The Easiest Way to Upgrade Your Outfits
No, you don’t need more clothes—just better jewellery
When your wardrobe is small, the tiniest tweaks to an outfit can make the biggest impact. And nothing works harder than accessories. They’re the ultimate small change with a serious punch.
For over a decade, I’ve kept a 50-item, mostly thrifted capsule wardrobe. When you’re dressing from a small collection or just trying to be more intentional with what you own, jewellery is the easiest way to keep outfits feeling fresh. It has this ability to elevate an outfit in a way that nothing else can.
I’m a jeweller, so of course, I’m going to tell you that jewellery is the most important part of any wardrobe. But I really believe it (and so does Leandra Medine Cohen!). It’s why I started making jewellery in the first place—there’s something almost magical about the way it transforms an outfit.
Even in places with strict dress codes—where bold prints, statement silhouettes, and loud colours might be off-limits—jewellery is your cheat code. It’s that one detail that can change everything, even when you’re wearing the same clothes on repeat.
If you want a wardrobe that never feels boring, the answer isn’t more clothes.
It’s better jewellery.
Jewellery Adds Personal Style
Jewellery shouldn’t be an afterthought; it’s what makes an outfit feel like you. Even if you find yourself wearing the same outfits every day, the right accessories to pair with them can make your go-to staples feel new again—or at least less boring!
A plain white tee and jeans is a classic, but they can start to feel a bit, well, basic. Add your favourite gold necklace or silver stacking rings, and suddenly, it’s got personality. Jewellery is what takes an outfit from “just clothes” to something distinctly yours.
Jewellery Makes a Wardrobe Feel Bigger
Jewellery is like a wardrobe expansion pack. It’s the easiest way to add variety to your everyday outfits without cluttering your wardrobe. Even if you’ve got just 30 carefully curated items, the right jewellery makes your outfit options feel limitless.
A few well-chosen pieces can shift your style from day to night, casual to formal, with nothing but a quick change of accessories. That same black dress can be paired with minimalist hoops and a cropped jacket for a laid-back lunch. Switch to classic studs and heels, and suddenly, you’re ready for a night out.
Jewellery Elevates Everyday Basics
Minimalist earrings, a simple chain necklace, or statement earrings can instantly upgrade even the most casual outfits, turning them into something intentional and stylish. That little black dress or plain white tee feel fresh every time, all thanks to the jewellery you pair with them.
If you’ve got a wardrobe full of staples or find yourself slipping into the same outfits day after day, jewellery is how you can keep things interesting. It’s the easy way to making your everyday outfits feel exciting, polished, and, most importantly, like you.
Jewellery Instantly Transforms an Outfit
Jewellery has this incredible power to transform an outfit instantly. It's the finishing touch that pulls everything together, and it changes how you feel just as much as how you look. With just a few quick changes, the same outfit can go from casual to edgy to elegant.
Wear a little black dress with a charm necklace and oversized hoops, and you’ve got a fun, casual brunch look. Swap the jewellery out for a pair of delicate studs and a chain necklace, and you’re suddenly ready for dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant.
Jewellery Works Across Seasons
Clothing changes with the seasons—layering up for winter, stripping back for summer—but jewellery stays constant. It keeps your style feeling cohesive all year round while allowing you to experiment with seasonal looks. How you wear it might change, of course.
In winter, you’ll need pieces that layer over knitwear without getting lost. In summer, lightweight and minimalist styles make wearing jewellery in the heat much more comfortable. But no matter the season, all your jewellery collection can stay in rotation.
Less Shopping, More Styling
Whenever the "I have nothing to wear" feeling hits, the kneejerk reaction is to buy more clothes. But more shopping leads to an overflowing wardrobe and a guilty conscience. The real solution is refreshing your jewellery collection—or at least how you style it.
A new combination of layered necklaces or stacking rings can make the same old outfits feel brand new. Swapping minimalist jewellery for colourful charms can bring a whole new energy to your wardrobe.
Love how jewellery can spice up an outfit. Working on building a small but curates selection.
I just started leaning into this in recent years. Jewelry used to be an afterthought for me and a category where I really wasn’t willing to spend my money. My focus was always on buying more clothes. I’d buy cheap costume jewelry that ended up tarnishing and looking terrible after a couple of wears. Now I give my jewelry as much care as I do the rest of my wardrobe. It really can transform an outfit.