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Jewellery Essentials?

Abi

(My first post here! Hi!)

I'm on the hunt for a more capsule style wardrobe as my normal style tends to be a bit of everything and hard to pull together, but I'm a bit lost when it comes to accessories, especially jewellery. I know with clothes there are agreed basics but does such a thing exist with jewellery? What things do you consider essenital to your favourite looks?

Shopping

17 replies

Latest reply was from Kate

JennyAnne

(website)

Veteran

I'm sure it depends on your personal style and what looks great with your favorite style lines and shapes. Personally, I have a lot of different earrings, and that's where I have fun. For necklaces and bracelets, I have a few favorites that I wear a lot. The necklaces are mostly short since I can't stand to have them swinging around. Can you tell us more about what type of clothes you like to wear?

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Oh wow, I guess it's time for you to play and have fun, because this is something I think changes over time and evolves along with overall style!

What is essential? To me, my wedding and engagement rings, and almost always my watch, and always at least stud earrings, and a ring on my right hand. I love bold rings, so that is one of my signature looks. If I forget and leave the house without a ring on my right hand, I feel naked. Likewise with the stud earrings.

Everything else varies. If I wear a bold necklace, I stick to just my basic stud earrings, and if I wear bold earrings, I leave off the necklace. Sometimes an outfit will need a little extra accent so I'll throw on a bracelet. But I never wear all at the same time anymore.

Welcome to the forum!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Welcome! You've asked a good question.

As JennyAnne says, the answer will depend entirely on your overall style, the way you wear your hair, and your preferences. Some people never wear any jewellery at all and look fab! Others wear it all the time and play with it constantly. And even two women with somewhat similar characteristics might make different style choices. For example:

Angie has short hair and a long neck. Her signature accessories are a good-sized watch and chunky pearls. So you could say necklaces are a big part of her style.

Well, I ALSO have short hair and a long neck. But I rarely wear necklaces. Instead, I favour earrings.

The difference? Her glasses are ALSO a part of her signature, and glasses can really compete with earrings. When I am wearing my glasses, I tend to stick with simple stud earrings and possibly add a necklace or a scarf.

Posting outfits and asking questions about specific ones will probably send you in the right direction faster than anything!

Kappy

Veteran

Great advice from Janet and Suz. I just wanted to say "Welcome". Post some pics for more specific suggestions.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I don't believe in essentials- with clothing or jewelry. Everyone's needs/preferences/styles are unique and something that they need to figure out on their own.

Irene

(website)

I am strongly against the essentials. Jewelry is a matter of love, you should wear whatever you like. The only thing you need (if you need) is diversity. Different stone color, different metals, different styles. Even the inexpensive jewelry, like fake or costume jewelry, can transform the outfit.
For me I bought brooches and necklaces of all my favorite and most wearable colors, both in white and yellow metal, plus pearls in different sizes, both real and faux.

mamaKate

Veteran

Welcome! Selection of jewelry is very personal, just like style in general. I say your jewelry should reflect you.

I look for jewelry that complements my angular face and hairstyle and my bold, forthright personality. I gravitate toward bigness. Colorful, big-beaded necklaces, chunky bracelets. I don't wear specs or have pierced ears.

My (large-and-in-charge) ex mother-in-law once told me a piece of advice that I will remember forever: Big jewelry for all women because small jewelry makes small women look smaller and big women look bigger!

Kate

Veteran

I agree that it's highly personalized, but I think that there are some things you can consider and play around with to help determine your capsule:

- Are there any specific items that you wear daily? You probably don't need duplicates in a capsule. I wear the same watch and bracelet every day, so I don't have any other watches or bracelets.
- Do you wear glasses? Angie does, and so she tends to avoid earrings and wear scarves instead. If you do wear glasses and like earrings, I think sticking so smaller, simpler earrings can help.
- Do you wear a lot of scarves? If you do, all year long, then you probably don't need many necklaces. If you do in the winter, but not in the summer, look for a necklace that can fill that scarf void during the warmer months.
- Are there some types of jewelry that don't feel natural on you? If so, don't fight it. I've wasted a lot of money and energy trying to get myself to wear rings. They just don't feel right on me, so I finally stopped trying, and now I don't own any rings. I'll probably have to get over this when/if I get married, but I doubt I'll try to adorn my other fingers with rings, ever.
- Decide on a level of jewelry. Do you want to have one big statement item? Several little pretty things? Tons of bling? Decide what fits you and your clothes best, and cultivate that capsule. I stick to several simple things: same watch and bracelet daily, plus simple (usually stud) earrings. On days when I want statement jewelry, I go for statement necklaces, may leave the earrings at home, and make sure I'm not wearing any attention grabbing clothes. If you're playing around with clothes, perhaps you don't need your jewelry to make a statement.

I'm including pictures to give you an idea of what works for me. What works for you will probably be quite different, but hopefully the visuals will help you understand what I've been talking about. 1+2 = wear daily, 3-8 = my most worn earrings, 9+10 = statement necklaces.

This post has 10 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

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Janet

(website)

Veteran

MamaKate, I'm lauging at your ex-mil's quote!

My jewelry has gotten bigger and bolder over the years. When I try to wear something dainty now, it just feels like it gets lost on me.

Anonymous

Do experiment a little with cheaper costume jewelery , that's my advice. For example I wear glasses every day, and still ad statement earrings, especially dangling ones ( delicate and chunky). It's a matter of preference. Also I can not wear necklaces anymore ( I have a tiny but mighty mole and my dermatologist said it would be better to keep chains of my neck ) only pearls.
I have few bracelets, a few bangles, a wooden cuff and brass cuff. I wear them sparingly because I find them uncomfortable as I type. ( I use leather bracelets for work).

Sylvie

Veteran

Jewelry is a very personal thing and everyone has different tastes. The two pieces I can think of that appeal to many women with varying styles are silver hoop earrings and a pearls by the yard necklace. Both are easy to dress up and dress down.

Seconding Anya's suggestion to experiment with costume jewelry first.

ironkurtin

Veteran

I agree that jewelry is personal - but I do think there are some workhorse jewelry categories that you'll be sad if you don't have.

If your ears are pierced, earrings:
At least one pair suitable for weddings and events and job interviews; these are the conservative ones like small studs, dainty hoops, or ladylike pearl dangles. Once you have these, you can have fun with the rest!

Necklace:
For wearing with collared button-downs, something that rests in the sweet spot between your collarbones and your cleavage (high or low in that area is up to you). It can be big or small or interesting or precious, but it should make you feel wonderful.

Rings:
They should be comfortable and not get in the way. For example, I have a big cocktail ring that I love, that always swings around on my hand so it's between my finger and my palm. Makes it very hard to type. Or to hold a drink. Useful cocktail ring, huh?

Bracelets:
If you type or use your hands, choose ones that don't get in the way, clink a lot (if coworkers can hear you), or hit the keyboard or table.

Very important with jewelry is not picking items that will get hooked or snagged onto knits. If your earrings, necklaces, rings etc. damage your tops when you pull it on or off, prick your hose, or get tangled in your hair (yes, it happens) it will make your day a lot less fun.

Anyway, that's what I think!

Abi

Thanks for all the advice. I shall go on the hunt for some cheap peices as you suggest and those that work I can always upgrade later. Because I'm trying to do a capsule most of the clothes in it are simple and classic with a hint of details but not too much in sort of dusky earty pastel colours. Eventually i'm sure i'll get round to posing some pictures but all your fantasic advice is great to be doing some shopping over the weekend! Thanks!

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I have a ton of jewelry, both costume and fine jewelry. I have gone through phases where I wear many layered necklaces combined with rings combined with a bracelet or two stacked on my arm. Now I am simplifying. I wear a watch and one other piece of jewelry, usually a pendant or necklace. I have two watches, one silver one gold (both of them have dark brown leather bands, I don't like the way metal feels).

I really like having the two watches, so that would be my advice to add to this thread. Have a watch that you can wear with gold jewelry, belt buckles, buttons etc. And have one that goes with silver accents and accessories.

Abi

Wow Kate. Special thank you for you for all those pictures. I love the earings and I'm checking ot the website as I type. We obviously have identical taste in jewellery because I LOVE all of those! A lot of you asked some good questions about my style which I'm currently in the process of figuring out so I'll have to get back to you on those. As I said, will probably get your input on some specific outfits when I complete my wardrobe but I really appreciate all the amazing advice!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The gals have offered super advice! Welcome to the forum.

I have stripped down my minimalistic style to virtually no jewelry. I wear the odd pearl necklace and vintage pendant and that's it. I am not interested in wearing anything else. That being said, I always wear specs, huge watch, wedding ring and handbag.

Kate

Veteran

Abi, I'm glad you like them! All but #1 and #9 are from etsy (#1 is a rose gold watch from fossil, and #9 is from South Africa). #4-8 were all $10 or less.

Here are the links to the various etsy shops they're from:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/botny
http://www.etsy.com/shop/VerreEncore
http://www.etsy.com/shop/3dots
http://www.etsy.com/shop/sweetVintage
http://www.etsy.com/shop/floatytoes