How to make any outfit amazing without spending a fortune

You know this woman – she always looks fab, not matter what she’s wearing. In jeans and t-shirt she still looks like she just stepped off the catwalk.

She doesn’t wear designer clothes, nor does she have her own personal stylist.

How does she do it?

The secret: she has mastered the art of Accessorising.

I first learned about accessorising when I was pregnant – I had few clothes that fit me and were confortable – one pair of jeans, skirt and a few basic tops. I started experimenting with jewellery, scarves and hair accessories – and what a difference it made!

Accessories can take an outfit from boring to beautiful in an instant.

Here are my 8 tips to Accessorising:

1. Don’t overdo it. A chunky necklace, big earrings and a party on your wrist is too much. Choose either a standout necklace or earrings, not both. A few bracelets clustered together can look gorgeous but one ring on your finger is enough when you have a bracelet party going on.

2. Use colourful accessories to liven up a plain outfit. A grey suit will be totally lifted with a turquoise or fuscia necklace.

3. Use accessories to point attention wear you want it. Bags under your eyes? Wear a statement necklace to take the emphasis away from your eyes. Missed your manicure? Leave the rings off and go for bold earrings instead.

4. A scarf or long necklace can be slimming. Try a few long chains or beads together to add interest.

5. Use your accessories to show your personality – use fun, classical, modern, vintage or colourful pieces to show the world who you are.

6. High neckline – wear a longer necklace; Low neckline – try shorter, chunkier pieces.

7. Don’t forget hair – a flower, a pretty hair clip or headband can add that extra spark to any outfit.

8. You can find unique pieces at Op shops and markets to add that finishing touch!

Do you have a favourite Accessory or Tip?

38 Comments

- - mom90758 said
  - 22 Nov 2015
    2:22 pm
I love op shops! They help in mastering the art of accessorising too!

- - mom94125 said
  - 06 Jan 2015
    7:30 pm
going to the op-shop is cheap

- - caramello said
  - 31 Oct 2014
    7:40 pm
thanks for sharing your tips.

- - BellaB said
  - 31 Aug 2014
    8:07 pm
Some really useful tips and reminders, thank you.

- - fatty82 said
  - 19 Aug 2014
    4:31 pm
Great article. I always find it difficult to accessories

- - neddie said
  - 08 Aug 2014
    11:43 pm
This was a great article some good tips and tricks on how to jazz yourself up. I’m boring but that’s me!

- - ginoula5 said
  - 06 Aug 2014
    8:22 am
Love your article, I believe accessories make a huge difference to overall outfit.

- - Kate Sander said
  - 29 Jul 2014
    3:51 pm
I found your article useful with not going overboard with the accessories and interesting read with the rest too.
- julie_morrow replied
  
  30 Jul 2014 , 10:40 am
  Thankyou for your comment. I like to keep it simple – a scarf or a necklace can make all the difference to a plain top!
- - mggarner said
  - 26 Jul 2014
    6:40 pm
I don’t’ know when I would have time to do all that

- - skbou said
  - 24 Jul 2014
    11:30 pm
Some great tips. I often notice other people wearing colourful accessories think that I should put in the effort (or be a bit braver as I’m a bit of a plain jane).
- julie_morrow replied
  
  26 Jul 2014 , 10:34 pm
  Start with a patterned scarf – colour doesn’t need to be bright, just what you feel comfortable in
- - JohTkool said
  - 08 Jul 2014
    4:03 am
A few quality key pieces make a wardrobe I find too

- - mouse said
  - 02 Jul 2014
    9:12 am
thanks for this article, I found it very interesting

- - mom61907 said
  - 01 Jul 2014
    3:02 pm
dont forget belts, I often add an interesting belt or a plain one with an interesting buckle, coloured leather or suede gloves can add a wow factor, or knee high patterned boots.
- julie_morrow replied
  
  02 Jul 2014 , 10:05 pm
  That’s so true – I tried on a top today that came with a belt and it reminded me of just how much of a difference a simple belt makes!
- - mom61907 said
  - 16 Jun 2014
    9:10 pm
brilliant advice, and op shops are a must, and dont be surprised if people comment on you new accessories, and ask where you got them from………keep them guessing…….lol
- julie_morrow replied
  
  16 Jun 2014 , 9:39 pm
  I love op shops too! Vintage accessories especially jewellery
- - julie_morrow said
  - 15 Jun 2014
    9:46 pm
I hear you there!

- - mom62861 said
  - 15 Jun 2014
    8:59 pm
Thank you for the ideas

- - Dennis12 said
  - 15 Jun 2014
    7:30 am
Great ideas, and so simple

- - jordana said
  - 14 Jun 2014
    11:22 pm
Thanks for the tips! They’re great!

- - nicky732 said
  - 14 Jun 2014
    8:10 pm
I think I need to start stepping out of the box a bit. I accessorise but only with silver or white gold jewellery, no colour. So yeah I’m a bit boring, but I might now keep an eye out for a great colourful piece to add to my outfit for our next night out (not that that happens much these days being a stay at home mum). But I can dream right.

- - mel1 said
  - 14 Jun 2014
    7:13 pm
Really good tips here. A lovely scarf can do wonders for finishing off an outfit, and it doesn’t have to be expensive.