15+ Ways: How to Wear Jewelry to Compliment Your Look

As accessories queens, the three of us are giving some examples of how to wear jewelry to compliment your look.



Yet you will find many rules about how to wear jewelry to compliment your look or what length necklace to wear with which shirt. Heck, there are stylists that suggest what not to wear.

Yet I like to remember that "We are the boss of our clothes” which to me means we make our clothing work in multiple ways for us. It’s not about finding the rules we like and then only following them.


So instead of giving you rules, I’m going to share my ideas of how to wear jewelry to compliment your look and check out times I don’t wear as much jewelry on my blog.

Turquoise jewelry with orange top

Contrasting Necklace

My thought is that if you’re going to take the time to accessorize, you want to be able to see the pretties. So for this example, I chose a turquoise necklace to contrast with the orange top.


Insider tip: You know how you read that a “v” neck is flattering because you show more skin that way? Your necklace can act as that “v” with your crew neck tops. It creates a focal point so the top isn’t an overwhelming block of color on your chest.

When you wear jewelry

Matching Your Necklace

For those of you that love to match colors, then the idea of how to wear jewelry to compliment your look might be to wear a necklace of the same color as your top.

This is the opposite of my example above with the contrasting necklace.

Neither option is right nor wrong, but you can see how you get different options each way. I would consider it preferences.

If you like a low profile, then you might want to match your jewelry to the top.

And on the flip side, if you want the pieces (and you) to stand out more, then think about a contrasting color (or metal).

Long necklace with jacket

Jacket Jewelry

Even with a jacket or cardigan, I think a long necklace can be a fabulous addition. That doesn’t mean a short necklace wouldn’t work also.

But the longer necklace copies the long line of the jacket and takes up the space of solid color.

Woman over 50 on how to wear jewelry to compliment your look

Fill In Neckline

A popular way to wear a necklace is to find one that fills in the space of a neckline. For a v-neck top, that would be a shorter necklace.

This is a perfect time to wear your smaller, delicate necklaces. Not that I did in these examples, but it’s one of the options in the related post below.


Related post: 7 options of necklaces with v-necks

Adding a brooch to a textured sweater

Brooches

Another option for wearing jewelry on the top half of your body would be to put a brooch on your sweater. This works fabulously when the neckline of your clothing item is too wide or thick and yet you would like to have some kind of sparkle in a certain place.


Insider tip: You might think it’s “too much” to have a brooch on a textured sweater. Or it’s “too much” with that keyhole opening. My word of the year is “Extra” because it brings me joy to add in the bling wherever I like. For this example, I was trying to change the focus from the opening between the two sweaters, as I rarely showcase my cleavage.


Related post: Wearing brooches in a modern way

Can I wear a necklace with a graphic tee

Too Much?

When you read the rules of how to wear jewelry to complement your look, many times there will be opinions of what not to wear because it is too much or over the top. And I’m sure these two examples would fall into the rules of what not to wear.

The thing is, I like them. And when the rubber hits the road, that’s what is important.


The outfit on the left includes a plastic tie necklace on top of the micro cardigan and chevron print top. In the right side outfit, I added a necklace even though I was wearing a graphic tee.

Layering your necklaces

Layering Necklaces

It doesn’t stop with just one necklace. There are many, many times you can layer them on top of each other and create a “neck mess”.

Lesley is a pro at combining her necklaces to make them look like one piece.


Insider tip: The necklaces can sit on top of each other intermesh. The best way to find great combinations is to play with them and take photos to see which ones you like the best. Then save those photos that you liked, to remind you for later.


Related post: Experimenting with layering necklaces

Combine a scarf and necklace

Scarves

While scarves are a subject unto themselves, you could consider them a fabric necklace. On top of that, you can combine them with your other necklaces as both Charlotte and Lesley did above.


Related post: 25+ ways to style a scarf


You can see three examples of outfits without and with necklaces on my site as well as examples of when I don't wear as much jewelry.

Examples of how to wear jewelry to compliment your look


My Goal

Thank you for visiting my space on the internet. I like to showcase how it’s never too late to look great for women of any age, size, or working with any kind of budget.

I feel I’m here to help move beyond the fashion rules of yesterday and evolve. Style and clothes are made to give you joy. Not cause us stress because we are worried about what others think.

My hope is that you get ideas and inspiration from Charlotte, Lesley, and myself. It’s not about copying what we wear, but about using what you already have and updating items along the way.

Most of all it’s getting us to think differently and dare I say, have fun.

The author may collect a small share of sales from the links on this page.

Jodie Filogomo
Want more details about this and other fashion and style ideas? Check out more here!
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 2 comments
  • Comet Comet on Dec 16, 2022

    You could also use a brooch to close the cleavage gap, if you chose to, or wear a higher neckline camisole under, if that was a somewhat contrasting color or even a complete.contrast it would be pretty & interesting!

  • P P on Dec 18, 2022

    Ladies - if your jewelry complements your outfit, you may garner compliments. Two different words.

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