Your Best Tips: Santina from STYLE BY SANTINA

Weekly, I'm sharing the best tips from my readers. This week is Santina of Style By Santina. Have you checked out her amazing style yet? Read on for her best tips. --Elle

From monochromatic looks begging for an extra somethin’ somethin’ to looks already drenched in color but ready for more, I’m not one to shy away from adding a pop of color. My tendency to add color to nearly any look has been noted over and over again in comments (thanks, I love hearing what you think!) since the start of Style by Santina, so when Elle sent out a call for guest posts highlighting fashion or beauty tips, I thought I’d share how to easily add color to a look with as little as one item from your closet. A quick dissection of my style would reveal three main ways I add color to my looks: bags, shoes and scarves.

Bags!

In my opinion, nothing adds instant style to a look better than a fabulous bag. While I have my fair share of what most consider neutral, everyday bags (think: a black patent bag in a classic shape), those aren’t the ones I reach for most. I much prefer poppy, blue, and every color in between…extra points for bold patterns. There’s just something about a basic outfit paired with an attention-grabbing bag that’s so chic to me.

Bags by: H&M // Coach // Marc by Marc Jacobs

Craving some colorful arm candy? Feast your eyes on these beauties:

Bags by (click to shop): Coach // Marc by Marc Jacobs // ModCloth

Shoes!

There’s no denying my shoe addiction. Sometimes I really can’t control myself: I see ‘em, I love ‘em, I buy ‘em. Of course, my love for color doesn’t mean that I don’t have more pairs of black heels than I’d like to admit, but I don’t discriminate. There is no color unwelcome in my closet…well maybe except for brown, but you’ll even find a bit of that in there. Heels, wedges, ballet flats, oxfords – any style in a bold color will brighten up your look (and your day, if you’re anything like me)!

Shoes by: Pour la Victoire // Coach // Marc by Marc Jacobs   

Pining for some playful footwear? These should tickle your fancy:

Shoes (click to shop): Nine West // Dolce Vita // Hunter

Scarves!

The inclusion of scarves in my wardrobe happened without much thought. I didn’t set out one day to buy scarves, but I’d be lying if I said my collection hasn’t steadily grown. I find a casual elegance in draping scarves around my neck, and there’s something so irresistibly effortless about tying one around a favorite bag. Despite how I wear them, scarves are definitely an easy way to inject some color into any look, any time of year.

Scarves by: BCBG Max Azria, Zac Posen for Target, H&M

Scouring for scarves? Slip one of these around your neck (or waist...or bag):

Scarves by (click to shop): Asos // Madewell // Marc by Marc Jacobs

Do YOU have tips you'd like to share with my readers? Email me so I can feature you!