Building the perfect closet is insanely hard. To do it, you have to find items that work for every aspect of your lifestyle, the weather of the place you live in, and that match your personality and taste. There’s a ton of lists out there, but how can you know that this list will work for *you*?
In this series, I’ll help you build *your* perfect closet, step by step.
This week, I’ll help you make a statement.
Building your perfect wardrobe is difficult but not impossible. In our last post, we gave you tips on finding the perfect basics for *your* personal style. This week, we’ll help you choose your statement pieces.
Table of Contents
Making a Statement
Statement pieces are items designed to make a bold statement in your look or closet. These items are your personal style to a T and are supposed to be the focal point of your outfit.
While we see ideas and lists about statement pieces, usually in bright colors or loud patterns, statement pieces are different for everyone, and they don’t necessarily have to be bright or loud.
How to Choose Your Statement Pieces
Basics vary from person to person, but ask yourself the following questions, and you will find the right path to follow:
- What do I want to say with this item? – Statement pieces are called a statement for a reason. They contrast with your normal, everyday things, but they’re still saying something about you. Maybe that you’re creative, that you are a force to be reckoned with, that you’re sweet or fun. What do you want to say?
- Does it work with my personal style? – After you know what you want to say, think if it is *actually* your style. It’s okay to wear things that aren’t 100% your usual style, but these things usually stay hidden in your closet, taking up space, if they’re too out there for you.
- Even if it’s not for every day, it’s an item that will make my day when I wear it. Mainly, statement pieces should make you happy and excited whenever you wear them. If it’s an item that makes you feel joy every time you pull it out of your closet, then it’s perfect for you.
For these pieces, there is no “minimum list” to make. Everyone’s style requires a different number of statement pieces. Someone with a classic or natural style will probably need or wear fewer statement pieces than someone with a creative or dramatic style.
If you’re just starting to build your perfect closet, a good rule of thumb to start experimenting with statement pieces would be:
- A layering piece: a jacket, a sweater, a coat, or something similar that you can just throw on top of one of your favorite outfits.
- Accessories – they’re an easy way of making a statement without worrying about going too big or not knowing how to pair them with the rest of your closet. Bags and jewelry are probably the best items to start with.
- Shoes – just like accessories, shoes are a simple way to add contrast and fun to an outfit. Boots, loafers, and heels are some of the best ways to make a statement since they usually come in more fabrics and colors than sneakers and flats.
Statement Pieces 101: A Fashion Guide
For this guide, I will once again use the 7 Universal Styles by Alyce Parsons to help you find your perfect statement pieces. As a reminder, the seven universal styles are: natural, classic, elegant, romantic, creative, dramatic, and alluring/seductive.
Remember, these styles are not mutually exclusive, and your personal style is made out of these different influences. For example, my personal style is mainly creative, with natural and dramatic mixed in.
Your personal style can be a mix of two to three of the styles, so take this guide and mix and match through these mood boards until you get what speaks to *you*.
Natural – Statement Items
Like we mentioned in our last post, the Natural style is mostly function and comfort over fashion. Natural is simplicity; it feels approachable with its relaxed fits in natural fabrics.
Statement pieces for Naturals look cozy, lightweight, relaxed, and practical, but maybe in slightly brighter colors or more patterns.
Items: Flannel, Coat, Cardigan, Pants, Skirt
The statement pieces for a Natural style could be:
- A flannel shirt or plaid jacket in jewel tones or subdued shades.
- Long, lightweight coat, trench coat, or cardigan in your favorite color to wear or a color that stands out against your basics (like emerald green or dark red).
- Pair of wide-leg pants or A-line skirt in a subtle pattern or a color that stands out against your neutrals.
Classic – Statement Items
Classics are all about simple, put-together, tailored-yet-practical items. The Classic style is timeless and focuses on traditional items.
Classics will probably keep their statement pieces to the more subtle side of the spectrum, adding just an accent color or a slightly different fit for a layering item.
Items: Blazer, Jacket, Shoes, Earrings, Purse, Dress
Classic style statement pieces can be:
- Slightly oversized blazer or jacket in your favorite color or a color that contrasts with your neutrals.
- Shoes or accessories in a bright color that you love.
- A dress or jumpsuit in a classic fit or a fit that you’re comfortable wearing, but with a subtle pattern (stripes or dainty florals) or a bright color that you love.
Elegant – Statement Items
Sleek, polished, and sophisticated are some of the words to describe Elegant style.
Again, tailored pieces, regular fits, and monochromatic looks will make an appearance, but an Elegant style makes a statement with suits, subtle patterns like floral or animal prints, and with textured fabrics.
Items: Suit, Skirt, Blouse, Shoes, Bag
Statement pieces for this style might be:
- A power suit in your favorite color.
- Midi/long skirt or dress in a subtle pattern (floral or animal print) in a palette that contrasts with your neutrals.
- A blouse in a subtle pattern (floral, animal print, geometric) in a palette that contrasts with your neutrals.
- Shoes/bags with a subtle pattern or textured materials like silk, tweed, or velvet.
Romantic/Feminine – Statement Items
Remember, the Romantic/Feminine style is sweet and soft, with dainty details and a lot of movement. Romantics can be very playful with their statement pieces, experimenting with volume, patterns, and details.
Items: Skirt, Blouse, Sweater, Shoes, Sneakers, Earrings
A Romantic’s statement pieces could look like:
- Skirt with a lot of volume (tulle, organza, taffeta) in either their usual neutrals or pastels or a brighter complementary color.
- Patterned blouse with exaggerated details in the collar and/or sleeves.
- A sweater or cardigan in a brighter color and a slightly oversized or more fitted fit.
- Accessories in bolder colors or more intricate designs, such as flower earrings or hair accessories, or patterned shoes or bags.
Seductive/Alluring – Statement Items
The boldness of the Seductive/Alluring style is still very present in their statement pieces.
Their statement pieces are turned to the max on the glamorous and eye-catching. Fit is key, think on exaggerated volumes and necklines, reflective fabrics, and bold and bright colors and patterns.
Items: Coat, Pants, Purse, Shoes, Dress
Some of the statement pieces for a Seductive style could be:
- Glamorous layering pieces, like a faux fur coat or vest, or a sequin blazer.
- A metallic skirt, pair of pants, or jacket.
- Metallic, patent, or animal print shoes or accessories.
- Sequin dress/skirt, especially in a figure-hugging fit.
- Red or burgundy items with a seductive detail, like a plunging neckline or tighter fit.
Creative – Statement Items
Creatives are already experimental, bright, and unique. Statement pieces are tricky for this style because they’re already out there experimenting, but for them, statement pieces are an opportunity to push themselves outside of their specific comfort zone.
Maybe what is a statement piece for a Romantic or a Seductive, is a starting point for a Creative. To them, statements come in the form of exaggerated and oversized yet relaxed fits, heavier patterns, and brighter plays on color.
Items: Set, Skirt, Blazer, Earrings, Purse, Shoes
A Creative’s list of statement pieces might be a bit longer than the other styles, except Dramatics, but this is one of the styles that thrives in experimentation. Their statement pieces might look like:
- Colorful or heavily patterned (quilted, comic-book style, geometric, gingham) co-ord set.
- Colorful or heavily patterned (different types of plaid together, geometric, floral) dress or skirt (long or voluminous fit).
- Uniquely shaped layering pieces like an extremely oversized blazer, cut like a crop top, but maintaining the big shoulder pads and longer sleeves.
- Intervened layering pieces, like a classic jacket that has been painted or a blazer that has been created from two different blazers.
- Fun or cartoon-y accessories (accessories that look like other things), like a beret that looks like a strawberry, earrings that resemble sardines, etc.
- Colorful and/or exaggerated shoes.
Dramatic – Statement Items
Dramatics are already all about statements. In contrast to the Creatives’ relaxed statements, Dramatics are sharper in their lines; they want to create a specific silhouette that is bold and eye-catching but not necessarily natural.
Items: Jacket, Blouse, Dress, Pants, Boots, Bag
Statement pieces for Dramatics, just like for Creatives, are more of an everyday thing, so they have more statement pieces in their closets. They like the challenge of a statement piece, so their statements might look like:
- Layering pieces with exaggerated-yet-structured lines (incredibly dramatic shoulder pads, corseted coats/jackets) in interesting and textured fabrics (patent leather, faux fur).
- A dress or skirt in blocks of color (geometric patterns with pops of color) or an interesting fabric (colorful animal print, metallics, sequins).
- Dramatic drop-waist skirt or dress, or wide-leg pants in a voluminous fabric in a bold color or neutral.
- Metallic/patterned shoes and bags in exaggerated silhouettes, like OTK boots or big-structured totes.
- Big architectural jewelry, like necklaces, bangles, or earrings.
Final Thoughts
Just like we did with our basics, you can create your own statement pieces mood board as a guide.
Since my personal style is mainly creative, with natural and dramatic sprinkled in, here’s how my statement pieces could look:
Statement pieces can be scary, especially if you don’t like to experiment with your clothes. But they don’t have to be. Statement pieces should be items that make *you* feel excited. They don’t have to be super bright or experimental to be your statement pieces; they just have to be something that makes you feel a bit more of something.
Your perfect statement pieces are those that make you feel more creative, more powerful, more dressed up, more you. I hope this helped you find them!
What Do You Think?
Which is your main style? What do your statement pieces look like? Do you have any styling questions? Let us know in the comments below!