Photo courtesy of poeticandchic.com
Photo courtesy of poeticandchic.com

Accessories add flair to many outfits

New York Fashion Week (NYFW) is coming, and everybody will be wearing their best berets, chokers and statement earrings, according to Elle.com. Basically, it’s all about accessories.

Yes, that’s right: berets and chokers — items that many of us probably remember from watching shows like Lizzie McGuire on Disney Channel.

We might associate them with our childhoods, but the fashion industry has turned both into the must-have accessories, along with big, bold earrings and purses that dazzle.

The only problem is that many people probably don’t know how to incorporate these striking items into their everyday looks. In fact, some people might even find the thought intimidating, but have no fear.

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“I’m not a flashy person myself, in fact I like to keep it pretty simple,” junior Lisa Shaffer said. “However, I admire people who can pull off such bold accessories and I will definitely be admiring them from afar.”

However, there are some easy, fashionable and decidedly unscary ways to add a bit of NYFW flair to your day-to-day look.

To start off, chokers are probably the most difficult accessory to work with. There’s certainly a fine line between high fashion and throwing it back to the early 2000s. However, we’re not talking about the rainbow criss-cross plastic chokers that came in party favor bags or as treats at the school fall festival.

These chokers are the real deal — think Cinderella’s necklace in the original animated movie. That’s a true choker, and it is so in.

What to put it with: For a more casual look, wear a simple black choker — maybe one with a single bead or that’s made out of ribbon — with a slouchy gray sweater and jeans or leggings to give the look a bit of edge.

For formal occasions, something bright, jeweled or both will be a striking addition to a solid-color dress.

Berets aren’t just a French thing anymore, but they’re definitely still fun. They can bring a touch of European romance or a Bohemian brilliance if worn with the right outfit.

What to put it with: If you’re feeling adventurous, wear one in a bold color to top off a neutral-based outfit, like a light brown sweater and jeans with a burnt orange beret, or a black hat with a black and white striped sweater, a black skirt and tights. Perfect for class or a walk along the Seine River.

Statement earrings were already popular, but statement purses are just now really seeing a comeback. A statement purse, like statement necklaces and earrings, is a purse that stands out due to its color, design, decorations or a combination of all three.

They’re a little more than just a sparkly purse that, again, brings back memories of elementary and middle school for many people. “Sparkly purses and statement chokers? No thanks, I’m having flashbacks to middle school,” senior Katie Huggins said.

These aren’t your middle school pieces, though. They’re designed to be bold and turn heads while still being practical enough to carry the essentials. 

What to put it with: Use the statement purse and jewellery sparingly, lest they lose their effect. Anything with statement in its name goes best with a simple, single-color outfit since it will almost automatically dress up anything it is put with. For everyday use, a pair of statement earrings, a statement necklace and a bold purse go best with a pair of jeans, a white button-down and a black cardigan. For formal use, as Audrey Hepburn once said, “you can never go wrong with a little black dress.”

Accessories are hard, but there really are some great ways to use them.

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