How to use your style words to help define accessories
This is a little break from all the Christmas content.
I was thinking about this the other day (and it’s something we’ll be going much deeper into next year), but one of the things I love most about accessories is how powerfully they build on your style words.
If you’ve ever put on a perfectly nice outfit but it still feels a bit… flat, this is often why.
Not because the clothes are wrong, but because the accessories aren’t doing any work.
Accessories are one of the most impactful places to use your style words. They’re small, low-effort, and they can completely change how an outfit feels.
It’s easy to forget this, so here’s a simple shift:
Instead of asking “Do I like this?”
Try asking “Does this support how I want this outfit to feel?”
For example, if your style words were joyful, bold, casual, you’d probably skip:
a tiny pearl necklace
very delicate, barely-there jewellery
anything that feels overly polished or polite
Not because those pieces are bad (they might work perfectly for someone else), but because they don’t support the feeling you’re aiming for.
Instead, you might naturally gravitate towards:
colour or playful shapes
chunkier jewellery
texture (resin, enamel, mixed metals)
accessories that feel relaxed rather than precious
This is where style words become a decision lens, not just a concept:
Does this add energy or tone it down?
Does this feel like me, or just “safe”?
Will this actually work with how I dress day to day?
Accessories are often one of the areas I see people worrying about the most, but I actually think they’re one of the most fun parts of getting dressed. You can’t really go wrong, and they’re often what make an outfit feel really you.
If you’re just starting out adding accessories to your wardrobe:
Don’t overthink this. Overhauling a whole wardrobe can feel really overwhelming, but accessories are a gentle place to begin.
Think about your style words and the accessories you already own. Do any of them already support how you want to dress? What is it about them that works — and how could you replicate that feeling in future purchases?
If you’ve been here a while:
Look at your accessory collection and spot the patterns. Which pieces get worn on repeat? Which ones never quite make it out of the drawer? That contrast usually tells you more about your true style than any Pinterest board ever could.
Personally, I realised I kept buying large patterned earrings in winter tones, but with my dark hair you couldn’t even see them once they were in. Now I’m much more mindful about choosing lighter colours or metallics so they actually show up when I’m wearing them (even if as an item I'm probably more drawn to the bolder coloured items.) Just that one observation has made it much simpler to know what to buy in the future.
Related JoyDrops:
If you’d like to go a bit deeper into accessories, you might also enjoy these previous JoyDrops
How to accessorise a basic outfit - simple guidance on how to add accessories to an outfit.
Jewellery Uniform - how to create your go to everyday jewellery uniform (a great starting point)