Have you ever wondered why some outfits just look… better? More intentional, more finished, even when the clothes are really simple?
Nine times out of ten, it’s the accessories.
And the best part is: accessories are way more affordable, they take up barely any space, and they can completely change the vibe of what you already own. And if you’ve been feeling a bit bored with your wardrobe lately, this is the secret as well. You usually don’t need new clothes.
So today I’m sharing my four most-worn everyday accessories. The ones I reach for constantly, and honestly the ones I think everyone should have because they completely change how your outfits come together. Watch below or read on for the blog version.
Watch
So the first accessory I want to talk about is my watch. Whether you wear a traditional watch or a smart watch like I do, it’s one of the easiest ways to make an outfit look intentional every single day.
I wear my Apple Watch constantly, so having straps that actually match my outfits makes such a big difference. It’s honestly one of my most-reached-for styling tools.
Because I wear my Apple Watch so much, I love having lots of strap options to match my outfits. So when Astra Straps kindly sent me three of their bestselling bands to try, I thought it would be fun to style each one with a different look.
Silver Lea Milanese Slim Band
The first one is the Lea Milanese Slim Band in Silver, and it instantly makes any outfit look more polished. I love this with more dressed-up looks or anytime I want my watch to feel like jewellery instead of tech.
Brown Echo Resin Band
Then there’s the Echo Resin in Brown, which has this really beautiful tortoiseshell vibe. It’s perfect for everyday outfits when I want something a bit warmer and more elevated without being too dressy.
Black Avoco Magnetic Band
And finally the Avoco Magnetic in Black. My new go-to for minimal more athleisure outfits. It’s so sleek and simple, and it just melts into my all-black looks, which I love.
All three are super comfortable, easy to swap out, and the quality is genuinely beautiful. Astra Straps gave me a 20% discount code for you, it’s GRACEE20 (Yes, with the extra ‘E’) if you want to check them out.
Glasses
The next accessory I reach for constantly is my glasses and this can be prescription or non-prescription. I need prescription lenses for driving, so I have a few pairs I rotate through, but honestly even if you don’t need them, the right frames can completely transform an outfit.
I once heard this tip, I think it was from Alison Bornstein, that you should have a pair of glasses for each of your Three Style Words. And whenever an outfit feels a little off, you put on the pair that matches the style word that isn’t showing up enough. It instantly balances everything out, and it actually works.
And in general, glasses just make a look so much more interesting and intentional. They have this high-fashion, effortlessly put-together vibe, even if the outfit underneath is really simple. They’re such an easy way to change the mood of a whole look. Let me show you my three most-worn pairs and the moods they add.
1. Big Black Statement Frames — ‘High-Fashion Drama’
First are my big black statement frames. These are my ‘high fashion’ pair. They instantly make any outfit look editorial and bold. Whenever I feel like my look needs a strong, intentional element, these always fix it. They add structure, confidence, and that slightly dramatic edge that pulls everything together.
2. Muted Pink Frames with Brown Lenses — ‘Soft + Feminine’
Then I have this muted pink frame with a brown lens, and these are my softer, more casual option. They add this gentle, feminine warmth that works so beautifully with neutral outfits. If an outfit is feeling a bit too sharp or too plain, these soften everything up in such an effortless way.
3. Gold Frames with Black Circle Lenses — ‘Effortless Cool Girl’
And lastly, my gold frames with the black circle lenses. These are my ‘effortless cool girl’ pair. They’ve got that laid-back but still stylish vibe, and they make even a basic t-shirt and jeans look intentional. If I want a look to feel easy, maybe a little edgy but still elevated, I always reach for these.
Silk Scarves
The next accessory I absolutely love and I feel like more people should be using, is silk scarves. There are so many types: the classic square scarves, the long rectangular ones, and the thinner, skinny styles that are almost like ribbons. And I use all of them in different ways.
Silk scarves are one of those accessories that instantly make you look more intentional, creative, and put-together, no matter what you’re wearing. And the best part? The styling possibilities are endless.
Between my collection, the longer thin ones (cream with white polka dot, the black-and-white animal print, and my colour-happy Gorman geo plaid with green, blue, red, pink, orange and yellow), plus my square scarves (pastel blue/pink/cream, gold/white/navy, pastel purple/white/green floral, and navy/blue/pink floral), I feel like there’s always a scarf that can shift the whole vibe of an outfit.
You can wear them so many ways: tied in your hair as a headband, wrapped around a ponytail, or braided into a plait; knotted at the neck in a French-girl way or draped long and loose; wrapped around a handbag handle; used as a chic belt; or tied at the wrist like a bracelet. If it’s big enough, you can even wear it as a top or as a little kimono-style outer layer over a tank, so cute for layering. And honestly, adding a scarf is one of the quickest shortcuts to making a look feel more polished, artistic, and thoughtfully styled.
And they take up almost no space in your wardrobe but the styling possibilities are endless.
Hair Clips
And lastly, hair clips and accessories, the quiet power players of any outfit. These little details can completely change the mood of your look, even if you’ve got short hair or prefer super minimal styling. There are so many types to play with: your classic claw clips (from oversized, sculptural shapes to smaller minimalist ones), sleek metal barrettes, soft fabric bows, pearl or rhinestone pins for a little glam, and even statement resin pieces for a pop of colour or personality. Headbands are also amazing, padded, braided, satin, sporty, or metallic and work beautifully for both short and long hair.
What I love about hair accessories is how versatile they are: a tiny clip can tuck back bangs, a barrette can add polish to a blunt bob, a headband instantly brings preppy or romantic vibes, and a claw clip creates that effortless “I just threw my hair up but still look chic” energy. Even with short hair, you can use mini claw clips, snap clips, or decorative pins to add interest and intention. They’re such an easy way to introduce colour, texture, or shape and they always make an outfit feel more styled, more deliberate, and more you.
And that’s it! My top four accessories that genuinely make the biggest difference in pulling an outfit together. A huge thank you again to Astra Straps for sending over their bestselling Apple Watch bands for me to style. If you want to try them as well, don’t forget you can use my code GRACEE20 to save on your order. I’ll leave the link and details below.
I hope this gave you a few ideas for refreshing your outfits without buying a whole new wardrobe. Which accessory do you rely on the most? Let me know in the comments.
You may have noticed I didn’t include shoes as an accessory here and that’s because, honestly, they’re more of a wardrobe foundation than an add-on. But the shoes you choose completely shift the vibe of your outfit, and swapping them out can change your whole look just as much as accessories can. So if you want my top shoe recommendations (especially comfy, stylish ones), read my post on my favourite VIVAIA pairs.