At my big age, I somehow never learned to accessorize. An ex once observed that I was hard to buy for since I never wore jewelry. I didn’t get my ears pierced till I was 27. I’ll wear a cute hat to the gym only to carry it in my tote bag all day afterward. But just because I don’t know how to accessorize doesn’t mean I don’t want to. I low-key hoard random bracelets I bought on vacation and hair clips and tiny clutch bags, and, well, I did get my ears pierced in the end — even if it was 20 years later than, like, everyone else.
I often look at fashion girls on Instagram and want to cry over how put together they look. I mean, I find clothing myself hard enough; how do these girlies also have the bandwidth in the morning to put on funky earrings and a cool hair clip and have the presence of mind to bring some sunnies with them to whatever cool-girl event they’re off to?
I’m not delulu enough to think that I will suddenly transform into a fashion influencer, but I did want to know how I, a mere mortal, could step up my accessorizing game. To help me out, I consulted some people who are much cooler than me to crowd-source their best accessorizing tips for lazy girls — and maybe absorb some of their coolness by osmosis.
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A Guide to Accessorizing When You Have No Clue What You’re Doing
Find Out What The Cool Girls Are Doing And, Like, Do That
Let’s be real — whatever I’ve been doing so far, accessories-wise, it’s not working. So here’s a little inspiration for all of you reading this who feel my pain. Maybe if we learn about what the cool girls are doing, we’ll finally get it?? A girl can dream.
First up is Kristine Anigwe, who’s a stylist for a whole bunch of WNBA players, plus a fashion designer, plus a pro basketball player. Her accessorizing philosophy feels really achievable, actually.
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“I tend to keep my outfits minimal and stick to neutral color tones, so accessories are where I like to make a statement,” Anigwe tells Betches. “I usually start with bold earrings — whether that’s a chunky hoop or something a bit more eye-catching. Day to day, I’ll also throw on a few rings, a chunky bracelet, chunky earrings, and a pair of stylish glasses. It really just depends on the occasion.” For work, the stylist loves a trusty tote bag and is currently obsessed with a leather Fendi tote.
Next is Sophie Habboo, who rose to fame on the UK reality show Made In Chelsea. Habboo is a major influencer, serial podcaster, and certified it girl who’s always on red carpets and magazine covers. But even though she’s a big deal, it turns out Habboo’s accessorizing habits are also pretty accessible. “I’m a real handbag girl,” she says. “I just love them, so they are always my number one accessory to play with my outfits.”
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One of her current faves is a brown, vintage-inspired Miu Miu bag with a buckle or clip detail — “It just elevates any outfit instantly.”
She’s also big on sunglasses. “They’re a must. And I love a good [baseball] cap when I’m trying to dress things down a bit.”
Lastly, Cartia Mallan is an Australian-born, London-based influencer and YouTuber with an A+ style. “I have been loving glasses lately, especially styles like the viral Miu Miu MU 09XV in Honey Havana or the Jimmy Fairly Emmy frames in tortoise,” Mallan says. “I also accessorize my everyday outfits with a fun handbag that complements the overall aesthetic I’m aiming for that day. With regard to jewelry, I never leave the house without a few bracelets or rings; I feel off balance without them.”
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Mix and Match a Few Faves for Your Everyday Look
If you want to accessorize without the headache, it’s worth finding a few pieces that go with everything (like plain metal jewelry or black sunglasses). Once you’ve pinpointed a few, stash them in your handbag (in protective sleeves and pouches, please! I’ve been burned before) or keep them on your dresser or with your keys or anywhere else where you’ll actually remember to pick them up and throw them on. That way, you can easily elevate your jeans and t-shirt on the reg without having to actually think about it.
For Habboo, earrings are the best starter accessory for maximum impact and minimum effort. “I love a good hoop, whether it’s chunky, thin, or even a bold turquoise one,” she says. “Layering earrings is such an easy way to make a statement.” Add to that a pair of sunglasses, and honestly, that’s kind of all you need.
Anigwe loves adding something in a bold color like teal, which really shows off her personality, or carrying an unexpected bag to spruce up a minimalist outfit, as well as loading up on jewelry. “My rule of thumb is: If the outfit is loud, keep accessories minimal, and if the outfit is minimal, let your accessories do the talking,” she says.
Bling Out to Go Out
Colorful hair clips, bandanas, or tote bags are so cute for daytime, but if you’re still young enough to leave your house past 8 p.m., that, my friend, is jewelry’s time to shine. And unless you’re Charli XCX, maybe leave the sunglasses at home — soz.
All three fashion girls like to go for a more minimalistic approach to accessorizing for a night out and just really focus on some simple jewelry. “I’m actually a ‘less is more’ person when it comes to accessories, especially in the evening,” says Habboo. “During the day, I might wear something like a slim hoop, but if I’m heading out, I’ll often take earrings off completely or just switch to a pair of simple diamond studs. It weirdly makes the look feel more elevated and elegant. I’ll also usually throw on a great pair of heels that always adds something special.”
Mallan loves a chunky necklace or statement earrings for the evening, and Anigwe loves wearing cuffs and chunky hoops and stacking rings, bracelets, and chains.
Maybe Get a Color Analysis Done
When you’re not really sure where to start with accessories, just throwing on a bunch of jewelry in the same shade of metal is a foolproof strategy. But — not to alarm you, ofc — what if you’ve been wearing the wrong color jewelry all along???
“If you’re new to accessorizing, a great place to begin is by figuring out what metal tones complement your skin,” Anigwe says. “I recently did a color analysis and realized gold flatters me more than silver, so I updated my collection accordingly. That made getting dressed so much easier.”
You can get a color analysis done by a pro, but if you’re not willing to shell out the cash for that, Tiktokers have found out you can actually do it yourself on ChatGPT — because of frickin’ course you can.
@sarahaulbrook DIY color analysis with @chatgpt #greenscreenvideo #colorseasons #coloranalysis #chatgpt #coloranalysistok ♬ original sound – Sarah Aulbrook🇨🇦 Easy Makeup
When In Doubt, Put Something on Your Head
Hats, hair clips, headbands, and even sunglasses worn on top of your head are all effortless ways to look extra cute. Basically, just focusing on your general head area is a great way to get around your total lack of accessorizing skills.
“I think an easy accessory to integrate into everyday use is a claw clip or headband,” says Mallan. “When I’m not having the best hair day or [when I’m] running from the gym to a meeting, I enjoy sporting up my look with a headband.” Anigwe adds, “Most women wear their hair up a lot, so playing with different colored clips can be fun — they’re subtle, but they add something fresh.”
Just Have Fun, TBH
Accessorizing has two main functions: to help you look put together and to show off your really good personality. And actually, if you look at it that way, it’s not something to stress about — it can just be creative and fun. Exhibit A: Anigwe has a pair of dolphin earrings she wears all the time because she loves the water. Um, adorable??
Meanwhile, the summer is when Habboo really goes all out on the accessories: “I wear all my bangles, rings, and earrings,” she says. “I’ve got three piercings on each ear, so I’ll usually stack earrings, add necklaces, and just really layer it up. I love turquoise, gold, and beaded pieces for summer; it just feels so fun and expressive.”
And Mallan has the cutest take on why accessorizing even matters in the first place: “Whether I’m decorating my body with a new tattoo or adding a vintage belt to my outfit, accessories empower me and make me feel my most authentic version of myself,” she says. Love!!!
