How to Accessorize Your Casual Wardrobe

Casual is the watchword.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hair Accessories
• Handbags
• Men's Dress Belts
• Men's Loafers
• Sun Hats
• Sunglasses
• Women's Belts
• Women's Loafers
• Women's Sandals
• Bracelets
• Casual Earrings
• Mens' Watches
• Women's Watches

1. Consider your activities for the day. If you'll be hiking, leave those platform sneakers in the closet.

2. Choose a watch that's really you: plastic or wide band, sporty or tank.

3. Drape a bandanna or a vintage, silk or hand-knit scarf around your neck - or tie your hair with it - and you'll look pulled together.

4. Change your look with a belt. Choose from a fabulous variety: wide, thin, decorative, etc.

5. Keep your shoes on! They can be trendy, classic, down-home or chunky. For chic yet casual outfits, opt for sneakers, sandals, cowboy boots or loafers.

6. Have fun with jewelry, and remember that pearls go with everything. Hoop earrings, ethnic beads, stones and wires are everywhere, as are nose rings, chokers and hair clips. Consider making your own.

7. Use a backpack for fun, comfort and usefulness. Keep in mind that a straw bag or a book bag can also be a stylish alternative to a purse.

8. Put a water bottle and your sunglasses in a canvas bucket bag. If you're just carrying around your keys and lipstick, try a tiny knit purse.

Tips & Warnings

• Have fun, but maintain a sense of balance. Too many bangles can bungle a sundress and ruin a sleek sandal look.
• Remember hats. Straw hats and watch caps, bucket and porkpie hats, and caps and berets are fun and casual. They lend you a confident air.
• Make sure your footgear matches your day's blueprints. Nothing gets you down more than aching feet.

[denisepapas]

on 4/28/2009 Great tips- wish you had some photos to demonstrate!

[denisepapas]

on 4/28/2009 Great tips- wish you had some photos to demonstrate!

on 8/8/2006 Go to thrift stores and Salvation Army stores for really cool vintage accessories. They're also really cheap. You could find cool jewelry there for half the price than those expensive stores at the mall.

on 6/30/2006 When you can't find a shirt to go with a skirt (to dress it down a little), wear a white wifebeater. It goes with anything and you can play it up really well.

on 11/22/2005 Try making bead jewelries to match different wardrobe selections. These are all easy to make. In just under 5 minutes, you can have your own dangling earrings or in under 30 minutes, you can have a complete matching set! No need to buy all those accessory and fashion jewelries anymore!