How a woman chooses to accessorize her outfit is more than telling than the clothing itself. Knowing how to pick jewelry that suits not only your garments, but also your personal style is an outstanding aptitude not everyone possesses. There is a time and a place for certain pieces, so we’ll take this concept to more depth.
CHOOSE SUBDUED PIECES FOR THE OFFICE
When it comes to properly accessorizing your favorite professional outfits, the first thing you need to assess is how conservative of an office you are employed in. The more traditional the environment is, the fewer ornaments you should adorn yourself with. In a conformist setting, delicate stud earrings paired with an elegant two-piece suit are the way to go.
If your workplace isn’t too strict, then you certainly have a bit more freedom to choose your accessories. As long as you don’t wear too many trinkets and you steer clear of noisy pieces, you will certainly pull it off. Nevertheless, always try to stick to classic and tasteful items that won’t blind your coworkers with their extravagance or kitsch aesthetic.
The golden rule that will always prevent you from going overboard is to remove one piece of jewelry before leaving the house in the morning. According to Business Insider, it’s always safer to wear either a necklace or a pair of earrings instead of both when you’re unsure of what the general vibe in your department is.
Fortunately, for less conservative places of work, you can sport an entire ensemble of decorations. As long as you keep it along the lines of one necklace, one bracelet or watch, a pair of earrings, and a ring, you will feel like a million dollars and look the part as well. However, if you choose one of them as a statement piece, always skip out on the other components.
Of course, this means that you will have to keep your outfit choice neutral. If you want to go for bold colors instead, tone down the jewelry. Excess is downright charming on a Friday night in the club, but it is completely inappropriate while you’re on the job. Let the individual elements of your aspect stand out on separate occasions.
PULL OUT THE PEARS FOR FORMAL EVENTS
Formal events are an opportunity to showcase your sophistication and chiseled sense of style, and naturally jewelry plays a huge role in this. This is the time for you to whip out your most expensive pieces and let them enhance the appearance of the gown you are wearing. If there’s one universal rule here, it’s that you can never go wrong with pearls.
Regardless of the dress code at the function, you cannot go wrong with a beautiful white pearl necklace that has a simple design and graceful features. In the words of one of the most revered style icons of the 1960s, Jacqueline “Jackie” Kennedy Onassis, “pearls are always appropriate”. Pair them with white or yellow gold accents depending on their color.
For a modern aesthetic, never pair a pearl necklace with matching pearl earrings, bracelets, or rings. Choose subdued pieces instead, and you will match the cut, fabric, color, and neckline of just about any elegant dress you decide to wear. Actually, if you want to consider one of these aspects, let it be the neckline.
How your dress is cut in the décolletage area will greatly influence how the piece fits in with your complete appearance. A Cinderella cut might look better with bolder jewels, but a plunging neckline will always be better suited for delicacy. It’s not mandatory to go for pearls either. When the ocean’s most precious gems aren’t your cup of tea, go for diamonds instead.
Another it girl of the 1960s once said that they are a girl’s best friend, and we all know who that was. We’re talking about the glamorous Marilyn Monroe, whose inextricable link to Jackie’s husband himself, former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, might have gained her some fame, but not as much as her impeccable sense of style.
The main takeaway here is that you will never go wrong with diamonds and pearls for a formal event. If you want to make a statement, choose a draping necklace that combines the two. However, if this is your main alternative, be prepared to spend some money on such a piece. After all, we’re talking about two of the world’s most expensive precious ornaments.
BLING YOURSELF UP FOR WEEKEND PARTIES
Weekend get-togethers and parties are the ideal occasion to go all out with your bling selection. Jewelry etiquette doesn’t dictate much else in this respect, but you should nevertheless be cautious not to exaggerate and overshadow your clothing or personality. Other than that, you are free to go wild with accessories.
This is the time to wear your big hoops, chandelier earrings, chunky hardware rings, stacked bracelets, or bulky and colorful necklaces. Still, you might not want to put all of these on simultaneously. To keep it high fashion, a good rule of thumb would be never put two statement pieces too close to each other.
For example, if you are rocking those large 80s hoops, don’t choose a heavy necklace. A quirky and colorful ring selection, however, is perfectly fine in this situation. Yet, it should never be paired with thick and dangly bracelets. These are just a few things to consider when putting together your party outfit.
What is more, if you are one to follow protocol, you have the chance to ditch it for this type of affair. Anything goes at a bash or club rave. You can mix your metals and gemstones, wear multiple rings at a time, play with color and sparkle, and much more. All you need is the inspiration and drive to be out of the ordinary.