The holiday season is in full swing. For many of us it means going to more parties, dinners and social get togethers in a 6 week period than we do during the rest of the year combined. No matter if the gathering is with family, friends, colleagues or neighbors, you want to look good and add your own personal bit of sparkle to the festivities. And what’s the best way to do that? With some amazing jewelry, of course!
The Jewelry Styles That Transform Your Wardrobe
Wardrobe options are the obvious first issue to resolve and one most of us don't think twice about planning out well ahead of time. But we don't always think about pieces of jewelry that will take that outfit and elevate it to a LOOK. Have you already matched up dazzling pieces of jewelry and decided on how to style them to enhance and even expand your wardrobe? Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered! This year, we've found ten amazing jewelry styles – along with some amazing pieces – that will add plenty of sparkle to your holiday wardrobe. Best of all, each one easily becomes a valuable addition to your jewelry collection so there’s no need to worry that you’re getting a piece or learning a style you’ll only be able to use once a year. With this list, you can make your entire 2018 bright.1. Layered Pendants and Charms
Using a variety of pendants and charms takes a bit of finesse but it’s well worth the effort. Shops like Pandora and ANOTHER offer a wide range of charms that make it easy to express yourself. Charms and pendants have become so popular that you can even find uber-niche options and one off designs through many boutiques on etsy. Once you have your charms and pendants, it’s time to choose a necklace for it . The most common necklace lengths are 14, 16, 18, 20, 24, 30 and 33 inches. Chains that measure 30 and 33 inches are often called body chains instead of necklaces. By layering different lengths you can create a unique look that showcases your personality, enhances your wardrobe and makes it easier to wear more of your jewelry more often. In order to layer pendant and charm necklaces without going overboard, keep a few tips in mind:- Start at the Top – Work your way down when layering necklaces. Your first choice should also be your shortest. Start the layering with a choker or 16-inch thin chain. Keep this piece simple and stick with plain chains or smaller pendants and solitaire gemstones.
- Keep Your Numbers Close – When layering, choose lengths that aren’t too far apart. Don’t pair a 14 and 16-inch necklace set with a 33 inch body chain. The difference will be too drastic and will draw attention away from your style.
- Don’t Make Your Charms and Pendants Compete – Using a few different charms and pendants is fine, but don’t go overboard. Choose one piece to be your focus and make sure any other charms or pendants are smaller than that. If you overcrowd your necklaces it will muddy your look and make it harder for people to appreciate each piece.
- Use Your Focus at the End – Speaking of your focal pendant or charm, consider using it on your longest chain. It weighs down the final chain, ensuring it won’t get caught up in the shorter chains as you move. Using it also provides an instant frame for the shorter necklaces making the layers look cohesive.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Go Big – For the most part, people usually stick with 3 or 4 necklaces, but you don’t have to stick to a small number when layering. One of the great things about layering is that if you choose your necklaces wisely, you can go a little crazy. And this isn’t some new wave idea, either. Just think about the iconic Coco Chanel – she was rarely seen without her trademark ‘piles of pearls’.
Coco Chanel was a true pioneer of the layered necklace look for high fashion.
2. Stackable Statement Rings
Rings designed to be stacked are quickly becoming the next Must Have accessory. Sometimes the rings have a unifying theme or design while other sets use their differences to achieve a unique style. Stacked rings can also be used in combination with hand bracelets which adds to their versatility. Stackable rings with gemstones can also be used to coordinate with layered necklaces with similar stones. Both of these styles use stacked rings to create a look that is both polished and bohemian – a fun combination.
The Equalli Stack Collections take the guesswork out of creating a stylish stacked set.
(Stack Collections, From $79 at Equalli)
3. A New Take on Pearls
Pearls have always held a special place in the world of fashion. They create an iconic look that portrays grace and timeless beauty. Today’s designers are taking pearls to a whole new level. On the catwalk this year, we’ve seen oversized pearls, stackable pearls and even pearls showcased in bejeweled cages. While some looks may remain on the catwalk, pearls are clearly going to enjoy a modern revival in 2018.
Not your mom’s pearl earrings. (Nikos Koulis Spektrum earrings, €5,115 at Montaigne Market)
4. Bangles, Baby!
Bracelets are getting a lot of buzz lately and for good reason. Two major trends in wrist jewelry are bangles and hand bracelets. Bangles are made to be stacked which makes them a great choice for people who love the mix of clunky and delicate. Bangles are also easy to mix up when it comes to metal types and embellishments. Hand bracelets have been spotted on the runways this past season as well. They’re the natural choice for people who love the bohemian and hippie look. These bracelets use longer lines to connect to a stack of rings or simply to drape along the hand. Both types of bracelets create flow along the arms down to the hands as well as an effortlessly graceful look.
Mixed bangles create a bright, colorful look (Pave Mixed Tags Bangle Set, $95 at Coach)
5. Mixed Media Necklaces
Mixing materials makes a piece take on a whole new dimension. By bringing together diverse materials such as tweed, fabric and gemstones into a single piece, designers can create something that is truly fresh and original. Since they use so many different materials, it also makes the piece more versatile. The wearer can pair it with material in their wardrobe to bring out a certain element. The Zara Tweed Necklace with Faux Pearls, for example, could be worn with a tweed jacket and crisp white shirt to bring out the tweed and play on the classic look of the pearls. A day later, you could pair it with distressed jeans and a vintage blouse to play off the different textures and styles of the necklace.
Mixed Media means enhanced versatility (Tweed Necklace with Faux Pearls, $30 at Zara)
6. Collar Necklaces
Another emerging trend in necklaces is the collar necklace. These pieces are almost like a whole wardrobe piece on their own. Styles and coverage vary which makes them immensely collectable and versatile. Make collar necklaces a valuable part of your jewelry collection with the following looks:- Revamp Those High Collar Shirts – Layer a collar statement necklace over a button up blouse, turtleneck or high collar shirt and suddenly it’s a whole new look. These necklaces can take a plain shirt you might otherwise wear under a jacket and turn it into something truly special.
- Double Collar – Another great look is to match the collar of a shirt with the design of a collared necklace. It creates a double collar that not only enhances the blouse, it lengthens your neckline.
- Make It Your Splash of Color – Use a brightly colored collar necklace with an all black or all white outfit to make it truly a statement piece.
7. Statement Earrings
Earrings are getting a makeover thanks to designers like Ann Taylor. For a long time earrings have varied in size and bling factor but, generally, they had plenty of elements in common. Most earring have been made of metal and gemstones. Since they slip through piercings, these factors are important. After all, users want something that can be fully sterilized as well as something that draws attention. Issues of weight have been an issue from time to time when it comes to making something dazzling and that’s where this new approach to earring design comes into play. Ann Taylor’s newest offerings include statement earrings that use unconventional materials. Their Floral Fabric Statement Earrings, for example, use fabric with metal and textured beats to create an arresting and multidimensional look that pairs perfectly with artsy looks as well as high-end haute couture.
Fabric is one of several materials seen in today’s statement earrings (Floral Fabric Statement Earrings, $60 at Ann Taylor)
8. Cuffs
Wonder Woman swept the box office this season and some say that’s been the catalyst behind cuffs as the next season’s must have accessory. Get ahead of the fashion curve this holiday season by incorporating dazzling cuffs into your winter wardrobe. Already designers are creating amazing cuffs that celebrate every look from dainty and delicate to warrior woman. Check around for vintage options as well since this is a look that has been in the fashion cycle dating back to Ancient Egypt.
Warrior women can show off their strength fashionably (Wonder Woman Cuff, $50 at Alex and Ani)
9. Upcycling
Another big trend is to take everyday objects and turn them into something beautiful people use everything from beer bottle caps, circuit boards, even pages from their favorite books and transform into something amazing. At a link to the at least one pendent that does this.
Niche designs like this circuit board pendant can be found through etsy (Recycled Circuit Board Jewelry, $15 at
BeauIT)
10. Pieces That Celebrate the Earth
The trend of upcycling is part of a larger trend driving public taste and fashion design. Pieces that celebrate and pay homage to Mother Nature, Mother Earth and simply the natural beauty of the world have become one of the hottest trends in fashion. Jewelry styles that celebrate the natural beauty of the world around us have taken center stage. One of the gemstones that has benefitted the most from this renewed appreciation for natural beauty is the dynamic and versatile opal. At the same time, a deeper understanding of how important Fair Trade practices are have made the ethics of a jeweler as important as their craftsmanship. Also at work is a newfound appreciation for the investment jewelry truly is. People don’t want to spend money on items that won’t retain their value and prove themselves to be durable and high quality. Andersen-Beattie has set themselves apart as an opal jeweler that understands the inherent beauty of opals as well as the importance of sustainability and the highest demands of customer service. Their Create Your Own option for opal jewelry gives everyone access to some of the top design tools in the world. Their local artists understand not only the best way to display opals but also the best practices for mining and preparing them. They work with artists and communities which are geographically and economically invested in opals so that their natural beauty shines through while supporting the local economy, culture and livelihood.
Customers can choose from award winning designs or create their own piece of jewelry through Anderson-Beattie’s website (Create your Own Options, Starting from $70 at Anderson-Beattie)