Jewelry is such an easy way to add a little sparkle, creativity, and individuality to any outfit. Even a basic gray tee shirt, jean cutoffs, and sneakers can look put-together and cool with the right jewelry.
While accessorizing with jewelry can be fun, it can also be daunting to know where to start if you’re a beginner. Or, if you’re a pro, you might find yourself in an uninspired fashion rut. Do you rotate through the same three pairs of earrings day after day? Have you forgotten to wear bracelets completely? Is your jewelry lying in a tangled mess in a drawer somewhere?
Luckily, it’s easy to change up your jewelry-wearing habits and get excited about accessorizing again. Whether you want to buy something new and totally different from your usual style or you’re simply looking for inspiration on how to wear your older jewelry in a different way, here are a few fresh jewelry-wearing ideas that might catch your fancy.
4 ways to elevate your jewelry game
1. Layer necklaces and bracelets
You probably layer your clothes all the time, especially during those times of year when the weather ranges from warm in the sunshine to downright chilly when you’re in the shade. Why not layer your jewelry, too?
Layering your accessories is an easy way to add depth and interest to any outfit, but it works particularly well when amplifying a subdued look. We’re talking about a plain white tee and heaps of dainty gold necklaces of different lengths for an on-trend look. Or, you could try pairing a pendant with a simpler chain or choker. (This would look great with your favorite LBD!) or a simple black dress with a long pendant plus a few silver chains.
Bracelets are also fun to layer, and doing so really adds a little something special to your outfits. Layers of gold or silver bangles mixed with thinner bracelets is a great look, especially with a simple sundress in the summer. Mixing woven leather or cloth bracelets with metal ones looks artsy and adds visual, textural interest.
Keep in mind, however, that if you’re going with a statement accessory, it’s best to just wear one at a time so that you don’t detract from or totally overwhelm your outfit. The most important tip for layering? Dimension. You wouldn’t want to wear three t-shirts at a time just like how you wouldn’t want to wear three 16-inch necklaces at once. Shake things up with different shapes, sizes, and materials to create a stunning look.
2. Wear a necklace over your high-necked shirt
This is a great technique for looking put-together on those cold winter days where you just want to slink into your turtleneck and never come out! It also works in the summer when you might want to wear a lightweight, long-sleeved button-up with shorts, or a high-necked, dressy tank.
It adds just the right amount of sparkle, so even if you’ve slipped into something cozy and comfortable, you can still look like you’ve spent hours putting together an outfit.
You can easily wear a pendant with a high-necked sweater, tucking the chain around the back and letting it hang in front. Try wearing a statement necklace that matches the color of your high-necked blouse. If you’re wearing a blue shirt, go with a necklace with stones of a slightly different blue. If you’re wearing a shirt with a collar, you might try wearing a short necklace under the collar, letting it peek out from the front.
3. Don’t match your jewelry
Usually, when you wear a necklace, you tend to reach for a pair of earrings or a bracelet that came with it so that all your jewelry items match. However, it’s a lot more fun and eye-catching to wear things that aren’t part of a set. For example, if you’re wearing a necklace with red stones in a flowery pattern, you could throw on a pair of simple gold chandelier earrings to go with it. You could also combine a chain necklace with a geometric bracelet.
This is a technique you can try with your clothes as well by mixing up the patterns and colors in unique ways. Just try to make sure that there is a theme as well as complementary colors running through your outfit, so that the various elements don’t clash too much.
4. Stack your rings
Rings are the perfect way to amp up an outfit, and stacking your rings takes it to a whole new level. Because rings are a simple addition, hopefully you’ll find them easy to begin incorporating into your go-to looks.
First things first: rings aren’t only for ring fingers. Thumb rings, pinky rings, you name it. It’s all fair game.
To take things a step further, consider stacking your rings. Much like layering necklaces or bracelets, stacking rings adds visual interest. Start with a simple metal band and then add something with texture. Do this on a few fingers, and you’ve got a sophisticated look that is both classy and captivating.
Are you ready to think outside the jewelry box?
What are your favorite jewelry trends for today? Let us know in the comments. Need something new to spice up your jewelry collection? Browse our boutique collections online and take advantage of our mix-and-match discounts to find your new favorite pieces for every style!