How to Create a Stylish Accessories Icon Pack in Adobe Illustrator

Final product image — What You'll Be Creating

In today’s tutorial we’re going to get our fashion on and learn how to create a stylized set of accessories icon pack, using the most basic shapes and tools that Illustrator has to offer.

Also, don't forget you can always expand the pack by heading over to GraphicRiver, where you can find a great selection of vector accessories to pick from.

That being said, grab a fresh batch of that hipster coffee, and let’s get started!

1. How to Set Up a New Project File

Assuming you already have Illustrator up and running in the background, bring it up and let’s set up a New Document (File > New or Control-N) using the following settings:

Number of Artboards: 1
Width:800 px
Height:600 px
Units:Pixels

And from the Advanced tab:

Color Mode: RGB
Raster Effects: Screen (72ppi)
Preview Mode: Default

2. How to Set Up a Custom Grid

Since we’re going to be creating the icons using a pixel-perfect workflow, we’ll want to set up a nice little Grid so that we can have full control over our shapes.

Step 1

Go to the Edit > Preferences > Guides & Grid submenu, and adjust the following settings:

Gridline every: 1 px
Subdivisions: 1

Quick tip: you can learn more about grids by reading this in-depth piece on How Illustrator’s Grid System Works.

Step 2

Once we’ve set up our custom grid, all we need to do in order to make sure our shapes look crisp is enable the Snap to Grid and Snap to Pixel options found under the View menu, which will transform into Snap to Pixel each time you enter Pixel Preview mode (if you’re using an older version of the software).

Now, if you’re new to the whole “pixel-perfect workflow”, I strongly recommend you go through my How to Create Pixel-Perfect Artwork tutorial, which will help you widen your technical skills in no time.

3. How to Set Up the Layers

With the new document created, it would be a good idea to structure our project using layers, since this way we can maintain a steady workflow by focusing on one icon at a time.

That being said, bring up the Layers panel, and create a total of five layers, which we will rename as follows:

layer 1: reference grids
layer 2: glasses
layer 3: leather bag
layer 4: shoes
layer 5: watch

4. How to Create the Reference Grids

Thereference grids (or base grids) are a set of precisely delimited reference surfaces, which allow us to build our icons by focusing on size and consistency.

Usually, the size of the grids determines the size of the actual icons, and they should always be the first decision you make once you start a new project, since you’ll always want to start from the smallest possible size and build on that.

Now, in our case, we’re going to be creating the icon pack using just one size, more exactly 128 x 128 px, which is a fairly large one.

Step 1

Start by locking all but the “reference grids” layer, and then grab the Rectangle Tool (M) and create a 128 x 128 px orange (#F15A24) square, which will help define the overall size of our icons.

Step 2

Add a smaller 120 x 120 px one (#FFFFFF), which we will position on top of the previous shape, since it will act as our active drawing area, thus giving us an all-around 4 px padding to work with.

creating and positioning the active drawing areas main shape

Step 3

Select and group the two squares together using the Control-Gkeyboard shortcut, center aligning them to the underlying Artboard afterwards. Create the remaining grids using three side copies (Control-C > Control-F three times) at a distance of 40 px from the original, locking the current layer before moving on to the next section.

5. How to Create the Glasses Icon

Assuming you’ve finished creating the little reference grids, move on up to the next layer (that would be the second one) and let’s kick off the project by creating our first icon.

Step 1

Start working on the left section of the glasses. Create the lens using a 44 x 44 px ellipse, which we will color using #6FD8C4 and then position at a distance of 10 px from the active drawing area’s left edge and 18 px from its top one.

creating and positioning the main shape for the glasses left lens

Step 2

Give the shape that we’ve just created an outline using the Stroke method, by creating a copy of it (Control-C), which we will paste in front (Control-F) and then adjust by first changing its color to #3D2F2C. Flip the copy’s Fill with its Stroke(Shift-X), making sure to set its Weight to 4 px. Once you’re done, select and group both shapes together using the Control-Gkeyboard shortcut before moving on to the next step.

adding the outline to the glasses left lens

Step 3

Turn on Pixel Preview mode (Alt-Control-Y)and use the Pen Tool (P) to draw the left end piece (#3D2F2C) using the reference image as your guide, making sure it overlaps the circle’s top-left quarter. Take your time, and once you’re happy with the result, go back to the Default preview mode (Alt-Control-Y) before moving on to the next step.

Step 4

Position the resulting shape underneath the larger lens by right clicking > Arrange > Send to Back.

positioning the glasses left end piece underneath the lens

Step 5

Start working on the lens’s inner section by creating an 8 x 16 px rectangle (#3D2F2C), which we will position on its top half, making sure to align it to its right edge.

creating and positioning the main shape for the glasses left inner piece

Step 6

Adjust the shape that we’ve just created, by setting the Radius of its top right corner to 4 px from within the Transform panel’s Rectangle Properties. Once you’re done, don’t forget to send the resulting shape underneath the lens (right click > Arrange > Send to Back), selecting and grouping (Control-G) all of them together before moving on to the next step.

adjusting the shape of the glasses left inner section

Step 7

Create the right lens of the glasses, using a copy (Control-C > Control-F) of the one that we’ve just grouped, which we will vertically reflect (right click > Transform > Reflect > Vertical) and then position onto the opposite side of the underlying active drawing area.

Step 8

Add the bridge section using a 16 x 16 px circle with a 4 px thick Stroke (#3D2F2C), which we will center align to the active drawing area, positioning it at a distance of 18 px from its top edge.

adding the glasses center bridge section

Step 9

Adjust the circle that we’ve just created by selecting its bottom anchor point using the Direct Selection Tool (A) and then removing it by pressing Delete. Also, since we’re pretty much done with the glasses themselves, we can select all their composing sections and group them using the Control-G keyboard shortcut.

adjusting the glasses center bridge section

Step 10

Add the left string section using a 10 x 74 px rectangle with a 2 px thick Stroke (#3D2F2C), which we will position at a distance of 2 px from the active drawing area’s left edge and 16 px from its bottom one.

adding the left string section to the glasses

Step 11

Adjust the string’s bottom section by setting the Radius of its bottom corners to 5 px from within the Transform panel’s Rectangle Properties. Once you’re done, don’t forget to position the resulting shape underneath the glasses (right click > Arrange > Send to Back) before moving on to the next step.

adjusting the bottom section of the glasses left string

Step 12

Create the right string section using a copy (Control-C> Control-F) of the one that we’ve just finished working on, which we will position onto the opposite side of the glasses, maintaining the same 2 px gap between it and the active drawing area’s right edge.

adding the right string section to the glasses

Step 13

Add the center string section using a 12 px wide 2 px thick Stroke line (#3D2F2C), which we will position below the nose bridge, at a distance of 16 px from its upper arch.

adding the center string section to the glasses

Step 14

Finish off the string, and with it the icon itself, by adding the little label using a 4 x 10 px rectangle (#F27E51) with a 2 px thick outline (#3D2F2C), to the right edge of which we will center align a smaller 2 x 4 px rectangle (#3D2F2C), making sure to group (Control-G) all three of them afterwards. Position the label at a distance of 26 px from the string’s bottom edge, selecting and grouping (Control-G) all of the icon’s composing sections before moving on to the next one.

6. How to Create the Leather Bag Icon

Assuming you’ve finished working on the first icon, lock its layer and then move on up to the next one (that would be the third one) where we’ll start working on our second fashion accessory.

Step 1

Create the bag’s upper section using an 88 x 28 px rectangle (#B27866) with a 4 px thick outline (#3D2F2C), which we will group (Control-G) and then center align to the underlying active drawing area, positioning it 16 px from its top edge.

creating and positioning the main shapes for the leather bags upper section

Step 2

Add the little stitch lines using ten 4 x 2 px rectangles (#3D2F2C), horizontally distanced by 4 px from one another, which we will group (Control-G) and then center align to the larger section’s top edge, positioning them at a distance of just 2 px.

adding the stitch lines to the leather bags upper section

Step 3

Create the little insertion pocket using a 16 x 6 px rectangle (#8E5A4F) with a 4 px thick outline (#3D2F2C), which we will group (Control-G) and then center align to the larger section, positioning it 4 px from its bottom edge.

adding the little insertion pocket to the leather bags upper section

Step 4

Add a 6 x 6 px square (#3D2F2C) to each of the insertion’s sides, making sure to center align them using the Align Panel’s Vertical Align Center option.

adding the side squares to the leather bags pocket insertion

Step 5

Finish off the pocket by creating an 8 x 3 px rectangle (#3D2F2C), which we will center align to its top edge. Once you’re done, select and group (Control-G) all of its composing shapes, doing the same for the bag’s upper section afterwards.

adding the top insertion to the leather bags insertion pocket

Step 6

Create the bag’s bottom section, using an 88 x 56 px rectangle (#9B6759) with a 4 px thick outline (#3D2F2C), which we will group (Control-G) and then position below the smaller section so that their outlines overlap.

creating and positioning the main shapes for the leather bags bottom section

Step 7

Add the horizontal stitch lines using a copy (Control-C> Control-F) of the ones that we’ve made for the bag’s upper section, which we will position at a distance of 2 px from its bottom edge.

adding the horizontal stitch lines to the leather bags bottom section

Step 8

Add the left stitch lines using six 2 x 4 px rectangles (#3D2F2C), which we will vertically stack 4 px from one another, grouping (Control-G) and then positioning them 2 px from the larger section’s left and top edges.

adding the left vertical stitch lines to the leather bags bottom section

Step 9

Create the right vertical stitch lines using a copy (Control-C> Control-F) of the ones that we’ve just grouped, which we will position onto the bag’s opposite side, making sure to maintain the same 2 px gap. Once you’re done, select and group all of the bottom section’s composing shapes together using the Control-G keyboard shortcut.

adding the right vertical stitch lines to the leather bags bottom section

Step 10

Add the little string holding the bag’s two sections together using a 12 x 18 px rectangle with a 2 px thick Stroke (#3D2F2C), which we will center align to the top section’s bottom edge.

adding the string section to the leather bags upper section

Step 11

Add the little button using a 12 x 12 px circle (#F2AC99) with a 4 px thick outline (#3D2F2C), which we will group (Control-G) and then position onto the previously created string section, as seen in the reference image.

adding the circular button to the leather bags bottom section

Step 12

Once you have the button in place, add its little holes using two 2 x 2 px circles (#3D2F2C), at a horizontal distance of 2 px from one another, which we will group (Control-G) and then center align to the larger underlying shapes, grouping (Control-G) those together as well.

adding the little holes to the leather bags circular button

Step 13

Start working on the strap by creating its left half’s upper section using a 6 x 12 px rectangle (#8E5A4F) with a 4 px thick outline (#3D2F2C), which we will group (Control-G) and then position onto the bag’s side, center aligning it to its top section.

adding the upper section of the leather bags left strap

Step 14

Create the strap itself by drawing a 4 px thickStroke line (#3D2F2C) using the reference image as your main guide.

adding the left strap section to the leather bags side

Step 15

Adjust the strap by individually selecting and adjusting its sharp corners, setting their Radius to 4 px from withing the Live Corners input box. Once you’re done, select and group all of the strap’s composing shapes together using the Control-G keyboard shortcut.

adjusting the shape of the leather bags left strap

Step 16

Finish off the strap, and with it the icon itself, by adding its right section using a copy (Control-C > Control-F) of the one that we’ve just finished working on, which we will vertically reflect (right click > Transform > Reflect> Vertical) and then position onto the opposite side of the bag. Once you’re done, don’t forget to select and group (Control-G) all of the icon’s composing sections before moving on to the next one.

7. How to Create the Shoes Icon

At this point you probably already know the drill, so make sure you’re on the right layer (that would be the fourth one) and let’s jump into it.

Step 1

Start working on the front shoe by creating its sole’s front section using a 32 x 10 px rectangle (#F4E1DC) which we will adjust by setting the Radius of its right corners to 4 px from within the Transform panel’s Rectangle Properties. Give the resulting shape a 4 px thick outline (#3D2F2C), grouping (Control-G) and then aligning the two to the active drawing area’s right edge, positioning them at a distance of 32 px from its bottom one.

creating and positioning the main shapes for the shoes smaller sole section

Step 2

Add the sole’s back end, using a 64 x 10 px rectangle (#E8C4BA) with a 4 px thick outline (#3D2F2C), which we will group (Control-G) and then position onto the left side of the previously created section.

adding the back end of the front shoes sole

Step 3

Create the horizontal stripe using a 64 px wide 2 px thick Stroke line (#3D2F2C), which we will center align to the sole’s larger section.

adding the stripe to the front shoes sole

Step 4

Add the little heel label using a 4 x 4 px square (#3D2F2C), which we will center align to the larger sole section’s left edge. Once you’re done, select and group (Control-G) all of the current section’s composing shapes together, doing the same for the entire sole afterwards.

adding the heel label to the front shoes sole

Step 5

Create the shoe’s toe box, using a 16 x 8 px rectangle (#F4E1DC), which we will adjust by setting the Radius of its top-right corner to 6 px from within the Transform panel’s Rectangle Properties. Give the resulting shape a 4 px thick outline (#3D2F2C), grouping (Control-G) and then positioning the two on top of the sole’s front section.

adding the toe box to the front shoes sole

Step 6

Next, turn on Pixel Preview Mode (Alt-Control-Y) and use the Pen Tool (P) to draw the shoe’s main body (#F27E51), using the reference image as your main guide. Take your time, and once you’re done, switch over to the Default preview mode (Alt-Control-Y) before moving on to the next step.

draw the shoes main body using the pen tool

Step 7

Give the shape that you’ve just created a 4 px thick outline (#3D2F2C) using the Stroke method, making sure to select and group (Control-G) the two shapes together afterwards.

adding the outline to the front shoes main body

Step 8

Add the little tongue section, using a 12 x 8 px rectangle (#E26B47), which we will adjust by setting the Radius of its top-left corner to 8 px from within the Transform panel’s Rectangle Properties. Give the resulting shape a 4 px thick outline (#3D2F2C) grouping (Control-G) and then positioning the two on top of the shoe’s main body.

adding the tongue section to the front shoes main body

Step 9

Use a 4 px thick Stroke (#3D2F2C) with a Round Cap to draw the four little lace sections, positioning them as seen in the reference image. Once you’re done, select and group all of them together using the Control-G keyboard shortcut.

adding the lace sections to the front shoes main body

Step 10

Create the first eyelet using a 6 x 6 px circle (#F4E1DC) with a 2 px thick outline (#3D2F2C), to the center of which we will add a smaller 2 x 2 px circle (#3D2F2C). Group all three shapes together (Control-G), and then position them at a distance of 2 px from the shoe’s sole and 24 px from its body’s left edge.

adding the left eyelet to the front shoes main body

Step 11

Add the second eyelet using a copy (Control-C > Control-F) of the one that we’ve just finished working on, which we will position onto the original’s right side, at a distance of just 4 px. Once you’re done, select and group (Control-G) the two together before moving on to the next step.

adding the right eyelet to the front shoes main body

Step 12

Start working on the circular patch by creating a 16 x 16 px circle (#F4E1DC) with a 4 px thick outline (#3D2F2C), which we will group (Control-G) and then position at a distance of 12 pxfrom the larger body’s top edge and 8 px from its left one.

adding the circular patchs main body to the front shoe

Step 13

Finish off the front shoe, by drawing the patch’s little star using #3D2F2C as your Fill color. Once you’re done, select and group (Control-G) all of the circular section’s composing shapes together, doing the same for the entire shoe afterwards.

adding the little star to the front shoes circular patch

Step 14

Create the back shoe using a copy (Control-C > Control-B) of the one that we’ve just finished working on, which we will align to the active drawing area’s left edge.

creating and positioning the second shoe

Step 15

Adjust the shoe, by changing the colors of the following sections:

main body:#E26B47
sole and patch:#D6B4AB
tongue:#D65F43

Step 16

Add the longer lace section using a 4 px thick Stroke line (#3D2F2C) with a Round Cap and a 6 px Corner Radius, which we will position onto the front shoe as seen in the reference image.

adding the long lace section to the front shoes main body

Step 17

Finish off the lace, and with it the icon itself, by adding the aglet using an 8 x 2 px rectangle (#3D2F2C), which we will position on top of the lace’s left end. Once you’re done, select and group (Control-G) the two together, doing the same for the entire icon before moving on to the next one.

8. How to Create the Watch Icon

We are now down to our fourth and last icon, so assuming you’ve positioned yourself onto the right layer (that would be the fifth one), zoom on its reference grid and let’s finish this.

Step 1

Create the leather strap’s larger section using a 56 x 76 px rounded rectangle with a 4 px Corner Radius and a 4 px thick outline (#3D2F2C), which we will group (Control-G) and then center align to the underlying active drawing area.

creating and positioning the main shapes for the watchs larger strap section

Step 2

Add the stitch lines using two groups of ten 2 x 4 px rectangles (#3D2F2C) vertically stacked 4 px from one another, which we will group (Control-G) and then position at a distance of 2 px from the strap’s sides. Once you have them in place, select and group (Control-G) them along with the strap before moving on to the next step.

adding the stitch lines to the watchs leather strap

Step 3

Start working on the strap’s top attachment portion by creating a 24 x 22 px rectangle (#B27866) with a 4 px thick outline (#3D2F2C), which we will group (Control-G) and then center align to the larger section, positioning it at a distance of 16 px from the active drawing area’s top edge.

adding the top attachment portion to the watchs leather strap

Step 4

Add the side stitches to the current section by creating two groups of two 2 x 4 px rectangles (#3D2F2C) vertically stacked 4 px from one another, which we will group (Control-G) and then align to its top edge, positioning them 2 px from its sides.

adding the side stitches to the watchs top strap attachment section

Step 5

Add the strap’s only visible hole using a 4 x 4 px circle (#3D2F2C), which we will center align to its top attachment section, positioning it at a distance of 4 px from its top edge. Once you’re done, select and group all of the current section’s composing shapes together using the Control-G keyboard shortcut.

adding the little hole to the watchs strap

Step 6

Add the metal sections using two 6 x 12 px rectangles (#9B908F) with a 4 px thick outline (#3D2F2C), which we will individually group (Control-G) and then position onto the previous section’s sides. Select and group (Control-G) all of the top attachment section’s composing shapes together before moving on to the next step.

adding the metal sections to the watchs upper attachment section

Step 7

Create the bottom attachment using a copy (Control-C > Control-G) of the one that we’ve just finished working on, which we will horizontally reflect (right click > Transform > Reflect > Horizontal) and then position onto the opposite side of the strap. Isolate the group by double clicking on it, and then remove its side stitches and hole since we won’t be needing them, making sure to change the fill color of the larger shape to #7F5247.

creating and positioning the main shapes for the watch straps bottom attachment section

Step 8

Grab the Rectangle Tool (M) and create a smaller 24 x 12 px shape (#B27866), which we will center align to the bottom attachment section.

creating and positioning the main shape for the watch straps pointed section

Step 9

Adjust the shape that we’ve just created by adding a new anchor point to the center of its bottom edge using the Add Anchor Point Tool (+), which we will then select and push to the bottom by 10 px using the Move Tool (right click > Transform > Move > Horizontal > 10 px).

adjusting the shape of the watch straps pointed section

Step 10

Give the resulting shape a 4 px thick outline (#3D2F2C) with a Round Join, making sure to select and group the two together afterwards using the Control-G keyboard shortcut.

adding the outline to the watch straps pointed section

Step 11

Finish off the current section by adding a 4 x 4 px circle (#3D2F2C) on top of the shapes that we’ve just grouped, positioning it 10 px from its top edge. Once you’re done, select and group (Control-G) all of the strap’s composing shapes together before moving on to the next step.

adding the little circle to the watch straps pointed section

Step 12

Create the watch’s main body using a 56 x 56 px circle (#ADA6A5) with a 4 px thick outline (#3D2F2C), which we will group (Control-G) and then center align to the larger strap.

creating and positioning the main shapes for the watchs main body

Step 13

Add the watch’s inner section using a 44 x 44 px circle (#F4E1DC) with a 4 px thick outline (#3D2F2C), which we will group (Control-G) and then center align to the shapes from the previous step.

adding the inner section to the watchs main body

Step 14

Next, create the little dials using four 6 px long 2 px thick Stroke lines (#3D2F2C), which we will position 2 px from the inner section’s outline. Take your time, and once you’re done, select and group (Control-G) all of them so that they won’t get separated by accident.

adding the little dials to the watchs inner section

Step 15

Create the center pieces using a 6 x 6 px circle with a 4 px Stroke (#3D2F2C), followed by a larger 14 x 14 px one with a2 px Stroke (#3D2F2C), which we will center align to the watch’s inner section, grouping (Control-G) the two together afterwards.

adding the center pieces to the watchs inner section

Step 16

Next, take a couple of moments and add the hour hand using a 4 px thick Stroke line (#3D2F2C), followed by the minute hand using a thinner 2 px Stroke (#3D2F2C). Once you’re done, select and group both the center pieces and the hands together using the Control-G keyboard shortcut.

adding the time indicating hands to the watchs inner section

Step 17

Create the top-left decorative element using a 20 x 20 px circle with a 2 px thick Stroke (#3D2F2C), which we will position 12 px from the inner section’s right and bottom edges.

creating and positioning the main shape for the watchs top-left decorative element

Step 18

Adjust the ring that we’ve just created by selecting its right and bottom anchor points using the Direct Selection Tool (A) and removing them by pressing Delete.

adjusting the shape of the watchs top-left decorative element

Step 19

Add the bottom-right decorative element, using a copy (Control-C> Control-F) of the one that we’ve just adjusted, which we will reflect both horizontally and vertically (right click > Transform > Reflect > Horizontal & Vertical) and then position onto the opposite side of the original. Once you’re done, select and group (Control-C) all of the watch face’s composing sections using the Control-G keyboard shortcut.

adding the watchs bottom-right decorative element

Step 20

Finish off the watch by adding the little crown. We'll create it using a 5 x 8 px rectangle (#9B908F) with a 4 px thick outline (#3D2F2C), which we will group (Control-G) and then position onto the right side of the larger body. Then, select and group (Control-G) all of the watch’s composing sections before moving on to the next step.

adding the crown to the watchs main body

Step 21

Grab the Pen Tool (P), and draw the strap’s left string section using a 4 px thickStroke (#3D2F2C) with a Round Cap.

creating and positioning the main shape for the watch straps left string section

Step 22

Adjust the Stroke by setting the Radius of its top-left corner to 4 px and its bottom-right one to 8 px using the Live Corners input box.

adjusting the shape of the watch straps left string section

Step 23

Add the strap’s right string section using another 4 px thick Stroke line (#3D2F2C) with a Round Cap.

creating and positioning the main shape for the watch straps right string section

Step 24

As we did with the previous stroke, adjust the string by setting the Radius of its bottom-left corner to 14 px using the Live Cornersinput box.

adjusting the shape of the watch straps right string section

Step 25

Finish off the strap, and with it the icon itself, by adding the little bead using an 8 x 8 px circle (#F2AC99) with a 4 px thick outline (#3D2F2C), which we will group (Control-G) and then position onto the right string section, at a distance of 8 px from its right end. Once you’re done, select and group all of the icon’s composing sections using the Control-G keyboard shortcut.

Awesome Work, You're Now Done!

There you have it: a somewhat long but pretty in-depth tutorial on how to create your very own accessories icon pack using nothing more than some basic shapes and tools found within Illustrator.