What girl doesn’t love jewelry and playing dress up? Β Jewelry is like the icing on a cake. Β It can turn a ho hum outfit into a beautiful work of art.
In order to accessorize, glamorize and not clownorize (I made this word up), let’s look at a few basic rules that will help make jewelry the finishing touch!
1. Β Less is more
Jewelry is most often used to compliment and to finish off your look. Β If it’s too distracting, it’s not complimenting, it’s competing. Β An understated look is always in style! Β Note: Β Sometimes the jewelry is the main event when it’s paired with a simple outfit.
If there are lots of ruffles or lace around the neckline of your blouse or dress, a necklace will usually compete instead of compliment. Β It’s completely fine to not wear a necklace.
2. Β Lose the matchy, matchy sets.
The days of everything matching perfectly have, thankfully, been over for a while (decades?). Β I hate to see matching sets – necklace, earrings, bracelet, purse, shoes, etc. Β It’s overkill. Β Remember, less is more.
If you are wearing a big, bold necklace as a statement piece, don’t wear huge chandelier earrings. Β It’s overkill. Β It’s called a statement piece for a reason. Β It’s the only piece you need. Β If you do wear other jewelry with your statement piece, understated is best.
And it’s perfectly acceptable to mix metals. Β The old school rule of never mixing metals is so a thing of the past.
3. Β Say no to noisemakers.
Do your bracelets jingle and jangle every time you move your arm? Β That’s fine if you are not in a meeting or at work, but clanging bracelets can be a big distraction. Β I speak at church services and ladies meetings, etc. and I always make sure that my jewelry is not distracting and does not make a noise when I move.
Bonus Tip: Β I love the look of a wide watch with lots of layered bangles. Β This is not office attire, unless you work alone. Β But it’s a great look for going out.
One of my favorite fashion icons is the late Coco Chanel. Β I actually wrote a post about her here! Β One of her famous quotes is,Β βBefore you leave the house, look in the mirror andΒ take one thing off.βΒ Β Coco was not talking about clothing here, but about jewelry. Β Less is more. Β Coco said so!
What’s your favorite jewelry? Β I love bracelets! Β I’m not that into necklaces, but I’m all over a bracelet or two (or three)!
38 comments
Great tips! I need all the fashion advice I can get!
I love fashion and reading, so I always have random tips floating around in my head. π Weird, I know.
Great advice–I once heard this Accessory Rule: Always take off one piece of jewelry.
We tend to overdo it, so I try to stick to this one–great tips, thanks for sharing!
Yep, that’s Coco Chanel’s advise – always take off one piece! Great rule to follow!
My favorite jewelry would have to be rings. I love my rings! Earrings are a close second. I love jewelry. I’m thinking about coming over and “borrowing” some of yours. Lol
Come on over! π
Great tips, and I agree with the no matchy, matchy.
Matchy, matchy gives me the creeps! π
Great advice. Love the one about noise. Although some of my earrings jingle. Lol. Coco Chanel is such a great fashion icon!
I just hate to sit beside someone in church or at a conference and they are taking notes and all I hear is the jingle, jangle of bracelets, so I’m extra careful that I’m not the one jingling. π
These are some really great tips. I once attended a professional dress seminar and the speaker said that you should never wear more than 8 pieces of jewelry because more than that becomes distracting.
I totally agree!!
I’m so very much a bracelet person. π I’m a sucker for a statement necklace if I’m wearing a plain top, but when I’m picking accessories, I want the arm candy!! π
A woman after my own heart! Bracelets are it for me, too and I have to say, you make great jewelry!
My favorite piece of jewelry is a bracelet. Although I prefer loose bracelets, like charm bracelet style, I agree that they shouldn’t make noise so much that they can be distracting. Even at my Grandmother season of life, I still enjoy playing in the jewelry box and particularly with my 5 year old grand daughter π
That must be so much fun playing in the jewelry box with your grand daughter! I have all grand sons so far . . .
Great post, Alli! I agree. I have this cute necklace that looks great, but it sounds like the clanging my dog’s collar makes. I hardly every wear it. Annoying!
Thanks for the great tips. I am a sucker for jewelry. This definitely helps me π
Pinned .
Thanks, Megan! I love jewelry, too!
Love these tips!! I need all the jewelry help I can get π
Great tips! I am thankful you said that Itβs completely fine to not wear a necklace, because I regularly forget to wear one. At least there is no danger of overdoing it, I suppose ;). I like bracelets too.
I’m more into bracelets than necklaces, so I tend to keep it simple in the necklace department. π
You’re right, less is always more. I usually just do a cute pair of earrings. Sometimes I add a nice statement necklace.
Great Advice! I love bracelets! π Iβm also really getting into studs.
My favorite piece of jewelry is my simple Tiffany bracelet with the round charm.
I love Tiffany’s!
Fantastic post, Alli! I do love my jewelry! But one thing I don’t do is wear bracelets all the time. I do love my bracelets, too…but when I know I’m gonna be working with my hands, I can’t wear them. They bother me LOL Now, if it’s church or a date night or something like that, then I’m good. And I’ll have to try CoCo’s advice!
Thanks, Kristen! When I’m blogging, I wear no jewelry. π
Thanks for the tips. I agree that the matchy matchy sets are a thing of the past! I love blending and coming from a different angle.
I also agree that less is more. No point in making your outfit hide because you are wearing too much jewelry!
Amen, Zan! π
Love this post! I wear a bunch of bracelets on my left arm (not the noisy kind & often times w/ my watch)…that’s my go-to jewelry…been doing this for 10 yearsI was so happy you mentioned it! ox
Thanks so much for linking up to Twirl and Take a Bow! xo
Thanks so much for hosting!!
I completely agree with everything you said! I don’t even understand why necklaces and earrings are sold in sets anymore. I’ve never really loved that look, but I guess some people do! It’s definitely better to mix unique pieces. Excited to find you blog through That’s Fresh Friday!
Thanks, Liz! I guess some people do like to match everything up. π
Great advice!!!! Thanks for sharing! π
– Brooke –
I love jewelry! I actually used to make it handmade before I had my son. I think jewelry should always be worn to top off an outfit. Even a piece understated piece can add so much to a outfit!
Thanks so much for sharing at Gingham & Roses!
I totally agree! Jewelry puts an outfit over the top and adds that finished look. Thanks for hosting!