Full Complement

Nude shoes, vintage 60s bag, David Lawrence beltGone are the days when true chic required that a woman’s accessories all matched in colour and material, depending upon whether she was in the city or visiting the country. It is much more interesting and modern today to mix and match and complement the outfit as a whole.

Vintage 70s bag, Zoe Wittner heelsThis doesn’t mean that you merely choose accessories at random: it is in fact more difficult to mix disparate items than to simply wear a complete matching set. Obviously the colours, textures and patterns of your clothes must be taken into account. Also consider the occasion and time of day; sometimes evening accessories such as a sequinned scarf might work with a daytime ensemble, sometimes they won’t.

Mango belt, Diana Ferrari heelsA nice way to combine non-matching items is to match finishes or textures, even if the items are different colours. Here are four sets, using patent leather, snakeskin, pony hair and cowhide. The patent set tones peach and dove grey with glossy black; the similar shadings of reptiles in the snakeskin set unite black patent and white plastic; black pony hair and suede is matched with a zebra-printed obi belt of pony hair; and finally the cowhide set achieves an earthy, rustic look through warm tone and texture. 

So go ahead and mix and match and wait for the compliments to roll in! 

Vintage belt, Hong Kong souvenir bag, Wittner sandals