Belts, and bows, and baubles - Oh My!
Clothes make the man (or woman), but the accessories really make one shine. You can walk into a store, find a great dress, and wear it forever. But how can you wear the same clothes everyday while still staying fashionable?
Here are some ways to dress up ordinary outfits:
1. Jeans and a tshirt
Belts - a colorful belt can dress up your jeans-and-tee combo. Wear a slim one through the hoops, or sling a big ol' one over your hip. A tight belt can go under your bust on the tee or cinch a non-existent waist.
Bows - Use ribbon in place of all those belts. Or make a simple ribbon bow (find out how here or do a basic shoelace tie) and pin it to your hip, collar, or the cuffs of your jeans. How cute!
Baubles - you can use nearly anything as a bauble - brooches and pins work, or flowers, clusters of fake berries, small holiday ornaments, pieces off of keychains, tiny toys. Pin them to your tee or your jeans pocket. Group them together for a more dramatic effect.
2. The Little Black Dress
Belts - a shiny belt covered with sequins or stones will instantly add glamour to a dress. Or dress it down with a well-worn belt. Add rocker style with a studded belt. Use it to cinch your waist, or let it hang low around your hips.
Bows - a big ribbon across your upper abdomen, tied into a bow at the center or side, will make girly impact. Or affix bows at the wrists or shoulders. If you're willing to make the effort, a series of tiny bows at the hem will be darling.
Baubles - nothing sets of black like something shiny and colorful, so pick a deep gem brooch, a bunch of spring flowers, or a cloisonne pin as an accent. You can also pull your dress together with these pins - create gathers and upsweeps in a cinch.
3. Blazers and suits
Belts - work staples are plain black and brown belts, but carry around a dramatic twist of belt (like a shiny braided one), and you can take your work suit into evening easily. Or wrap a big belt all the way around your blazer and pull it together for a nice dinner look.
Bows - the stiff look of business can be softened with a few bows. Tie one around your blazer or whatever you're wearing under. Make a ribbon bow into a choker. Replace your belt with a ribbon that trails down your thigh.
Baubles - The bauble-on-the-lapel look is a bit dated. Try something new by using placement - use one to clasp your blazer together, or a matching set at your wrists. Put interesting toys on your pant cuffs, your shoes, or in the center of the camisole you're wearing underneath.
4. Shoes and hair and body
Belts - thought you had to limit your belts to your clothes? A small one can make a cute headband, or wrap it around your wrist or ankle.
Bows - tied ribbons make a good wrap for ponytails, on wrists, or even affixed to the toes of your shoes. For a twist, add them to the heels of shoes, or just above one ear with a bobby pin.
Baubles - brooches make good hair accessories because they catch shine. You can create your own shiny shoes with them by pinning them on. Slip a ribbon through the pin and you'll have another piece of stunning armwear.
Oh my - you've created a set of looks you can mix and match. Just one of each (one belt, one bow, one bauble) are sufficient to create your new looks. But don't be limited by what you can buy at a store. Keep an eye out - a decoration on a birthday gift, a cake topper, tree ornaments, and household trinkets can come in handy as accessories. And when your wallet isn't emptied by your new look - oh my, that's something to gasp about.