15 Jewelry Style Tips You Need to Know

Have you ever wondered how to choose and style jewelry to complement yourself and your wardrobe? Or how to best utilize your jewelry collection without getting boring? The answers aren't always obvious. Fear not: We've put together our 15 best jewelry style tips to help you look your most stylish.

Do you recognize yourself in this:

You have an overflowing jewelry collection full of pieces you love (or forgot you loved), but you're not getting the most out of it and you're not sure where to start. Or maybe you're just not sure which pieces of jewelry work best together and for you.

We've all been there.

The good news is that we've put together a number of practical style and fashion tips to help you wear jewelry that complements your style, personality, and wardrobe.

As Who What Wear says: "Including jewelry in your outfit is always a good idea." And as a Norwegian jewelry designer, who am I to disagree?

Scroll down to learn more...

1. Layer with rings, necklaces or bracelets

Why not start with something fun? Experiment with contrasting lengths, shapes, textures and colors to create appealing layers of rings , necklaces , bracelets and in some cases earrings .

If you layer necklaces, go for different lengths to draw attention up your face. Different shapes, colors, and textures will often work really well together.

For bracelets, you can simply create a "party" with different pieces that will sparkle and jingle as you move. Rings can be mixed, matched, and stacked in all sorts of interesting combinations.

You can even experiment with wearing multiple earrings if you have more than one hole in your ears or want to combine earcuffs with other earrings.

2. Know when to stop

Sometimes too much is, well, too much. If you draw attention to your face and neck with layered necklaces or a statement necklace, you may not need an arm full of bracelets competing for attention.

If you've adorned yourself with multiple pieces of jewelry, consider taking a look in the mirror and removing one accessory – or not, depending on what works for you and the occasion.

3. Consider your earrings

Your earrings are usually in the line of sight of everyone who talks to you, so they are really important. You should choose earrings that frame your face and complement your hair color, eye color, and skin tone.

If you have long hair, a good tip is to choose a color or metallic finish that is more visible, depending on your hair color.

4. Don't forget to change your earrings

It's so easy to wear the same pair of earrings for weeks on end. But remembering to switch up your earrings is a great way to add interest and style to your look from day to day. It's also the perfect opportunity to give your favorite pair a good cleaning! Read more about jewelry maintenance here .

5. Experiment with mixing metals

It was once considered a fashion sin to mix different metal colors, such as gold and silver, but thankfully that's no longer the case. Think pendant necklaces that create a nice contrast with the color of the chain, rings that combine different metal colors, or layered necklaces or bracelets in different metals to add lively interest and color to your outfit.

6. Match your accessories to your clothes

This sounds pretty straightforward, right? But it doesn't always happen. Before you start getting dressed, think about what you'd most like to wear for the occasion. You can choose a specific piece of jewelry for the occasion and then match your clothes and other accessories to it.

7. Determine the focus of your outfit

Any outfit can always be transformed into something special with the right jewelry and accessories. You can choose jewelry that really makes a statement to liven up a simple outfit or do a little mixing and matching of jewelry for a more layered look.

8. Choose a focal point for your jewelry

If you're wearing eye-catching jewelry, it's usually best to focus on one area of ​​the body that you want to draw attention to: your neck, ears, hands, etc.

9. Expand your wardrobe by experimenting

This can be a fun thing to do when you have some spare time. Just put on a simple outfit and try it on in front of a mirror with various jewelry and other accessories from your collection.

10. Don't be a slave to trends

We all know someone who is a little too slavish about fashion. Trends influence what we all wear to some extent, and that's okay. But it's never a good idea to slavishly follow fashion at the expense of your own taste and personality. Instead, try to find and develop your own style that suits you and gives you confidence.

11. Wear rings with style

Stacking rings can add a lot of versatility to your wardrobe, as you can mix and match them as you like to create a slightly different look every day.

12. Match your necklace to your neckline

Your necklace or pendant should be visible and enhance your outfit. For example, if you are wearing an outfit with a low V-neckline, a pendant that sits in the V above the neckline will work wonders. A long necklace will look great over higher-necked clothing.

A round necklace pairs well with a scoop or other round neckline. Find out more about how to match necklaces with necklines in our very helpful guide to necklace lengths and styles .

13. You don't always have to wear a necklace

Sometimes it's a good idea to go necklace-free. If you're wearing a bold pair of earrings, not wearing a necklace that distracts from your look can be a good solution, depending on your outfit. Also, if you're wearing a very low or high neckline, often going necklace-free will work well.

14. Consider sentimental jewelry

Do you have sentimental jewelry that you wear all the time? Just because something is sentimental doesn't necessarily mean you have to wear it every day. Consider how you can layer this jewelry with others to add interest and variety to your style.

If it's a necklace, consider getting a longer chain or an adjustable chain so it can hang under your clothes if it doesn't match the rest of your outfit. Rings can also be put on a chain and hidden under your clothes if needed.

15. The most important rule: Ignore the rules!

This is my favorite style tip: break the rules as you see fit. I'm a big fan of people looking like themselves instead of everyone else. If what works for you is to do exactly what you want, not follow any of the typical fashion tips, and create a chaotic mix of things you love to wear, then my advice is: do it!

16. Extra tip: Clean your jewelry

Many people forget to clean their jewelry, but it really makes a difference in how it looks. Take a closer look at the jewelry you wear often, or that has perhaps been unused for a while, and you will almost certainly notice that it looks dirty and dull.

You wouldn't ignore washing your clothes, so you shouldn't neglect cleaning your jewelry which is just as 'up close and personal'.

For more information on how to best care for your jewelry, check out our comprehensive jewelry care and maintenance guide.