While some people love to get dressed up for a formal event, others are filled with dread. It may be that you simply don’t feel comfortable in formalwear – or it may be that you’re not entirely sure how to put a formal outfit together successfully.
For any formal occasion, the right accessories can make a big difference. Read on for some top tips for accessorising formal outfits for both men and women.
Co-ordinate your colours
For a put-together, well-thought-out look for your formal outfit, colour coordination is key. Matching your accessories to your outfit can strengthen your look and give it a more polished feel. Once you’ve chosen your outfit, base your accessories on those colours. If your outfit features a number of colours, keep your accessories fairly low-key to avoid clashing: a simple black or cream clutch bag for women, for example, or muted, plain cufflinks for men. Most men might be scared of adding bright colours to their wardrobe, but when dressing well it’s useful to remember that less is more when it comes to colour. Adding just a bit of colour to accessories could help create a stylish look.
If your outfit features just one or two colours, though, you’ve got more flexibility to add a little more flair. Take a look at the embellishments in your clothing – metallic elements, the fabric on the back of a waistcoat, the lining of a jacket – and see if you can match the colours of your accessories to these. A silver belt buckle or similar, for example, may be best paired with titanium, platinum or silver jewellery, or a clutch bag with similar silver embellishments. Mix too many colours and tones, and your outfit could look more mismatched and less formal than you’re aiming for.
Be practical
While some accessories are purely about aesthetics and the way they make you feel, others add a touch of practicality to a formal outfit. Cufflinks, for example, will keep shirt cuffs together as well as look fantastic. Don’t go for novelty cufflinks at a formal event, though: stick with dark mother-of-pearl, silver, onyx or gold for black tie, and a light-coloured material such as pearl or silver for white tie.
Clutch bags are also a great way to add a practical element to your formal outfit: completing your look as well as giving you somewhere to stash everything you need. Be sure to choose the right size, though: too small and you risk it bulging at the seams, too large and it could look heavy and bulky. Consider matching the colour to your shoes to add a splash of colour to an otherwise monochrome outfit – and if you need both hands free at the event, a clutch with a chain can make a big difference to the style you’re going for.
Focus the attention
If you want to draw the eye to or away from certain areas, accessories can help! A short necklace, for example, can give the illusion of reducing the length of an oval face shape, while longer earrings can make a round face look longer and slimmer. Colourful eye makeup can draw attention upwards to the face, as can colourful scarves or statement necklaces. Neon eyeliner, green eyeshadow, and dramatic eyes are just some of the most popular makeup trends to use in 2022.
The same goes for men’s accessories, too. A pocket square in a contrasting colour can draw attention to the chest rather than the stomach, while a cummerbund can prevent shirt tails from becoming untucked and cover the distracting V shape of your shirt that can appear underneath a buttoned jacket.
Wear it with a smile
There are plenty of accessories that can help you to dress up a formal outfit to give you a look that’s truly put together. As well as jewellery, cufflinks, clutch bags, pocket squares, and cummerbunds though, there’s one thing that’s vital for giving you an air of confidence at a formal event: a dazzling smile.
A Healing Retreat in Glastonbury
Exploring the Island Paradise of Rhodes at Lindos Village Resort & Spa