Statement Necklace Do's and Don'ts

By Alexia Gonzalez on September 24, 2014

In the words of Coco Chanel, “simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance.”

As one of the most legendary designers of all fashion history, Ms. Chanel was definitely onto something with her idea of elegance.

Exuding class and taste has almost nothing to do with the actual item of clothing that you choose to wear, but more with the manner in which you present yourself in it. The difference between fashion and style is that the former can be purchased, while the latter is a quality that is inherent.

Although there will always be a trending pattern or print during any given season, there is nothing more stylish than a basic ensemble made fashionable by its accents – a.k.a. the accessories.

Updating your accessories each season is an inexpensive and creative way to reinvent your fashion wardrobe to keep up with the looks of the moment. Beauty is in the details when it comes to fashion (as well as in most aspects of life), so there’s no better way to glam up your basics than with a sparkly statement.

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Statement necklaces come in a variety of styles and colors that can easily be coordinated with items already existing in your wardrobe.

From costume jewelry to vintage artifacts, you can easily mix and match affordable trendy pieces with expensive keepsakes for a very chic appearance.

This accessory doesn’t have to be expensive, but it can add a pop of color, dimension, or glam to any outfit. Statement necklaces can be made from a variety of materials such as glass, hammered metal, gemstones, beads, acrylic, plastic, or shells.

When shopping for the perfect bold necklace, consider what appeals to your typical style and color tastes. I recommend starting off with simple metallics; a mix of matte silver and gold is a functional combo because it is easy to pair with many basic outfits and will be an item that you can refer to over and over again.

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What To Wear

Add flair to an oxford shirt by buttoning it all the way up to the neck and then layering a gold or silver bib necklace underneath the collar. Doing this will make your statement jewels peek out to add just the right amount of subtle sassiness to a conservative top.

To play up your look a bit more, try a bright lip color or colored eyeliner to add dimension to your face.

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By pairing skinny jeans with a simple white tee and a statement necklace you can literally have a different look every day of the week just by changing out your jewels. This is because these types of bold pieces become the spotlight of your outfit, shifting the observer’s attention up towards your face and away from the rest of your outfit.

Donning a bright necklace over a neutrally colored ensemble will add a dose of coloration without looking overdone. Neon shades and sparkling jewel tones look best with whites, blacks, neutral colors and pastels.

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Not only can statement necklaces polish off a basic everyday look, a bright neckpiece can completely transform a little black dress into a fabulous party outfit. Play around with different tones and textures by mixing metallic jewelry with other colored accessories.

When pairing a gold necklace with an LBD try a surrounding palate of warm tones such as red, orange, yellow and pinks for shoes and makeup – silver accents go best with cool blues, mint, green and purple.

Experiment with pearls and gold hardware or a mixture of stones and gems for a unique flair.

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Statement necklaces can add definition and elegance to an off-the-shoulder top or sweetheart neckline. With this style of neckline, I would suggest a dainty necklace with less bulk.

Thin and metallic choker style neckpieces play up the femininity of a shoulder-baring ensemble. Necklaces with smaller jewels and even drop down stones function best to convey a sense of refined elegance for a sweetheart neckline top or dress.

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When wearing a statement necklace, avoiding wearing excessive earrings unless they are simple studs such as pearls or gemstones (I would recommend avoiding earrings all together).

Keep rings and arm wear to a bare minimum in order to maintain a sleek, polished and well-harmonized look. Remember, simplicity is key when working around an eye-catching necklace.

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My grandmother always told me to remove one component of my outfit before leaving my room. This is something to consider in terms of jewelry and clothing pairings.

From statement necklaces to simple stud earrings, the key to accessorizing is to keep a happy balance between your ensemble and its complementing pieces. Vamp up any old outfit by adding a few hints of pizzazz through your choice of jewelry.

When opting for a bold neckpiece, it’s important to keep the rest of your look simple and let the necklace do the talking.

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