Let’s get real here for a moment. You may find a fabulous wardrobe piece, but it doesn’t really matter unless you style it well. Unfortunately, even the best pieces of clothing can look terrible if styled badly, and what it comes down to are the little details. The little details which you add into your outfit are what make up your signature style and how an outfit comes to look truly pulled together.
In this outfit, the reality is that I wasn’t feeling great, and wanted effortless pieces to throw on and be comfortable in, however the piping and fit of the jacket make the outfit look more polished and feel more luxe than just a basic black dress and boring blazer.
In this outfit, the piping detail is what brings it together, but adding a belt to give shape to a flowy dress or top, as well as adding the right jewelry are simple details which can make an outfit stand out.
With belts, think about the proportion and thickness compared to the outfit. For example, if you are belting maxi dress, a thick belt which emphasizes a small waist will be great because the thick nature of the belt is proportionate to the large surface area of the item (the maxi dress) you are utilizing it with. However, if you are looking to belt a top that could use some structure, typically a thin belt will work better because there is less surface area to cover, so a wide belt may look drastically out of place.
It is a similar concept with jewelry. Think about the space you are trying to fill. If you have a V neck, you’ll want to wear a necklace that hits above the V, filling the open space on your chest, whereas with a boat neck, you may want to wear something shorter and closer to the neck to create interest. Similarly, if you have a higher neckline with a plain front (i.e. no buttons, etc) a long necklace is a good choice because it elongates the neck and creates a streamlined appearance.
It takes a little bit to get used to, but play around with little details of your outfit and see what works for you. Remember, it’s all in the details.