8 Chic Outfit Additions That Will Instantly Upgrade Your Casual 'Fits

Ever have those days when you feel like your casual outfit just needs ... something? A little extra feature you can't seem to put your finger on? Yeah, us too. But while some people make casual dressing look totally effortless, sometimes it can be hard to take a casual 'fit to the next level without making it look like just too much.

Well, don't worry, because there are actually some pretty easy ways to add that je ne sais quoi quality with barely any effort at all. We've found eight of our very favorite ways to take even the most casual look from somewhat sloppy to super stylish — and we're sharing all our findings and top tips with you. The best part? Your perfect addition may even already be hiding in the back of your wardrobe!

Looking to keep things casual, but with a little extra something? Then a statement headband may be the way to go. Headbands have a tendency to age down any outfit because of their connotations of youthfulness, so adding one will bring some fun to a casual look. Plus, the whole concept is super versatile — perfect for a casual 'fit. "Wearing a headband is a great way to upgrade your look and add some flair to your outfit. You can wear a headband in a variety of ways and for almost any occasion," headband designer Nadia El Meallem explained while chatting with Cosmopolitan.

The other thing we love about the addition of a bold headband? They're perfect for bad hair days, or those days you just don't feel like styling — or even washing (hey, no judgement here) — your locks. On casual days when you might be more inclined to tie your hair back in a ponytail (or put it up in another easy, but less damaging, hairstyle), it'll add a little something extra without being too dressy. Coggles accessories buyer Simone Taylor explained that one of the best ways to rock a bold headband is with your hair scraped back, so the accessory can do all the talking without distracting from your look.

Now, when we say belt it out, we don't mean singing. Adding an eye-catching belt to an everyday outfit could add that little something extra it's been missing. Statement belts come in so many different shapes and sizes and can be placed around the waist or closer to the hips, so there are a range of options when it comes to finding what suits you and your body type best. From studded black belts to brown leather waist belts, there really is a belt for every ensemble.

We love the way this chain belt elevates what could be a simple top and blue jeans combo, adding a chic accessory to tie it all together. Just remember there are a few things to consider first before choosing your belt style, namely where it's going to sit on your body and what width will work for you. When it comes to waist belts, a thicker version will work better on a longer torso. If you have a shorter torso, a slimmer belt is more likely to be more flattering.

We're often guilty of forgetting about scarves when it comes to outfit accessories, but we're here to show you why we all need to start giving scarves their due now. Scarves are such a quick, simple, and easy way to elevate any look and they're probably one of the most versatile things you can have in your closet. You could wear a scarf over your head on those sunnier days, tie it around your neck, wrap it around your hips like a belt or even just sport it on your wrist. There really are countless ways to style a scarf.

As this look proves, a chic scarf around your neck instantly upgrades any casual outfit. It can also add a pop of color to any ensemble that may need a vivid addition, taking it from mundane to more. For something like this, you could wear the piece a little looser and have more of the scarf draped over your front, or keep it tied with a knot. Another idea to elevate that casual look? A scarf tied into a bow around your neck. How adorable would that be?

We mere mortals may only reserve sunglasses for the summer, but there's a reason so many of our favorite celebrities seem to enjoy rocking them no matter what time of the year it is. That's because a good pair of shades can totally change an outfit, upgrading what could otherwise be a more basic ensemble.

Not only will sunglasses give your whole outfit a little something extra, but they're a particularly solid accessory choice because they can also frame your face. That's why you'll want to do a little research and learn about what works for you before rocking any old pair. 

"The starting point to finding the right frame is to identify your face shape," Heather Stewart-Feldman, eyewear stylist at EssilorLuxottica, told Marie Claire. Stewart-Feldman recommended using apps and websites to try on different pairs virtually, as a range of brands offer online try-ons. "Factors like frame shape, color, and style all come into play and can alter your aesthetic, so knowing your face shape will help simplify the shopping process," she explained.

Another way to instantly upgrade a look? A bold pair of earrings. Going a little bolder or a little bigger with your jewelry is an easy way to add a little something to your ensemble without actually changing it in any major way. That's why earrings are such an easy addition to any outfit, and can make all the difference.

Of course, there are so many versions of big and bold earrings out there that we couldn't possibly list them all, but we'd recommend going for a hoop or drop earring if you're looking to make a serious statement. When it comes to metal, silver, platinum, or white gold is more likely to be complimentary on those with a cool undertone in their skin. As for those with more golden undertones? You'll probably want to stick to golds or rose golds to really compliment your complexion and upgrade your 'fit in the most stunning way. 

If you're lucky enough to have a more neutral undertone to the skin, you could get away with any material. Depending on just how much of a statement you're looking to make, you could also pick out earrings featuring a stone to really upgrade your look. But just remember to keep things appropriate for a more dressed down ensemble.

A statement bag is yet another fab way to inject a little extra style into your everyday outfit, without doing too much. For a casual day, you don't want to go too out there, but that's fine, because there are so many different ways you can make a statement with a bag no matter what outfit you're rocking.

Of course, one of the easiest ways is to go for something bold. A bright color like a red, yellow, blue, or even pink (if you're still in your Barbiecore era) will go a long way in elevating your outfit without you having to try too hard. Fringe, embellishments, and patterns are also a great way to bring the fun. 

Bright colors or busy extras not for you? That's fine too! "Statement bags don't have to be bright or overly embellished to stand out. Clean lines that create a distinct silhouette can say just as much," designer and CEO of Daana Saakena, Daana Diaz Madrid, admitted to TZR. There's also the option of just going big (not going home). Oversized bags have been making a comeback in 2023, so that's always a solid — and practical — option. You could even be brave and grab hold of a novelty bag for something totally out there and different.

Remember in the 2010s when we were all obsessed with statement necklaces? Well, they're back and ready to elevate outfits all over the world once again. This type of jewelry will instantly give your outfit a little oomph, and it's also a good way to bring a little more fun back into dressing after we all spent months on end in our sweatpants. 

"Jewelry has had a resurgence during the pandemic. As people traveled less and wanted to look good on-screen, the jewelry-and-watch category exploded," Beth Kanfer, Nordstrom's fashion director of accessories and footwear, explained to Who What Wear. "The market took this opportunity to drive excitement through emotional design and must-have pieces ranging from statement silhouettes in vibrant colors to reinvented classics."

Statement necklaces are particularly great if your casual look is a dark monochrome, like a black, because it'll break up the look and stop it looking too, well, boring. And you don't even have to wear just one! As the snap above proves, you can actually layer chunkier necklaces even on a casual day to bring a little more style to your look.

You'd have to have been living under a fashion-proof rock to not know that fanny packs have made their way back into many people's everyday rotation over the past few months. And, well, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em! Fanny packs are another easy accessory that can be used to instantly upgrade even the most casual look. The very best part, though? They're actually practical, too.

There's no doubting one of the more modern ways to wear this bag is by fastening it over one shoulder and under the opposite arm so it goes diagonally across the chest. Then there's the traditional over the hips position or the slightly higher option, around the waist. The good thing about this accessory, though, is that you don't need to even bother thinking too much about where you're going to fasten it. 

"You're always going to look cool, it's very much on-trend, and if you're not really sure of the fanny pack moment, it's still going to be super cute," celebrity stylist Ebony Brow told to Nylon. Effortlessly cool? Count us in!