#9 Gorgeous Assertive Accessory Ideas
Sometimes it's the smallest details that can completely change how you feel.
If you don’t have the finances for a full fancy outfit (or a brand new ‘assertive’ wardrobe!), you can put on a simple one, add a great pair of earrings or a fabulous pair of boots, and suddenly think…
"Oh yes. I like this."
Accessories can be fun, expressive and surprisingly powerful. They can add structure, colour, texture and personality to an outfit — but most importantly, they can give you that little boost of confidence when you walk out the door.
Being assertive doesn't mean looking intimidating. It's about feeling comfortable enough in yourself to take up space, express your personality and walk into a room thinking "I'm here, and I'm happy being me."
Here are nine accessories and details that can help create that feeling.
1. Statement earrings
Never underestimate a great pair of earrings.
Big hoops, sculptural shapes, colourful stones, chunky metal or something completely unusual can instantly make an outfit feel more interesting. They're particularly good if you're wearing a simple outfit and want to add personality without completely changing your clothes.
There's something about putting on a pair of statement earrings that says:
"I made an effort — and I enjoyed doing it."
Choose something that makes you feel fabulous and says something about you uniquely, rather than worrying about whether it's currently fashionable.
2. A fabulous pair of sunglasses
Sunglasses have a slightly magical ability to make you feel instantly cooler. Oversized, cat-eye, aviator, angular, colourful or classic — find a shape that makes you feel great.
They're also a brilliant example of an accessory that doesn't need to be practical only. Yes, they protect your eyes from the sun, but they can also completely change the feeling of an outfit. Sometimes you put them on and suddenly feel like you're walking into the opening scene of your own film.
Own it.
3. A great handbag
Your handbag can say a lot about you. It doesn't have to be designer or expensive. Look for something with a shape, colour or texture that makes you feel polished and put together. A structured bag can create a feeling of confidence and organisation, while a colourful or unusual bag can show personality.
And if you're the person who carries their entire life around with them, make sure your bag actually works for you.
Your handbag should serve you — not the other way around.
4. Boots that make you feel powerful
There is something undeniably confident about a great pair of boots. Ankle boots, knee-high boots, chunky boots, sleek leather boots, colourful boots — there are so many ways to wear them.
A pair of boots can add structure to a dress, edge to jeans or attitude to a simple outfit.
And unlike a delicate shoe you might spend the day worrying about, boots can give you the feeling that you're ready to walk wherever you need to go.
5. Texture that makes you feel luxurious
Don't underestimate the power of texture. Leather, suede, velvet, satin, cashmere, chunky knits, soft faux fur, denim and beautifully textured fabrics can make an outfit feel more tactile and interesting. Some fabrics simply feel good against your skin.
And when something feels luxurious, even if it wasn't particularly expensive, it can change the way you carry yourself.
Try adding one tactile piece to an otherwise simple outfit.
Confidence isn't just about what other people see. It's also about what you feel.
6. A belt that gives your outfit structure
A belt might seem like a small detail, but it can completely change the shape of an outfit. A chunky belt over a dress, a leather belt with jeans or a statement buckle can create definition and make an outfit feel more deliberate.
And there's something satisfying about fastening a great belt and feeling like you've pulled everything together.
You don't have to use it to make your waist look smaller.Wear it because you like the shape, the texture or the attitude it gives your outfit.
Dress for how you want to feel, not how you're told you should look.
7. Jewellery with meaning
Some of the most powerful accessories aren't the biggest ones. A necklace you've had for years. A ring given to you by someone special. Earrings you bought on holiday. A bracelet that reminds you of a particular time in your life.
These pieces carry memories, and wearing something that has meaning can give you a quiet sense of confidence that has nothing to do with fashion.
Sometimes your favourite accessory isn't the one that gets the most compliments. It's the one that makes you feel most like yourself.
8. A bold splash of colour
You don't have to wear an entirely colourful outfit to make an impact. Sometimes one bright accessory is enough.
A red handbag. Bright shoes. A colourful scarf. A vivid pair of earrings. A jewel-toned belt. A brightly coloured watch.
Colour can make a simple outfit feel more energetic and can be a lovely way to express your personality.
And if everyone else is wearing black and you want to wear orange?
Wear the orange. Being assertive doesn't mean blending in perfectly.
9. Something completely and unapologetically YOU
And this might be the most important accessory of all. Choose something that makes people think, "That's so you."
Maybe it's an unusual brooch. A vintage scarf. Cowboy boots. Bright lipstick. Big glasses. A favourite hat. A huge ring. A quirky handbag. A piece of jewellery you've designed yourself.
It doesn't have to make sense to everyone else. It just has to make sense to you.
Because the most confident style isn't necessarily the most fashionable one. It's the one where you look in the mirror and think: "That's me."
It's not about lookS…
it's about feeling powerful
There's a difference between dressing to impress other people and dressing to make yourself feel good.
You don't need expensive accessories.
You don't need designer labels.
You don't need to follow trends.
And you don't need to dress in a stereotypically "powerful" way.
Maybe your confidence comes from a pair of chunky boots.
Maybe it's a beautiful silk scarf.
Maybe it's bright red lipstick.
Maybe it's your grandmother's ring.
Maybe it's a leather jacket.
Maybe it's a huge pair of earrings.
Maybe it's something completely ridiculous that makes you smile every time you put it on.
There are no rules.
The most assertive accessory is ultimately the one that helps you feel comfortable in your own skin.
So next time you're getting dressed, don't just ask:
"What will look good?" Ask: "What will make me feel good?"
Because when you feel attractive, comfortable and confident, you don't need to pretend to be powerful. You already feel it.