From Red Carpet to Real Life: How to Wear Statement Jewelry
It’s red-carpet season, which means lashings of diamonds and precious stones are constantly on our radar. From mesmerizing Cartier necklaces to bold Bulgari earrings and rings, the red carpet is always home to the finest statement jewelry moments.
While most red-carpet looks are a little extravagant for daily wear, you can still bring the glitz and glamor of the red carpet to your wardrobe–with the right pieces and the know-how.
Here’s how to wear statement jewelry for almost any occasion, and some bold jewelry selections inspired by Hollywood’s greatest.
Let Your Statement Piece Shine
Statement jewelry is essentially jewelry that’s bold, beautiful, and quite literally makes a statement. That doesn’t mean it needs to be colossal in size. However, it does need to be colossal with its impact.
When it comes to wearing statement jewelry, start by choosing a dazzling piece. It could be a necklace, earrings, bracelet, or ring. Then make it the focal point of your outfit. Avoid choosing more than one statement piece, as they will only end up taking attention away from each other.
Shop: Tiffany & Co.’s Pendant
Wear What You Love
Everyone looks better when they’re wearing something they love and feel comfortable in. If huge chandelier earrings just aren’t your thing, opt for a style of earrings you do like, such as oversized pearls or diamond dangles. Whatever appeals to your taste while still having that statement element.
Shop: Bulgari’s Serpenti Viper Ring
Match Your Necklace to Your Neckline
If you’re wearing a round neckline, like a scoop neck, choose a short, round necklace to emphasize your collarbone. For a high neckline, like turtlenecks and halter necks, select a long piece like a lariat necklace to complement the high collar. For square necklines, opt for square or rectangular pendants to align with the angular neckline.
As a general rule of thumb, you want to look at the shape of the neckline and its effects on your silhouette, then choose a necklace that complements rather than clashes.
Shop: Harry Winston’s Endless Love Necklace
Color Coordinate
Colors make all the difference with regards to wearing statement jewelry. If your outfit is plain with lighter hues, you can definitely reach for something colorful to accessorize with to make your outfit pop. An all-black ensemble, for instance, looks beautiful with colorful floral jewelry or chunky chained necklaces. If you prefer colorful outfits, stick to more neutral hues with your jewels, pairing them with white gold diamond earrings or matte necklaces to balance out the colors.
Shop: David Yurman’s Novella Mosaic Bracelet
Don’t Let Your Earrings Wear You
Your statement earrings can be made of silk tassels or bright enamel. They can be matching or asymmetrical. You just need to make sure they complement your size so that you are wearing the earrings, and they’re not wearing you. For instance, the more petite you are, the smaller your statement earring should be to ensure balance.
Shop: Tiffany & Co.’s Drop Earrings
About The Author
Debbie Azar is the Co-Founder and President of Gemological Science International (GSI), one of the largest gemological organizations in the world, and a distinguished leader in the global diamond and jewelry industry. As an executive with extensive knowledge of the jewelry and gem lab industries, her entrepreneurial skills and vision have helped GSI achieve rapid and continuous growth worldwide, establishing 13 leading-edge gemological facilities on four continents. She currently serves on the boards of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, Responsible Jewellery Council, and Jewelers for Children, and is a member of the 24 Karat Club of New York. She has been featured in Forbes, Daily Mail, Good Morning America, Bloomberg, Bloomberg Businessweek, Fox Business, Fox5, CBS2, BOLDTV, Varney&Co, The Street, and NASDAQ, among others.
