Do you choose the gown first or the jewellery? That is a question that does crop up from time to time. For example, you may be saving a fantastic piece of jewellery that you want to show off at a formal event. You are probably searching your closet for something that will be perfect for you to wear. On the other hand, you may want to buy some jewellery that goes with your new formal outfit. Whatever the reason, the question remains – choosing the best jewellery for your outfit.
We also have a choice among the formal western gowns, lehengas, and sarees. Regardless of the formal wear, choosing jewellery is mainly based on colour, scale, and style.
Sense of colour
We all have our favourite colours that influences our choice in jewellery and clothing. Some of us like to do tone on tone while some prefer complete contrast. There is also the larger group that chooses to remain neutral with a hint of contrast. Here’s a tip: the choice that makes you smile instantly when you look into the mirror, is the right one. It’s all about that instinct!
Scale or size of the jewellery
Sometimes, we like a piece of jewellery that is so appealing in the store that we bring it home, but it doesn’t do much for us or our outfits. Just because you like those cute and tiny pieces, it may be a mistake to wear them with a dress that makes them almost invisible. It would defeat the purpose of accessorising if it doesn’t show at all. However with larger pieces of jewellery, you have to take into account if both – your clothing and jewellery – is fighting for attention or they’re merely complimenting each other.
Through countless stories we’ve received from customers, here’s our recommendation:
If you’re wearing a printed or patterned gown, it’s better to either go for something small and simple or completely solid. Stud earrings and small pearls around your neck will do just fine with such dresses. If you’re attending a conservative and formal event, you can still wear simple jewellery but team it with one-colour outfits. The thing about choosing jewellery for the gown is that they must complement each other so that neither the dress nor the jewellery goes unnoticed.
Make a style statement.
Whatever the gown or jewellery, you will want to make a unique style statement. You can look chic and edgy with oversized jewellery, especially a bib necklace or drop earrings. Wearing both may be too much of a statement, and neither will be given due attention. One piece of oversized jewellery is more than enough to make you look glamorous.
If you want to be more subtle, you can go for diamond or pearl earrings and a pendant necklace. The idea behind choosing complementary jewellery to wear with your outfit is to maintain a visual balance. Other aspects include selecting the metal and gemstones.
Is it to be gold, silver, or platinum?
The colour of your gown would be a good starting point. If you wear a bold red dress, a silver necklace like the Anne Shirley Necklace would be striking. Although, platinum would do just as brilliantly. Gowns in black go well with gold – be it yellow or rose. Again, a one-colour outfit can do with jazzing up with sparkling gemstones and a printed gown with more understated accessories. The challenge is in making sure it is neither too much nor too little.
Start with the earrings
Earrings are often chosen based on the gown’s neckline or hairstyle. You would want to wear earrings that accentuate the neck and hairdo. Choose the diamond solitaire for a touch of understated elegance. Studs or drop earrings with a touch of sapphire as in the Zimri gemstone stud earrings or ruby to bring out the colour can be dramatic, especially if your outfit has either colour. But, for the upswept hairstyle, danglers like the Arabella Ornate diamond drop earrings, would look incredible.
Necklaces – long or short?
If the bodice of your lehenga has beautiful work with pearls and crystals, you may not want to wear anything that clashes. By contrast, if the bodice is simple, you can wear a choker that will draw the eye. The neckline needs to be considered, too. A v-neck warrants a necklace that falls within the v-shaped neckline, like a choker; high necklines or collars need a longer chain. A multi-coloured bodice can handle a diamond necklace or a strand of pearls.
Bracelets or bangles?
Both bracelets and bangles can be worn with formal wear, albeit one at a time. While some get away with wearing a slim pair of Floret diamond bangles and a bracelet, such as the Kashina Bloom diamond bracelet, it is more common to wear a wrist cuff or a bracelet with dramatic overtones for a formal event. If your dress has short sleeves or is sleeveless, a broad wrist cuff would make a strong impression. The advantage of wearing a dress without sleeves is that you can wear half a dozen bangles either in gold or silver and appear formal. When you wear a saree as a formal outfit, bangles do beautifully.
One ring or more?
Some women wear a single large ring with gemstones set in a floral design like the Ina floret diamond ring that is large enough to reach the second knuckle. Some wear stacked rings with diamonds that go with any kind of outfit – formal or informal. Even a single solitaire diamond can be dramatic when matched with diamond earrings and a necklace. As a set, each piece of jewellery complements the other and adds to the glamour of the ensemble.
Whether it is a single complementary set or unique pieces of each, earrings, necklaces, adornments for the wrist or the finger, you can use your personal sense of style to add to your collection. Regardless of what you choose to wear – saree, gown, or lehengas- when you think of formal wear, you will want to pair it with jewellery that makes you stand out in a crowd. CaratLane is just the place to go for that special piece of jewellery.
