A Quick Guide to Jewelry Etiquette: Type and Amount of Jewelry for Every Occasion

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Deciding what to wear is not at all an easy task for most people. Sometimes it feels like the more clothes you have, the harder it is to find the right combination for the occasion ahead. And for those who love jewelry and have a significantly large collection of it, it gets even harder because after choosing the garments, it is jewelry’s turn. 

If you feel a lack of confidence when selecting the right jewelry to wear because you do not want to have too much on or you are not sure what pieces are a good match to be worn together, this guide is meant for you. It should give you some general clues on how to choose the type of accessories that matches the occasion without the risk of excessiveness. 

Combine your jewelry in a proper manner 

Maybe you think it is wrong or excessive to wear a bracelet, a necklace, some rings, and earrings as well at the same time, but you can absolutely do that if you manage to find the proper balance. You can also wear more than one of each mentioned. The key here is to choose which: if you love decorating your fingers with many rings, maybe wear just one light bracelet, or skip them altogether; a couple of layers of fine necklaces can look marvelous, but wear them with just one pair of discrete earrings, or do not wear earrings at all. 

When choosing which piece of jewelry you want to be the star of your day or night, make sure that it is the only focal point of your outfit. So, if you want everyone to notice your new gorgeous bracelet, make sure all other pieces are toned down and they are not attracting too much attention. You want the focal point of your outfit to be on that particular bracelet; hence, if you are not certain, maybe do not wear any other jewelry, especially rings in this case. Make sure nothing else on you is stealing the show. 

Let the occasion and location inspire you 

You probably have some pieces of accessorizing you wear every day: if you are married that is definitely your wedding ring and maybe even the engagement one; some people love a wristwatch and will never trade it for the clock on their mobile phones; a pair of sentimental earrings that belonged to a late grandmother is also very often worn on daily bases; same goes for keepsake necklace. For sure these are enjoyable to wear but for certain occasions, it is highly recommended to remove them (except your wedding rings) or substitute them with something flashier just for a day.  

The decision of what jewelry to wear to work largely depends on what kind of office is in question; is it conservative, or creative, a stickler for rules, or no rules at all. Some general guidelines are not to wear noisy and flashy jewelry because those can become a distraction. 

In case of a formal event, you should bring out the big guns and choose the best jewelry you have in your collection. Pearls, diamonds, and other precious stones are created for this type of event. They will bring out your best elegant self, as should be your goal when attending something formal. Make sure, however, you do not smother your beautiful outfit with too many flashy jewelry pieces; your attire should have a chance to shine too. 

And when it is time to party with your friends, choosing jewelry should be the easiest. Here anything goes, no matter how big or flashy. Not wearing anything but your sentimental everyday pieces is also perfectly fine. It is totally up to you. There is just one rule: make sure you like what you see when you look in the mirror because confidence is very important for having a good time and being relaxed while hitting the town with your squad. 

Some of the general rules for any occasion are: 

  • Do not forget your earrings. Many of us are guilty of choosing one pair of earrings that are discrete and comfortable, and we tend to think we can make it work with any outfit, or we simply forget about changing them. Earrings are, however, a great tool to make a good outfit great, so dig into that jewelry box of yours and find some pairs that you have been neglecting. If you cannot find any, well, there is your reason to visit a jewelry store. You should know that changing earrings regularly is not just a question of aesthetics but also hygiene. All your jewelry should be kept clean, but earrings especially because of the way we wear them. 
  • Ignore the old-fashioned rules about avoiding rings on certain fingers because it sends the wrong message, like the one that says that the ring finger is only suitable for the wedding ring. But do take into consideration the rule to give space to one big statement ring – it deserves your whole hand. 
  • Equally old-fashioned as the previous one is the rule that says you should not wear metals in different colors together. Silver and gold can be a match made in heaven; you should absolutely go for it. 
  • Do not obsess with the news trends. They are great guidelines and an amazing source of inspiration, but you should not blindly follow every new trend. Just choose what works for you. 

Match the jewelry with your outfit 

As we said in the beginning, most of us are done choosing the outfit for the day, and then it is jewelry time. This is both natural and great because what you are wearing can help you a lot. Take into consideration the material you are wearing; for example, silk should not be worn with flashy chains and rings because it should be the center of attention. Also, think of the texture and the size of your clothes: a big warm sweater does not go with a tiny gentle chain because it will make the chain disappear, so you might as well not wear anything or better yet, choose something equally big and noticeable as the sweater itself. 

Your clothes are not the only thing that matters. You should take into consideration your skin tone as well as the makeup if you wear any and make sure they are complementing the color and the material of your jewelry. Hair color is equally important, not to mention the hairstyle: short hair usually matches with bulkier pieces, while if you wear your hair long, you should opt for something lighter but in metallic and colorful shades that will make it more visible. 

In a nutshell 

When choosing the jewelry, take into consideration where you are going, what clothes you are wearing, what is your hair and makeup, and what are the newest trends. But above everything, take into consideration how you feel and what gives you confidence and radiance. After all, you are the one wearing the jewelry, not the other way around.

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Founded in 1994 by the late Pamela Hulse Andrews, Cascade Business News (CBN) became Central Oregon’s premier business publication. CascadeBusNews.com • CBN@CascadeBusNews.com

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