Why Earrings Are My Must-Have Fashion Accessory

I have to admit, I'm no fashion guru. I'm a regular, everyday kind of gal who loves to look good. Whereas I may shop at some higher-ticket mall stores here and there, I tend to stick to bargain bins and save my money on clothes when I can-after all, in this economy who can afford to buy a new wardrobe every other month? One of the ways I like to keep my look fresh is by playing with accessories. My absolute must-have fashion accessory is most certainly earrings.

I've had my ears pierced since I was six months old, and it's probably one of the best decisions my mother ever made (okay, maybe not, but it was a good one nonetheless). Earrings have been my must-have fashion accessory since I was in high school-for a whole host of reasons. Here are some of the biggies:

When people look at you, they tend to gravitate toward your face. Because earrings frame your face, they tend to be a very impactful part of your appearance-but not too overwhelming either.

There is such a wide variety when it comes to earrings, and they can add so much to an outfit. You may be wearing an outfit that is relatively plain, but by throwing in some funky feather, beaded, or chandelier earrings, you can add quite a bit of personality to your appearance. Alternately, if you don't want your accessories to be distracting, you can wear beautifully crafted but also very subtle earrings.

I like to purchase jewelry from local artisans, and among all the different kinds of jewelry out there, earrings tend to be the least expensive. This allows me to support my local artists and businesses without breaking the budget-and find pieces that are entirely unique!

My clothing doesn't exactly ring "feminine," but I find that wearing earrings is a great way to put a feminine touch on my wardrobe. I'm able to play around with my own style without having to fall into what's trendy or in fashion. As a result, I have a fun look that doesn't make me look like a princess, but still allows me to embrace my femininity.

They're just so inexpensive. I've found adorable earrings for $2 on clearance at a department store that I couldn't live without. I've also made my own earrings on a couple occasions-they're just so easy for the amateur artisan to create. If you have old jewelry that has broken and has funky beads or charms, those are a great way to create cute new earrings and keep less junk out of the landfills.

To summarize, earrings are my must-have fashion accessory because they allow me to express my personality at a lower cost, while supporting my local artists and even inspiring me to be more creative and eco-conscious! What accessory could be better than that?