Start with how you live
Jewelry works best when it suits your daily routine as well as your outfit. If you type, cook or exercise often, large rings and dangling bracelets can be a nuisance. If you work around equipment, bare hands may be safer. Thinking about what you will actually wear helps you choose pieces that get regular use rather than staying in a drawer.
Necklaces and neckline
The neckline of the garment sets the stage for a necklace. The guide to neckline styles describes how shapes interact with clothing, but a few general pairings are common.
- Crew neck: a necklace that sits on top of the neckline or a longer chain that falls below it. Short chains right at the collarbone may crowd the edge of the garment.
- V-neck: a pendant or chain that echoes the V and points into it.
- Scoop or open neck: shorter necklaces, collars or chokers that sit within the open space.
- Collared shirts: a long pendant under the collar, or no necklace at all, depending on how many buttons are open.
- High necks and turtlenecks: long chains over the top, or earrings and rings instead.
Necklace length is usually described in terms of where it falls: a choker sits close to the neck, a collarbone length falls at the base of the neck, a princess length falls a bit lower, and longer chains reach the chest or beyond. Exact measurements vary between sellers, so check the listed length against a measurement on yourself.
Layering necklaces
Layering means wearing two or more necklaces together. A few ideas make it look tidy rather than tangled.
- Vary the length. A gap of roughly an inch or two between chains keeps them from lying on top of each other, though it depends on the thickness of the chains.
- Vary the weight. Combine a fine chain with a slightly heavier one or a pendant.
- Keep one focus. Choose one necklace with interest and let the others be simple.
- Match the metal or mix deliberately. Same-tone layers look cohesive, and a mix of silver and gold tones can look modern if it repeats.
- Avoid tangling. Use different clasp styles or small connectors, and put on the longest necklace first.
Three necklaces are a common maximum for a neat look, but there is no fixed rule.
Earrings
Earrings frame the face, and the choice often depends on the occasion and on how much else you are wearing.
- Studs are small, simple and good for daily wear. They pair with almost everything.
- Hoops range from tiny to large. Small hoops are subtle, and large hoops are bolder.
- Drops and danglers move as you move. They suit evenings and open necklines.
- Statement earrings are large or sculptural and take attention, so keep other jewelry simple.
If you wear your hair down, long earrings may be partly hidden, and studs or short drops may show better. If you have an updo, longer or more detailed earrings stand out. Scarves and hats can also cover earrings, so choose one focal point. The overview of accessorizing explains how to keep from competing pieces.
Rings and bracelets
Rings can be worn one at a time or stacked. A few thin bands on a finger make a delicate stack, and a single chunky ring is a statement. Mixing sizes, such as wearing a slim band next to a larger stone, gives variety. Consider comfort and spacing, so that rings do not cut into neighboring fingers. Fit can change with temperature and time of day, so try on with that in mind.
Bracelets and watches share the wrist. A watch with a thin bangle looks neat, and a stack of bangles benefits from a plain watch or none at all. If you type frequently, avoid heavy bracelets that can get in the way.
Matching metals
Traditionally, many people matched all metals, such as all gold-toned or all silver-toned. Mixing is now common and can look good if done with care.
- Repeat each metal at least twice, such as a silver necklace and silver ring with gold earrings and a gold watch.
- Use a piece that contains both metals as a bridge.
- Keep the shapes consistent when metals differ, for example all fine chains.
Skin tone is sometimes cited as a guide, with warmer undertones suiting gold and cooler undertones suiting silver, but this is a loose preference, not a rule. Wear the tones that you like. Hardware elsewhere in the outfit, like belt buckles and bag clasps, also matters. The notes on wearing belts discuss coordinating hardware.
Scale and balance
Choose the size of jewelry in relation to your clothing and body. Fine jewelry may vanish on a heavily textured or patterned top. Large pieces can overwhelm delicate fabrics. It helps to follow a few general ideas.
- A busy or bold outfit often calls for smaller, simpler jewelry.
- A plain outfit leaves room for something larger or more sculptural.
- Spread jewelry across the body, such as earrings and rings together, rather than clustering it in one spot.
- Avoid wearing a large pair of earrings with a chunky necklace unless the combination is deliberate.
Texture can add interest. Outfit texture is a quiet way to get variety, and jewelry with a hammered, polished or beaded surface does something similar.
Materials and skin
Jewelry is made of solid metals, plated metals, base metals, glass, stone, pearls, resin, wood and many other materials. Some people have skin reactions to certain metals, especially nickel. If you notice irritation, consider different materials and speak to a healthcare professional if it persists. Plated pieces can wear down over time, and keeping jewelry dry and away from perfumes and lotions helps them last.
Care and storage
Store jewelry separately to avoid scratches and tangles, and in a dry place. Clean it as the maker recommends, usually with a soft cloth and mild soap for simple pieces, but pearls, soft stones and special finishes need gentler care. Put jewelry on after clothes and hair products and take it off before washing or swimming. Thinking about cost per wear can help you decide which pieces are worth investing in, since a well-chosen everyday piece may be worn constantly.