Dressing formally for any occasion can be thrilling for some and off putting for others. Some see it as an opportunity to show off their best side while the ones that dislike formal attire normally complain about the stuffiness and uninspiring appearance. Often because they relish in the greater freedom of choice their normal attire offers. Fortunately, you still have the freedom over the type and style of the accessories you choose to wear to jazz up your look and there are plenty of options to choose from to ensure you aren’t going to be a carbon copy of another guest.
Accessories That Draw the Eye
Different types of accessories have varying purposes. For instance, if you want to draw attention to your eyes it is recommended to wear accessories and have your eye make-up done in a colour that matches or complements your eye colour. Similarly, if you want to create the illusion of a longer neck, you’d choose a long necklace with a pendent that draws the eyes towards your torso or cleanly designed narrow, hanging earrings that create a sleek profile between your earrings and your neck.
Equally, accessories can be used to draw the eye away from certain features. Individuals with a round face shape would see the benefit from drop earrings that give the illusion of length. Whereas wearing lightweight, delicate and long accessories such as necklaces can help soften the harsher edges of a square face shape. Oval face shapes tend to be taller and wearing a short necklace that rests along the collar bone can help to reduce the illusion of a long face, complemented by some stud or short-drop earrings.
Practical Accessories That Complement Your Outfit
Accessories that are both stylish and practical are an excellent addition to any formal outfit and are equally suitable for both men and women, depending on the practically needed. Cufflinks may have fallen out of popularity in recent years with the greater availability of button-cuff shirts. However, still have a key place in the best practical accessories, keeping cuffs together and clean without the worry your sleeve will fall into your dinner plate or get caught in a door. There is still an incredible selection of interesting, exciting and formal cufflinks available from subtle pearl cufflinks to striking mechanical designs, providing plenty of choice when it comes to customising your look.
Further practical accessories include tie pins or tie bars, which prevent your tie flapping about (particularly on a windy day) and stylish lapel pins which have many practical uses and are an elegant replacement for a standard clip.
Colour-Coordinating Your Accessories
If you’ve got in mind what sort of accessories you want to include in your outfit, but you are stuck on the best colours to choose, start with the most common colour of your formal clothing. For instance, you might be wearing a two-piece suit in black or styling a beautiful navy dress. Then look at any embellishments and fasteners, including buttons, zips, clips and buckles and make a note of the base colour. If your outfit is particularly busy with a lot of pattern and colour, you’ll want to keep your accessories toned down, if your outfit is broadly one or two colours with little pattern, you can choose accessories with a bit more flash.
For metal accessories, you’ll want to ensure colours stays consistent, for example, a silver belt buckle would influence jewellery choices in metals of silver, titanium and platinum. Try not to mix too many different metal shades and colours, it can create a look that is hard on the eyes and make you look more like a walking magic eye puzzle, rather than the stylish individual you are.
Most importantly, when it comes to dressing up formal or informal, have fun and be comfortable. People tend to stand out more in a group when they are standing stiffly and feel uncomfortable and you’ll have a much better time when you are relaxed and at home with yourself and your appearance.