How to accessorize: 6 tips to make a basic outfit more stylish & interesting
Accessorizing can be the #1 key to making an outfit WERK for you, but why can’t it be as easy as picking the perfect bodega bagel?
Color coding, matching prints, and finding the right flare for a look can be so daunting-- what looks good with what?
SO… I guess it’s the same t-shirt and jeans again today.
Finding the right accessories for your style doesn’t have to be Armageddon, the LGY experts are here to help. Use this guide to learn how to add the perfect pop of color or statement piece to any outfit, and stand out in the crowd.
No more boring combos in this household!
Ways to Slay
1) Glasses add a bookish or smart vibe to any look with VERY minimal effort.
Just slide on some tinted shades or spectacles to frame your face and you’re good to go!
Glasses can bring the class AND the sass, depending on your style!
If you want to get sophisticated like our girl in houndstooth above, go for a boxier or thick-rimmed pair. There’s a new emerging aesthetic called “academia” and it's super popular with gen Z.
But why should they have all the fun?!
Pair a smart, old fashioned blazer like this one in houndstooth or any checkered pattern (neutrals are preferable), with either a skirt or denim.
Denim dresses professor vibes down, while a skirt or pleated slacks in black or brown plunges you into harry potter realness.
Nothing screams Professor Mcgonagall like an updo, but who wants to look like Grandma Gertie? Try a piecey, curly updo or a messy top knot to keep your hair out of your face and add an air of sophistication that is fun and youthful.
Try a messy updo like this one to pair with any academia look
If you’re itching to shake things up, try tinted shades, like Tess Holliday!
Pick a statement or accent color in your outfit, make sure it matches your outfit’s temperature (warm with warm, cool with cool), and serve!
The best frames for YOUR face shape
Ok, so we all know this whole “face shape” thing is kinda B.S.
It’s hard enough figuring out your body shape, but now you have to pick a geometric map for your face? For some women, this seems almost impossible. To pick glasses that fit you, go for frames that…
don’t touch your cheeks
don’t extend over your eyebrows
& aren’t wider than your temples
But, if you’re still curious about face shape specifics, we gotcha covered there too.
Round face gals (your face is widest at the cheeks and roughly the same width and length ), look for:
angular narrow glass frames to lengthen your proportions.
frames with clear bridges
rectangular, wide shapes.
Oval face gals (your face is proportionally balanced), look for:
frames that are either as wide or slightly wider than the broadest part of your face
walnut-shaped frames
nothing too narrow or deep
Heart-shaped gals (widest at the forehead and narrowest at the bottom), look for:
frame shapes that are widest at the bottom
light colors and rimless frames
frames with an airy appearance to enhance your natural beauty!
Oblong gals, (your face is longer than it is wide with a long cheek line), look for:
frames with more depth than width
glasses with emphasized arms to add width to your face.
Square shaped gals, (your face has a strong jaw and a broad forehead), look for:
narrow frames that give your features a longer and softer appearance.
frames with more width than depth
oval-shaped lenses
Diamond faced gals, (your face has a narrow forehead and jawline with broad cheekbones), look for:
detailed or thick brow lined (top lined) frames
oval or cat-eye shapes
frames that emphasize your dramatic look and soften your cheekbones
Base-down triangle shaped gals, (your face has a narrow forehead with wider cheeks and a broad chin), look for:
frames that are heavily accented with color and detailing on the top half
cat eye shaped frames
2. Masks. They can be pretty hot and pretty annoying, but we’re definitely gonna be rocking them for a while.
Make the best of your mask by matching it with your outfit, or adding a splash of color to a neutral-toned look
The black mask is the chicatude go-to lately! Clock Bella/GiGi Hadid and Lily Rose Depp usually wearing black, white, or beige masks for inspo.
Pro-tip: neutrals go with pretty much any outfit.
Contrast your mask with your skin color to make the boring neutrals pop
If you’re more pale toned, go for a darker mask, like a black or dark brown color.
This will make your features pop, and give your monochrome look some extra colorblocking.
If you’re darker toned, try a white or light beige mask for contrast!
To break up a monochrome or already neutral look, look for patterns or with a pop of color.
Mask Aesthetic Basics
If your aesthetic is more sporty & bold:
vamp up the drama by looking for masks with bright neons, geometric patterns, or funky designs (like snakeskin or animal print). Rock these masks with some fun athleisure wear or power pantsuits.
If you’re a working girl looking for a look that’s professional & chic:
Find masks with solid neutral colors that aren’t too tight, elastic ear loops for easy application, or spiffy patterns like pinstripe or checkered print. Holla for houndstooth y’all!
If you wanna match any pattern to your fit, check that the most prominent color shows up somewhere in your fit.
Muted, simple patterns will give you the most versatility and re-wear potential!
If you’re into a softer and more feminine vibe:
look for diluted pastels, ditzy florals, and lace patterns.
This will blend well with romantic dresses & flow-y tops.
Patterns aren't your thing? We gotcha. For subtler mask accessorizing, you can match the style of your mask to the style of your outfit.
If you’re going for more of a vintage or romantic vibe, go for a cloth mask with manual ties behind your ears.
This gives off an almost victorian look that’ll fit right in with your thrifted pieces and chunky statements.
A well-fitted mask will add an extra element of sleek to any sporty or professional look.
Look for materials mold closely to your face in industrial colors with a little shimmer (like a silk or satin fabric in grey or charcoal).
3) Purses are perfect for breaking up a busy look
Match the color of your purse to a primary color in your look, or add a statement purse to a casual jeans & t-shirt look for some extra va va voom.
They always say you can tell a lot about a woman by the contents of her purse. My Nature Valley granola bar crumb coated and old guitar pick covered purse bottom may say a lot about me, but what about the purse itself?
Why not choose one that adds an extra somethin’ somethin’ to your vibe, instead of letting it fade into the background like all the trips we planned for summer 2020? RIP!
How purses can play up the drama of your look
Whenever you’re choosing a purse, ask yourself these questions…
Are the edges soft or sharp?
Is the color bright or muted?
Is there a pattern or is it solid?
How can you use texture to your advantage?
For a dreamy and soft look that’s more boho than bark, go for an oversized or mid-sized bag with an unusual shape with a relaxed vibe.
If you’re tired of slouchy faux-leather brown hobo bags, try a rattan bag or a crochet multi-colored satchel.
For a fun, athleisure friendly/on-the-go bag, go for a slick crossbody or fanny pack style travel purse.
They’re super convenient and super modern. Adidas & Nike re-popularized this 80s dad trend-- talk about reclaiming a style!
You can get this one in a bunch of electric colors for 30$ at LeSportsac.
For a chic and easy statement piece that gives off major fashionista vibes, go for a clutch or a mini-bag you won't mind busting onto the dance floor OR grabbing for a day trip.
We love versatility here!
Check out this green crocodile bag here for inspo.
The size & shape of these shoulder bags also gives the look more of a 2000s vibe, throwing us back to the 1999 classic Dior Saddle Bag that gave rise to the y2k tiny bag trend.
A tiny bag is great for giving an already busy outfit, like this statement pair of zebra pants, a great little pop of color! The purse in this look takes the outfit from fab to fantastic.
For the professional gal on the run, your bag needs to fit a LOT. A tablet, a laptop, a work phone, and whatever loose paperwork you might be handling on any given day.
A satchel bag with adjustable straps and extra compartments is gonna be your best bet.
Pro-Tip: If you’re more into neutrals, try a brown or beige faux-leather pouch instead.
4) Jewelry can add a subtle dash of glamour OR a big chunky statement to any outfit!
For most of us, it’s the go-to for finishing off an outfit, but how can we use it smarter?
If your style is on the subtler side, you don’t have to go too big OR break the bank! Try out a pair of understated studs with a thin-chained necklace and maybe a bracelet.
If you put the B in bold and wanna put the P in statement piece, look for large pendants with chunky medallions and bright colors to highlight your big personality.
Style them with a monochrome or neutral-heavy look to give your step an extra pep.
A little lost on jewelry djargin? We gotcha. Click here for a PDF breaking down all the terms and necklace lengths you’ll need to know the next time you go shopping (insert link here)
Check out this awesome article on necklace length from Cornelis Hollander for more deets here.
There’s more to jewelry than necklaces, of course. So how can you get earrings working for you too?
The trends in earringwear this year lean towards the big and the bold. Think 80s glamour meets haute couture!
This means pearls (usually in matching sets with necklaces), and O.T.T chunky pieces.
5) Makeup is perfect for glam-ing!
The bold lip may be resting in peace atm, but why not try a bold eyeshadow look to spice up your outfit?
So, most of us would agree that makeup is daunting as hell.
Anyone else been cycling through the same two or three eyeshadow routines since college, or still using an eyeshadow palette that is definitely expired at this point?
No fear, LGY is here.
Check out this easy chart for a lay of your eyelid land so you can understand our tips for each look!
Ok, so we all know how to apply eyeshadow, right? WRONG.
It’s never too late to start learning about makeup, no gatekeeping here.
Whether you’re a novice or heavily versed in the language of eyeshadow, we believe everyone should have a chance to rock a bold look!
Everyday eyeshadow
If you’re looking for something simple and sexy, look no further than your classic bronze/brown smokey eye.
STEPS:
Brush a light brown or mauve into your crease
Pack some dark brown into your outer v
Blend them together and fan them out
Add some bronze shimmer on your lid and tearducts with some eyeliner— now you’re a golden goddess ready for action!
This look is perfect for professional working gals, but there’s always time to experiment with bolder looks outside of your office.
For an equally easy but slightly lighter/more youthful look, try an all over one-shade eyeshadow moment. You only need one bold color, like this bright yellow shade.
STEPS
Brush a darker shade of the color into your crease (always fanning it out at the outer v)
Bring it down to your lower lid.
Pack your upper lid with the brighter tone of that color, and add your desired amount of eyeshadow.
Don’t forget to highlight your brow bone with a shimmery white to emphasize your peepers.
If you’re into simple and understated vibes, try a single toned shimmer with a bold brow. This is the easiest of the bunch!
STEPS
Pack a silvery, peachy, or nude shimmer pigment all over your lid, crease, and lower lid.
Fill in your brows generously, especially if they’re on the fairer side, to frame your face.
Line your waterline with a funky aquamarine or turquoise color
The key to makeup is experimenting and finding what makes your insides sparkle. Makeup is totally genderless, sizeless, ageless, and not limited by race. You can find colors and pigments for every skin tone/texture, and there are so many trends to try.
Trendsetter central
Not ready to let the summer sun-kissed glow go? Grab some brown eyeliner, self-tanner, or henna (for a more permanent look), and dot on some faux freckles all over your nose & cheeks. Your freckles don’t have to be brown either, they can be any color you can think of. (Yes, glitter counts as a color)!
Super-rosy cheeks are also all the rage, and perfect for colder weather to give you a frosty-cute look.
Heavy blush is great for more natural makeup looks, or to give your face an extra glow on no-makeup days.
But hey, why should cheeks have all the fun!? Dust some rouge on your chin, nose, eyelids, temples, and cheekbones to get certifiably tickled pink.
This look is perfect if you wanna go a little more avant-guarde/eye grabbing. Pair with a matte berry lip-stain applied only to the center of your lips & a bold brow.
6) Belts break up a look and can create a smoother silhouette.
Interrupt a monochrome outfit with a bold red belt, or add a classy western-style belt to a casual outfit for an effortless extra pop of bling.
Believe it or not, your body type actually says a lot about what belts will look best on you and where you should put them on your body. Should you go for that snatched waist, a mid-rise cinch, or should your belt rest on your hips? What size will suit you best and how?
For my petite girls out there: thin and monochrome is your best
Use tiny belts to elongate your figure
Make sure it rests at your natural waist
It should match or contrast a primary color in your look. A belt that’s too big will overwhelm your frame!
Are you on the taller side? You’re gonna wanna go for wide.
Go for belts that take up more space and have a chunkier appearance
If your belt is resting on your hips, it should be a little on the thinner side of wide
If it’s resting on your waist, the bigger the better! Both of these belt sizes/placements can work for you.
If you’re sporting an hourglass frame, you’re going to also look best in wide belts, but mostly veer towards those that sit high on your waist.
Cinch your belt just slightly above your natural waist to emphasize your figure without digging into your hips or looking too tight.
Hip length belts won’t work as well with your proportions, so avoid at all costs!
If your body is straight and rectangular, you can use a belt to create the illusion of a curvier figure.
. Go for super narrow belts to pair with flowy or slightly baggy tops/dresses, and cinch it at your belly button.
If your waist is short, a v-shaped belt or chain will flatter you best.
To create the illusion of a taller upper body, look for a belt that hangs low.
If your waist is long, go for wide belts with big statement buckles placed high on your body.
They won’t drown you out, and you can use the extra bling to make a statement!
Hip belts also work for you, but make sure they’re on the thinner side
Once you have a better handle on your aesthetic, body type, and face shape, accessorizing seems a whooole lot easier. Check out our other guides on closet cleaning and laundry basics to get a full picture of how to care for your closet.
