Fashion has greatly evolved in its perception of what’s in and out, what’s fabulous, and what’s a faux pas. So-called fashion rules are bent, changed, or challenged every few seasons, save for a few fundamentals that remain steadfast. For less adventurous spirits, the rule “less is more” is ever trustworthy. But for those who seek to turn heads and leave an impression, unique jewelry is the way to go.
Accessories are a tried-and-tested and effortless way to push a look in a certain direction. Need to elevate a plain t-shirt and jeans combo? Bring out the metallics and gemstones. Want to express your wanderlust? Don some leather drawstring bracelets and feathers.
There are endless ways to make a statement with jewelry, but the key is knowing how to put them together without looking like a glamorous hurricane. To help you get started on mixing and matching your unique jewelry, check out the tips below.
How to Effortlessly Combine Unique Jewelry Pieces
1. Wearing mixed metals
There was a time when wearing different metals simultaneously was a big fashion no-no. But that has long since passed and combining metals is not only acceptable but also considered chic. There are no hard and fast rules to this, but here are a few tips to help you out.
Balance the portions of your metal jewelry. An equal number of layered gold and silver rings will appear sophisticated and intentional, while a single silver ring paired with multiple gold bracelets may look jarring. If you have difficulty figuring out which metals go well together, one dark metal plus one lighter metal is a fail-safe combo. A stainless-steel bracelet can complement a rose gold cuff. A yellow gold necklace can be layered with sterling silver or white gold chains.
Think of striking a balance, and you can’t go wrong.
2. Layering different materials
Different jewelry material types entail contrasting colors, textures, shapes, and designs. Feel free to experiment with what you feel goes well together, what complements your personality, and what is appropriate for the occasion. Each type of jewelry material exudes a certain attitude that can either be supplemented or subdued by pairing with contrasting materials.
Soften the edge of a slim leather cuff by stacking it with natural stone bracelets for an evened-out look.
Or layer a sterling silver necklace with longer rainbow-hued necklaces for a whimsical, carefree feel.
When layering your accessories, first consider where you intend to stack them. This will be the focal point of your jewelry so balance it out by wearing less in neighboring areas. If you’ll be wearing several slim necklaces, go for stud earrings or none at all. If you’re stacking rings, wear minimal wrist accessories or stack them on the wrist opposite your watch or bracelets.
3. Match and separate statement pieces
Everyone loves a memorable head-turning piece. It’s always good to have a few in your collection to add an extra oomph to even the most basic of outfits. But if you decide to wear two or more statement pieces simultaneously, wear them in separate areas to avoid clashing or overpowering each other. Try to match pieces of similar colors or themes so that your overall look will still appear connected and cohesive.
You can wear a striking gold lion bracelet on one wrist, complemented by a gold necklace to spice up a smart-casual outfit.
Or if you go for an accessory with a standout color, like this green aventurine necklace, pair it with bracelets or rings in a similar shade of green or complementing colors like black and silver.
3 Rules of Thumb for Accessorizing
There are endless ways you can mix and match your jewelry. But no matter what you decide to pair up, you can’t go wrong by keeping a few simple things in mind:
- Know your focal point: There are four common jewelry regions – the neck, wrists, fingers, and ears. Choose one area to highlight; this is where you will wear your centerpiece jewelry. If you want to have more than one focal point, keep them far apart (for example, the neck and wrist, or fingers and ears) to avoid looking cluttered.
- Play with different sizes: Statement jewelry is typically large and eye-catching, so you should aim to pair it with thinner, more subtle pieces so they won’t clash.
- Stick to a theme: The vibe and tone of each piece of jewelry will depend on its color, material, texture, and overall design. For example, a minimalistic pendant necklace is appropriate for a smart-casual outfit while a sterling silver elephant necklace is more playful and suitable for casual wear. After considering the tone of each piece, you have the option to either match similar themes (like layering natural stone bracelets for a boho look) or mix contrasting themes (like pairing a Cuban chain with pearls).
Above all else, how you mix and match your jewelry should reflect your own personal style and preferences. Does it make you feel good? Confident? Beautiful? Then you’re on the right track. When it comes to fashion, don’t be afraid to make your own rules and experiment with new looks.
For handmade jewelry created with intention, build your style with Himalaya Jewelry’s collections today.