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There are some days when we simply get dressed and get on with our day, and others when we want to feel a little more pulled together. It might be a wedding, race day, garden party, afternoon tea, birthday lunch or family occasion, but it might also be a lunch with friends, a holiday evening, a theatre trip or just an ordinary day when a simple outfit just needs a little more of an upgrade. Special occasion dressing can be lovely, but it can also bring with it a bit of anxiety over what to wear, especially when there is very little dress code guidance. And everyday dressing can have its own challenges too, because not every outfit needs to be formal, but sometimes we still want it to feel more elevated - a date at a special restaurant or a fun day out with friends? Hats and fascinators can look beautiful, and I do love a hat, but they are not for everyone. I know lots of women feel self-conscious wearing one. They can feel too formal, too big, too much or simply too expensive for just one occasion, although it is always worth remembering that you can hire a hat at a much better price if you do want to go down that route. So what about a compromise? A headband can still give you that lovely sense of occasion without feeling overdone. It adds polish without taking over the whole outfit and, unlike a hat or fascinator, it is something you are much more likely to wear again, whether that is for a party, on holiday or just a nice day out when you want your hair to look tidy with very little effort. Add in a beautiful brooch or a pair of statement earrings and you have a very simple way to make an outfit feel more special. It is not about starting again or buying a whole new look, it is about the finishing touches that pull everything together, both for special occasions and everyday style.  The thin pearl headband and bee brooch in silver from QueenMee Accessories Please do scroll to the bottom and you can find a link for each of the accessories featured, my outfit and a 15% off QueenMee Accessories discount code! A little bit about Queen Mee AccessoriesQueenMee Accessories was founded by Amanda Waterstone Carthy and I love that there is a real personal story behind the brand which started from her kitchen table when her daughters were babies. Amanda found that most hair accessories were very plain and practical and she wanted to create something more glamorous, joyful and confidence boosting for her new life as a mother. Amanda has a background in jewellery design so she was able to use her experience to add sparkle and colour into everyday glamour. QueenMee is still a small female-led business run by Amanda and I am a big fan of supporting and buying from a small business with real people behind it. Amanda's collection includes headbands, hair clips, brooches, earrings and other pretty finishing touches, all designed to help women feel more radiant and confident. I especially like Amanda’s idea that a crown can come in lots of different shapes and sizes, because whether it is a beautiful headband, a sparkling brooch or a small detail that makes you smile, these pieces are about feeling like yourself, just with a little extra polish. Amanda lives near me in Buckinghamshire and she now has a lovely at home studio where you can view and try on her accessories, especially fabulous if you do have a wedding (brides, bridesmaids, or guests) or similar event coming up! Styling ideas for accessories - add a brooch to a simple dress, or use it to create a fun detail on a silk scarf! A thin headband is easy to wear and keeps hair tidy! Why a headband is a lovely alternative to a hatIf you have a wedding, race day or special occasion coming up and you are not keen on wearing a hat, a headband could actually be perfect. It gives height, shape and interest around the face, but it feels softer and easier than a formal hat. It is also much simpler to transport, which is worth thinking about if you are travelling to an event or staying overnight. And it doesn't mess with your hair, in fact it keeps it tidy. A headband can also feel a little more modern than a fascinator. You can choose something very subtle, or you can go for a more statement style especially if the rest of your outfit is simple. The QueenMee headbands include both thinner styles and wider, more padded designs with jewels added too, I chose two of the thinner styles to try because I felt they suited my petite frame and face shape better. Thin headbands keep it simple If you are not used to wearing headbands, a thinner style is probably the easiest place to start. They are subtle, elegant and do not feel too much. A slim embellished headband can add a little sparkle to a simple dress - like this gorgeous blue sparkly one - or make a blouse and trousers feel more occasion-ready. It is also a good option if you do not want your hair accessory to be the main focus of the outfit. I think thinner headbands work particularly well for an afternoon tea, birthday lunches, smaller weddings, holiday evenings and summer parties. They are pretty without being too formal. They also suit more relaxed hair. You do not need a perfect blow dry or complicated up-do, I think they often look better when the hair is a little softer and more natural.  Light blue sparkly hair band and (if you look closely) the turtle brooch on my collar, both from QueenMee Acccessories Wider headbands for a statement look A wider often padded headband gives a stronger occasion look. These are the styles I would think about for weddings, race days, winter parties, Christmas events or any occasion where you want the accessory to be more of a statement. They can look beautiful with a very simple outfit. A plain dress, a trouser suit or a smart jumpsuit can all be lifted by a statement headband. A wider padded headband can also be a lovely alternative to a fascinator for a wedding guest outfit. It gives that sense of effort and occasion, but still feels much easier to wear. Amanda also has some lovely bow headbands and hair bows in her range too! How to style headbands for seasonal eventsHeadbands really work all year round, the are perfect for spring weddings (consider softer colours, delicate embellishment, pearls or something with a slightly romantic feel), they would look lovely with a floral midi dress, pastel tailoring or a simple dress and jacket. For summer garden parties or race days, a headband can be such an easy option if you do not want to wear a hat. I would wear one with a floaty dress, linen separates or a pretty co-ord. It feels dressed up but still relaxed enough for a long day. For autumn events, richer colours can work beautifully. Think navy, burgundy, emerald, gold or soft metallics. A headband with a velvet dress, satin blouse or tailored blazer would feel elegant without being overdone. For winter weddings or Christmas parties, this is where a bit of sparkle really comes into its own. A padded or embellished headband with a simple black dress, trouser suit or velvet jacket would be very easy and very chic. And for those occasions when you are not quite sure how dressy everyone else will be, a headband is a safe middle ground. You will look like you have made an effort, but you will not feel as if you have gone too far. More styling ideas for accessories - I love the blue shades and this thin headband and turtle brooch from QueenMee Accessories adds such a fun detail to my outift! Simple headband styling tips
And what about adding a brooch?We often forget about brooches but I think they are such a lovely way to add personality to an outfit and some sparkle to an outfit. They are also incredibly versatile. In the warmer months, you can pin a brooch to a linen shirt, a lightweight scarf, a wrap, a clutch bag or even a basket bag. It is a simple way to make something everyday feel a little more special. Then, as the weather cools down, brooches really come into their own. They look beautiful on blazers, coats, cardigans, heavier scarves and jackets. I especially like the idea of using a brooch to update something you already own. A plain blazer, a classic coat or a simple black dress can all feel more interesting with one small detail. I love to add a brooch to my camel coat, or formal black coat, I also love using a brooch as another detail on a silk or satin scarf - tied to a handbag, added to the knot on a scarf worn around the neck works really well too.  Bee Brooch Silver Pearl Pin Crystal from QueenMee Accessories How to wear a broochIf you worry that brooches feel a bit old-fashioned or too formal, the trick is to style them in a relaxed way. Rather than saving them for best, try adding one to a denim jacket, a crossbody bag, a silk scarf or a simple shirt. It instantly makes the outfit feel more considered, but not too dressy. For occasionwear, a brooch can be a lovely way to pull an outfit together. You could pin one to a wrap for a wedding, add one to a jacket lapel or use it to decorate a clutch bag. It is also a good option if you prefer not to wear too much jewellery. A brooch adds interest without having to think about necklaces, bracelets or earrings. A few of my favourite styling ideas for stand out accessories!These are the combinations I would try for different occasions:
 And the same bee brooch but in gold from QueenMee Accessories Accessories make lovely gifts too!I also think pieces like these make lovely gifts, how about choosing a beautiful satin scarf and a brooch to match? It just feels a little bit more thoughtful and special. A pretty headband, brooch or hair accessory could work well as a gift for a birthday, Mother’s Day, Christmas, bridesmaids, mother of the bride or simply for a friend who loves style. They are also the kind of gift someone might not always buy for themselves, which makes it even nicer to receive.  These are the red drop flower earrings that I chose for my blogging 10th anniversary photoshoot! The older I get, the more I appreciate the small details in my outfits. I don’t want getting dressed to feel complicated, and I definitely do not want to wear something that makes me feel uncomfortable or unlike myself. But I do still love feeling pulled together, especially for a special occasion. Start with a simple dress then add the details - a scarf, a brooch, a headband, statement earrings and you have a whole new elevated look and each time you wear that dress you can add a different scarf or a driffert brooch! Please use my code FABQUEEN to get 15% off your first order at QueenMee Accessories. Love Michelle xx Outfit details and links: Bee brooch gold pearl Bee brooch silver pearl Blue turtle brooch Light blue sparkly hair band Pearl headband Red flower drop earrings Scarves from M&S and &OtherStories - M&S have the best selection Handbag from Katie Loxton Red/burgundy dress or similar t-shirt dress here Blue shirt dress - similar here and here Disclaimer: this is a gifted blog post with affiliate links.
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