Jewelry Guide for Clothing Choices

Fashion, including what jewelry you wear, reflects your personality. Whatever your style is, the power of jewelry can make the wearer feel special, beautiful, chic and any number of other positive emotions. Jewelry also spices up your attire, pulling together your ensemble for a statement that truly reflects you. At times, accessorizing with jewelry can feel daunting, especially when determining how to pair your beautiful pieces with specific articles of clothing. This guide gives you a simple roadmap to enhance the look of your jewelry and outfits for maximum style, ensuring that they complement each other.

A good rule to follow is the main design of your jewelry should lie either entirely against your skin or entirely on your clothing. Jewelry that does not follow this rule can end up hidden beneath garments, obscuring your beautiful fashion sense.

When in doubt, follow the neckline. Necklaces that match the curve of your ensemble will always be flattering. Another tried and true accessorizing belief is the higher the neckline, the longer the necklace. Finally, when layering necklaces, make sure pendants and focal pieces don't overlap.

Necklaces with High-necked Clothing

Turtlenecks look especially beautiful when paired with long necklaces, whether they consist of one, five or even more strands. Layering necklaces is a great way to get this look. Because boat-neck cuts sit high on the torso, the same jewelry styles that complement turtlenecks will also look good with a boat neck. Consider wearing your necklaces with larger components with solid-color turtleneck or boat-neck tops. Long or "large and in charge" will always look chic with higher necklines.

Necklaces with Lower Necklines

Crew necks can be extremely versatile since longer necklace styles look attractive, but bib-style or collar necklaces add embellishment to the shirt itself.

Strapless clothing also provides endless possibilities to showcase your favorite jewelry. Long vintage styles such as knotted pearls down to your midriff look fabulous, but bib-style necklaces and even chokers look stunning as well.

Square, scoop or sweetheart cuts supply prime real estate for voluminous pendants, wide chokers and intricate bibs. Just take care that the necklaces do not fall below the neckline of the garment.

Y- and V-shaped necklaces will complement the cut of halter tops or tops with V-necklines. Angular necklines such as these are perfect for designs with angles themselves such as a triangle pendant, multiple flower petals or graduated layers coming down to a point.

Necklaces with Outerwear

Collared shirts and button-ups are usually worn with choker styles but certainly aren't limited to them. Pendant necklaces also play incredibly well with these types of clothing, drawing attention to your carefully chosen focal piece.

When wearing a sweater or outer jacket, keep the lines simple, following the cut of the outer garment so your jewelry doesn’t disappear underneath clothing.

Statement Necklaces

Solid color shirts work great with boisterous and multicolored designs. Make sure if your shirt is busy, your necklace doesn't get lost in the noise. Loud necklaces will sometimes clash with a print that has lots of color or movement. Don't allow your jewelry and clothing to duke it out for attention. They should enhance and complement each other. Take care that your jewelry pieces don’t fight with one another as well. When sporting an oversized necklace, opt out of other jewelry or wear smaller types of earrings, a ring or other

Combining Jewelry Pieces

Jewelry sets can be overpowering, but there is nothing wrong with a matched set including a necklace, a bracelet, earrings and rings. If you are not sure about full sets, follow the rule of two. Match your bracelet and earrings, your ring and necklace, necklace and earrings and on and on. Whatever two you pick, the set will still match without feeling all-consuming. Another way to subtly match your jewelry is to choose a set of colors, a metal tone or a style. Consider wearing a several red jewelry pieces together for a DIY set or all of a certain type of gemstone for a cohesive look.

There is more to jewelry than necklaces! Don't forget that other accessories are just as fashionable and can be beautiful statement pieces all on their own.

Bracelets

Cowl neck cuts, shirts with ruffles and scarves are some examples of items that are fun and flirty but can easily hide necklaces—or be crumpled by them. Clothing with these attributes is great for an armful of bangles, sparkling rings or face-framing earrings. Necklines that are heavily embellished, such as with sequins, lace, beading or other bold patterns, look best without a necklace as well. Instead, throw on an attention-grabbing bracelet or larger earring styles that match the type of embellishment on your clothing.

Bracelets can be a great way to accessorize. Stack bangles in varying sizes or add a watch into your bracelet mix. Be careful to exercise caution. Maintain a balanced look—steer clear of an overwhelming clash of styles and the potential annoyance of excessive jingling. Mix up the materials and styles of your bracelets to bring emphasis to your decorated wrist(s). Short or rolled up sleeves are considered the easiest styles to wear with multiple bracelets. A single wide cuff can look just as trendy, though, slipped over a bare arm or a long-sleeved article of clothing.

Earrings

Statement earrings will receive their due time in the limelight when they are the highlight of your accessories. Wear a simple chain in a metal tone that matches your earrings for easy style that won't look overdone. Chandelier, dusters and other long styles of earrings pair easily with lower necklines. Stud, drop and other earrings that remain close to the face are the perfect choice for clothing with higher cuts. For a guide on picking earrings that will bring out your facial features take a look at ''Face Shape and Jewelry Choices'' article.

Rings

When choosing rings, use lavish styles with your cocktail frock or other sassy ensembles. When wearing large rings, usually one (or one on each hand) is more than enough. For smaller styles, stacking rings is just as popular as stacked bracelets. To layer rings, choose styles with flat edges or single stones that easily twist to fit snugly against each other.

Brooches

Often overlooked, the accessorizing power of brooches and pins is far from minimal. Wear them literally anywhere and on anything. Aside from clothing, brooches can help tie your handbag, belt and even shoes into your jewelry ensemble. Use them as scarf pins and hat pins as well. For feminine touches to masculine or androgynous pieces, wear brooches on blazers, button-ups and vests. Even grouping smaller brooches of the same style together is a great way to wear this type of jewelry. The most common place to wear these is the shoulder, but this versatile accessory is certainly not limited to one spot.

And of course, there are opportunities to wear and embellish toe rings, anklets, belts, head and hair wear, purse charms, phone charms, multiple pairs of earrings, ear cuffs and even beaded shoes. Your ensemble is yours for the making.