The best outfits tend to keep things simple. Rather than dazzling others with funky patterns, flashy baubles, and colors that overwhelm the optic nerve, the goal should be to make an impression without leaving ripples in your wake.
Unfortunately, achieving this outcome is easier said than done. For one thing, there’s no fashion manual that can be checked for guidance. Sure, fashion magazines and websites serve as useful guides, but it all comes down to the choices you make regarding what you wear.
For those who struggle to stay on top of the latest fashion trends, the process of formulating a fashionable ensemble can feel infuriating. The good news is there’s a way to life-hack your way to a better style going forward. It comes down to prioritizing elements that most people neglect.
With this in mind, let’s take a look at the essential finishing touches of modern fashion:
Belts
Only some outfits call for wearing a belt. But those that do require something better than that bent and cracked strip of faded leather you call a belt. Sleek and stylish designer belts will elevate an otherwise boring outfit. They do their job while also adding a subtle yet significant boost to the look of your ensemble. What’s more, premium belts designed by top fashion labels will keep looking great for years. It might seem like a hefty upfront investment, but a small collection of high-end belts will enable you to put together striking outfits with minimum effort.
Ties
Like with belts, ties don’t go with every outfit. But whether it’s a classic necktie, vibrant bowtie, or a statement bolo tie, wearing a tie calls for a careful selection process. In other words, it calls for more than simply reaching toward the tie rack and going with whichever one you happen to grab. Certain ties look better with certain ensembles. It’s that simple. The perfect tie will have a dramatic effect on your overall style.
Accessories
Most fashion accessories can be cataloged as jewelry. Examples include bracelets, earrings, necklaces, rings, and pendants. But accessories also include things like wristwatches, hair clips, pins, and cufflinks. Unfortunately, too many people overlook the potential value these and other accessories bring to a particular outfit. Simply put, accessories have the potential to make or break an otherwise ordinary ensemble. Often, accessories’ exact impact goes unnoticed, but there’s a subconscious acknowledgment of their influence. For instance, someone may never stop and examine the antique earrings you’re wearing, but the way they complement the colors of your gown is a factor their brain nonetheless registers as the makings of a fantastic outfit.
Shoes
It happens way too often: someone enters the room wearing a stunning suit or dress that catches everyone’s attention, but the shoes they wear are one or more steps below the quality of the clothes. The unfortunate truth is that dull or otherwise unremarkable footwear will rob your ensemble of its elegance, diminishing the entire outfit in the process. The good news is you don’t need to buy shoes that cost more than your mortgage payment to achieve the effect of quality footwear on fashion. Simply focus on matching the right shoes with the right outfit, as well as investing in moderate maintenance for the best footwear in your closet.
Hair
Few things deflate the strong impression of a fantastic outfit, like a bad hair day. If you’re dressing up for a special occasion, such as an awards ceremony, charity gala, or wedding, make an appointment with your barber or hairstylist to ensure you arrive with hair that looks as stunning as your clothes.
Socks
If your socks are likely to be visible at any point, then careful consideration should be made regarding which pair you wear with which outfit. The good news is we live in a time where flashy socks are suitable to wear with classic formal outfits. For instance, a man wearing a gray suit and black tie can spice it up with funky-looking socks without looking eccentric or out-of-touch.
The best fashion ensembles tend to keep things simple. However, they also tend to incorporate one or more items that have the potential to provide a fantastic finishing touch. In doing so, you succeed in dressing for success without skipping out on the subtle but nonetheless noticeable details that prop your ensemble from standard to stunning.
Alex Farina is a freelance writer from Ohio. He enjoys writing about design, fashion, nature, and technology.
