Street style fashion is all about expressing your individuality and personality through your clothing and accessories. While the outfit itself makes a statement, it’s the accessories that really give your street style look that extra edge. The right accessories can pull a look together, add interest, and show off your personal flair. If you want to take your street style to the next level, learning how to properly accessorize is key.
What is Street Style?
Street style refers to the fashion trends worn by stylish individuals, often in urban areas. It’s about expressing your own unique sense of style as you go about your daily life. Street style outfits tend to be more casual, comfortable, and edgy compared to high fashion looks.
Street style stars are known for mixing high and low end pieces, vintage and modern looks, and putting together outfits that reflect their own bold and creative fashion sense. While runway fashion is dictated by designers, street style comes from the creative expression of individuals.
Why Accessorizing is Important for Street Style
Accessories are the perfect way to put your own spin on street style fashion. They allow you to take a simple outfit and make it feel fresh and unique. Accessories also give you endless options to change up your look from day to night or for different occasions.
Some of the key reasons accessorizing is so important for street style looks include:
- Shows off personal style – Accessories let you showcase your individual flair. Street style is about creatively expressing yourself through fashion.
- Makes outfits more interesting – Accessories add eye-catching details that draw attention and interest to your look.
- Finishes the look – The right accessories can pull together an outfit and make it look polished and complete.
- Allows versatility – With the right accessories, you can take one outfit and wear it in multiple different ways. Accessories let you change up your style on the fly.
- Protects against fashion faux pas – If you ever feel like your outfit just isn’t working, accessories can come to the rescue and tie the whole look together seamlessly.
Popular Street Style Accessories
Some of the most popular accessories used in street style looks include:
Statement Sunglasses
Bold, stylish sunglasses are a street style wardrobe staple. Oversize frames, retro cat eye shapes, and cool colors or patterns make them an eye-catching accessory. Sunglasses add instant attitude and personality to any outfit.
Hats
From baseball caps to wide-brim fedoras, hats are a great way to top off your street style look. They come in endless styles to match your personal tastes. Hats are both fashionable and functional for keeping the sun out of your eyes.
Jewelry
Stacking bangles, charm bracelets, and long pendant necklaces are fun jewelry options for street style. Mixing metals, gemstones, and materials like leather and fabric create eclectic jewelry combinations.
Bags
A great bag is a street style essential. Backpacks, crossbody bags, totes, and fanny packs all make excellent accessories. Bold prints, cool textures, and unique shapes or sizes help your bag stand out.
Scarves
Scarves can add a pop of color or pattern while also serving as a lightweight layer. Silky scarves tied around your neck or bag are a signature street style accessory.
Sneakers
The ultimate street style shoes, sneakers come in every color, material, and style imaginable. Sneakers are comfortable, casual, and endlessly versatile.
How to Choose the Right Accessories
When putting together a street style outfit, follow these tips for choosing the perfect accessories:
Complement your outfit – Pick accessories in colors, patterns, textures, or materials that coordinate with your clothing. For example, leather shoes and bag with a denim and leather jacket outfit.
Consider your lifestyle – Opt for accessories suited for your regular activities. If you’re always on the go, choose comfortable, durable options.
Express your personality – Let your accessories showcase your personal taste and interests. For example, band t-shirts and punk rock jewelry.
Choose versatile pieces – Opt for accessories you can wear multiple ways, like scarves and jewelry layers. This expands your outfit options.
Mix high and low – Combine splurge items with budget finds for visual interest. Not every accessory needs to be designer.
Check proportions – Oversized and tiny accessories can throw off proportions. Get the scale right for your body and outfit.
Remember the occasion – Dress up or down your accessories depending on whether you’re going to work, a party, or just running errands.
How to Add Personality to Your Street Style with Accessories
Accessorizing for street style is about letting your personality shine through. Here are some tips for using accessories to amp up your personal flair:
Play with color – Colorful accessories instantly grab attention. Try a bright red bag, emerald green shades, or a rainbow bangle stack.
Pile on the layers – Stack, mix, and layer necklaces, bracelets, rings, and more for an eclectic look. Go big and bold.
Make a statement – Choose conversation-starting statement accessories like an oversize clock necklace, studded backpack, or leopard print coat.
Add some edge – Leather, spikes, chains, and hardware details give accessories a cool, edgy vibe. Studded boots or a moto jacket do the trick.
Incorporate your interests – Show off your hobbies and passions through music or pop culture inspired accessories. Band tees, comic book jewelry, anime patches on your denim jacket, etc.
Vintage and retro vibes – Shop thrift and vintage stores for unique retro finds like jewelry, bags, hats, and sunglasses. Old school cool with a modern twist.
DIY and customize – Personalize basic accessories by adding studs, patches, pins, embroidery, etc. Make pieces uniquely you.
Have fun! – Don’t be afraid to take risks and experiment until you find your signature accessories that really reflect your style. Change it up!
How to Create Different Street Style Looks with Accessories
One of the great things about accessories is how easily you can transform the same basic pieces into completely different street style looks. Get creative with how you wear and combine your accessories.
Casual Daytime
For relaxed daytime activities like running errands or meeting friends, keep your accessories laidback. Opt for a simple graphic tee, jeans, sneakers, a baseball cap, and crossbody bag. Add some layered jewelry for interest.
Edgy Night Out
Amp up your evening look with edgier accessories like a moto or leather jacket, dark nail polish, combat boots, a chain strap bag, and an armful of stacked bracelets.
Sporty Athleisure
Accessorize your gym outfit with sporty extras like a cap, mirrored aviator sunglasses, a logo sweatshirt tied around your waist, and colorful sneakers. Don’t forget your wireless headphones!
Preppy Chic
Create a preppy vibe with classic accessories like oversize sunglasses, a canvas tote, collared shirt, loafers, a sweater tied over the shoulders, and a charm bracelet.
Artsy Eclectic
Show off your creative side with an eclectic mix of accessories. Try round sunglasses, a floppy hat, flowing printed kimono, cuff bracelets, and a patterned backpack.
Glam Going-Out
Get glammed up for a night out with sparkling jewelry, a designer clutch, strappy heels, a silky scarf, and a bold red lip. Slick back hair into a chic updo.
How to Accessorize for Different Occasions
Beyond just changing up your look day to night, accessorizing for specific occasions helps you nail the dress code.
Casual hangouts – Prioritize comfort and personal style. Sneakers, simple jewelry, graphic tees, baseball caps, and backpacks are perfect.
Work – Keep accessories simple and professional like stud earrings, a nice watch, a tote or briefcase, and classic pumps or loafers.
Cocktail party – Dress up your look with pretty jewelry, an embellished clutch, stylish heels, and a nice watch. Have fun with your accessories!
Concerts – Choose durable accessories that fit the venue and band’s vibe. Think leather, denim, band tees, beanies, and boots.
Traveling – Functional accessories like a crossbody bag, comfy walking shoes, a scarf, and a hat make travel outfits complete. Don’t forget your headphones!
Date night – Accessorize to accentuate your features and style. Opt for flattering jewelry, a nice bag, makeup, and heels if you want.
Where to Find Affordable Street Style Accessories
You don’t need to spend a fortune to get decked out in awesome street style accessories. Some of the best places to shop affordable accessory options include:
- Thrift and vintage shops – Find unique retro pieces and designer items at discounted prices. You can get quality accessories at bargain prices.
- Department stores – Check clearance racks and sale sections for marked down accessories. Stores like TJ Maxx and Marshall’s have great deals too.
- Fast fashion retailers – Stores like Zara and H&M offer inexpensive on-trend accessories to incorporate into your outfits.
- Street markets and fairs – Outdoor markets are a fun place to browse jewelry, bags, scarves, hats, and other accessories from local vendors. Prices are usually very affordable.
- Online – Shop sites like ASOS, Nasty Gal, Boohoo, and Missguided for super cheap but stylish accessories. Wait for sales and promo codes too.
- DIY – Make your own accessories! You can customize pieces exactly how you want for a fraction of the cost.
Tips for Accessorizing Your Street Style Look
- Experiment with different accessories until you find your personal style. See what you feel most confident and comfortable in.
- Mix and match metals, textures, colors, and patterns for visual interest. Clashing can create really cool combinations.
- Layer necklaces, bracelets, rings, etc. for an eclectic stacked look. Mix dainty and statement pieces.
- Let your accessories reflect your interests, hobbies, and passions to showcase your individuality.
- Swap out a few statement accessories to give one basic outfit multiple different looks.
- Pay attention to proportions. Oversize and tiny accessories can look clownish if not balanced properly.
- Have fun and get creative! Don’t be afraid to take risks with bold accessories that show off your unique flair.
Conclusion
Accessorizing is one of the best ways to make your street style look feel more unique, polished, and complete. Choosing the right accessories allows you to showcase your personality, interests, and individual flair. When you learn how to properly accessorize for different occasions and outfits, you can take your street style to the next level.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different accessories until you find your signature look. Layering, mixing metals and textures, and playing with color and proportion creates eye-catching combinations. Thrift stores, fast fashion retailers, and online shops offer affordable options to find awesome accessories without breaking the bank. With the right accessories, you can easily transform one basic outfit into endless stylish street style looks.
