Choosing Jewelry Redux

At intervals this month, I am updating some previous posts on commonly asked questions because wardrobe and style are often the subject of New Year’s resolutions, and we are at that resolution cliff! It’s drop off time, so I thought I’d share some style tips to help keep you inspired!

Happy day, dear reader!

How are you doing today? I’m recovering from the weekend’s adventures in Atlanta. I had such a fabulous time (at the Midlife Influencers Summit hosted by Robin LaMonte and Nina Bandoni) meeting other midlife women who are reinventing themselves and the world around them! Full disclosure: I am really reaching for the segue here… Have you noticed how the accessories you choose can totally reninvent an outift? Or are you an accessories maven who can’t get enough? Maybe you’re a regular accessorizer, but feel uninspired? Do accessories stump you, and leave you feeling like everyone else knows a secret and isn’t telling? I find this happens to a lot of women, and it’s a pity because accessories are one of the easiest and fastest ways to make a change to your wardrobe, and update your look. Read on for some jewelry basics.

One reason I love accessories is that they can change a look in just a few seconds, and are a great way to play with your style, or try on a new personality. If it’s time to let out part of your personality that normally doesn’t see the light of day, fashion jewelry is a great way to go! Now, if you are a woman who wears only fine jewelry and genuine stones, this kind of play may not be for you. The expense of your preferences makes experimentation less likely, but I would still encourage you to try out some fashion pieces to build a travel jewelry capsule. Taking your heirloom pieces on a cruise, or to the beach may not be good for your peace of mind, or your pocketbook.

What you choose should…

1. Reflect YOUR Personality!

As with all fashion items, your personality should be the main driver for what you buy and wear. What is popular at the moment, or will be next year, shouldn’t be of much concern, unless your purpose is to update your look. If you have a very feminine and relaxed/natural personality, biker bling and skulls are probably not for you. Likewise, the rebel is unlikely to feel called to wear a delicate pearl drop on a fine chain, no matter how “in fashion” it may be. Jewelry is very personal as it is often worn right next to the skin, so if a piece doesn’t reflect an aspect of your personality, it’s likely to stay in your bauble box.

If you are just starting out on your accessories journey, there are a few pieces I look for in a woman’s wardrobe during a styling session. There are not must-have’s like you find on other lists; I don’t believe in must-haves, but these are items I frequently reach for to up a look’s style quotient. The three things I look for first are a Short Colored Necklace, a Long Necklace (usually neutral) and a pair of Statement Earrings. (No need to panic! They’re not usually styled together!)

2. Reflect YOUR Refinement Level!

Many clothing items are wearable across levels of refinement. We see jeans everywhere from hiking trails to the office on Casual Friday, but it’s what you wear with it that makes those jeans fit in either environment. The accessories we wear can tell the world what our level of refinement is for the day. The single strand pearl bracelet above with the leather lacing is far more casual than the the triple pearl necklace. In the watches illustration below, you can see how the sparkly evening watch would look out of place on the hiking trail, and the red silicone might be worn to the office, but may not have enough gravitas to keep your jeans looking professional. The leopard band women’s watch is deceptive. The gold finish and leopard band look more Level 2, but the cat ears and kitty collar bling give it a more juvenile feel. More juvenile = less refined!

3. Reflect your coloring.

Silver or Gold? What about Rose Gold?

What is your personal coloring like? Do you look better in silver or gold? Cool colors or warm colors? An outfit of warm tones will look more harmonious with warm toned jewelry. One afternoon, I watched a bride-to-be shop for a pearl necklace to wear with her wedding dress. The bright white pearls were too cool for her warm coloring; they didn’t look right on her. The coloring disconnect make them look cheap, and believe you me, they were quite the opposite! The ivory toned pearls were lovely with her warm skin and honey hair. She was struggling, because the ivory pearls would look “funny” with her white gown. Lesson for brides: Please, buy the dress that makes your skin look amazing! Not just the bright white because that’s what you (or mom) think that a bride should wear! (If you want more information about shopping for a wedding dress, check this out!)

Is your personal color contrast low, or high? Colored jewelry is a great way to add extra color to your outfits. If you are a lower color contrast woman, colored jewelry may work better with clothing in a similar shade, or with neutrals for balance.

Another color aspect to consider is the colors already in your wardrobe. Do you have a defined color palette? Do you own more neutrals or colors? Are most of your tops colored? If so, you may want to focus on finding metallic and/or neutral toned jewelry. On the other hand, if most of your tops are neutral, colored jewelry is a fabulous way to bring attention to your face where it belongs! I find that I wear more neutral colored tops in the hot and humid summer weather because neutrals “feel” cooler to me than colors; I try to remember to bring out my colored jewelry for summer. Other people wear more neutrals in the winter, so should look for colored pieces to bring some brightness to those grey winter days.

Are you a jewelry lover, or does it never make it onto your body? Do you have a favorite piece of jewelry? Is it sentimental, or just something fun that makes you happy? Please share in the comments below… As always, I love to hear from you!

Stylishly yours,

Profuse thanks to Gail at Is This Mutton? for the link up, the feature, AND the shout out! You are most generous!