Necklaces as 'third pieces' - YouLookFab Forum

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Necklaces as 'third pieces'

Helena

Veteran

Hi all,

Just reading a few articles about the "third piece" in outfit-creation. I think this is a step I am often missing and would like to focus on it a bit more. It seems the 'big three' of finisher pieces are cardigans, scarves (which I do love), and blazers, but there is also mention of necklaces as finishers.

Do you use necklaces as your third piece? What makes a necklace third-piece-worthy ... how big does it need to be, for example? It seems like a great option for those of us inclined to a more minimal look, as well as for hot weather.

Do you have any other third pieces you like to use, outside of 'the big three'?

For interest, two of the articles that got me thinking were this one and this one. Also I recently saw an episode of the Rachael Ray show where they had the whole audience wear a black t-shirt and I think jeans, and then they gave everyone a 'third piece' - it was amazing to see the transformation of the audience.

Dressing

26 replies

Latest reply was from rabbit

Aziraphale

Veteran

I'm not a big necklace-wearer because the metal tends to irritate the skin on my neck, but I can take a stab at what I think might make a necklace a good "third piece". I'd say a diamond solitaire on a fine gold chain certainly wouldn't do it. I would think the necklace would have to be relatively big. People don't notice jewellery unless it's big. Something that fills up the chest area above the neckline of your top would count, I think. It wouldn't have to be long -- just eye-catching.

How about a hat as a third piece?

Helena

Veteran

Great suggestions - I wondered about the long - I'm personally not a 'bib necklace' kinda girl; perhaps a substantial pendant or charm would be an option.

A hat is great idea for summer!

Kristin L

Veteran

I can see a necklace being the "third piece." It's funny, but the dress I'm thinking this would work with is the one I'm wearing now. It that has an empire waist and has a deeper v-neck. Throwing a necklace on it makes me feel more "complete." I'll use a necklace as the third piece for harder to style items like that, because I don't have a coat or cardigan that works with it. Give me a few minutes and I'll post what I mean.

Aziraphale

Veteran

I think a fairly large pendant on a substantial chain would count, too. I have one I used to wear a lot -- a round, smooth reddish-brown stone about the size of loonie (bigger than a US quarter, but not by a whole lot) hanging on a thick silver chain. It wasn't enormous, but people commented on it, which means it was eye-catching enough to be noticed, and thus could be a third piece.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Oh wait, you're from Toronto. You know what a loonie is.

fuzzylogic

Veteran

Oooh, nice question. I would describe my dressing style as quite minimal. Dress, shoes, earrings, handbag. That's four items right there!

I don't tend to use statement necklaces, although I love the look on others, as I am quite broad on top.

Do you have a look or a piece that you want to try, TG?

catgirl

Veteran

Yes. See my outfit with my new dress. I don't love scarves on my short neck or do complex multi-item outfits so a statement necklace is often my way of adding color, shine or texture.

Kristin L

Veteran

Here's what I was meaning. It's still a more dainty necklace, but I've learned that I can't wear the big statement pieces. I feel like they overwhelm me because I'm small boned.

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Helena

Veteran

Aziraphale - yes I do - we have one as our mayor Your pendant sounds like a great option.

fuzzylogic, I didn't have anything in mind - I was just browsing these articles last night and as well in comments and looking at the 'color' outfits I posted yesterday, I realized that the third piece was missing in a few cases. Of course I knew the Fabbers would have great insights and ideas!

As you ask though (thinking as I write), I did turn down the corner on this Michael Kors ad recently - although she has other pieces on, I thought even if you remove the other jewellery and bag, the necklace makes it look finished. I have a long Tiffany oval-link chain that I thought it might be worth investing in a decent-sized pendant for, as I wear a lot of simple crew-necks as in the ad. Seems like something you could throw on as an 'everyday' piece.

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Helena

Veteran

K, a daintier necklace with a v-neck is beautiful and ladylike.

alaskagirl, that is a terrific necklace!

I'm on the hunt, then ...

I feel like Carter has some great necklace finishers too, now that I think about it ... must do some snooping on other's WIWs

fuzzylogic

Veteran

Perhaps the bracelets are required for balance? A triad of pendant, bracelets and belt?

fuzzylogic

Veteran

K- you are right, the fine gauge necklace does complete the look!

catgirl

Veteran

For cheap statement necklaces Forever 21 can't be beat... Then you can upgrade when you figure out what you like.

unfrumped

Veteran

I use necklaces since I often want something with the lab coat. For that ii does not have to be statement-y, but would be neckline specific. So that's more like accessorizing than 3rd- piecing, but still speaks to completing.
I think a lot just depends on the top. While something more substatial does have more presence, remember it can be hard for jewelry to function as disagree photo- shoot worthy and normal close-up everyday wear- and you want it to look tasteful. So sometimes think of smaller items as adding a bit of interest and polish and not expect it to " speak" the same way a blazer could.

Helena

Veteran

Great tip Alaskagirl - I haven't been in ages, but I think a trip is in order.

unfrumped, great point - there's different levels, almost - and a line between third piece vs. accessory. I guess making the outfit looked 'finished' is more my concern ... I'll have to play with it.

fuzzylogic, I couldn't resist testing your theory - I did the outfit to 3 levels - just a belt, adding the pendant (don't look to closely - it's an earring hanging off my chain!) and then adding extra bling (bracelets and a few rings). Photos are terrible (sorry) but I think the result is interesting - definitely takes the outfit from 'fine for hanging out at home' to 'cute for a casual evening out'. The power of accessories ... and more for me to learn ...

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MuseumGal

Veteran

I definitely sometimes use a necklace as my 3rd piece. And when it gets really hot and even a necklace is too much and all I can bear to put on my body is a lightweight shift - my earrings become my statement piece.

carter

Veteran

You know I love necklaces! I like them big and chunky. I especially like them with V-neck sweaters and button-up shirts. I used to use them exclusively as the third piece, but I'm starting to realize that anything eye-catching can play that role...patterns, great belts, shoes, handbags.

Bonus pics of my necklace wall. Just ordered something to dress it up a bit and make room for the bangle bracelets I'm now collecting. New photos when it's installed in a couple weeks:-)

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Anonymous

I wear a necklace almost everyday, I buy them from Reitmans, the Bay and Ricki's for the most part. (Not in that order)

I wear pretty plain classics so I think the right piece makes me look more modern and adds a little punch, they are kind of my trademark

Neel

Veteran

I use necklace/earrings as the third piece. I live in an extremely hot climate and sometimes even those are a pain to put on! So I rely heavily on my shoes and bags to amp up my outfits.

And if you are accessories shopping then a very big yay from me too for forever 21. I bought 3 statement necklaces from there the past week

Catnip

Veteran

I often use a necklace as the third piece, even though I don't usually wear much jewelry. Of course the necklace has to be large enough to be noticeable. I especially like necklaces in the summer because wearing one is not nearly as hot as wearing a jacket or scarf.

Carter, that necklace wall is amazing!

fuzzylogic

Veteran

Wow! You've got an outfit with a basic long sleeved tee right there, TG! Don't forget your watch as an extra element to balance (with or without the bracelets)!

Oh, carter that necklace wall is so pretty! You are a freak after my own heart!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oooh! I love your experiment!! My fave is #2. But your outfit is terrific even without the necklace.

I almost never wear necklaces. I like them on others, and agree they can be a great finishing piece. But I'm just not much for jewellery on myself. Except for small earrings and a cuff or watch.

For me, the third piece is often just that -- a cuff bracelet -- or else it's a belt. I do scarves, too, but less so than I used to. I would rather not rely on them at all; but I need them for warmth so I might as well make a virtue of it.

I do have one pendant that I wear occasionally. I have chains in two lengths that it can hang on, plus a leather strap.

Isabel

Veteran

I have never thought of it that way, but it is brilliant.

I LOVE accessories. For this summer I bought a couple of fabric necklaces from etsy. This one is origami fabric :

http://www.etsy.com/listing/95.....p-header-0

I have two in fabric that I love so I got 3 more. If it is going to count, for me, as a completer peice, I don't want it to be a single dainty piece. I also love layering necklaces. And thank for the articles.

Helena

Veteran

Some great ideas here; never thought of earrings but that would be another great hot-weather idea. Carter, terrific necklace wall and collection! Suz and fuzzylogic, thanks for the feedback on the outfit experiment - I keep being reminded of the power of small tweaks. Isabel, that is a BEAUTIFUL necklace - love Etsy.

DonnaF

Veteran

FWIW, I like sleeveless vests as a third piece. I think Angie calls them gillets. I use my sleeveless utility vest to dress down dressier outfits or with my jeans. Since Triple Points at Nordstrom ends in a few hours, I just ordered a couple vests that are like blazers with the sleeves cut off. Una wore one of them in a K/R recently. We are very different body types. . .

rabbit

Veteran

When I do a third piece for me it's usually larger earrings. I have a preference for geometric silver ones, and some that dangle. I don't think I have many crew necks, and often like to leave the neckline unadorned if it has an interesting shape on it's own, but add a little something with larger statement earrings.