The Ultimate Guide to Pairing Accessories

Dior dress; Prounis earrings and necklace

(Image credit: Sharon Radisch)

published 20 December 2023

A standout accessory offers a punctuation mark to any great outfit. Couple two (or three) together, and you’ll get the full benefit of fashion and functionality: transform your look, double an ensemble’s versatility, or extend the length of your pieces. From classic couples that transcend trends—like pearl earrings and necklaces—to utilitarian hacks, like packing your smaller bag into your larger one, coupling them will give you the freedom to play and a chance to take your accessory game to the next level.

Kallmeyer top; Cartier watches; Arielle Ratner ring

Pairing a glove and scarf with a structured jacket means your look is appropriate to wear inside and out.

Left: Dior dress; Prounis earrings and ring Right: Bode jacket, Tiffany & Co. brooches

Pull off pearls without them feeling stuffy by styling a baroque strand with a singular pearl drop earring.

A classic blazer will always feel new with a sophisticated brooch (or three).

Left: Miu Miu socks and shoes Right: Dior coat, pants, book tote, and saddle bag; Prounis dome ring and three-tiered ring; Brent Neale ring

Match your socks to your Mary Janes so they’re wearable even in cooler seasons.

Transition from work to Martini hour by packing your evening purse in an oversized tote bag.

This story appears in the November 2023 issue of Marie Claire.

The November 2023 Power Issue

Sara Holzman is the Style Director for Marie Claire, where she's worked alongside the publication for eight years in various roles, ensuring the brand's fashion content continues to inform, inspire, and shape the conversation about fashion's ever-evolving landscape. With a degree from the Missouri School of Journalism, Sara is responsible for overseeing a diverse fashion content mix, from emerging and legacy designer profiles to reported features on the influence of social media on style and seasonal and micro trends across the world's fashion epicenters in New York, Milan, and Paris. Before joining Marie Claire, Sara held fashion roles at Conde Nast's Lucky Magazine and Self Magazine and was a style and travel contributor to Equinox's Furthermore website. Over her decade of experience in the fashion industry, Sara has helped guide each brand's style point of view, working alongside veteran photographers and stylists to bring editorial and celebrity photo shoots to fruition from start to finish. Sara currently lives in New York City. When she's not penning about fashion or travel, she’s at the farmer’s market, on a run, working to perfect her roasted chicken recipe, or spending time with her husband, dog, and cat. Follow her along at @sarajonewyork