All eyes on you! Accessories; the key ingredients in enhancing one’s look

BY LATIFA PINNOCK

Since the beginning of time, men and women have been wearing traditional and decorative pieces to symbolize their wealth, power, status, and protection. Some pieces were also worn to enhance one’s beauty.

One ethnicity whose traditional pieces still hold great value, even today, belongs to the Indigenous and first nations people. These beautiful, handcrafted pieces also represent different tribes.

For as long as I can remember, accessories have always been one of the key ingredients in enhancing one’s look. I like to call them the icing on the cake! Whether it’s a pair of earrings, necklace, a bag or a simple belt, accessories are a must and they’re a BIG deal.

So, what to wear, and how to wear it? Well, let me start by saying that, unlike choosing the right outfit, accessorizing is simple. The first rule of thumb is “less is always more”, therefore you never want to wear more than 3-4 pieces of accessories at one time.

Once you decide on what outfit you’re going to wear, you then choose your signature accessory to compliment the predominant colour in your outfit. So, if you decide on a pop colour, such as pink, your signature accessory should be your handbag. I personally would go with a pop colour handbag, perhaps a florescent green/purple. Remember folks, it’s 2022 and the bright colour trend is alive and kicking, therefore you want to use the same rule of thumb even if the predominant colour in your outfit is a softer tone.

This season we will definitely be seeing some old classics with a more refreshed look, such as the netted berets, wide waist belts and large handbags. You can combine all three for an effortless, trendy look.

As far as jewellery goes, you can never have too many necklaces. Long, layered double-chained necklaces are very popular this season for both male and females. They accentuate your chest, and they can be paired with any outfit.

They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but on the contrary, pearls are really giving diamonds a run for their money. These beautiful cream gems are always appropriate, and there are many ways in which you can style them. You can style them the traditional way, as earrings and necklaces; pearl bracelets are also very classy. If you want to get creative with pearls this season, you can style them in your hair, use them as belts, or attach them to your favourite handbag. That cute selfie would get hundreds of likes with a dazzling pearl choker. With pearls the ideas are endless.

If you are one of those individuals who has a hard time putting together the perfect outfit, always remember that you can turn a plain and boring look into a runway style, simply by adding a few accessories that have been sitting in your jewellery box or closet for years. Take that little black dress, slap on some pearl earrings and necklace, grab that large purple bag, put on those yellow pumps, and get ready for a fun night, because it is going to be all eyes on you.