How to shop-- for necklaces!

One of the strangest questions I've been asked as a stylist is how to pick out a necklace. Picking out a piece of jewelry seems simple enough: Is it pretty and would I wear it? Most people think jewelry is a no-brainer because it seemingly matches everything... Um, what does gold, silver, platinum and sparkly not match?

But it can be pretty panic-inducing if you aren't comfortable with your sense of style nor confident in your personal tastes. Not everyone is a fashion expert or a stylist... that's why some of us are paid to give advice, haha.

So, let's break it down and discuss the different styles of necklaces:


The Casual-Cool Charm Necklace


First, there's the casual-cool charm necklace. What's great about these necklaces (often featuring several pendants, charms and stones on a simple chain) is that they are so easy to throw on, they're distinctive and they pretty much match most casual outfits. The longer varieties are great paired with oversized tee shirts and sweaters, as they visually produce a long and lean line. They look great draped over the plunging neckline of a casual jersey day dress and you can also wear them with a simple v-neck tee shirt, skinny jeans and a ballet flat. One of my favorite ways to accessorize this style of necklace is I throw mine on with a plain tee shirt and then I tie a fringed cotton scarf higher on my neck and collarbone. The necklace dangles between both ends of the scarf and it gives a cool layered look. The necklace shown is by one of my favorite jewelry designers, Nicole Shumann.

Simple Styles

Next we have the more simple styles: clean chains, simple pendants and a classic strand of pearls or beads. These styles can dress up or down quite easily... they are the Little Black Dress of the jewelry world! I think every woman should own a well-designed (yet) simple piece, since they will match everything including other jewelry pieces. Longer chains can be worn single-strand for a casual look or to break up a blousy silhouette, or you can double strand your necklace for a dressier, closer to the collar-bone look. These are your go-to pieces if you want to wear clothing with any extreme detailing (ruffles, beading) or any loud prints. The gold necklace is available at Ylang-Ylang jewelers in Saint Louis, MO and the silver necklace is a super-bargain at Urban Outfitters!


The Statement Bib Necklace

Finally, we have what is so, so, so hot right now in fashion: the statement bib necklace. I'll admit, there's a specific way to wear these without looking like an idiot. These must be paired with either a fuller dress, a simple blouse that is tucked into a great skirt or with a simple shell paired with a well-fitting suit. Do not deviate from this formula or you will look emotionally deranged. You see, the necklace must be paired with a full enough dress in order for a balanced look. If paired with a Herve Leger-type sleek bandage dress, the necklace completely takes over... but when paired with a trapeze dress with a halter neckline, the necklace appears to be part of the outfit. With a blouse, the necklace is designed to look like a part of an elaborate blouse. I love the strong, geometric designs paired with a suit because it holds it's own against the strong tailored lines of a suit while also feminizing the look. It also covers the chest, which is always a good call in a professional work environment (barring stripping). I found the first bib necklace on one of my favorite sites, Net-A-Porter. The second necklace is a steal at Banana Republic!

Some of my favorite retailers for jewelry (for something different than that Tiffany look) are: Barneys, ShopBop, Ylang-Ylang, Neiman Marcus, Anthropologie, J.Crew and Cusp.

Bring on the bling, lades!