Dress for the occasion
Quite often it’s a choice between lightly highlighting your jewellery, or making it the statement piece of your outfit. If you’re wearing heavily patterned fabrics, then it’s usually best to go with jewellery that simply accents your clothing. Go for subtle pieces that don’t detract from your outfit but complement it. Alternatively, if your clothing is on the plain side, then you can jazz it up with eye-catching earrings and bracelets. Opting for one item of jewellery as the main focus will allow the whole ensemble look well put together and not ‘too much’. A large bold necklace works well with a V neck jumper, but pair this with large bold earrings and it can look too much. Experiment a little with what looks right and make sure the jewellery reflects your own personal style – if you are simply sticking to hard and fast rules then you are going to feel uncomfortable.
The role of earrings
Earrings have a mixed history, originating in East Asia, worn in Egypt as a sign of wealth and by workers in Rome – they have served as a mixed bag of symbolism. Today, we recognise stud, hoop, cluster, dangle threader and drop earrings for their aesthetics and how they can transform a look and bring attention to your face. If you are dressing up for an evening out, bold earrings usually fit the bill, and you can help them stand out even more by contrasting them with your hair colour.
It’s hard to go wrong with a pair of silver hooped earrings to match any outfit. They look good with curly, straight hairstyles and floaty long hair, as well as up dos and short hair. Make sure you are matching the silver with the silver buttons or accessories on our clothing too though.
Knowing your necklaces
Different types and lengths of necklaces will look better with certain necklines. For example, a scoop necked top works well with a rounded necklace and a pendant necklace looks good with a V necked top. Chunky, longer necklaces can look good with polo or high-necked clothing too. Some outfits with low cut top halves can look better with no necklace at all – a more dramatic show of skin can be just as impacting as bold jewellery, and you can always incorporate bracelets and rings to add those accents to your outfit. You can also layer necklaces too – use similar but different lengths and make sure they are of the same style and metal.
Remember opposites attract
When it comes to colours, one tip to get your jewellery looking the best is to contrast your jewellery colours and materials with the choice of fabric you are wearing. Warm stones can look good with cool coloured fabrics, while black is the perfect background for gold necklaces and bracelets. Pearls coordinate nicely with blue and green ocean tones, just as they are found in the sea.
Mixing and stacking rings
Stacking rings are those that can be worn on top of one another. Usually more delicate than your average ring, they help personalise your jewellery simply, with little expense. Combining the use of different metals works well, and using them on both hands gives just the right amount of symmetry to achieve the look, although putting a different amount on one hand than the other adds a certain sense of style too. Leave one finger bare and bring in different styles and shapes to add interest. Be creative too, they really are no rules with stacking rings or other jewellery – it is there for our own creativity and enjoyment.
