How to Accessorize Outfits with Jewellery
I’m a bit strange – I make jewellery, but I don’t often wear it. Part of the reason is that I work from home and there’s not so much need for a statement necklace when sitting at the computer. And part of the reason is that I’m not the best at matching my outfits with jewellery – more of a jeans and nice top person. So, I thought I would hunt down some advice on how to accessorize outfits with jewellery and share what I’d found.
Things to consider
Jewellery for me has always been a fun thing, a nice addition to an outfit. But reading tips on the matter I realised there’s a whole more strategic approach on how to accessorise outfits than I would ever have considered. According to one source, the fashion enthusiast believes in
‘using what you wear strategically as a tool, especially in the business world’
This makes me feel like I might have undervalued my necklaces!! For others, it is all about the coordination, making sure that the jewellery perfectly fits with the outfit, the occasion and everything else. So, let’s dive into some of this advice to see if it help you (and me) with the whole accessorize outfits business.
Add value to the outfit
There’s a famous quote from Coco Chanel about stopping before you leave the house and removing one piece of jewellery. And it wasn’t because she didn’t like her jewellery which she clearly did. It was about ensuring that every bit of it added value to the outfit – and this doesn’t mean in monetary terms. For some of us, it might mean adding a piece of jewellery as well – that coordinating bracelet on a bare arm that matches up with the necklace for example.
The key idea here is to pick accessories that work with the outfit and add to it but not just to wear things for sentimental reasons. You might wear certain necklaces on an anniversary or birthday to commemorate but don’t think you have to wear them all the time if they don’t work with the outfit.
Complement you as well as your outfit
Matching up accessories isn’t just about your outfit but about you as well. For example, choose metal tones that work with your skin tone. And even if you love a certain colour, look at the variations for one that loves you back – you might find green turquoise just look better with your skin and hair colour than blue turquoise for example. Gold tones are ones that work with almost any skin tone, but silver doesn’t compliment everyone.
Occasion and outfit appropriate
This is one I instantly got because I’ve seen people wearing things on occasions or with outfits that just didn’t quite sit right. While I’m not a big believer in rules, I think there are some times that indulging in your love of charm bracelets with slightly obscene charms on them may not be the best choice – that office job interview, for example.
Bridal jewellery can be another example. If you are having a non-traditional wedding, then just go with it. But if you are having the elegant, sophisticated wedding dress, then you want something that matches with it. That’s why pearls and crystal jewellery are both popular for bridal jewellery.
Proportional to your frame and features
As someone who is short, chunky and has big bones, I get this one. I might like delicate little bracelets, but they don’t like me (and don’t normally fit – extenders to the rescue!). The idea is that jewellery works best when it complements your frame and features to create a harmonious look.
Let’s take the layering necklaces trend which I really like. You don’t want them to overpower you. Or let them truncate your neck. Or a bold cuff bracelet – does it make your arms look short? If so you might want a style that is a little narrower.
Go for versatile jewellery
There’s nothing nicer than having a jewellery box full of pieces to select from but it is best to make sure many of those pieces are versatile. That means they can go with several outfits, matching up with a couple or more pairs of earrings and bracelets. Matching sets can work but coordinating items can be a lot more versatile and mean you can pair the elements with different things.
Other tips
There are also a few extra tips that can help you choose what item to pair with what in your outfit selections.
Have a centrepiece item to work around
If you are unsure where to start, select a single piece of jewellery and use this as a centrepiece. Then you can add items to it that complement and fit in with the other tips on accessorizing outfits. It might be a statement necklace, a watch or even a charm bracelet. Pick that one thing and start from there.
Layer little with big
Layering items were mentioned earlier with necklaces and can apply to other pieces of jewellery too – bracelet stacks are a great example. If you want to create your own, layer little items with big or chunky with slender. That way you create a visually interesting look.
Don’t be afraid to mix metals
Mixing metals used to be a fashion faux pas but not now. Today we happily mix metals as much as we want, and this makes for a classy, individual look. So, if you love silver but want a splash of colour, don’t be afraid to get some rose gold or bronze in there. Gold works great but you can also combine it with white gold or other white metals.
Add some colour
We can often be a little colour shy and this is a shame because I love colour. But if you are a natural neutral, then learn to add a pop of colour to your accessories just like adding some coloured ornaments in your room. It is also a great way to assert your own style.
Colour tips
Having mentioned colours, it is only fair to throw in a few colour tips. So if you are unsure if this colour works with this shade, you can look into colour psychology in depth but here’s a few simple ideas:
- Mix cool jewellery with warm colours – say deep green and dark blue gemstones against a yellow or orange dress
- Mix warm jewellery with cool colours – and vice versa add warm coloured jewellery with blues or purple
- Pearls go great with sea colours – this means turquoises, sea green, bright blues and even stormy greys
- Black and white love gold – these three are the perfect companies and have a timeless look to them
- Mix patterns with simple looks – if you have a patterned dress, go for jewellery that is pretty plain and doesn’t have too many colours in it
Accessorize for fun
Accessorizing your outfits doesn’t need to be stressful and should be fun. Plus, if you find gaps in your collection, it is a great excuse to do some shopping for something new!!
What’s your favourite piece of jewellery? And how do you choose what to wear with what outfit?
