Jewelry is a way to express your style and personality. It can also be a special gift for someone you love.
When picking out a necklace, it’s essential to consider the occasion and the neckline of your outfit. Here are some tips on choosing the perfect pendant for every occasion from Grace Thomas, professional stylist and founder of Built Gracefully.
What’s the Occasion?
When selecting a pendant for an occasion, it’s essential to consider the event’s dress code and your outfit. For example, for a formal event like a wedding or black-tie affair, large statement necklaces are ideal to make a glamorous impression. However, a dainty pendant necklace may be more appropriate if you go to see a movie date with your significant other.
Additionally, it’s essential to think about the neckline of your outfit when choosing a pendant. A v-neck or scoop neck blouse or dress may call for a long pendant necklace to elongate the figure, while a strapless dress can accommodate a shorter pendant necklace.
Lastly, when choosing a pendant for an occasion, consider whether you will purchase matching earrings and a bracelet to complement the look. This can help you streamline future jewelry purchases and create a more streamlined ensemble. This will help ensure that your pendant looks great on every occasion and can be worn for years.
What’s Your Style?
Personal style is a statement of who you are. Do you tend to gravitate towards minimalistic elegance or more eye-catching designs? This is an important question to ask yourself when looking for a necklace. It will ensure that the piece you choose genuinely reflects your style.
For instance, a Playboy bunny pendant could be paired with a tee for a casual look while still leaving a solid fashion impression. On the other hand, a sterling silver or gold pendant would be a classic choice for workwear and other more formal occasions.
In addition, a pendant’s texture can impact the overall look of your outfit. For example, a rough or hammered texture may lend a rugged, rustic appearance, while a smooth, polished surface can create an elegant and refined aesthetic.
What’s Your Undertone?
While many of us think we know our skin tone, it can be tricky to pinpoint your undertone. This is because your undertone isn’t your skin color—it’s a subtle natural shade that sits just beneath the surface, explains beauty guru and licensed aesthetician Brielle Brenner. For example, fair-skinned women can have warm or cool undertones, and dark-skinned beauties like Alek Wek or Beyonce can have blue or green undertones.
To identify your undertone, stand in front of a mirror in indirect light and look at the veins inside your wrist. If they appear bluish, you have cool undertones; if they look more green, you’re warm. If you see a bit of both, your undertone is neutral. Then, look at your gold and silver jewelry and consider whether you prefer one—this is a great way to gauge which metals flatter you. Silver pops against cool undertones, while gold looks best on those with warm or neutral undertones.
What’s Your Neckline?
The neckline of your garment is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a necklace. The necklace you choose should complement and not clash with your neckline. A simple pendant necklace or a long chain that drapes elegantly alongside your collar is a perfect choice for most outfits.
V necklines narrow and elongate the neck, so the necklace you wear with it should also do the same. A small chain or dainty pendant necklace that falls inside your neckline is the best option for a v-neck outfit.
Boat necks widen the shoulders, so you should look for a necklace that adds length and draws the eye inward. A matinee or princess necklace is a good choice for this neckline, as it is both delicate and graceful.