How to Wear Statement Jewelry and Accessories They call it statement jewelry for a reason. It’s supposed to say something daring or interesting. It’s a proclamation. A declaration. Of course, what you want to announce to the world is up to you. Defiance? Elegance? Comfort? Audaciousness? The possibilities are endless, but the principle is clear: Statement jewelry acts as a joyous expression of your own individual style and spirit. Whether you accessorize with a long graceful necklace, an elaborate gemstone ring, or a wrist full of cuff bracelets, carefully selected pieces of jewelry can add life and character to any outfit. Since choosing wisely can be daunting, we’ve laid out a few general tips for those looking to spice up their look with the perfect accessory or two. Be Simple. Common wisdom has it that simplicity is the soul of sophistication. That’s as true of accessories as it is of anything else. If you are going to add statement jewelry to your ensemble, be sure that ensemble is relatively plain, or at least uncluttered. The power of solids – A bold piece of jewelry combined with a simple, solid-colored dress communicates stylish grace. In fact, block colors are a good choice all around. Loud colors and elaborate patterns draw the eye away from the accessory you’re trying to display. Whether you’re wearing a maxi or a tee, a one-colored piece lets the jewelry do the talking. From your head down to your feet – The rule of simplicity applies no matter what type of accessory you decide to wear. A clean neckline, for example, leaves plenty of space for a dazzling necklace. Unless you’re going for a particular look, collars and halter necks can create chaos where a V-necked or scoop necked shirt creates balance. Cleanliness is next to happiness – The same is true of your ears or hands. Neon pink or glitter nail polish, for example, can distract from the elegance of a brilliant ring. So can dirty fingernails, so make sure you’re nice and groomed if you’re going to adorn your fingers. Be Bold. Statements can be bold, and statement jewelry is no exception. Sometimes it’s more appropriate to shout than to whisper, and nothing can shout for joy louder than a well-chosen accessory. The intrepid fashionista – Being bold means being fearless. Remember that rule about not wearing a statement necklace with a collar or crew neck? If you’re going for a more daring look, you might want to throw that rule out the window. Rules were meant to broken, after all, and you might just pull off an air of sophisticated chic by combining a statement necklace with a buttoned-up shirt.
Even more fearless – If that’s not audacious enough, you could also pair a bold necklace with an equally bold pattern, a bib necklace with a crew neck, or a statement ring with colored nail polish. If you’re being intentionally provocative, go ahead and chuck all the rules of simplicity out the window. Just make sure it’s intentional. Casual meets courtly – Another way to show spirit is to mix the casual and the sophisticated. If you want to spice up that everyday tee (or even that graphic tee), add a cardigan and an elegant necklace. Formal statement jewelry can also transform informal clothes such as overalls and denim shirts. Be Smart. It’s easy to go wrong with statement jewelry. While an intentionally bold look can be a smashing success, an unintentional gaff can earn a few disapproving headshakes. The rule of one – One piece of statement jewelry is usually enough. You don’t want different accessories competing for attention. Each piece of attire should play nice with all the others. If your necklace starts a fight with your earrings, put one in the corner. If your ring steals the limelight from your bracelets, send it back to the dressing room. The star of the show – If you stack many cuff bracelets on top of each other, make sure that one stands out. Pair one large or intricate piece with other smaller or simpler bracelets. If you’ve opted for dangly earrings, go for a sleek updo. That way your hair and accessories aren’t competing for space and attention. Make one piece the star of the show; everyone else is merely a supporting actor. Summary There are as many ways to wear statement jewelry as there are people to wear it. That’s the beauty of a great accessory: It is the ultimate expression of individuality. Whether you adorn yourself with a cuff bracelet or an alexandrite pendant, the key is to know precisely what look you want and precisely how to create it. A few simple guidelines can help you choose wisely. Company Bio Chris and Tamara Fondell started Alaska Jewelry’s Goldsmith Gallery in October of 1990 to service the local Sitka community. Alaska Jewelry continues to provide Sitka, and now the wider world, with one of the best selections of natural alexandrite jewelry, and the finest natural gold nugget jewelry and motion rings.