Belts, Broaches, and Body Chains (Oh, My!)
Written by: Sarah Pretopapa
Image courtesy of Missoma
Accessories. No outfit is complete without them! MAVEN shares the best secrets to use accessories to spice up your fit checks!
Earrings
Statement earrings are one of the best ways to level up an outfit. Long silver dangling earrings tie in the silver beaded details for this dress and make the outfit cohesive. Since these earrings were so long, adding an additional necklace was too much and distracted from the earrings and the dress’s neckline, which are the stars of the show. When accessorizing, it’s essential to keep adding and taking away until it feels right and balanced to you.
Nothing does the job like a classic hoop when going for a more low-profile earring look. Any metal is fine for this look, but gold hoops are a recent favorite. If you happen to have multiple piercings, layering hoops of different sizes is a timeless and classy way to accessorize while keeping it casual. Another option is to layer textured and colored hoops together for a whimsical and exciting look.
Necklaces
Chunky metals or costume jewelry are a personal favorite. Costume jewelry is the most unique and can be the best way to add drama and individuality to an outfit. Necklaces are the first kind of jewelry that gets noticed, so it’s vital to find the right one that sets the tone for the rest of your accessories.
Layering necklaces is still possible in creating a casual look, and using thin chains with dainty accents is the way to achieve this vibe. Sticking to one type of metal will make layered necklaces look cohesive even if they are slightly different styles or thicknesses. One of my favorite tips is to invest in a basic plain chain and charms so you can mix them up to match your outfits. This is also a great way to save money and space in your jewelry box.
Rings
Stack, stack, stack! When going all out with rings, make sure no finger is left behind. Let all your digits rock some bling. Textures and ring size are essential here as you don’t want two huge rings next to each other when the rest of your hand has small rings — it may make your ring stack feel unbalanced. This takes some experimentation, and I recommend that you play around with the placement and combinations of your rings until it feels right for you.
One of my favorite ring secrets to help with this is to pay attention to color and consider color coordinating each hand. This helps the rings stand out next to each other and doing one hand one color and the other another makes everything look cohesive but still fun. You could make one hand gold and the other hand silver, but introducing some actual colors is a game-changer! My right hand has many greens and yellows in the image above, and the left-hand features blues and purples.
Broaches
We are starting a petition to bring broaches back! Thrift stores are filled with piles of fun broaches and beads that are waiting to be styled. Broaches range in shape, size, and color, making the options endless. Common themes for broaches include flowers, small animals like frogs, butterflies, and birds, and other nature-inspired designs. Popping a broach on a blazer or dress is an easy way to add individuality and sparkle to an outfit. We recommend placing them on the center of your chest on your sternum or near the left chest over your heart. Broaches go well with large statement earrings as they can give the effect of a necklace without having the extra baggage of a chain. Here we styled a broach on the center of a patterned jumpsuit as it can catch the light nicely without distracting from the outfit itself. You will probably be able to find some free broaches or pins in your parents’ closets, so don’t be afraid to try something different and give an old broach some new love!
Belts
A new era of belts is finally upon us. Typically belts have the boring job of holding up our pants, but now they can also be another place to sneak in a good accessory. Belts often get overlooked, but they’re crucial in making an outfit come together. The standard rule is to match your belt with your shoes, which I typically agree with. However, the rules for decorative belts are different. We want to challenge you to explore a variety of beaded and chain style belts to incorporate color, personality, and shine to your fit checks. It’s important to remember that belts don’t need to only go with jeans or even inside belt loops. Low-waisted pants are coming back into style and are just begging for a jeweled belt that lie on the hips! Another great way to incorporate jeweled belts is to add them to your favorite dresses. This will give a flattering empire waist look and take your outfit from an 8 to a 10.
One of my favorite hacks with decorative belts is to use a necklace. Don’t be afraid to experiment and work with what you already have! Paired with the green dress, I found a dragon charm and put it on a long gold chain for my waist, and it ended up being my favorite part of the outfit. With the black dress, I took a necklace that I already had and added a piece of string to the back, turning it into a belt; it blended in seamlessly. Be aware of how tight you tie these belts since they are decorative, they are usually not meant for holding clothing in place, and you want to make sure you can move comfortably.
Body Chains
Body chains are a personal favorite accessory. With the summer quickly approaching, these subtle sparkles are sure to make you feel confident in your skin and accessorize your best features as well as your clothes. If you do not have any body chains but still want to try out this look, don’t fret! Like the DIY hack with the beaded belts, you can do the same with body chains! Take two necklaces that you already own and loop them together to fit around your waist or chest. This can give the illusion of a trendy body chain without buying an entirely new piece of jewelry. If you already have a favorite body chain at home, this is the time to use it. You could layer this item on top of a tighter cropped shirt with high-waisted jeans, underneath an oversized blazer, underneath a mesh shirt, or even style it with your favorite bikini. Who says accessories don’t belong at the beach?