Draven Jackson
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There are a lot of quotes about the importance of accessories, but some of my favorites include Anna Dello Russo’s quote “Accessories are like a vitamin to fashion” and Iris Apfel’s “If there was a choice on spending a lot of money on accessories or dress, I always choose accessories. I think jewelry can change an outfit more than anything else.”

Accessories are an incredibly important element for completing an outfit, but oftentimes they are overlooked or ignored. Sometimes we feel like certain accessories don’t suit us, or that we don’t really know how to properly accessorize an outfit.

I’m here today to dispel any fears about accessorizing and to let you know that much like clothes, hair, and makeup, accessories are a form of self-expression! They’re another way to show who you are and what you’re like without having to say anything at all. Here is a list of some of my favorite underrated accessories that I hope you will consider incorporating into more of your looks in the future!

Hats

As far as underrated accessories go, hats are one of my favorite additions to any outfit. They are often overlooked because people think that hats don’t “suit” them – their heads aren’t right, or they just don’t know how to make them look good. In my opinion, that just means you haven’t found the right type of hat for you!

Hats are incredibly versatile, with a huge variety of styles to fit any look. Personally, I love bucket hats, beanies, and baseball caps because my style tends to lean toward casual streetwear. But those aren’t the only options available! Berets and pillbox hats can add a classy touch to any pretty dress or feminine outfit, while sunhats, kettle brim hats, and floppy hats are perfect to complete your favorite summer looks.

Don’t be afraid to try out different styles and see which one you like the best!

Scarves/Bandanas

While scarves are practical accessories often worn for warmth in the winter, they can also make for the perfect addition to any outfit year-round! I noticed when I traveled to Belgium a few years ago that while thin, summery scarves weren’t very popular in America, they were incredibly well-loved around Europe. Thin silk scarves were sold all around the cities I visited, and I couldn’t help but admire the way they added a chic addition to the outfits I saw.

If you’re looking for something like a scarf to add to your looks but with a little more of a casual atmosphere, bandanas may be more up your alley. Bandanas are versatile in how they can be worn – while many people are familiar with bandanas as hair accessories, they can also make for a cute neck piece, or even add a little splash of color tied around your wrist or to a belt loop on your pants.

Scarves and bandanas are great for adding a touch of chic style and color with minimal effort.

Earrings

Anyone who knows me knows that I have an obsession with earrings. They are one of my all-time favorite accessories and something I get complimented on pretty frequently. Right now, I have three boxes full of earrings, and they’re one of my favorite souvenirs when I visit a new place. Earrings are easy, fun, and a great way of expressing who you are in the most simple way possible.

Plus, they can fit any sort of occasion. It’s easy to build up a collection of different earrings, from fun and silly plastic lollipops or lemon slices to classy silver hoops or gold drop earrings. You can even go incredibly minimal – just a simple pair of studs can make a huge difference in the overall attitude of your look.

While I have many different ear piercings that allow me to mix and match pieces, a simple set of lobe piercings that you decorate with different styles from time to time can really do wonders for your aesthetic.

Signature Scents

While this may not seem like it should be included on a list of “underrated accessories,” your perfume and the way you smell are just as important as how you look. Sticking with your natural scent is perfectly fine and a great way of expressing yourself, but there’s also something really fun and charming about having a “signature” perfume or cologne.

Perfumes can be a bit expensive for sure, and this may not be an extravagance everyone can budget for, but if you can treat yourself a little to a signature perfume, don’t be afraid to give yourself that extra classy touch. The way people smell leaves a huge impression on others, so find a scent that you think best suits and describes you and use it on days when you really just want to feel good about yourself and add a little extra character to your style.

Hair Accessories

In terms of my favorite types of accessories, hair accessories are right next to earrings in order of importance. I love hair accessories – whether it’s clips, pins, hats, headbands, or bandanas, I personally feel like you can never go wrong with a hair accessory. These are also severely underrated additions, and many people often overlook hair accessories when they’re choosing how to style an outfit.

Much like earrings, hair accessories are huge compliment pieces. You’ll be surprised at how many people will love the little additions you add to your hair and will want to know where you got them from! They’re easy to collect, and even easier to use, and there’s such a wide variety of styles and options that there’s no reason you shouldn’t find something that suits you.

Plus, if you’re someone who really just doesn’t like hats but wants to add that little extra something to your look, hair accessories are a great alternative! Stock up on pins, clips, and headbands, and find styles and colors that best fit your look!

Minimalist Pieces

Some people don’t like over-accessorizing, and that’s perfectly okay! The minimalist aesthetic is a statement of its own, and there are still plenty of accessories you can incorporate into your daily look without going too far outside of your comfort zone. If you want to add just a little something extra without losing the essence of the minimalist aesthetic, a simple silver bracelet or ring or a pair of small hoops can be all you need to finish off your outfit!

Small minimalist pieces are usually very elegant and chic, and they’re easy to match with almost any outfit. Having a few options in your preferred metal tones can be just enough to go from your everyday look to something classier and more stylish.

Statement Socks

I know it may seem a bit silly, but another of my favorite accessories is fun statement socks! At one point, I definitely had too many pairs of colorful, crazy, and silly socks, but I loved adding them to my outfits because they always made me smile and gave me a cool, unexpected conversation piece. I can’t tell you how many of my friends heard, “Guys, guess what? My socks have hedgehogs on them!”

Statement socks were once described by a friend of mine as a “secret with yourself.” Oftentimes, they’re hidden beneath clothes or inside shoes, so no one else can see them, but you still get to know they’re there and that makes you happy. There are so many types of socks to choose from! If you want to have a more visible option, lace-patterned or knee-high socks can be cool ways to add to your look. Colorful, patterned socks are also fun statement pieces to add a little peak of color beneath the bottom of your jeans.

But you can also keep them as a little secret with yourself and smile every time you remember the dancing penguins hidden inside your shoe!

What are your favorite types of accessories? Tell us in the comments!

About Draven Jackson

Draven is an avid writer and reader who enjoys sharing her opinions on movies, books, and music with the rest of the world. She will soon be working as a teacher in Japan and hopes to use her experience to connect with other teachers and students around the globe. Draven spends most of her time at home with her family, her dogs, and her ferret.

To see more, view all posts by Draven Jackson here.

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