Accessorize with a statement; 5 statement accessory tips/ideas.

I’m such a hypocrite!

Wait, wait, wait… don’t give up on me just yet!

I say I’m a hypocrite because my motto has always been “MORE IS MORE”. I’m gonna go ahead and eat my own motto for lunch, just for the sake of this article, and go with the crowd on the more popular motto of “LESS IS MORE”.  I’m a nut job when it comes to accessories. IN LOVE. OBSESSED. ADDICTED. ANNOYING.  If I could truly express the inner 12 year old tween girl that exists inside of me still, I would wear a headband, a hat over my headband, glasses, sunglasses, big ole’ earrings, chunky funky necklace, a scarf, a belt, gadgets and gizmo’s a plenty on both wrists, and of course fantastically dolled up shoes ALL AT THE SAME TIME!

BUT…..

With little self therapy sessions, I’ve come to the compromise with that 12 year old inside of me that I can still make a statement with my accessories without looking like I’m ready for a circus audition. Even though I occasionally break my own rules, I have decided that choosing *ONE* (sometimes two.. ha ha) STATEMENT ACCESSORY piece per outfit is just the ticket!

If other accessories are paired with this statement piece, they should just compliment it, not compete with it.

My soapbox: Accessories (quantity AND quality) make or break an outfit.  And I’ve broken many an outfit in my day, believe you me. But I’m working on pulling in the reins and controlling myself.

Okay, so let’s start from head to toe with some of my favorite ways to use a statement accessory piece.

 1: Headbands, headbands, headbands & HATS

It’s like my mind tells my hands I’m not fully dressed until they place a headband on my head.

Kate’s rule: No earrings when I wear headbands (or if you I do choose to wear earring with a headband, I make sure they are small/simple)

Don’t confuse your accessories, choose one to have the lime light all to itself.

Call me a bit biased, but my all time favorite headbands are some I starting making for my online boutique (Ivorykate.com) about 6 months ago called the Ivorykate Wire Wraps  (shown below) that can be worn multiple ways. They have a flexible wire in them hold them in place without slippage, and they don’t give me headaches (the two reasons I have despised headbands in the past!) A serious lifesaver for days on the run AND nights out on the town! It can be worn as a bolo tie or bracelet as well, and it’s one size fits all.. even children!! They are great statement accessories that add heaps of personality to ANY outfit without needing any other accessory.  They are a one-stop-shop accessory.

(see more pictures of the Ivorykate wire wrap in action on Instagram: @ivoryk)

Hat’s are just bold and funky in my opinion, whether on the beach or on a hot date.. They just add some pizazz to an outfit, and not much else is needed if the right hat is present.

2: NECKLACE

A great big chunky necklace speaks to my heart the same way salt and vinegar chips do.. AHH.. nothing better.

Granted, now with my sweet rug rats tugging and pulling on me all day, I usually only choose a necklace as my statement accessory when I’m hitting the town alone, with my girlfriends, or on a date with my favorite guy.

But, is there anything cuter than a necklace with so much personality that it acts as your sidekick while perusing the town?

I think not.

Kate’s rule: No headband/hat/earrings/chunky belt if my necklace is chunky or bold.  If my necklace is front and center, it doesn’t need back up singers.. it can hold its own.

3: Belt

A belt is sometimes the cherry on top of the sundae that just completely completes an outfit.

I feel like this is one accessory that can share the center stage in some/most occasions.  Especially a skinny belt. Throw some crazy, fun shoes on with it, a hat/headband,  or a chunky set of bracelets and I’d put money down that says the “over-accessorizing” police won’t come after you.

Kate’s Rule: Skinny belts are not a statement accessory… let loose with another fabulous piece while rocking a skinny belt.

A chunky belt has a bit stronger advantage in the statement accessory department. How flattering can a belt make any body type look, if worn correctly? The belt plays the horizon of our bodies… It can dress up or down any outfit and it can accentuate our shoulders, busts, waist, and hips.. so its might be the trickiest yet most essential accessory depending on the outfit choice.

4.  Bracelets/watches

I love me some arm candy.  And I’m holdin’ on near and dear to my ole motto with this statement accessory. *MORE IS MORE*. If skin in showing on my wrist, I don’t have enough bracelets on (only if I’m choosing this as my one accessory piece).

There is just something about the jiggle and jaggle of the who’s it’s and what’s its galore on my arm!

I do love the look of a single simple watch, and choose that more often than not…  BUT if I’m choosing a bold bracelets/watch combo to be my statement piece, I’m going big.. cuz I’m for sure not going home!

Kate’s Rule: No need for a chunky necklace if wearing a fantastic  bracelet, bangle, and a watch combo.

5: SHOES

I have a friend who once told me she could tell a person’s personality by their style in shoes.  I couldn’t agree more. There are as many shoes to choose from as there are fish in the sea. And it’s so fun to see which fish people choose to express themselves! Shoes and I are kind of kindred spirits because no matter how many Krispy Kreme’s I’ve had, no matter if I’m pregnant or not, no matter what size I am that particular month… my shoes are always there to fit snug as a bug in a rug.

Kate’s Rule for shoes: Break all the rules with shoes, let your personality blaze through with your choice of shoes to top of any outfit. BUT if they are fantastically fabulous shoes, let them do their victory dance all on their own without too many other distractions. Sometimes I choose my whole outfit around my shoes, and let’s be honest, sometimes the right shoe just deserves that kind of attention.

Long story short.. accessories are icing on the cake, and how lame is cake without icing?! BUT, if there are too many sprinkles on the icing, its hard to thoroughly enjoy any of it, right?! Choose a delicious icing (statement accessory), and let it be the star. Don’t confuse it with other distracting accessories. If you do add another accessory to your bold statement piece, ask yourself…

Does it COMPLIMENT or compete with my statement accessory?!

Then again, rules are made to be broken… and what the heck do I know?  I’m the QUEEN of over-accessorizing. But I guess admission is the first step in rehabilitation, right?!

Now, go get some cake, AND eat it too!