Elevate Your Style with These Essential Outfit Enhancers- Picks From An NYC Personal Stylist

Before we start working with our clients, the most common frustration they have is “My outfit always feels like it’s missing something!”

That’s probably because most people ignore the much-needed accessories, so the sweater and jeans feel basic; that’s all there is to the outfit: a tan sweater and straight-leg jeans. But this is such an easy fix, if you have just a few accessories the basic outfit becomes an interesting outfit. No extra effort, no complicated concept, just add a few accessories. Even if your vibe is super minimal, you can still add in the right accessories to tie it all together.

I also want to strongly reiterate that this does NOT need to be some massive haul. I don’t want you going out and buying 20 belts. This is all part of curating a wardrobe, purchasing an accessory here and there, so it’s well thought out. It’s also about not always purchasing the obvious. Yes, you should have a black and brown belt in your wardrobe, but outside of the staples, start to think about how you can bring your unique style into your wardrobe via accessories.

Here are some ideas to get the inspo flowing:

Hands down, my favorite accessory is the chain belt. It always adds the biggest impact to a simple outfit. There’s no “right way” to wear a chain belt, inside belt-loops or over works, the mid-section of your blazer, or over a dress. Honestly, endless ways to style, which is why I love a chain belt.

Animal Print (anything) doesn’t need to be a leopard jacket to make a statement, although that would also be one of my personal staples. 😂 It's the little touch of animal print in your shoes, a scarf, a belt, a handbag that adds another dimension to your outfit. You always want to think about how I can add texture to my outfit? (More texture=more interest in your outfit) Animal print can do that while also working as a neutral (yes, a neutral) There really isn’t a color that you wouldn’t be able to wear with animal print- (in any form) which is why it’s such an easy addition in your accesories.

Brooches, okay, this one is actually trending right now, with unique ways to wear your brooches. I think it’s such a fun trend that any of us can do! The trending factor obviously won’t last forever, and if you don’t want to stack 10 brooches on your blazer lapel, I get it. Just even one brooch, though, to a classic blazer is such a chic way to bring a unique touch. While yes, there are a bunch of brooches I’m seeing online that I love, I personally think the best ones are found in your grandmother’s jewelry box or a thrifted find.

Browse some of my finds for these categories

Silk Scarves, this is another category that, in my opinion, should be collected. I love the idea of going on a vacation and finding the perfect silk scarf or stumbling on it when you are at a vintage market. The beauty of pieces like this, there’s no rush. The size is always the size, and they will never go out of style. Yes, you can wear your silk the classic way, and there’s nothing wrong about that, but also play around wearing it as a belt, in your hair, wrapped around your bag. Experiment until it feels right.

Mixed metal stacks, the rule that only gold can be with gold and silver with silver, is outdated. Mix it all and if you want, add in other materials, corded necklaces, beaded bracelets- whatever is speaking to you but there is no need to keep it all one dimension because you’re worried about mixing tones. If your vibe is minimal, then a stack probably wouldn’t be for you but a nice watch / bracelet mixing the metals could be!