MissusSmartyPants Personal Profile Style ArticleVolume 8 Week 5 January 31, 2013

Remember: only the last 4 weeks remain posted!

Are you looking for a quick and easy way to improve your style? Consider using accessories to solve your fashion dilemmas! They are the fastest way to get your style together without spending lots of money!

Accessories can do wonders for even the most basic outfit. They can take the same ‘ol basic pieces and instantly give them a new and updated look (and at a fraction of the cost you if you were to go and buy more clothes)!

Necklaces and Necklines--how to match them up correctly.

Necklace names and lengths...

Have you even seen someone who is all dressed yet somehow something is off? Wearing the wrong length necklace with a particular neckline is probably what the problem is.

Here’s how to match your necklace with the correct neckline:

• Collar necklaces should rest around the middle of the neck and can be worn with V-neck, boat-neck and off-the-shoulder tops.

• Chokers should stop at the base of the neck. They look great with strapless or plunging necklines. Chokers are best for youthful necks because they draw the eye in close. Older women will find it best to choose a longer length that will get the eye’s attention further away from skin on the neck.

• Princess length necklaces (17 to 19 inches) fall just below the throat area. This is the most common and versatile length of necklace. It can be worn with most necklines except the high ones. Add a pendant and wear with a V-neck for a pretty look.

• Matinee length necklaces (20 to 24 inches) hit the top of the bust. Do not wear this necklace length with plunging neckline. Also be careful your necklace does not stop right at the top of your shirt...because if it does, it is fighting for attention with your shirt.

• Opera length necklaces (28 to 34 inches) fall below the bust and look great with a very high neckline. This dramatic longer length can be worn from day to night. This length can also be doubled for a multi-strand look.

Don’t over-accessorize. Be careful not to overdue a good thing!

Coco Chanel once said, "Always remove one thing before you leave the house."

This look (below) is chaotic NOT stylish...

Don’t let your necklace compete with your top! Necklace needs to sit above the shirt ...filling up the open middle space between your neck and shirt.

Oops! Bad necklace length! Don’t let your necklace and top compete for attention...

Below, this fancy necklace will be the ‘star’ of any basic outfit.

No other accessory will be needed...

This fancy crystal necklace and tan clutch add style and interest to an all black outfit.

This look is fabulous...every time!(Below) This necklace fits perfectly in the space between the deep v-neck and neck...

A wide boatneck shirt works well for a long lariat necklace...

Have fun and “dress up” an everyday tee-shirt with a bold statement necklace! No need to wait for a fancy occasion...

Wearing a bold necklace? Be sure to keep your earrings minimal...

Statement necklaces love a plain backdrop...like our wardrobe basic sweaters! A SOLID color is best. Prints and bold necklaces don’t work as well. Stay with a solid color for your best look.

Iris Apfel is a 90 year old woman that has made her statement in fashion and interior design. Her 'statement' accessory has to be her eyeglasses - followed closely by everything else.

“My mother worshipped at the alter of accessories and I got the bug. She always said, if you have a good, little, simple black dress and you have different accessories, you can have 27 different outfits.”

Earrings, big and small.

Off the shoulder dresses....demand bold earrings in a strong contrasting color. Notice with the red dress pictured below, green earrings are being worn to create a pleasing affect. With the blue dress, dark pink earrings are being worn for a pretty look.

Button earrings can make a bold statement too. Pull your hair back for a fab dressy look that sets you apart from the masses.

Select earrings based on your face shape:

Oval face: Soft shapes like pearls, teardrops, ovals and studs. Oval faces are very versatile and can wear pretty much any style they prefer.

Round face: Long, thin styles are for you. Drop earrings in oblongs, ovals and dangles work best because they elongate your face. Bold angular stud earrings can also look nice.

Avoid: Large, chunky earrings. Also avoid of hoops (unless very long and oval) as well as small round studs.

Heart-shaped face: Earrings that are wider at the bottom and narrower at top (teardrop). Look for earrings with soft curves like teardrops or ovals. Triangle style earrings can also work well because they are wider at the bottom.

Avoid: Earrings that are heart shaped or wider at the top and narrow at the bottom.

Square-shaped face: Angular, rounded edges which will soften a square face. Medium to long dangle styles are best and hoops are fabulous on you.

Avoid: Large, angled styles because these can make your face appear wider and harsh.

Oblong face: Statement chandelier styles with lots of volume. Simple studs also work well because they draw the eyes horizontally.

Avoid: Long and angled earrings that are similar to your face shape.

Diamond-shaped face: Earrings with more width than length, a combination of straight lines and curves are great. Studs also look good on diamond shape faces as well as small drops.

Avoid: Diamond and square shaped earrings.

Headband and hats.

Keep the sun off your face in style! Complete your look with a cute hat...

The how’s & why’s of wearing accessories:

1. Feeling confident about wearing accessories takes a little knowledge + practice,

practice, practice.

2. Accessories offer a budget-friendly way to change up the look of a smaller wardrobe.

You won’t need so many clothes if your accessories totally rock!

3. Accessories show your sense of style and set you apart from the masses. You are

special, so let your accessories prove it!

Go ahead and enjoy what accessories can do for you!

4. Accessories can highlight your good parts (like your smiling face) and minimize the

not so good parts. Place your accessories near areas you love---and far away from the

areas of your body you want to minimize.

5. Always examine your outfit in a full-length mirror before walking out the door. You

want to be sure your accessories are “working” for you from head to toe.

6. You will look plain & boring if you don’t wear any. I’m not trying to be mean—just

truthful! Explore accessories (hats, belts, scarves, brooches, other jewelry, shoes, and

handbags) and wear the accessories you love. For me, it’s usually earrings I feel the

need to wear on a daily basis (even inside the house).

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