When it comes to jewelry, it's a bit like choosing shoes: jewelry can give your outfit a real boost, making it look sophisticated, colorful, casual, or elegant. The more eye-catching the jewelry, the more it steers your look in a particular direction. However, delicate and fine jewelry can also elevate many outfits.

For statement jewelry:

It's the focal point of your outfit and needs a stage. Therefore, the rest should be more understated. Huge earrings combined with bold statement necklaces don't work; they steal the show. The same goes for wearing multiple rings and a conspicuous large watch on the same hand. It's better to wear the watch on one hand and the rings on the other.

Here's how to combine delicate jewelry:

A simple, delicate necklace with a pendant adds a touch of elegance to any top and adds a little "sparkle." These necklaces are usually 40cm long and sit in the neckline, depending on your body shape, whether narrow or broad. They complement both round and V-necklines equally well.

Jewelry by Missoma

How jewelry layering works:

What always looks interesting is layering multiple, differently intricate chains combined with small earrings. This jewelry trend is called layering, similar to the layered clothing look in fashion. The individual chains should start out delicate and have different lengths. Models with pendants like coins, letters, or symbols are particularly modern. Combine multiple chains with pendants, paying attention to the surfaces: they should all either be glossy or matte.

The key is to mix different chain sizes. For example, pair a delicate pendant necklace with a chunky choker and a pearl necklace. The varying sizes add a casual factor. So, it's okay to experiment somewhat randomly to prevent it from looking too perfectly styled.

You can combine such combinations of differently lengthened chains in gold, silver, or rose gold with simple basics like a white blouse or a T-shirt to instantly enhance your look.

Can you mix gold and silver jewelry?

The idea that "you can't wear gold and silver together" is an outdated jewelry rule that's long been debunked. You can mix different materials wonderfully as long as the colors harmonize. Gold tones paired with silver should lean towards cooler shades and not be too orange-toned.

Personally, I find it more appealing when the surfaces match: either combine shiny surfaces with shiny pieces or matte surfaces with matte jewelry.

These jewelry colors suit you:

Just like with color types, there's a fundamental distinction between cool and warm. Silver is cool, and gold is warm.

For a cool summer or winter type, platinum, white gold, cool diamonds, rhinestones, or pearls are suitable. Complement them with stones in cool colors like emerald, turquoise, aquamarine, or rubies. But this is a matter of personal preference; many people prefer yellow or rose gold over white gold because they find it more beautiful and luxurious. Moreover, there are more options for jewelry in warm gold tones.

For warm color types like spring and autumn, yellow and rose gold, copper, and brass work best. Rose gold or orange-toned corals also look great. However, there are no strict rules here. As a cool winter type, I also wear yellow gold because it looks more harmonious with warm colors like a chocolate brown sweater or animal prints.

These jewelry sizes suit you:

You often come across typical recommendations: delicate jewelry for petite women and larger jewelry for curvier women.

I believe that jewelry plays a much more significant role: personal style. Extroverted, enthusiastic women can carry off "loud" jewelry better, while more reserved women who don't like to stand out prefer more understated pieces. It's a matter of personality and taste.

Furthermore, jewelry with clear shapes, sharp edges, and corners can convey more authority when desired. Softer, more delicate designs suggest the opposite: accessibility and approachability.

A great example is the Frenchwoman Christine Lagarde, who mixes very feminine round jewelry with her otherwise very classically correct business attire.

Emphasize Your Individuality:

What looks good on your friend may look completely different and unsuitable on you. Every woman has different strengths. An amazing décolleté? Delicate wrists, pretty ears, or a fantastic collarbone?

Highlight your best features. Consider your face shape. You can visually elongate a broad face with long, dangling earrings. Conversely, if you have a narrow face, widen it with short, voluminous earrings or a close-fitting necklace. Accentuate beautiful hands with several different rings.

Consider proportions and ensure that your jewelry complements your body's dimensions. It's like fashion: an oversized hat, a sweater that swallows you, or a tight skirt don't do you any favors; they look inappropriate. So, avoid heavy, large earrings on aging earlobes or a delicate necklace that disappears in your neck fold.

How to Wear Pearls:

With pearls, caution is advised! They can easily look old-fashioned, especially when worn as a set. Avoid combining pearl stud earrings with a matching bracelet or necklace. Pearls look modern when paired with a black leather jacket and biker boots with jeans, or mixed with a chunky chain, or worn on a faded denim shirt. They can even add a playful touch to a shirt with white polka dots when worn in multiple strands.

Or opt for baroque pearls, which can grow up to 3cm in size and have irregular shapes. This makes them unique and distinctive. The pearl jewelry in the following photos is from a Danish designer.

Pearl Jewelry: Contessa Berlin

Rings:

Rings look best when worn asymmetrically on your fingers. Two on the left, three on the right, three on the left, none on the right, and so on. Wear one on the ring finger of one hand and on the middle finger or pinky finger of the other hand. You can also "stack" multiple rings. Delicate rings pair perfectly with more eye-catching, thicker models. Combine wider rings with elegant gemstones with thin, delicate rings.

Does Fashion Jewelry Work?

Fashion jewelry is definitely a great way to add something special to various outfits. By fashion jewelry, I don't mean €5.99 trinkets. There is fashion jewelry priced in the hundreds of euros, and even high-quality pieces under €100.

We have Coco Chanel to thank for the fact that we wear fashion jewelry at all. Did you know that? She designed fake jewelry pieces in the 1920s to complement her collections. Today, former Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld offers interesting fashion jewelry at Zalando.

Fashion jewelry often uses less expensive but still good-quality materials like sterling silver plus alloy, a classic among fashion jewelry materials. Copper and brass are also used, but I advise caution with brass because it contains nickel, which many people are allergic to. Additionally, copper tends to stain the skin.

When it comes to fashion jewelry, also pay attention to a sophisticated appearance. This means the metal shouldn't shine too prominently but should have a slightly matte finish.

My Fashion Jewelry Tip:

Test the clasp; sometimes, corners are cut here. Does it open and close easily? If you want to enjoy your pieces for a long time, the clasp should function well.

If you get green fingers from wearing rings, brush the inside with clear nail polish. It only takes 2 minutes!