Accessories.  They nicely accent an already fabulous outfit or liven up an otherwise plain one.

And, contrary to the word’s meaning of being an extra or something additional, an accessory is a fashion statement all on its own. It can actually make or break an outfit.

So what’s the proper way to wear accessories? Here are some tips:

• DO wear colors that go well with your outfit. “Go well” here can be liberally interpreted, but it generally means something that nicely contrasts with your outfit.  For example, a red leather neckpiece and bag would go well with a basic black dress. Experiment with colors. When in doubt, ask a friend. You can also consult the color wheel (which you may have studied in an art subject long ago in grade school) and see which colors complement each other and which are close together and thus, can match well.

• DON’T wear accessories the same shade or almost the same shade as your outfit. You want an accessory that accents and not something that will wash out or fade into your clothes. There are exceptions to this rule, though. Sometimes you can pull this off if you genuinely think it looks great. You can also ask a friend for confirmation.

• DO wear accessories appropriate for your neckline. Does your blouse have a long, plunging neckline? Then a necklace with a centerpiece that ends just before your neckline would be great. Does your top have a scooped neck? Then wear a long and slim necklace.

• DON’T let your accessories compete with your clothes. One has to take center stage – your main fashion statement. In the example earlier of the black dress with accessories, the accessories are the star. So the accessories were bold while the dress was plain. So if you have an outfit that is bold and has lots of details, then your accessories should not be bold as well – they need to be understated yet still noticeable.