Jewelry rules

BlondeAmbition

I've noticed that I do not wear earrings when I wear a necklace and vice versa. I'm wondering if it's ok to wear them both without looking overly bedazzled but I can't figure out how. Would anyone care to share some tasteful examples of combining both necklace and earrings without looking garrish?

9 years ago

Dressing

11 replies

Latest reply was from UmmLila (Lisa)

El Cee

Veteran

I often wear both... but when I wear a necklace that is more of a statement piece, I opt for dainty hoops or small button earrings.

9 years ago

viva

Veteran

I don't have any pictures to share but I will say I am VERY careful about this myself. To start, I always wear earrings, so there is always something in the holes.

If I am going to wear any necklace at all, my earrings are small (studs) or light (so very light geometric hoops, for example). The more pronounced the necklace, the smaller the earring. If I want to wear a statement earring (longer or dangling, or a REAL statement like a chandelier), I usually leave the necklace off altogether.

But I have a rather small head/face and short hair, so I might be more sensitive than others to having too much bling on.

9 years ago

Column

Veteran

Another way to go with this, in addition to the proportion concerns mentioned above, is to make sure the earrings/necklace combo is mismatched--i.e., not a set. The matching comes in the metal, or stone, or other color repeat. For example, I have a very geometric silver collar neclace onto which I can slide either a blue or red pendant. While it's close to the neck and fairly statement-y, I have paired it with airy, dangly hoops, or hammered Navajo drops. I like the juxtaposition--but then, I have a pretty thick head of shoulder-length hair that camoflauges even the biggest of earrings. And I don't mind boho touches in accessories.

9 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

What Viva said except I have a big head and short hair!

9 years ago

Penny

Veteran

Along the same lines, I like for my earrings to be coordinating accents when I wear a necklace, echoing the piece. For example, I have silver studs that have an abstract teardrop knot that work well with a sculptural silver necklace, and cluster CZ studs that work well with a pearl-and-CZ statement necklace. As I always wear earrings and rarely wear necklaces, I usually think about whether a new necklace coordinates with my earrings before a purchase.

9 years ago

Susie

Veteran

Years ago I wore both, probably without even really thinking about it. Now I rarely wear both at the same time. And if I wear my specs, then I don't wear earrings. I've just become more minimal in a lot of ways I guess.

I do think a small earring like a stud can certainly work well with necklaces.

9 years ago

Aziraphale

Veteran

I don't have any pictures to share, but I think a necklace and earrings can be worn at the same time provided that only one or the other is a "statement". So, if you're wearing gigantic bedazzled chandeliers, maybe leave off the necklace.

Come to think of it, I wear a necklace and earrings quite a lot, because I never take my earrings out. I have a cluster of small hoops in each ear, and I feel like they're an extension of my body. I wear a necklace some days and because the earrings are small, it doesn't interfere. Mind you, I've got wild wavy/curly hair that's cut in a sort of layered bob, so it often covers my ears.

Also, I don't wear glasses. Do you? That might change the equation, because I feel like most glasses (except perhaps the rimless ones) count as jewellery.

9 years ago

Barbara Diane

Veteran

I wear earrings and necklaces together most every day. I tend to consider one the focus and one the supporting act, so I usually pick whichever I want to pair with it more, and then choose a supporting act.
They usually have something that ties them together, whether it is material, color, shape, etc.

However, I have friends and have seen many, many photos of people wearing fabulous earrings and necklaces together (either of which would be a statement for me) and I am considering giving that combo a spin.

I personally have more jewelry than clothes. I love making and wearing jewelry.

9 years ago

Echo

Veteran

I agree about my earrings never coming out. I wear diamond studs, and I feel like they go with everything. Sometimes if a top has an interesting neckline I wear no necklace, but I wear small or statement necklaces as I like with outfits without even considering the earrings. I have a bigger poison eye for empty holes than for sparkly studs in my own ears.

But I think the advice to only go big and bold with one or the other is correct, unless you are really going for an all-out boho, dangly earring and long necklace vibe.

9 years ago

BlondeAmbition

Active Member

Thanks all, I didn't realize so many people wore earrings day in and out. I mostly wear earrings of all sizes and styles. Most of my necklaces are short chockers though and I'm wonder if that is the reason I'm having a hard time pairing them with earrings. I'll try to experiment a little with longer necklaces and earrings that echo an element of the necklace like you have all suggested.

9 years ago

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I always wear earrings because I don't like how the empty holes look. My basic day to day look is fairly delicate gold jewelry -- two or three rings plus a necklace or two or some charms. But I grew up in the Middle East and I like my bling.

9 years ago

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