Mixing Metals: 3 Tips for Effortless Cool

Style Myth Busted!

Happy day, reader dearest!

I would have thought we would have gotten past the Don’t-Mix-Metals thing by now, but this style myth keeps rearing it’s ugly head. Why?

Sometimes one particular metal is having a moment. One year or season it’s silver and another it’s gold. Then rose gold. Shall I even bring hematite into the mix? When a metal is the flavor of the season, we see it everywhere. That ubiquity can make us think we can’t mix it up. But what’s a girl to do when her favorite metal and the trend are at odds?

Well… To be blunt. Punt the trend. Wear what you love and what makes you look UH-MA-ZING! That said, there are times we like a trend even when it’s not our best look; we just want to play and have fun. That’s okay, too. Style should be fun!

Yes, it is easiest to stick to one metal when you are wearing jewelry, but let’s live in the real world. Jewelry is complicated. Most of us have a mix of metals in our jewelry boxes. Some we have purchased ourselves. Other pieces have been gifts we love and want to keep. (If you don’t love it, don’t keep it. It’s okay. Ditching the gift is NOT ditching the giver. (You can Pin that! I’ll post it below…)

Speaking of the real world, I’ve yet to meet a woman with multiple sets of wedding rings to keep her jewelry color coordinated. If you have, please let me know! I MUST meet her!

Now that we’ve determinined that mixing metals IS allowed AND that most of us will do so at some point or another, let’s dive into three tips for making that mix REALLY work!

Special Note About: Glasses

Often the metals mixing question comes into play when talking about glasses. Specs can be pricey, and if you choose a metallic frame, I recommend buying the most flattering metal and finish for your skin tone. If glasses and jewelry is something you need to know more about, here’s a post about balancing jewelry and glasses.

Tip 1: Think In Thirds

If you are mixing two metals, say silver and gold, keep the proportions in thirds. By that I mean 2/3 of one metal and 1/3 of the the other. Super Smart Tip: Wear the 2/3 in the metal that works best for your complexion!

This 1/3, 2/3 game isn’t all about numbers. Weight factors in as well! A thick heavy silver chain worn with two dainty gold chains is going to have more visual weight. You need to play around with the numbers and weights.

Tip 2: Combination Pieces

A piece that combines your metals is a great way to create a natural connection between the metals you are mixing. Another way to do this is by mixing silver and gold charms on a chain. Again, think in thirds! I have an amber pendant (above) that is set in silver that creates a gold and silver mix and ties together the silver and gold charms piled on with it. I also have a silver plated pendant (below) that is worn down to the base metal that I wear on a silver chain to create connection.

Tip 3: Common Shapes & Textures

To help create a more cohesive look and minimize the clash potential, choose pieces with common shapes and textures. Again think in thirds. Wearing pearls with your mix? Then add a bead or rolo chain to mimic the rounded pearls. Wearing a big box chain? Choose the straight lines of a paper clip chain to look harmonious. You don’t need every element in common; that gets super matchy! You just need a nod and a wink to connect them…

Mixing Metals Isn’t For Everybody!

It’s about YOUR personality. If mixing metals feels not right or like a violation of your style rules, chances are that your personality style prefers matching. And that’s perfect. For YOU! My mother would never mix metals… Not only is style a personality thing, it’s also a generational thing. Mama swears: No gold shoes for daytime.

How About YOU?

Are you a metal mixer or does it make you feel uncomfortable? What’s your best metal? Do you know? What’s your favorite metal to wear? Or do you eschew jewelry althogether? If you are married, what color is your wedding ring or set. Mine’s mixed. But would you expect anything less? To what style “rules” about jewelry do you hold? Please let me know… I LOVE to hear from you! XO

Stylishly yours,