With the statement necklace trend taking the red carpet (and my closet) by storm, picking the right necklace is somewhat of a tricky task, that can easily be the make or break of a successful outfit. While it might be okay to mix reds and oranges and a necklace with spikes for a coffee date with the girls, it’s probably not the best outfit for the workplace. Follow these words of wisdom to successfully pull off any piece and make sure your look makes the statement you want it to.
Make sure other jewelry is kept to a minimum. Log onto any style blog by trendsetters such as Lauren Conrad (LC) and the first piece of advice they give is that beauty is in the details. Because statement necklaces have such intricate details like their color patterns, or shape of the necklace, they could easily be overwhelmed with other jewelry such as dangling earrings. Therefore, to keep your look work place appropriate and classy, keep other accessories to a minimum. If earrings and bracelets are a must—use simple posts and one or two thin bands. Also, keep in mind accessories do not have to necessarily be jewelry. Maybe try pairing a statement necklace with a ruffled top or a thick belt for added style.
Make your own. Although the statement necklace trend has been around for a while, stars are now experimenting with different types of necklaces that vary in length, size, and color. What better way to show off your sense of style than by making your own? Pin a few old brooches onto a chain to create your own statement necklace.
Experiment with contrasts. While neon colors are definitely in, to avoid looking unprofessional and not put together, avoid contrasts that are in the same color palette. How do you avoid this? Well, for example, jeans look great with neon necklaces, solids look better with multi-colored necklaces, and basic black just screams ‘art-deco.’ If you must pair bright colors, such as orange with a red v-neck, make sure the rest of your outfit is very neutral, like black jeans and black riding boots neutral.
Experiment with length. The nice thing about statement necklaces is that they come in a variety of different lengths- making it really easy to wear them with a variety of different outfits; those with high necklines and those with lower ones. To make sure your necklace compliments your look rather than draws attention away from your face, keep this rule of thumb in mind. If wearing a high neckline, make sure the color of the fabric contrasts (see above paragraph for rule on contrast) with the color of the necklace. With a low neckline, make sure the jewelry fits the shape of the neckline (if wearing a v-neck make sure the necklace has a “v” shape to it) and balances out the rest of your waistline. Also, if wearing an open neckline, make sure the necklace has detail and texture. Conversely, if wearing a colored blouse, make sure the necklace fits right underneath the color and peeks out just a little.
As long as they are paired with simple and sleek outfits, statement necklaces can truly turn any ordinary outfit into a direct personality statement, giving the wearer a unique style. What statement will you make?
Guest Writer – Clarissa Burt and Shannon Murray
Clarissa Burt is an award winning media personality, television producer, actress, show host, emcee and top international supermodel with more than 25 years of experience in the modeling and media industries. A leading authority on beauty, image and self-esteem, Clarissa is a featured columnist for such international publications as The Huffington Post, Supermodels Unlimited, Runway Magazine, Catwalk Magazine, Bella Petite, Fashion Faces and The LA Fashion Magazine.