You may have achieved the perfect wardrobe. You’ve scoured the shelves to find your favorite pieces. Items that are timeless and yet still fit your current aesthetic. But, somehow, when you put on your outfit for the day it’s just not quite there. If you’ve ever experienced this you may be wearing your clothes instead of styling them.
But what really is the difference? And, for a long time I didn’t know either. I thought if you had cute clothes then you have cute outfits. But despite my dream wardrobe, my outfits didn’t quite look as Pinterest worthy as my peers. Then I realized that my clothes were wearing me.
Styling is a whole new ballgame – and it mostly revolves around accessorizing. What’s missing from your look isn’t a different shirt, it’s an added element. All those “it” girls have this in common. They know what accessories are in, and, even more importantly, just how to wear them.
It’s all about being intentional. Adding pieces without thought will just make your outfit go rogue. You must find accessories that add balance, personality and cohesion to a look. Tossing on any current trend will just make your outfit feel cluttered. The magic comes from when you curate pieces that complement the clothes, creating a polished and memorable look.
When you start figuring out just how to use accessories in the right way, a simple outfit becomes a chic one. That plain white shirt and fitted jeans aren’t boring anymore once you add that structured bag and layered necklaces – they’re instantly elevated. Just remember that these additions aren’t about decorating a look, they’re about defining its tone.
The right accessories, when worn the right way, take a look from boring to eye-catching. They can even shift a look from daytime to evening, without an outfit change necessary. A pop of color in a handbag, a pair of bold earrings or the right belt can act as a focal point, turning a basic look into a statement.
Accessories should never be an afterthought. They are the very thing that ties everything all together. The difference between wearing and styling comes down to how intentional you are with added elements. When you style with purpose, it’s not about just getting dressed, but curating an expressive fit. And that’s where real fashion begins.
