Proportion in Fashion & Styling Jewelry: How to Balance Jewelry
Wearing jewelry is an art; a personal expression. For some, no rules exist and they wear whatever feels right. For others, it’s all about proportions.
What do I mean by this? While there are no hard and fast directives to wearing jewelry, proportion in fashion is a guideline, if you will, that helps individuals ensure every accessory looks good next to each other to complement the outfit overall.
Let’s discuss how to balance jewelry and look at tips to styling jewelry — like stacking rings and layering necklaces — to make your pieces look and feel intentionally chosen.
Proportion in Fashion
For a seamless, balanced accessory look, it’s all about proportions. Multiple earrings with varied lengths, layered necklaces, and stacked rings can add incredible interest to an outfit, but close attention must be paid to how each piece looks when worn together.
Within each group of jewelry, it’s important to create a balance. If you’ve never considered proportions in your fashion game, think of accessorizing like this:
- Mix thick and delicate bracelets together.
- Mix regular and midi rings on the same finger.
- Layer short necklaces with long necklaces.
- Choose stacking rings with different styles and designs.
- Mix the size and shape of earrings.
- Layer a statement necklace with simple chains.
When too much of the same jewelry style or design is worn, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings can blend into an outfit and almost become unnoticeable.
A big takeaway when keeping to proportions is to create a point of interest that draws the eye. This will make your jewelry standout.
Stacking Rings & More: Easy Tips for Styling Jewelry
Stacking Rings 101
Without question, finding the perfect combo of rings for the right fingers can take time when your goal is the prettiest hand with the most cohesive stacked rings. Don’t give up at your first try. The best stacks are the ones that grow organically over time.
Start stacking with what you already have. There are no rules, but think about symmetry: Are you going for a balanced, uniform look or more of a mix and match of various styles?
Also, consider choosing one ring that will serve as the ‘guiding light.’ Maybe this is an heirloom ring or one that makes you genuinely happy. If you have a thicker ring, add something skinny/sleek next to it to make things pop.
Some other basics of stacking rings include mixing metals (different colors of metal add vibrance and interest), using all your fingers, and remembering that ring size matters.
When it comes to ring size and stacking rings, keep in mind that as your ring stack grows in number, it may start to feel tight. Having a few rings that are slightly larger than your actual ring size can help your stack feel comfortable.
If You Go Bold, Choose One Statement Piece and Play Down the Rest
If you love a good statement necklace, consider pairing it with a small pair of delicate earrings, a simple watch or small bracelet, and a few delicate rings if you wish. If you want to wear a statement necklace, it’s probably best to not wear any other statement pieces.
If you fancy a statement ring, keep the rest of your rings to a minimum, small/delicate in size, and with a minimalist design/look to them. A bonus: since rings are far away from your ears and neck, also wearing a statement necklace or earrings can work. Just make sure you’re balancing jewelry where all the pieces — statement or not — compliment each other instead of compete.
If you have the perfect pair of statement earrings, consider pairing them with a tiny necklace. If you also want to wear bracelets and rings, try to keep them subdued so your wrists and fingers don’t compete with your ears.
If you want to wear a statement bracelet — like a large cuff or impressive stack of bracelets — consider keeping your earrings more subtle (although they can be more bold than a small pair of studs), and try to keep your necklace thin and delicate, and your rings super simple.
Less is More When Styling Jewelry
When it comes to balance in fashion, keep things simple. Something easy I love doing when getting ready is accessorizing freely. Once all my jewelry is on, I usually take one thing off. I tend to get a little layering happy — where pieces just look piled on — and this can lead to some pieces clashing and overwhelming my appearance.
Since jewelry is meant to add a wonderful, finishing touch to an outfit, wearing too much jewelry only distracts from your overall appearance. Unless you're into maximalist style — in which case, pile on the jewelry! — it’s best to focus on one or two key areas to emphasize your choice of jewelry.
If you're stacking rings, keep bracelets to a minimum. If you're layering necklaces, wear only one statement piece, and so on. Keep your look practical and simplistic as you play with your jewelry. Less is always more!
Keep Bracelets on One Arm, Not Both
If you’re opting for bracelets with a particular outfit, choose one arm to hold all the bracelets. When both wrists are full of jewelry, it usually looks cluttered and overdone.
But if you feel unbalanced in your wrists (if one is stacked high with bracelets), you can add a couple to your empty arm.
Just try to make sure that one wrist is the statement stack and the other is the subtle accent. Don’t forget to try mixing your watch in with your bracelets. I love this look.
Be Mindful with Your Metals
Mixing metals is beautiful, like a stack of gold and silver bracelets or rose gold and gold necklaces layered together. But if you’re wearing all gold, for example, and one piece of a different metal, it could look out of place and not cohesive.
The Occasion is Crucial
Not all jewelry is suitable for every occasion. When you pick the right jewelry for the right event or outing, your outfit won’t look out of place. Pick your jewelry to complement the occasion.
Minimal jewelry is office-appropriate and perfect for everyday wear; Statement jewelry is made for big celebrations, like weddings and birthdays.
A good rule of thumb to follow is: formal events require sophisticated jewelry choices, while causal events allow for fun accessories.
Feel Free to Mix and Match
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different textures and materials for your jewelry. Try to mix metals, try new combinations, and play with textures and designs.
Have you considered these mix and match ideas: stack textured rings with simple bands, wear mismatched earrings, mix dangly earrings with studs, layer minimal necklaces with statement pendants.
We’ve Got Your Statement Piece Covered
Do you want to make a statement and turn heads with your jewelry choices? Bold, modern industrial glam pieces from Zink Metals is the answer.
Our expertly manipulated metals, beautiful gemstones, and inspired designs offer you many opportunities to turn heads, highlight your features, and express who you are.
If you haven’t browsed our collections yet, get inspired with these pieces:
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Triple Horizontal Broken Sterling Silver Necklace  |
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