Jewelry that will make you stand out, no matter the occasion: I

Jewelry and human emotions go hand in hand. From the locket a father gifts his young daughter, to the tiara at her sweet 16, to the ring she receives as a sign of her partner’s unflinching love and fidelity, the milestones that mark every significant human event, has a piece of jewelry associated with it. There is also a more fashion forward element to jewelry. The fact that any look can be made or broken by the presence or absence of a particular piece. Says stylist Jane Friedel, “in jewelry as in clothing, the point is to accentuate one particular facet of the wearer’s personality. It should act in tandem with the outfit and the attitude, and not against it. The most difficult thing to do is to keep it simple. People generally tend to do too much and muddle up too many looks on one outfit. That’s the cardinal sin to be avoided in accessorising with jewelry.”

How then is one supposed to pick the perfect jewelry for a particular look? “The answer to that is quite simple,” says Friedel, “create a signature style, stick to the classics, timeless stuff that doesn’t go out of fashion easily. Pick one particular accessory that you can team with several outfits, with different effects. Create a cheat sheet and keep adding to it!” 

Creating your signature style:

Things to consider when creating your signature style:

Attitude: Clothing and accessorizing are all about the attitude a wearer conveys. A single piece of clothing or jewelry defines the attitude of a person. Jeans and a tee, with rings for example makes one a more easygoing, relaxed person. While a formal look with a thin chain and a pendant gives one a more business like, straightforward air. Always remember to pick your look as per the occasion. More than one look is mandatory, and allowances need to be made as per the season, style, color, occasion and personality of the wearer.

Comfort: Remember, your style should be based on your comfort factor and not vice versa. Pick jewelry based on what you are comfortable with. Metals, stones and other considerations apart, the weight of a piece, its styling and its look need to be something that your sensibilities approve of. If you are more of a minimalist, don’t look at wearing jewelry that is both heavy and too intricate. The discomfiture in your manner, will make the piece, no matter how stunning, look cumbersome on you!

Pieces to consider when constructing your signature look:

Rings: Call them symbols of forever love, or a kooky self expression, rings ought to be in your list of consideration of jewelry that will elevate your outfit to a new level. “When choosing a ring,” says Friedel, “always consider the kind of occasion you are going to attend. A formal dinner for example mandates a simple, understated band, as against a night out on the town that is more of an attitude ring.”

Bracelets: Whether worn in tandem with a ring, or on their lonesome, bracelets are definitely attitude pieces. Whether a simple charm bracelet, or something more chunky and eye catching, bracelets are the one piece of jewelry that accentuate the wearer’s eccentric personality and can add a new and edgier facet to one’s clothing.

Necklaces: Necklaces or chains, whether thin and dainty or intricate and heavy are the accessory of choice for the ‘princess’ or ‘diva’ look. When choosing a necklace, always consider the neckline of an outfit. A formal, plunging neckline of sorts mandates a thin necklace, with a simple pendant, locket or diamond, as against an ethnic, exotic outfit, on which a heavy set choker, or costume necklace, would be recommended.