Simple Embellishments A plain black shirt can seem ordinary, and so can your daily jeans, or a plain old blazer. But it's easy to energize them with a little something.
You can use a lot of different things to embellish your clothes very easily. Here are some ideas:
stones - Little rhinestones can doll up a jacket or jeans pockets and hems. They can pretend to be brooches on lapels. They can add glamour to little black dresses. They are usually easy to hot glue or superglue on to clothing, and some are even sticky and removable. Make a pink-and-white rose on your collar, or a string of stones around a sleeve wrist; replace plastic buttons or cover them with stones, or dot them along the seam of a pair of pants. Be sure not to get stones too large, or it's too obvious they're fake and they won't glitter as much. Don't overdo the look with too many colors or stones in too many places.
ribbons - Ribbons, when tied neatly in bows are lovely on lingerie, but also on collars, as belts, and at the wrists and shoulders. Tie one around a cardigan as a belt, or affix bows to the bottoms of smooth capris. Consider the color, but also the width of the ribbon (the skinnier the more dainty), the weight of it (thick ones are stiffer and more rugged-looking), and the fabric (rickrack, plaid, satin, patterned, woven). Too many bows are not girly, just tacky.
embroidery - If you know a person who can do good embroidery, be nice! A delicate embroidering is not only for a monogrammed towel or kerchief (though those are nice to have), but you can proudly display your initial on your purse or shirt, wear a trail of ivy down your sleeve, or have a gold chain stitch running across an entire bustier. Simple, tasteful embroidery can transform clothing, so it may be worth the effort or money. Again, don't overdo it, and stick to a couple of colors.
patches - If embroidery is out of reach, try an embroidered or plain patch. Properly sewn on, it's nearly indistinguishable from direct embroidery. You can add a heart to your jeans back pockets, patches to the elbows of a jacket, or letters to a jacket. The same is true of applique, which means just putting a piece of cloth on top of another, sewing them together. A skill that is valuable!
sequins - Sequins take a lot of trouble to sew on, but if you can glue them or have the patience, they make clothes really, truly shine. A shirt or dress covered with sequins is dazzling, but if that's too much, a string of them around a sleeve or the edge of a purse are enough to draw attention. Or get some fake foil mirrors and sew them on to add an ethnic look.
glitter - The sequin alternative is glitter. If you can prevent getting it all over you, it can be glued (even white glue may be enough) onto clothing and accessories. Try a splash of glitter on your hose or cover an old shoe with it to transform it. Don't layer it on too thick or you'll be rubbing it off forever.
paint - Painting can be simple or difficult. A little paint can cover up a stain or transform a plain tank top into a dazzling one. Pick a design and start small or on a scrap piece of cloth to start with. Always use fabric paints and iron from the back or set according to instructions. You can also trace a design and color by number. If you're artistically inclined, cover an entire piece of clothing (like a skirt) with a field of flowers or a geometric pattern.
flowers - Pinning or gluing flowers on clothes is easy. They feminize any piece of clothing and can be removed. Of course, there's the flower pin on your collar, but try some on the hem of your skirt, or a row of tiny flowers covering your watch, or cover an entire pair of shoes with silk flowers. Don't use real flowers or paper ones, which will wilt and get wet and soggy.
general rules - Try embellishments on pants, tops, belts, lingerie, watches, bags, shoes, hair accessories, scarves and shawls. Make sure anything you make is sturdy and wash it gently inside out in a bag or by hand. (Test first) Buy extras of your stones or flowers or paints so you can touch up when needed, and wear gently as well. You can change your clothes, but you'll need to take good care of them, still!