The Necessity of Accessories

Written by Katie Barnett

In fashion, every small detail can make or break an outfit. Most of the time it is to truly stylize an outfit the accessories are the key proponent that is perpetually slept on or deemed not as important as the staple pieces. Imagine if people were only defined by the accessories they added to an outfit instead of the pants, shirt, or shoes. What would that say about that person’s fashion sense? There is a lot that accessories do, they let people recreate an already work outfit with a new look, convey the formality of the occasion, and test a person’s creativity into a basic outfit. 

Photo by Julie Ta (@chooliee @shotsbyjuls)

Starting from the top of the head there is so much that a person’s hairstyle can add to creating a memorable look. There are trends from different decades starting with resurfacing and with that a lot of fashionable hair accessories. There is a rise now with trends from the 90s making it back into mainstream fashion like scrutinies, statement headbands, colorful clips, butterfly clips, etc. But there are many more pieces that convey different styles with hair like covering it with a hat. Then hats themselves evolved and were used in different eras like the fedora, floppy hats, simple beanies, or snapbacks. Sometimes hairstyles bejeweled with jewelry and different beads can be the statement piece of an outfit. These pieces usually are usually dismissed as a small detail adding a pop of color or color coordinating not as a stand-alone item to be praised. The accessories in the hair and the hairstyle itself can convey a different look altogether to the same outfit. Even though one might think of them as small, they can convey a different trend or time period to a basic base. 

The next staple accessory that adds to elevating and creating a style is the type of jewelry. Rings and chains have been a classic way into personalizing a basic outfit into something more lavish. Jewelry in a formal setting can be a focal point for stylists to choose a dress that matches the preset piece. A lot of award shows will send celebrities, or now with the rise of stylists jewelry for marketing purposes for them to wear on the red carpet. Usually, now stylists have multiple outfits so there is even more jewelry trying to be the boldest to be picked out or worn at these shows. There is one iconic look from Nicole Kidman in 2008 where her L’Wren Scott diamond necklace stole the show. 

Nicole Kidman is shown wearing a plain black dress, with a plain updo with her hair to really showcase her seven million dollar L’Wren diamond necklace. It was around 1,400 carats draped around her neckline and falling over her chest. 

By Getty Images

There are many other accessories that could stand alone to make or break an entire outfit. Other accessories that weren’t mentioned that could stand alone are sunglasses, bags or purses, and even jibbitz for shoes to create a new look, new personality, and style to an outfit. In the world of fashion and trying to be more conscious of sustainability; it is more or less trying to buy new pieces but elevate what the pieces people already have. Using accessories is an undervalued tool to help get people’s unique styles across. Accessories shouldn’t be looked upon as a last-minute touch into an outfit but should also be valued and viewed as a staple piece in an everyday look.  

Styling by Alexandra Tabacu (@lexitabacu) and Ranen Chang (@ranenchang)