Getting metal braces as an adolescent or adult can feel daunting, especially when it comes to keeping up your personal style. However, with some clever tips and tricks, you can make your metal braces work for you fashion-wise. In this blog post, we’ll explore creative ways to style your smile and coordinate your outfits during orthodontic treatment.
Accessorize Your Braces
One of the easiest ways to add some flair to your braces is to accessorize them with colored elastic bands. Ask your orthodontist about getting elastics in fun shades like neon pink, turquoise, purple, or metallic gold to make your braces part of your look. You can match the elastics to your outfits or just pick colors you love. Some orthodontic offices even offer patterned elastics in polka dots, animal prints, and more around the holidays. Having a few selections of elastics on hand makes it easy to accessorize your braces daily.
In addition to elastics, creative brace accessories like bracelet charms and glitter strings can add a touch of personal style. Affix charms with clear orthodontic bands to give your smile some sparkle. Just be sure to avoid any sharp edges that could damage wires or irritate your lips and gums.
Focus on Statement Lips
Drawing attention to your lips with bold lip colors is a great way to pull focus away from your braces. Liquid matte lipsticks and glosses in dark shades of red, plum, berry, and brown look beautiful with metal braces. Adding a lip liner to sharpen your lip shape can also help make your pout stand out. Stay away from light or sheer lip colors, which tend to disappear behind the metal. A defined lip with metallic, opaque, or deep matte color is your best bet.
Up Your Fashion Game
Metal braces don’t mean you have to stick to basic clothes and dull colors. In fact, braces are the perfect excuse to take fashion risks you might not normally take. Make braces part of an edgy punk or grunge-inspired look by pairing them with leather, plaid, ripped denim, and studs. Or go for girly and glamorous with pastels, florals, and soft accessories.
When selecting outfits, look for tops, dresses, and jackets that draw the eye up through bold patterns, shoulder details, and plunging necklines. You want to direct attention towards your flawless eye makeup, earrings, and top half rather than down to your braces. Skip cluttered prints, ruffles, or frills near your mouth which tend to be distracting. A cleaner silhouette will minimize braces.
Confidence is Key
At the end of the day, confidence and personality shine brighter than any metal braces. Avoid hiding your smile or feeling self-conscious. Approach your orthodontic treatment from a place of self-love and remember that braces are temporary.
Stand tall with your shoulders back and take pride in improving your health, bite, and smile. Braces may feel uncomfortable at times, but it helps to remind yourself why you’re getting them and focus on the end result of correctly aligned teeth. Persevering through treatment takes commitment and courage.
And when you do feel insecure, fake it until you make it! Smile and laugh often. Surround yourself with positive people who build you up. And if anyone teases you about your braces, try to ignore them or joke that “at least I’m taking care of my teeth” before walking away.
Soon enough, you’ll have the straight, beautiful smile you’ve always wanted. In the meantime, see your braces as an opportunity to get creative and express your personal flair. With the right styling techniques and fearless attitude, your braces can become part of your own unique look.