Accessorize: Jewellery Plating, Bag Sizes and Hair Accessories That Last

Accessorize is the British high-street accessories brand, sister to Monsoon, selling jewellery, bags, hair accessories, scarves, hats, sunglasses and small gifts. Prices are low enough that people buy on impulse, which is exactly how an Accessorize order goes wrong: the earrings tarnish, the bag is smaller than it looked, the hair clip snaps in a week.

A little reading of the product page fixes most of that.

Reading an Accessorize jewellery description

Most Accessorize jewellery is fashion jewellery: a base metal with a plated finish. The product page usually says which. Gold-plated and rose gold-plated pieces look good new and wear at the edges over months. Sterling silver pieces, which Accessorize also sells, last far longer and are the ones to buy for daily wear.

Look for a note on nickel. Accessorize labels many pieces as nickel-free or hypoallergenic; if your ears react to cheap earrings, only buy pieces with that note or the sterling silver ones.

Plated pieces last longest if they go on after perfume and hairspray, come off before showers and sleep, and live in the little pouch they came in rather than tangled in a dish.

Bags: check the dimensions, not the photo

Accessorize bags are photographed on models and in flat lay, and both flatter the size. The dimensions are listed on the product page in centimetres. Compare them with a bag you already own before ordering.

Think about what has to fit. A phone, keys and a card holder go in almost any Accessorize cross-body. A full-size wallet, a small water bottle and sunglasses need one of the larger shoulder bags or totes.

Straps matter. Many Accessorize cross-body bags have adjustable straps; the length range is often listed. Chain straps look smart but dig in when the bag is heavy. Detachable straps make a bag more versatile.

Accessorize bags are mostly faux leather, straw, canvas or beaded fabric. Faux leather cleans with a damp cloth; straw and beaded bags are for dry days and light loads.

Hair accessories that survive daily use

Accessorize is well known for hair pieces: claw clips, scrunchies, headbands, slides and pearl pins. The failure point on a claw clip is the spring and the teeth. Bigger clips with thicker acetate hold more hair and break less. If you have thick or long hair, buy the large claw, not the medium.

Padded and knotted headbands from Accessorize come in different widths. Narrow bands slide on fine hair; wide bands can pinch behind the ears after a few hours. If you have had that problem, look for softer fabric-covered bands.

Scrunchies are the cheapest and most forgiving buy, and the multipacks are better value than singles.

Scarves, hats and sunglasses

Accessorize scarves come in lightweight printed viscose or polyester for spring and heavier knits for winter. The fabric is listed; a viscose scarf drapes better, a polyester one washes more easily.

Hats are usually one size with an adjustable inner tape. If you know your head is large or small, check the listing for an adjuster before buying.

Accessorize sunglasses are fashion sunglasses. They typically carry UV protection markings on the lens or listing; check that it is stated rather than assumed.

Sizing for rings, bracelets and kids' pieces

Accessorize rings are often sold in small, medium and large rather than numbered sizes, and some are adjustable. If a ring is not adjustable, measure a ring you already own against the size guide rather than guessing.

Bracelets are mostly stretch or with an extender chain, so they forgive a little. Bangles do not; check the internal diameter against your hand.

Accessorize also sells a children's range. Pieces marked for kids are sized and finished accordingly, and are the safer choice for younger children rather than a small adult piece.

Delivery, returns and gift orders

Accessorize has usually offered standard delivery, a faster paid option, and collection in store, with a free-delivery threshold that changes with promotions. Check the current threshold; adding a scrunchie pack to cross it is often cheaper than paying for delivery.

Returns are typically accepted within a set window in original condition. Pierced earrings are commonly excluded from returns for hygiene reasons once the seal is broken, so choose earrings carefully.

For gifts, Accessorize pieces arrive in the brand's pouches or boxes; if presentation matters, check whether gift wrapping is offered at checkout.

Where the Accessorize savings are

The bag code is the one to use if a bag is the expensive item in your basket, since Accessorize bags are where the money goes. For a basket of jewellery and hair pieces, the sitewide 25% code does more.

The 20% code reads as a returning-customer offer, so it may only work on an account that has ordered before. Try the 25% codes first on any basket.

Accessorize codes typically apply to full-price items only. Sale prices often already exceed 25% off, so a mixed basket may see the code reduce only the full-price lines.

Accessorize also runs multi-buy offers on jewellery and hair accessories. Those are applied automatically and are usually the best deal on small items; a code on top will not always stack.

Common questions

Is Accessorize jewellery real gold or silver?

Mostly plated base metal. Accessorize does sell a sterling silver range, marked as such, which lasts much longer for everyday wear.

Can I return earrings to Accessorize?

Pierced earrings are usually excluded for hygiene reasons once opened. Check the returns page before buying.

Do Accessorize codes work on sale items?

Usually not. Codes typically apply to full-price items; sale prices stand on their own.

Which Accessorize claw clip holds thick hair?

The large size. Medium clips slip or snap on thick or very long hair.