Accessorizing with the Right Jewelry

Accessorizing with Jewelry is one of the most simplest and effective ways to make any outfit look great. Selecting a few choice pieces of handcrafted jewelry is no different than choosing your wardrobe. In fact, most stylists and image consultants refer to your overall jewelry collection as a wardrobe, since your jewelry is just as important as the clothes evening gowns you wear. Just like a picture frame enhances and draws attention to the photo within, selecting the appropriate jewelry emphasizes your best features.

How best then to wear the jewelry you currently own? Taking stock of your existing jewelry wardrobe will help you immediately identify pieces you no longer wear, and more importantly, gives you a sense of what looks best for you and your overall comfort zone. Over time, you've probably developed a sense of likes and dislikes, favoring gold over silver or necklaces over bracelets.

Generally, brunettes, redheads, and grays should wear silver jewelry, while blondes look best in gold and copper. If you are brunette, and warm colors suit you, wearing gold would work just as well. Women with black hair usually look good in all three metals... gold, silver, and copper. However, there are no hard and fast rules. If you absolutely love silver and you're a blond, or a brunette, redhead, or gray and love gold or copper, go for it!

Try not to mix styles. A modern silver cuff won't look right paired with antique gold filigree earrings. Stick with a matching bracelet and earring set or two similar necklaces also looks great. Until recently, it was taboo to mix metals. This was one of those old-school rules that most designers now ignore. The trick is if you want to mix metals, keep the style of jewelry the same. A simple hammered chain necklace of silver and gold, or silver and copper links looks absolutely stunning and is very fashion-forward. Stacking rings or bracelets also lends perfectly to the mixing of metals. You can even stack square or round rings or bangles in different shades of gold, silver or copper.

In terms of matching your jewelry to your evening dress clothing, if you are wearing more than one color, your accessories should balance out the entire outfit. For example, if you are wearing black and red, you should have an even amount of red accessories (possibly garnets or coral) and black accessories (onyx or a black silk scarf). Stick with the same color palate for guaranteed success. Wear ruby or garnet earrings with a red top, or a sapphire or blue topaz -accented necklace or pendant with your favorite blue dress. Above all, make sure your jewelry is appropriate for the occasion or event that you will be wearing it to.

Utilize your current jewelry wardrobe to its best, and then over time fill in the gaps with complimentary pieces. This doesn't mean that you have to spend a fortune to augment your jewelry wardrobe or have an extensive jewelry collection. It also doesn't mean that you can't mix a piece of fine jewelry with a bridge or costume, just as long as it works well together.