When it comes to putting the finishing touches on any show-stopping outfit, it’s all about the accessories, and some carefully chosen pieces of luxury jewellery can easily elevate even the simplest of looks from zero to hero. But unlike high-fashion jewellery, wearing expensive pieces requires some thought in order to get it right, with the general ‘less is more’ mantra particularly pertinent here. There’s nothing like overkill to cheapen an outfit and undo all your hard work in putting it together in the first place.
Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean you’re limited to subtle and dainty necklaces, earrings and bracelets, and you can still make a statement with big, bold pieces and breath-taking, sparkling jewels. It’s simply a case of knowing how to combine them, when to wear them, and what with.
For example, while a bold, colourful summer outfit with whimsical floral prints will work best with chic, sophisticated and pared down pieces, simpler monochrome or neutral outfits can be instantly glammed up with statement pendants and oversized earrings.
If you’re gazing at your high-end jewellery collection with a sense of overwhelm and don’t know where to begin, then these guidelines will put you on the right track.
Keep it clean
It might seem obvious, but keeping your jewellery clean and well polished is essential to help ensure it maintains its sparkle. Dull or tarnished necklaces and earrings can quickly detract from a glamorous image and make it look as though you don’t take pride in the details – and what’s the point in spending all that money on such spectacular pieces if you’re not going to give them the care and attention they deserve?
Cleaning silver jewellery is thankfully a fairly simple process, and provided you store it in a protective pouch when not in use, you should only need to do it every couple of months. You can use a soft toothbrush with some gentle washing up liquid, or some bicarbonate of soda, to give it a gentle scrub from time to time, but be sure to rinse thoroughly in warm water and pat dry afterwards. Giving it a quick polish with a soft cloth before and after each use is also advisable to help them stay at their shiniest and most show-stopping.
Lay on the layers
Layering jewellery is a key trend at the moment, and experimenting with contrasting lengths, shapes and colours when choosing your necklaces is a great way to add edge, interest, and a good injection of personality to any look. When doing so, avoid mixing in your biggest and boldest statement pieces and choose thinner strands and smaller pendants and beads to avoid overwhelm.
Stacking bangles and bracelets of different varieties also works well and can create a satisfying jangly effect whenever you move your arms. If you have several ear piercings, then opt for a selection of studs and stones and wear a larger drop earring in the lowest one on your earlobe for a subtle yet sophisticated nod to the trend.
Let statement pieces do the talking
So, if you shouldn’t layer up your chunky statement pieces, how exactly should you be wearing them? The key to allowing a statement piece to steal the show is to allow it to do all the talking on its own. If you’ve treated yourself to a particularly big and sparkly pendant, or one of this season’s new designer chokers, which feature a single oversize stone, then choose a simple and stylish outfit in monochrome, neutrals, or a single block colour.
The same goes for statement earrings and bracelets – choose one of the three, and either avoid adding additional jewellery or keep it simple. The idea is to draw the eye to your one statement piece of jewellery, so anything else will only be a distraction.
Pick your precious metal
Most of us have a favourite when it comes to precious metals, and as a general rule of thumb, it pays to stick to just one to avoid cheapening any look. If you’re a fan of silver, yellow gold, rose gold and copper, then find your perfect fit by taking into consideration which one best suits your skin tone. For example, if you have a cool skin tone, you’ll likely find that lighter metals like white gold, platinum and silver are the most flattering, while those with warmer skin tones may be able to carry off warmer metals like rose gold, copper and yellow gold with the greatest ease.
