It's Me—I'm the Drama: Here's How I Style Statement Pieces Like It's Nothing

While I've garnered a pristine collection of basics, a large portion of my closet is still dedicated to statement pieces. (It's all about balance.) Bright-colored button-downs, patterned blazers, beaded handbags—I just can't resist a fashion piece that makes you go "wow" when you first see it. Contrary to what others may say, my statement pieces get a lot of wear. It wasn't always like that, as it took some time for me to learn how to incorporate a loud piece easily into my everyday outfits. I tend to follow a couple of makeshift rules that make dressing more streamlined, and luckily for you, I've shared them below.

Ahead, you'll find the five pieces of advice I give myself when styling a statement piece, plus outfit inspiration to give you a visual idea. I know you probably have an out-there piece sitting in your closet right now waiting to be worn. Use the tips below to figure out the outfit possibilities. You won't regret it.

1. When in Doubt, Opt for a Matching Set

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(Image credit: @thatgirlyusra)

If you find it difficult to style one statement piece, a matching set is the cure to your problem. The top already has its matching bottom, so you don't have to worry about anything but adding accessories. It's an easy way to incorporate a fun print or color without much thinking. (Plus, when you get the hang of styling these pieces, you can wear them separately.)

2. Use the Color Wheel 

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(Image credit: @noore)

It's hard to figure out which colors go together, so an easy trick I follow is taking it back to elementary school art class and using the color wheel. If colors are a match on the color wheel (complementary or analogous), they're likely going to pair well together in an outfit.

3. Wear Different Shades of One Color

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(Image credit: @emilisindlev)

Another easy trick for styling bright colors? Wearing different shades of one. Your outfit will look streamlined and still make a statement.

4. Or Go for a Variety of Colors

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(Image credit: @thatgirlyusra)

Don't be afraid—going for them all works too. If you have a printed piece with a variety of colors, you don't have to worry about coordinating exactly. You can see an example of this above. My sweater has a few different colors, but I chose to wear a kelly-green bag. Kelly green may not be on the sweater, but it still works.

5. Add a Fun Accessory to a "Neutral" Outfit

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(Image credit: @aniyahmorinia)

If you're a neutral girl at heart but still want to add a fun piece to your look, use your accessories wisely. It could be a printed scarf or a bright handbag. Either one adds an element of personality without going overboard.

Shop more statement pieces I love:

Next, 30 Wardrobe Basics I'd Splurge on and 30 More Affordable Options

Associate Fashion Editor
Yusra Siddiqui is an editor who resides in New Jersey but bounces between the suburbs and NYC. (She's a Jersey girl at heart.) After interning at Who What Wear in 2019, she found her way to the team after graduating from LIM College in 2022 with a fashion media degree. She's also spent time writing and working for publications such as Fashionista, Coveteur, and Nylon, but she always knew that Who What Wear was where she was meant to be. When she's on the job, she's perusing runway shows, analyzing the latest thing fellow Gen Zers are up to on the internet, and sharing what she can about the modest-fashion market. You can also catch her dabbling in entertainment, talking about the costume choices of the latest Netflix series or diving deeper into how the plotline affects the viewers in a myriad of ways. Lastly, she likes to create content for Who What Wear's TikTok. Her personal time is spent doing similar but also different things—deep diving into almost every new TV show (Bridgerton, Gilmore Girls, and Stranger Things are favorites), planning her next local getaway (whenever that may be), and reading the latest Emily Henry or Sally Rooney novel in one sitting.