10 Must-Have Fashion Accessories and How to Wear Them

Our clothes reflect our personality, but it’s really in the accessorizing we get to show off our individual styles. 

An elegant necklace or a fashionable hat can instantly transform a simple outfit into a stylish ensemble. With just a few of the basic pieces to work with, you will never look plain again. 

To help you with accessory-hunting, here’s a list of 10 must-have fashion accessories. We’ve also added a few quick tips on how to wear them with your outfits.

1. Necklaces

A few well-chosen necklaces will add some dramatic flair to your wardrobe. Here are a few styles you should consider:

Statement necklace

Every woman should have one or two statement necklaces in her fashion accessories stash. Are you going to a party or needing a touch of charisma with your office suit? The statement necklace is your answer. 

How to wear: Statement necklaces are typically colorful, bold, and layered, so wear one with an outfit that doesn’t clash with your necklace’s design. Choose neutral or solid colors that allow your necklace to pop and be the focal point of your ensemble.

Classic necklace 

This is your go-to option when you want to keep the focus on your outfit but don’t want to leave your neck bare. A modest gold or silver chain, either by itself or with a small pendant, will give an air of elegance to even the most casual of outfits. 

How to wear: Because of its understated style, you can wear a classic necklace with almost anything in your closet. We suggest pairing it with a printed halter top or romper so you can show off your necklace without overshadowing the outfit.

Pearl necklace

The epitome of elegance (think Audrey Hepburn!) All women should own at least one of these. One pearl necklace among your fashion accessories is enough for all the formal events you will attend in your lifetime. 

How to wear: Pair a pearl necklace with a little black dress or a gorgeous evening gown for the most formal of occasions. You can’t go wrong with it!

Pendant necklace

This is where you can truly go all-out with your personality. Long, pendant necklaces are popular because of the endless designs available. 

How to wear: Necklaces that are chest to navel-length are great pieces to have. You can wear them with any top, and even layer several pieces for a boho look.

2. Hats

Hats not only give your outfit a finished look, but are also great for hair emergencies (bad hair day, anyone?) and keeping the sun off your face.

Baseball cap

The most basic of them all. Get them plain, printed, or even embellished for a subtle hint of glam. 

How to wear: This looks great with casual jeans or shorts and your favorite shirt. Put it with a pair of sneakers and you’re ready for a comfy day out.

Fedora

Fedoras can be worn with a wide range of outfits, giving you that balance between practicality and fashion. 

How to wear: Wear it casual or dressy. They typically come in neutral colors, so don’t be afraid to match them with prints. Be sure to get those that fit well and can go with most of the items in your closet. Our favorite a classic color, black!

Floppy, broad-brimmed hat

This is great for when you expect to be outdoors in the sun a lot, as it provides ample shade. 

How to wear:  The broad-brimmed hat is the perfect accessory to wear with your summer outfit, whether to the beach, a picnic, or just a stroll outdoors.

Beanie

The ultimate in comfort during the colder months, and the accessory to have on hand if you want to achieve a hipster look. 

How to wear: The standard way is to simply pull it over your head, stopping just above your brows and covering your ears. This provides maximum comfort from the cold. You can wear it as far back as possible so that it covers the back of your head, or just plop onto your crown without much effort. Experiment to see what look suits you best!

3. Rings

The days when rings were worn solely by engaged or married couples are long gone. Now rings are as much fashion accessories as they are symbols of love and romance. 

How to wear: Most people say you shouldn’t wear it on the ring finger of your left hand, because that space is usually reserved for a wedding or engagement ring. Then again, there’s nothing really stopping you from doing it, so you just do YOU! Here are two types of rings you should have in your collection:

Cocktail ring

The cocktail ring (or chunky ring) is one of the biggest jewelry trends 2017 and is the counterpart to the statement necklace. It is probably a good idea, though, to not wear both together. Cocktail rings are meant to be big and ostentatious, so unless your ring and necklace are a set that perfectly work together, the two may clash with each other.

Classic ring bands 

Simple, metal bands are elegant accessories to have and can be worn with various outfits. What’s trendy, however, is to wear one or two of them layered on your finger. In fact, wearing several rings of various styles is all the rage, so you can even wear layered bands on two fingers and a cocktail ring on another.

4. Bracelets

Bracelets have been used as fashion accessories for centuries, and that’s not about to change. There is a wide variety of styles to choose from, so we’ve listed just a few for you to consider. 

How to wear: Make sure to choose bracelets that fit well on your wrist and don’t chafe your skin. Most bracelets can be worn with any outfit. Just find designs that you like and try wearing them with your outfits. It’s also popular to layer a few bracelets on your wrist, so you can try mixing them up and see what works.

Cuff bracelet

Mostly comes in metal and sometimes leather. Gemstone bracelet – popular with ladies who like to wear their birthstones.

Charm bracelet 

Tiny pendants, charms, and beads on a metal chain. Bangles – wide or narrow metal rings that you can slide onto your wrist. Looks great when layered.

5. Anklets

Just like the popular bracelet, anklets have also been around for ages in various cultures around the world. An anklet is a great way to show off your individuality! 

How to wear: Most anklets are tied around your ankle with a clasp, while some make use of adjustable knots or stretchy threads. An anklet is best worn on one foot, usually paired with slippers or sandals. In the summer, you can wear them with flip-flops for a beach vibe!

6. Belts

Keep a few good belts in your closet. Get a classic piece or two and then go hip and jazzy for the rest. This way, you have the perfect belts for any occasion. 

How to wear: Wear with jeans the classic way, or go trendy by wearing a waist belt with your top or dress. Use what you have or buy a specific one at your favorite store. You can choose from many available styles—from wide waist belts that give you that slimming effect to chains or embellished belts for that extra sparkle.

7. Scarves

A scarf is an indispensable clothing accessory. It adds color to a drab outfit, keeps you warm when it’s cold, and protects from you from the hot sun during summer. 

How to wear: Make sure your scarf doesn’t compete with your outfit in terms of color or print, otherwise you could end up looking gaudy. Once you have that out of the way, simply drape over your shoulders or wrap around your neck. Here’s a tip—google “how to wear a scarf” and you’ll find tons of different methods and tutorials! For now, here are a few examples:

 

The standard wrap

The casual loop

 

The pin-up style

The head wrap

8. Watches

Watches are timeless accessories for every woman (no pun intended!) There are lots of watch designs out there to suit all kinds of personalities, but we recommend at least two must-have pieces: a casual, menswear-inspired watch and a dressy, feminine one. 

How to wear: The casual watch goes very well with your basics and you can wear it layered with some of your bracelets. The dressy one should be worn with your more formal outfits. A gold or silver watch will look good with an evening dress and can also be layered with a chain bracelet or metal bangles for a greater effect.

9. Earrings

Your look wouldn’t be complete without a pair of earrings. Two classic styles that should always be in your collection are studs and hoops. 

How to wear: Before you even begin wearing them, make sure they’re all cleaned up. Disinfect if necessary. Some metals may cause irritation so it’s best to take precautions. Studs are great with any outfit and perfect for all seasons, so keep several of these in various styles. Hoop earrings are slightly more ostentatious and may be worn with party outfits and vintage dresses.

10. Sunglasses

What woman doesn’t own a pair of sunnies? They’re great for eye protection and are fantastic accessory pieces for a lady’s day out. 

How to wear: The trick to getting that perfect look is to know what type of sunglasses goes with your face shape. For example, oversized wayfarers can add width to long, narrow faces, while round sunglasses softens the hard lines of a rectangular face. 

It is also important that your sunglasses provide adequate protection for your eyes, so don’t hesitate to ask for advice from an expert, and read the labels when buying at the store.