Coco Chanel always said, “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take off one thing.” If you’re all about subtlety, simplicity, and structure when it comes to fashion, and agree that minimal equals chic, then you know that accessorizing can make or break any outfit.
Minimizing and refining your accessories can make you look more put together while allowing you to showcase your personal style! However, one of the struggles with a minimalist, capsule wardrobe is that you may repeat the same items and outfits often. Luckily, accessories are the perfect way to keep your looks fresh and interesting with every wear. Sleek, minimalist fashion looks are especially elevated by a few carefully selected accessories, but it can be hard to know where to start. In this article, we’ll break down seven simple and effective ways to accessorize minimally and level up your wardrobe.
Table of Contents
1. Elevate Your Footwear
Every fashionista knows that the right pair of shoes can elevate your look immediately, and with minimal effort. Whether you opt for a comfortable yet classy running shoe, a sustainable sandal, or a sleek heel, choosing high-quality, versatile footwear can take any everyday or special occasion look to the next level without running the risk of over-accessorizing.
Your shoes should never be an afterthought to your outfit, and choosing a shoe with an extra bit of interest can actually act as a way of minimally accessorizing your look. Try adding a bright pop of color to an otherwise neutral outfit with your shoes, or choose a pair with gold or silver accents to match your preferred jewelry. Don’t be afraid to experiment with shoes as accessories! Your favorite well-fitting jeans and basic button-down can be instantly elevated when you switch from worn-out sneakers to a pair of stylish heels.
2. Feature a Handbag with Hardware
A super simple way to accessorize minimally is to choose a stylish, classic everyday handbag. Better yet, get a purse with its own accessories! You’ve probably seen the handbag hardware trend sweeping the bag scene. Many popular handbag brands are adding metal hardware to their designs, and these bags are a wonderful way to level up your accessory game. Purses with hardware are so easy to come by and available in a wide price range. Look out for fun hardware accents in silver or gold such as buckles, or shoulder and wrist straps. These bags speak for themselves and add a classy, elevated look to any simple outfit — plus they’re a sure-fire way to garner some compliments! Find a nice bag with some extra hardware for days you don’t want to wear too much jewelry or additional accessories.
Minimalist style is about simplicity, but those simple and basic outfits are especially elevated by carefully selected accessories.
3. Invest in Quality, Minimal Jewelry Pieces
Flashy jewelry or too many pieces can throw off your minimalist look —no bright, layered bangles here. Classy, simple, and sophisticated jewelry, on the other hand, will instantly elevate your everyday and special occasion looks. Invest in a few staples and classic jewelry pieces such as rings, necklaces, and earrings, that can be worn every day. Choose your preferred metal, and consider opting for dainty pieces that will stand the test of time and complement your minimalist look.
Sometimes, it’s the smallest things that can make the most impact, and this also pertains to your jewelry. Sometimes dainty pieces can make a bigger statement than large or flashy pieces, and can even carry even more meaning while still making a fashion statement. Opt for dainty necklaces with thin chains and simple pendants, and small, dainty gold hoops or studs that pair well with everything. A vintage ring can add a touch of sophistication and timelessness to any outfit as well. A simple and stylish watch is another perfect complement to your overall minimalist wardrobe. Opt for your favorite metal with neutral-colored leather accents for a piece that will elevate your look for years to come.
4. Add a Pop of Color to a Neutral Outfit
If you’ve perfected your minimalist wardrobe or capsule closet with pieces from your favorite minimalist fashion brand, then it’s likely you have an array of neutral, and black and white outfit pieces. These colors make up classic minimalist ensembles and are the perfect base to add a bright pop of color through accessories. A pop of a classic or trending color on top of a neutral outfit is an artistic look that allows you to showcase your style while still utilizing all versatile pieces you already own. Add your bright hue through colorful earrings, a statement watch, a handbag, or shoes, to achieve this bright yet minimalist style.
5. Stick to One Jewelry and Hardware Hue
While wearing mixed metal jewelry is a fashion trend that comes and goes, it can be a difficult style to successfully achieve with a minimalist flair. It’s always a safe, cohesive, and stylish option to stick to all one jewelry and hardware hue in your wardrobe. As we’ve touched on in earlier tips, your jewelry is often not the only metallic accent in your wardrobe — handbags and shoes can have metallic flair as well! Sticking to a single metal color throughout your closet will make creating a cohesive outfit complete with accessories easy, as every metal accessory can be mixed and matched.
You can ultimately choose whichever metal tone you prefer. Whether you choose to build upon a jewelry hue you already own or switch it up altogether, you’ll love the minimalist simplicity of choosing a single hue. No matter if you prefer gold, silver, or even rose gold, settling on a single hue will enhance your minimalist wardrobe and make accessorizing a breeze!
6. Invest in Your Everyday Essentials
If you identify yourself as a proud minimalist, and you’re ready to enhance your look through accessorizing, then a wonderful place to start is enhancing your everyday essentials. We all have staple accessories in our closets that we find ourselves reaching for every day or many times throughout the week, such as a classic handbag or backpack, sunglasses, a pair of earrings, or a comfortable pair of sneakers. Because our everyday essentials are staples in our wardrobe, they can suffer from overuse and aging or can be held onto past their prime.
Slowly switching out your everyday essential accessories for elevated versions of the items you love will make a hugely positive impact on your everyday look! Quality, neutral sunglasses can make your simple, minimal outfit look more put together and stylish, while a sleek, black leather backpack serves as a convenient and fashionable accessory for everyday use. Don’t be afraid to invest in quality pieces when it comes to your everyday go-to accessories, you’ll be loving them for years to come!
7. Minimize Your Current Accessories Collection
One simple way to accessorize minimally while simultaneously performing a closet clean-out and improving your minimalist wardrobe is minimizing your current accessories collection. Spread out your collection of accessories, and take a moment to analyze each one, asking yourself whether the accessory serves as a wardrobe essential. The accessories you choose to keep should do each of the following:
Suit Your Personal Style Goals
Your individual style is unique and shows the world who you are. It’s important to show it off! Try to avoid adding accessories to your wardrobe that only suit current fashion trends or micro-trends, as your love for them may fade with the trend itself. If an accessory doesn’t make you feel amazing, then ditch it. Just like your clothing items, your accessories should make you look and feel your best!
Go with a Variety of Outfits
When building or refining your accessories collection, always look for multi-functional pieces. Versatile pieces should work with a large variety of outfits in your wardrobe, and if you’ve already built a minimalist closet in which everything suits your personal style, then this part should be easy!
Elevate Your Wardrobe
With the right accessories, you can quickly turn a simple outfit into a look for special occasions or events, or for a casual lunch. Select pieces that will accent your looks or add a pop of color or interest, such as statement jewelry. Remember to stick to accent colors that will suit your wardrobe!
Get Ready to Accessorize Like a Pro
Minimalist fashion is becoming increasingly popular, and we can see why. Minimalist fashion makes the wearer look chic and effortlessly stylish, but correctly tackling your accessories is crucial to perfecting this look. Equipped with these tips and tricks, you’re ready to accessorize minimally for any occasion and level up your outfits like a pro. Enjoy the clutter-free closet, and the compliments!
