Nothing elevates an outfit quite like jewellery.
Whether you’re dressing up casual wear for a little shopping spree in town or wanting a signature piece that makes for a stunning conversation starter at a cocktail party, every ensemble deserves the perfect accessory.
Pairing your jewels with your clothes is one of the simplest ways to inject more style into your look, no matter your age or aesthetic.
Balance is key to accessorising, and matching your jewellery to your clothes can provide a cohesive visage that is pleasing to the eye. If you’re looking to add the wow factor to your wardrobe with some gems and sparkles, here is a quick guide on how you can match your jewellery to your outfit:
Match the colour to the jewels
When selecting jewellery to go with your outfit, a good rule of thumb is to directly match it to the colour you’re wearing. Alternatively, choose a complementary or directly contrasting shade.
Think vibrant aquamarines, pastel greens and cool silvers for a sophisticated look, or create warmth by pairing amber and red jewellery with autumnal-coloured clothing. Gemstones are a gorgeous addition to accessories but bear in mind that some combos just don’t go together.
It is a good opportunity to get familiar with colour theory. You might find some colours are more flattering against your skin tone than others. Knowing how to use a colour wheel comes in handy here as you’ll be able to see which colours match and give the impression you are looking for.
Decide where you want to draw attention
Are you looking to accentuate your neck? Or maybe you’ve just had your nails done and want to show them off without saying so? Jewellery is a great way to showcase other elements of your look, so when accessorising think about where you want the eyes to be drawn.
Anklets will enhance your footwear while bracelets and rings bring the eye to the hands. If you’re wearing a strapless dress or a low cut blouse, incorporate a necklace to show off the collarbone area or add drop earrings to fill in the space between your head and shoulders.
You can never go wrong with diamonds
If in doubt, diamonds will never fail. These gemstones are one of the most beloved jewels, unmatched in their versatility and glamour and always a covetable touch of luxury.
Decadent and breathtaking, a diamond ring will elevate an outfit immediately due to its eye-catching sparkle. For a special event, wear it on the hand that’s holding your clutch to get people talking. A glittering diamond pendant also makes a statement like no other for evening attire.
To inject some sophistication into an everyday look, a pair of simple diamond stud earrings are ideal.
Make sure the jewellery matches the occasion
What is classed as everyday clothing and formal wear will very much depend on your personal style, but we all separate our wardrobe into pieces for different occasions. The way you use jewellery should also be connected to the occasion you are dressing for. Accessories can dramatically impact the feel of an outfit so it is important to match it correctly.
For example, impactful pieces like a choker or a cocktail ring work perfectly for parties but should probably stay out of your work wardrobe. In the same vein, it is best to save your most luxurious jewellery for special occasions so that it makes a statement in the right way at the right time.
Mix-and-match jewellery
While it is often more suitable to keep things simple, sometimes it is fun to overload accessories. Mix and match necklaces of different lengths, wear rings on multiple fingers, and layer bracelets for a youthful look. The key here is to make sure that there is a common theme, such as the type of metal or the colour of the gemstones.
Choose a focal jewellery piece
In contrast, you can also stick to just one piece of jewellery to make it the focal point of your look. A pair of dangly earrings, thick necklace around your neck, or glittering diamond ring can all work as statement jewellery pieces. Whichever you choose, just remember to keep your other accessories simple.
Remember that jewellery can overwhelm an outfit if not balanced well, so keep your clothing simple if you want to pair it with a bold accessory. Embellishments on your outfit such as sequins and glitter or a large belt will detract from the focal jewellery piece.
