Pairing Jewelry with Outfits - 10 Ways to do it right

We all know how accessorizing an outfit can change the whole look. One simple shirt can usually be styled about five to ten different ways, and the right jewelry over an ensemble can transform it from a casual to a party outfit just like that. It’s safe to say that accessories are sometimes the most important thing about your whole look. 

But it’s not easy knowing how to pick the right jewelry, because not only does it have to go with your outfit, but it also has to go together.

Harper's Bazaar 

Define Your Clothing Style

Everyone prefers to look a certain way. You can either want to look dark and mysterious and lean towards more gothic styles or prefer to look feminine and cheerful. Most of the time, your final jewelry selection depends on this a lot, because you’re not going to like the way a pink bracelet or some colorful butterfly-shaped earrings look with a dark academia aesthetic.

Once you know that, choosing the right jewelry will feel like a piece of cake.

@jennierubyjane

What's the Occasion?

Leave all the chunky jewelry for a night out with your friends or the club, some shinier pieces for formal parties, and choose minimalist and simple pieces for a day at work. If you must, you can either layer some simpler pieces for a bolder look. 

Boredom Left Jewelry Bangle And Black Earrings

And if you decide to make it part of your style or want to stand out, you can wear one or two chunky or large pieces as statements as part of your daily outfit too.

If you want something truly versatile, check out our collection of bracelets and necklaces. They can be transformed from simple and elegant pieces during the day to stand-out jewelry that’s just right to wear to the club or to a party. This way you don’t have to swap anything out - it’s like a two-in-one.

Think Color Combinations

Try out adding some new color to the look with your jewelry, like maroon earrings or a maroon pendant with a mostly black outfit. You can combine yellow gems and stones if you have on a blue outfit.

Boredom Left Jewelry Leopard Choker Necklace and Bangle

Take your skin color into consideration when choosing the color of your jewelry as well. Some colors look better on certain skin types than others, and you don't want to be walking around with jewelry that's either too harsh for you or washes you out.

This is especially important when you're putting on necklaces or earrings which will be right next to your face.

Compliment Your Neckline

Not all kinds of necklaces and earrings are suitable for all shirts. For example, pair chunky and short necklaces with a turtleneck shirt, but go for daintier pendants and lockets if you have a square neckline. 

Prada

It also depends on the cut and style, but sometimes you have to decide whether a necklace is even appropriate for a dress or if you'll be fine with just earrings.

Boredom Left Jewelry Red Leopard Choker  

Choose a Focal Piece

Most times your outfits will only need one main piece to look good - anything else is just extra and there to make the main attraction look better. This technique also makes it easy for you to pick and match jewelry since attempting to match two or three big pieces can leave you with an outfit with clashing accessories, ones that don't go with the dress, or an outfit that's just too full and not cute anymore.

Boredom Left Jewelry Black Chain Necklace 

To keep it simple and uncomplicated, make one part of your jewelry the main attraction, be it the bracelets or the necklaces or the earrings.

Bold and Basic Pairings

A common rule to go by is to never pair bold clothing with bold jewelry, even if it's a party you're going to. If your outfit already has a lot of sequins, bold patterns, or even colors, you might want to stick to simpler jewelry and accessories. This will prevent your outfit from looking too loud and distracting.

Boredom Left Jewelry Jade Green Handmade Ring with Bangle

To sum it up - wear simple jewelry with loud outfits, and use chunky jewelry with simpler ones.

Balance the Jewelry

When we say balance the jewelry, we're talking about how you can't have a lot of things on at once either. This kind of ties in with the whole "choose one statement piece" part of our advice, but you shouldn't wear a lot of jewelry all at once.

@zoeisabellakravitz 

If you're wearing large earrings, opt out of a large necklace too. If you have chunky bangles in one hand, avoid wearing the same in the other. It's all about making sure the outfit doesn't end up looking crowded or too full with jewelry.

Remember, it's there to make your look better, not to make it distracting.

Match Patterns

It can be a great idea to wear earrings with stripes with a top that has stripes too (if you find the right one), but it's an awful idea to try pulling off polka dots and stripes the same way.

Fendy

Try to pair jewelry with the same "aesthetic" as the outfit, and pick similar patterns and designs for a more cohesive look.

Be Creative with Plain Outfits

You might be limiting yourself when it comes to jewelry options with loud dresses, but if you have a whole drawer full of beautiful pieces to show off, plain outfits are your time to shine.

Boredom Left Jewelry  Skull Earrings

Whether they're dark or light, plain tops and basic bottoms are like a blank canvas. A white t-shirt means you can wear colorful earrings, and a stylish black top would be the perfect choice for you to put on multiple jewelry pieces with - in fact, you can even wear pieces that don't necessarily match or go together usually but have the same general style.

While cute outfits with lots of patterns are great, sometimes you just need an opportunity to show off your new statement earrings. Layer Necklaces and Bracelets 

Layering jewelry is fun and adds dimension to your dress if you only want jewelry on your neck or your wrists. Experiment with varying lengths and styles of necklaces, and sometimes even color. Pair a longer chain necklace with a leather choker, and maybe combine some simple chain bracelets with a colorful beaded one for a striking set.

 @jennymwalton 

Layering will only look like you're wearing a lot of the same thing if you don't vary the style enough, but at the same time, you don't want to vary it so much that the items clash with each other. Mix and match until you feel like you have a set that goes with your outfit, and you'll be fine.