The Weekend Read✨Your Guide to Accessorising - Small Changes, Big Impact!

Jenny Goldsmith | Read in 8 minutes

Hello!

Do you ever feel like your outfit is missing that final touch? You’re not alone! Accessories are the magic ingredient that can transform a simple look into something effortlessly stylish. Whether it’s a statement necklace, a bold handbag, or the perfect pair of sunglasses, these small details make a big impact. But have you ever wondered why accessories hold such power? To understand this, let’s take a quick trip back in time…

Have you ever heard of sumptuary law? These were a set of regulations, dating back as far as ancient Rome and becoming particularly strict in medieval and Renaissance Europe, that dictated what people could wear based on their social rank, wealth, or profession. In Elizabethan England, for example, only the nobility could wear certain fabrics like silk, velvet, or ermine, while lower classes were restricted to plain wool and linen. This also included wearing accessorises such as hats, wigs, brooches, necklaces, rings, belts and shoes. The idea was to maintain the social hierarchy through dress – a visible marker of your place in society.

The Weekend Read✨Your Guide to Accessorising - Small Changes, Big Impact!

Fast forward to today, and while we’re no longer bound by these laws, what we wear still tells the world a lot about us. Accessories, in particular, remain powerful signifiers of personal style, status, and personality. Whether it’s an elegant silk scarf knotted at the neck or a bold statement necklace, the right accessory can elevate an outfit from ‘ok’ to ‘wow!’.

One of the key topics I cover in my personal style consultations is how to accessorise. Many clients underestimate just how much accessories impact an outfit – and more importantly, how they define personal style. So let’s dive into the wonderful world of accessorising and explore how to make it work for you.

What Counts as an Accessory?

When we talk about accessories, we don’t just mean jewellery. Think jackets, scarves, handbags, shoes – all the finishing touches that pull a look together. The key to accessorising well is understanding that different elements work in harmony to create interest, shape, and texture.

Jewellery: Earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings – delicate or bold, they frame the face and hands.

Scarves: From chic French silk scarves to cosy oversized wraps, scarves add elegance or make a statement.

Bags & Handbags: Practical and stylish, they add functionality, reflect your personality and can be used to add a pop of colour.

Shoes: The ultimate punctuation mark to an outfit, use heels of any height, funky trainers, ankle boots or classic loafers. Even though they are the farthest items from your face, people will always look at your shoes.

Hats & Hair Accessories: Clips, headbands and bows might be small details, but they make a big impact. Take special care when choosing hats & fascinators – size and scale on you matters.

Coats & Jackets: Often overlooked as accessories, coats & jackets aren’t just functional clothing; they can instantly elevate a basic tee & jeans, or make a floral dress look more modern.

How to Accessorise Different Parts of the Body

Accessories create balance, drawing attention to areas you want to highlight. Each accessory has a purpose, and understanding where to place them can transform the way an outfit looks and feels.

For your face & neck, jewellery, scarves, and sunglasses can enhance facial features and create focal points. A statement necklace will draw attention to the décolletage, while earrings help frame the face. Scarves tied in different ways can change the neckline of your top and finish off your look .

Everyone can wear a belt as they are a fantastic way to define your waistline, creating shape and structure. Knowing your body proportions is key here. If you are short-waisted, wearing your belt lower on your torso visually lengthens your upper body creating a balance between the upper and lower halves. If you have shorter legs and a longer body, wearing your belt higher on your waist creates better balance and evens out your proportions. If you are one of the lucky few that has a body that is in proportion, you can wear your belt anywhere you want!

Rings, bracelets, and watches add interest to your hands. If you have smaller hands and wrists, try wearing more delicate pieces. For those of you with larger hands and wrists, wearing larger scale pieces will make more of a statement. You can layer several pieces together to create the stacking effect, mixing and matching different types, textures and colours. The metals from your season will always be more flattering against your skin tone; cool skin tones should wear silver, white gold and platinum, whereas warm skin tones should wear yellow gold.

Footwear completes an outfit and can be a major expression of personal style. Shoes such as loafers, ballet flats and Mary Janes add a tailored look, while bold trainers or chunky boots can add personality and contrast to an outfit. Ankle chains can add a boho vibe in the summer when you’re wearing sandals or flip-flops.

Bags of any sort add colour and personality to your outfit. Be aware of where your bag sits on your body - shoulder bags or cross-body bags can add bulk to your widest proportion so keep it higher or lower than this area. This Spring Summer 2025 season showcases the trend for maxi bags – the old saying of ‘never having your bag bigger than your bum’ goes out the window!

What Accessories Are Trending for Spring/Summer2025?

This season, accessories are all about bold statements and refined craftsmanship. Try adding a couple of new key pieces to your collection each season, to keep them fresh up to date. It’s easy to keep wearing the same ones all the time - add interest to your look by switching out your accessories every day. Here’s what to look out for:

Chunky Jewellery: Oversized hoops, layered chains, and sculptural bracelets are making a strong return this season.

Maxi Bags: Big, slouchy bags that combine style with function make them suitable for everyday use, work or travel.

Hair Accessories: Think pearl-adorned clips, velvet bows, and 90s-inspired claw clips for a retro look.

Statement Belts: Wide belts that cinch the waist and add structure, chain belts and layered belts are all ways to add interest to your outfits.

Textured/Colourful Footwear: Loafers, retro trainers, snake print and woven flats offer ways to freshen up your feet.

Oversized Sunglasses: From 70s-inspired tinted lenses to futuristic angular frames, sunglasses are getting bigger and bolder.

Where to Shop for Your Accessories

You don’t need to spend a lot of money on accessories to make the greatest impact. These are the quickest and cheapest ways to finish your outfit.

High Street: Anthropologie, Zara, Mint Velvet, Oliver Bonas & Other Stories for affordable pieces.

Luxury: Bottega Veneta, Celine, and Chloe for timeless, high-end designs.

Vintage & Sustainable: Depop, Vestiaire Collective, charity shops and second-hand boutiques for one-of-a-kind finds.

Online: Try Etsy, Vinted and Ebay for online accessory specialists.

I have curated a MyHOCLookBook of over 70 assorted accessories to help inspire you. Click on the button below to view the catalogue. For more information about each item, simply click on the image to head to the website.

CLICK HERE FOR YOUR ACCESSORISING CATALOGUE

How Much Should You Spend on Accessories?

Accessories come at all price points, from affordable high-street finds to investment pieces that can last a lifetime. As a general guide, you should aim to spend based on your personal budget and how frequently you’ll wear the item. Everyday pieces like handbags, shoes, and coats may be worth investing in as they get a lot of use so should be high quality. A good handbag might range from £100-£500+, while a statement necklace could be anywhere from £20 to £200+, depending on the materials used. Scarves can start at £10 for simple styles but go up to £300 or more for designer silk versions. The cost of belts can range from £15 on the high street to £200+ for a designer version. A belt is one accessory where you really do get what you pay for. Many times in the past I’ve under-invested in belts. As I typically wear them every day, I've found the cheaper the belt, the quicker it is to fall apart. The key to accessorising is to strike a balance—mixing affordable, trend-led pieces with timeless investment accessories that will stand the test of time.

Final Thoughts: Putting on Your Finishing Touches

Accessories aren’t just an afterthought – they’re the key to making an outfit truly yours. Experiment, have fun, and use them to express your personality. This weekend, take some time to go through your accessories. See what you have but haven’t worn in a while, and see where your gaps are. I challenge you to sort through your scarves, shoes, handbags and jewellery box and wear a different accessory every day this week. Whether it’s a vibrant handbag or a perfectly tied scarf, the right accessory will make all the difference.

Enjoy your weekend! Next week, The Weekend Read is all about Colour & Style for the Men in Your Life. Look out for that next Saturday!

Best wishes,

Jenny & Judi x