JEWELLERY STYLING TIPS
At H Samuel, we’ve developed a range of guides to help you make the most of your old, current and future jewellery. Learn more about your personal style, understand latest trends, how to travel with jewellery and find the best ways to wear different items. Buying a jewellery gift for him? Take our quiz on understanding his style to ensure you find a gift he will love.
⦁ HOW TO LAYER YOUR NECKLACES
Many women today are opting for bold, chunky necklaces in geometric shapes and bright colours that make a big statement all on their own. They can make daintier chains look downright flimsy by comparison, but don’t give up on your more delicate favourites. By strategically layering several together, you’ll achieve a result greater than the sum of its parts.
⦁ LAYER IN LEVELS
The most important thing when wearing multiple necklaces is to vary the lengths. Try mixing shorter, finer chains with longer, thicker ones. You might find that doubling longer strands gives you just the effect you’re looking for.
⦁ CHARMED, I’M SURE
It can be fun to pile on two or more necklaces or chains with beads or small charms interspersed. An easy look to pull off is a shorter pendant, with a longer graduated bead chain. Or stick to a theme, with the same or similar shapes hanging from chains of different lengths.
⦁ LAYERS OF COLOUR
Necklaces go from basic to elaborate, with the introduction of colour gemstones and pearls. You can drape bright, primary colours of gems or beads together or stay within the same colour family for a softer look.
⦁ LOVE THOSE LINKS
Experiment with a variety of chains of different link styles and lengths. You can opt to stay within the same colour palette – like all rose gold or all silver – or go for a combo. You can even find multi-strand necklaces that create this look for you. Lariat necklaces are another great way to add length and visual interest, at the same time.
⦁ CONSIDER YOUR CLOTHES
The neckline of your outfit will help determine, which necklaces you use for layering. Deep necklines lend themselves perfectly to framing your jewellery, but shirts and blouses with higher necklines can work nicely, too. For example, wear a few shorter charm or pendant necklaces peeking out from a collared top. Layered chains are also a great way to dress up a basic V-neck tee.
⦁ BREAK THE “RULES”
Oh, and those substantial, heavy necklaces we mentioned earlier? Go ahead and combine them with others, but tread lightly. With big, bold styles that make a statement, you’ll probably just want one simple, slightly longer chain or a ‘collarette’ style necklace to create a dramatic impact.
So, what’s the common strand in all this layering advice? Have fun! Go for something unexpected, try blending pieces you’ve never worn together before, and dig out those old chains you’ve given up on. Layering necklaces is your chance to create a look that’s distinctly yours; no one else owns the same exact collection of jewellery as you, right? So play around with what you’ve got and when you’re out shopping, think about how necklaces might work with your existing pieces. You’ll never settle for just one again.
⦁ HOW TO STACK RINGS: A GUIDE
Stacking rings are a hot trend and they’re here to stay. It’s a great way to give new life to a ring that’s a little lonely and boring on its own. It’s also fun to mix and match colours and styles to create something totally unique.
Stacking rings first made an impression on the fashion industry in 2013 and were popular among bloggers, soon enough they were all over the catwalks too and now everyone is a fan. They look great, but how do you wear them?
First of all, the thing to remember is there’s no “right” or “wrong” way to do this. If you love how it looks, that’s the only thing that matters. Don’t be afraid to experiment and get advice from friends, whose style you admire and who can give their insight, without over-shadowing your personal expression, inspiration is everywhere.
How many rings should you wear on each finger? It’s really up to you, but you’re better off varying it from finger to finger. See what looks and feels right. If you have an especially bulky ring or a favourite that you want to showcase, consider letting it fly solo and leave the stacking to other digits.
Tip: Wear rings of different widths together: Pair a skinny band with a thick and chunky ring. If your rings feature stones, stagger them so the gems don’t line up vertically. It’s a lot more comfortable and looks beautifully coordinated. Let them layer up too, it doesn’t matter if one ring slightly overlaps the other – that’s what makes it unique.
⦁ STACKING BY COLOUR & METAL
Mixing colour gems creates a dramatic look, especially when you work with deep, rich shades of blue and red. You can also use gems in different hues of the same colour family for a different appearance – stacking rings aren’t about matching and being neat. so have fun experimenting with different designs and styles.
Don’t shy away from blending yellow gold with white and rose gold varieties. Mixing different textures also adds visual appeal. You can (and should!) wear white and gold metals together. In fact, combining rings of only one type and colour of metal sort of defeats the purpose of stacking. If you play it safe and stick to one colour, you’re missing a great opportunity to show individuality!
⦁ STACKING WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE
If you’ve fallen out of love with some of the rings in your jewellery box, stacking is the perfect way to see them in a new light. Even old-fashioned gifts from grandma can get a new lease on life when combined with more modern styles. so there’s no need to throw them away. Your engagement ring and wedding band aren’t off-limits, either. No one will say that you don’t take your vows seriously if you add another fancy bauble to the same finger, especially another coloured gem paired with your diamond, so don’t be afraid to try something different!
⦁ A FINISHING TOUCH…
Finally, don’t let your fashion statement get in the way of your daily routine. If your job requires you to be on a keyboard all day, make sure you can comfortably move your fingers around. It’s also probably not a great idea to bejewel your fingers if you’re going to be doing things like handling easily snagged fabrics or moving big, heavy objects.
Most importantly, trust your imagination! Stacking rings gives you countless ways to get more mileage out of the jewellery you love to wear.
TRAVELLING WITH JEWELLERY: TOP TIPS
Travelling is something we all love to do, whether it’s an annual summer holiday or a special trip over Christmas, you may have questions about what jewellery to take with you, what to leave behind and how to pack it.
Don’t leave your accessory plan to the last minute. Instead, start by reviewing these handy tips:
⦁ WHAT TO BRING – AND WHAT TO LEAVE AT HOME
No matter where you’re travelling to or for how long, a holiday is a break from routine and daily worries, so try not to take anything you’re going to worry about losing. It’s best to leave expensive, valuable jewellery at home and in a safe place, unless they’re a key part of your outfit for a special event on your trip.
But don’t limit yourself too much, a vacation’s a great time to accessorize and expand your jewellery wardrobe so include some inexpensive basics.
For the most part, stick with just a few neutral pieces – small hoop or stud earrings, a small pendant, a chain-link bracelet – that will work with multiple outfits. But throw in a few fancy, statement pieces, too. They’ll dress up even your most basic travel outfit. And since you’re sticking to less expensive jewellery, you can likely afford to go trendy.
⦁ WHAT ABOUT YOUR WEDDING AND ENGAGEMENT RINGS?
Depending on your destination and activities, it’s often best to leave your engagement ring at home and wear just your more subdued wedding band. (If your wedding band is flashier or more expensive, do the reverse.) If both are as valuable as each other, consider swapping them out for a less expensive (but equally meaningful) travel ring on your wedding finger.
Maybe you still want the look of your diamond engagement or wedding ring but don’t want to risk your own. Consider a look-a-like at a fraction of the cost, such as cubic zirconia rings or crystal, can play the part of your pricier and more emotionally precious diamond jewellery.
If you do choose to travel with any fine jewellery, this is a good time to set up insurance for those pieces if you haven’t already.
⦁ HOW TO PACK JEWELLERY FOR TRAVEL
To avoid losing an earring and tangling all of your necklaces and bracelets, consider these simple methods for packing for your trip:
⦁ Travel jewellery case: If you travel frequently, consider a travel jewellery organizer or jewellery roll, with compartments to keep your items organized and free from tangles and scratching.
⦁ Straws: Slipping the end of your dainty necklaces through one end of a drinking straw and closing the clasp, keeps it safe and tangle free. Keep each necklace separate and keep in a toothbrush holder. For chunky necklaces, follow the same process using a toilet-paper tube or something equivalent.
⦁ Index cards: Using a safety pin, poke holes through an index card and insert earrings together and seal the backs – keeps earrings organised and easy to find. Wrap a cloth around the card then pack it with the rest of your jewellery.
⦁ Daily pill box: Seven-day pill boxes, used to manage weekly pill doses are the perfect size for storing individual earrings, rings and even smaller bracelets and necklaces. By putting just one item (or earring pair) in a box, everything stays tangle-free and organized. And since the boxes are connected, you have all your jewellery in one place. A related trick: Use old prescription pill bottles to pack individual, smaller items, and then place all the bottles in a larger zip-lock bag.
⦁ Small sealable snack cups: Small sealable plastic bowls or snack cups are a great size for storing individual chunkier necklaces, bracelets or earrings, or a collection of earring-pair buttons wrapped in a small cloth.
⦁ Little plastic bags: If you’ve kept the sealable plastic bags you often get with inexpensive jewellery, consider using them to store your jewellery for travel. Put one item in each bag to keep things organized and tangle-free – put these bags into a larger zip-lock bag for extra protection. Alternatively, sealable snack bags are just as good and can be found in most supermarkets.
One final tip:
If you’re flying, pack jewellery in your hand-luggage. Checked bags have a much greater chance of getting lost.
And remember: You’re taking a vacation to relax and have fun, and to get away from your daily routine. Keep jewellery simple and inexpensive so it doesn’t get in the way.