There are all kinds of accessories you might add to an outfit to complete a look. Hats, sunglasses, belts, scarves, purses, shoes, and more can help to polish off your ensembles. And of course, jewelry can play a pivotal role. However, it’s all too easy to go wrong when you elect to add jewelry to your outfits. How can you figure out which pieces will work and how many you should wear? The good news is that there are some simple guidelines to help you avoid common fashion snafus where jewelry is concerned. Here are just a few ways to ensure that the accessorizing process is a piece of cake.
The place to begin is with stature. You have a lot of leeways when it comes to choosing jewelry, but if you want to narrow down your options, consider selecting pieces that match your stature. For example, petite women are able to wear small, delicate jewelry because it won’t get lost in their frame. While they can certainly wear larger or bolder pieces, they have to be careful that the jewelry they pick isn’t overwhelming. You don’t want your jewelry to wear you, so to speak. Women that are taller or more voluptuous (or both) can get away with much more aggressive statement pieces if they so choose, whereas smaller, more delicate jewelry may not have the desired impact.
From there you should consider the occasion. Some jewelry goes with virtually any outfit. Diamond stud earrings, for example, can work equally well for the office, a date, a day of errands, or a black-tie affair, so long as they’re not too ostentatious. But a full diamond necklace is probably only suitable with formal wear. And the friendship bracelet your daughter made you should be reserved for purely casual situations – it’s not appropriate for professional or formal events.
Once you’ve narrowed your jewelry options by their level of appropriateness, it’s time to select the individual pieces that actually go with your outfit. And there are a couple of tips to follow here. First, you want to select pieces that are complementary. If you’re wearing a loud print, understated jewelry in a single color palette is probably your best bet. You don’t want your jewelry to compete with your ensemble. But if you have a plain top or dress, feel free to select a bold necklace or earrings that will really make a statement and take a basic garment to the next level of sophistication and style.
In addition, you need to make sure that your fashion jewelry pieces don’t compete with each other or with other accessories. So if you’ve got your heart set on large, dangly earrings, maybe don’t pair them with a big, bold necklace. If you’re wearing a necklace, skip the scarf. Or if you really want to flash your blingy, new cocktail ring, skip the armful of bangles. And always remember the rule attributed to Coco Chanel: remove one piece of jewelry before you leave the house. This will help to ensure that a special piece from Intrepid Jewelry is the highlight of your outfit instead of getting lost in the clutter of too many accessories.
