Making a Statement That Isn’t a Thesis
The world of fashion can be a confusing one for beginners. You might look in the mirror and wonder why you don’t look like a Garb member yet even though you’re certain that it’s a solid outfit. Don’t worry; we’ve all been there before. Sometimes, an outfit can look good, but you just really need a statement piece to add a little punch and tie it together. Or maybe, you’ve just been wanting to branch out into other styles, but you’re not quite ready to leap all the way yet. So read ahead to get ideas of how to top off your look and get some heads turning.
JEWELRY
I know plenty of ladies who swear by their hoops as an instant confidence boost, and for good reason! Hoops and other dangly earrings give fluidity and motion, literally, to your look and bring attention to your face. Hoops are typically associated with baddie/ABG style outfits, but razor thin hoops work with chic looks as well! Check out places like Nordstrom for some standard hoops, but Etsy is actually a godsend for any quirky earrings you might want; you can finally make sure everyone knows you’re an Art History Major using these Picasso earrings.
If you don’t have any piercings, don’t feel left out! Rings are another great statement piece to add to a chic or Parisian outfit; add a mix of delicate and chunky rings to a sweet and simple outfit for the slightest bit of shine. In the case of rings, more is better (but not too much). A general good rule to follow is to have one ring that really stands out, and then decorate around it using less flashy, thinner rings. Don’t forget to vary the position of the rings on your hands; putting rings on the upper knuckles of your hand adds great variety. Try to focus them on your middle three fingers, but having some on your pinky or thumb is great for fun flair. You can order these off Amazon for easy returns, because the ring doesn’t always fit.
COLOR
Colors are a great and easy way to make a statement. As we transition from cold weather to slightly less cold weather, popular color choices lie in neutral tones like black, navy, and gray. But this doesn’t have to be all you wear! Try neon-highlighter colors on your sweatshirts in athleisure or streetwear looks to literally brighten it up. If you can, try to match this bright color with another piece in your outfit, like a belt, shoelaces, or socks. I recommend thrifting sweatshirts; Berkeley has plenty of great thrift stores, but my personal favorite is Mars on Telegraph.
If femme-chic is more of your style, color still has a place! Try a brightly patterned skirt or flowy shorts to match with the warming weather, or even check out a loose romper. Though, in the case of a romper, you may want to tone it down from bright yellow to a faded mustard to avoid blinding anyone. Zara is a perfect place to turn to for this kind of style.
FABRICS
Using different fabric types, like leather, vinyl, or wool, can make a huge impact to an outfit that only had similar fabrics like cotton. That’s why we have entire articles on fabrics! Adding fishnet underneath your jeans in an otherwise basic ripped boyfriend jean/black cami combo adds extra texture and depth through layering, and you won’t feel stuffy at all while wearing it! You can find fishnets here or at the socks/stockings section of many retailers like H&M. So next time you’re hitting up Emeryville with your friends, make sure to add this to your cart.
Another fabric to make a statement is mesh. A flowy sheer mesh top above a bralette with a pair of jeans (black or a classic light wash both look great!) makes a great choice for any party. An oversized mesh top gives off a more casual vibe, and it balances out the other fitted pieces in the look. You can start with the basics here, or go ahead with an embroidered mesh top from Urban Outfitters.
MAKEUP
A red lip color edges between classy and the modern chic, so you can take this tip to your next classy event or Srat brunch. Feel free to use red lip gloss if lipstick or lipliner is too difficult or time consuming to do; it also gives a more natural, faded look if that suits your style better. Try to pick a color that suits your skin tone best. Rouge Dior 999 is notoriously beautiful on all skin types, but if you’re looking for a more affordable product, Rimmel makes great reds, too.
For a more adventurous and fun-loving look, try adding a sleek line of colored eyeliner above your usual black line. This looks great when coordinated with other colors in your outfit. While there is no hard rule on this, warm colors like red or yellow look great with lighter skin tones, while cool colors like blue or purple tend to shine the brightest on darker skin tones. Too Faced and NYX are my go-tos for colored liquid eyeliner.
Statement pieces are the perfect solution to a drab outfit for the struggling fashion beginner and the lazy fashionista alike. Best of all, they’re pretty simple to tag onto your look, so there’s no reason you should have to go out feeling sloppy!
Words by Elizabeth Lemons