
5. Jackets.
Jackets are an extremely simple way to completely change the look of your outfit!
Ditch your North Face fleece for the day in favor of something that’ll pack a style punch. Depending on the weather, you could pick a trench, leather jacket, peacoat, or denim jacket, or just throw on a brightly colored cardigan for a quick style update. Wearing a different jacket is even more noticeable if you tend to stick to a certain style or color, and since it’s such a major article of clothing, it’s often the first thing people notice about your outfit. Change this one item up, and they’ll probably forget you’re wearing an outfit you’ve worn a million times before!
Hot Picks
Product Information: Dark Denim Cropped Jacket, American Eagle. Logan Plaid Peacoat, Delias. Black Quilted-Shoulder Biker Jacket, missselfridge.com. Women’s Belted Trench in Fawn, Old Navy.
Opinions, please!
What do you think, guys? How do you update your favorite outfits? Do you utilize any of these items? Are any of you shoe freaks who want to give us all tips on hot shoes to spice up our looks? Let me (and everyone else!) know with your comments!
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Posted on on November 12, 2009 / Filed Under: Fashion Tips / Tags: Accessories, Fall 2009, Headbands, Jackets, Jewelry, Scarves, Shoes, Top 5, Winter 2009
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Norah
Great post! I’m personally not a jewelry girl ( usually just end up breaking or losing it) but I definitely agree with the scarves and jackets. There are some many different ways to wear a standard scarf that it can really change a look from day to day. I also think that a nice jacket goes along way. I personality can’t stand wearing sporty winter jackets, they just make me feel bulky and awkward. But depending on my mood, I have 3 main winter jackets that I alternate between.
Love the site! Keep up the great work!
beth
hey!great post!id really appreciate if you could do a follow up on the different ways to don a scarf cos i pretty much wear it the same way all the time :/ Thanks!
Virginia
I love scarves. I really like using them as belts or tying them in a triangle as a hip scarf. If you chose colors that contrast with your outfit, this can really make something simple pop. The best part is you can make the same outfit look incredibly different by using a different scarf.
I’m also a big fan of shoes in every color. I like to pick a shoe that contrasts with my outfit and match my earrings and necklace to it. This can give that extra dose of umph and make an outfit awesome. Love your blog!
Best,
Virginia
Jane
I love scarves and shoes, however I feel like I stick to either flats (in winter) or sandals (in summer). it’s hard for me to branch out and wear heels because i feel I can’t walk right in them. I’m really going to try and wear them more often because I really do like them!
Like Beth said i’d like a post on how to wear a scarf. I feel like I’m wearing it the same way all the time and would really love to try out something new.
Lillian
I can totally sing the praises of scarves as massive wardrobe changers. As a girl with short hair who wears a black dress and black flats almost everyday, scarves have been my godsend to make sure people don’t think they’re getting deja’vu! If you do a follow up you should include colorful stocking and inexpensive cardigans. Both of those have saved my skin a couple times when the laundry was broken and all I had was two black dresses and a closet full of cardigans.
Not to mention after more than a year of having a cropped cut so short headbands wear not an option, my newest haircut makes headbands possible again! I’m really excited to DIY some awesome headgear. I’ll send a link when I post it!
mandunk
wah jacketnya bagus bagus pengin beli atu
Maria
Great post! I usually play with bags, belts, and jewelry but never scarves or jackets since i live in a tropical country. i also heart shoes very very much, probably more than clothes themselves, so i often try to base my outfits on the shoes (easier for me that way). i’ve never tried headbands though… and your suggestions are so cute! they’re definitely up on my list. :)
Liza - University of Minnesota
Thanks for the feedback, ladies! I’m so happy you like what you see!
Jane & Beth–A “How To Wear and Tie Scarves” post is in the works! Look for my suggestions in a few short weeks. I love scarves too, and there are so many cute ways to wear them!
Jennifer
I’ve never tried wearing scarves before, even though I bought two plaid ones in Scotland, so I’m glad there’s a post coming out about how to wear them.
I love jewelry as an accent piece. Yesterday, I went shopping for some nice shorts for my (hopefully) up-coming internship and I found a wonderful necklace that complements them perfectly. The best part is, I can wear it with a wide-range of colors since its purple/red and silver. I’ve also got some really great black and white earrings.
I’m not a huge fan of headbands, mainly because I can never find one that stays in my hair. They always seem to shift forward or backwards.
Mary
Love the post! Life really is all about the details. For some great headbands/hair accessories, check out http://www.etsy.com/shop/viemoderne. They are completely unique and handmade; I have several headbands and they are all ADORABLE and make quite an addition to any outfit!
shrreya
hey.. i so love your posts, they are really great.. *always eagerly waiting for updates*
i mostly have high neck tops for winters.. so really get zapped how to accesorise when going to college so that it doesn’t look too over the top.. but even in winters i love to wear (warm) skirts.. i’m not much of a jeans person but gradually becoming one..lol..
i love bags and shoes nd jewellery and mostly play around them… cz m not really innovative with scarves or jackets..lol
i was thinking if u could give some examples of the ensembles.. as in with the scarves nd jewellery, preferably with each pik… it would be really awesome… as in some ideas about how to go about them
tk cre :)
Luinae
I’m not a headband girl, but I frequently add one of my many jackets- their my fashion vice!
Lizzy
I am drooling over those zipper earrings and peacock headband!
Jenny
Your article is wonderful! Hold it. And my favourite high heel shoes is christian louboutinshoes , they are very nice and sexy !! Recommend http://www.christianlouboutingirl.us online store ! Thanks !
Madeleine Fahlbusch
I think this is a great article. I mean, almost every look was trendy and something I’d wear. I update my outfits with all sorts of different accesories: cocktail rings, patterened scarfs, chunky necklaces. I always try to include a bold accesory in every outfit I wear. I utilize all the different ways that you named in this article depending on what I want my outfit to convey to people. I’m SUCH a shoe freak, I’ve just developed a bit of a shoe obsession. I would recommend ankle boots to really give an outfit punch because they can give your outfit a rocker edge, they can make your legs look long and lean if your boots have heels (like mine do) and they are very in style right now anyways which is an added bonus.
http://ladiessilkscarf.co.uk/blog/2009/10/fashion-scarves/
it is a great idea to spice up an ordinary outfit with accessories. my first choice is always scarves as they can be worn year round and look kool
karen
mark has great acessorys to spice up an outfit.. everything makes great gifts for the holidays!!
Samantha
Wear the same clothes every day (well, almost!) and nobody will know if you just change the accessories! My can’t-live-without accessory this season is the nodzzz neck warmer. It’s a cozy fleece material and, like a pair of comfy UGGS, perfect for hanging around campus or the dorm.