or even a sprawling dressing room filled with clothing of all colours and styles.
In these days of the “real” dollar, not many people can afford to buy a new outfit for every event they attend so one needs wisdom and creativity in order to look stylish and trendy. I realised that most people do not actually see that the clothes that they have are similar to diamonds in the rough. Diamonds need to be cut and polished to bring out their beauty. With clothing, we need to add polish with accessories.
Accessories will help revitalise a wardrobe or even expand it. A wardrobe can be transformed without spending a cent! All those shoes, belts, bags and even scarves that have been forgotten can help breathe new life into any wardrobe. I have noticed that there are a variety of shops now that have so much in the way of accessories. You do not have to have a fat wallet to be chic and stylish either as the range of shops caters for all pockets.
The key here is to know how to use your accessories together in order to get the maximum effect that will give the best result. An accessory should help you to create a number of different looks even though you will be using the same basic garment like a simple dress.
You can then wear this dress to a wedding, to the office or even to a party and guess what people will not even notice that it is the same dress. When I mention accessories I know most people will think of jewellery, but, that is not the only type of accessory that can transform an outfit to look like a million dollars!
The first rule to remember is to avoid accessories that overpower your outfit that is those that are too brightly coloured, big and flashy unless you can really pull off that look. But I know that in Zimbabwe, we have very few people who can dress like some Hollywood celebrities like Lady Gaga and get away with it.
The resultant effect of wearing accessories that overpower your outfit is that people will see the accessories first before they see you! Some people like to have one accessory as a signature piece that they wear all the time, just try not to overdo it. By this I mean something like a scarf – do not wear a head scarf and at the same time wear another scarf around your neck and then even put yet another scarf on your bag. This is overkill, one scarf will suffice. The art of accessorising goes beyond just choosing the accessory but knowing what to wear it with. If you are wearing a brightly coloured blouse then you should not wear big dangly earrings with that ensemble as the term “dressed like a Christmas tree” will then apply.
I have noticed a range of big dangly earrings on sale everywhere and some have up to four different colours on them and I shudder when I see them being worn with floral dresses. Classic dangly earrings look great with a simple conservative top or even with a turtleneck, now that we are in the cooler months.
The key is that the earrings must be thin even if they are long not the big round or geometric ones that almost cover your face. If you wear a halter top then leave the chest bare there is no need to add a necklace as the top is already an attention grabbing item.
You can then add some oversized earrings to complete the look. Wear a short necklace when you wear a deep rounded neckline and conversely wear a long necklace or chain with a collared shirt. The necklace can be left long on the outside of the collar to create a new look or you can wear the necklace wrapped around your neck once or twice either on the inside of the collar or on the outside thus creating three different looks.
Belts are also a key accessory that can create a myriad of looks. Embossed and stretch belts are hot this winter. Just remember that if the belt is very fancy then wear it with an outfit that is subdued so that they do not clash.
One of my classic favourites is to wear a thin belt over a blouse preferably one made of softer material, then you just let a bit of the fabric peek through under the belt instead of tucking the blouse into your skirt or trousers. A long belt can also transform the little black dress, jeans or even a T-shirt. As the days get colder you can still look fashionable by wearing a thin belt over a jersey or cardigan.
However, this will only look good on a softer jersey and not the three-ply jerseys that grandmother gave you for your birthday, you know those thick ones? Belts are also coming in metallic colours – gold and silver are in fashion this winter.
Shoes are another accessory which are also a necessity. They, however, do not have to be boring. Platform shoes are coming in all shapes and sizes, there are the chunky shoe that is platform the whole way back and front and then there are also the high-heeled almost stiletto-like heel that has a thick platform usually rounded toe. Platform shoes do not look good with anything tight or too short.
Personally, I think they make someone look like they are struggling to walk if the skirt is short and tight. Instead to add balance to the look, you should wear these shoes with something more flowing like a flared or loose trousers or longer skirt.
On the other hand, stiletto heels look great with a form fitting dress or knee-length skirt. But do not wear micro minis and then add fishnet stockings as you will not be taken seriously and you will project the wrong image! Stiletto heels can also look polished with jeans that are tapered in or straight legged.
To look chic, remember to keep accessories simple to exude style and glamour. A bit of shine will also help lift your mood as the days get colder, of course, in moderation!
l Christine Nyirenda-Chimuka is an internationally qualified and accredited Image Consultant and Communications Professional running Milestone Communications and can be contacted on [email protected]

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