Jewelery to Suit You

Jewellery to suit you
Today the availability of costume jewellery is awesome. There is so much to choose from that many of us are like kids in a sweet shop when we go shopping for that special item. Alongside precious and semi precious stones there are pearls (cultured, fresh water, simulated, glass) crystals (Czech, Chinese, Austrian) in all shapes and sizes not to mention an array of different settings. It is not surprising that many of us have difficulty in choosing that special piece of jewellery to complete an outfit.

A carefully chosen item of jewelery can work a magic spell on your look and is just as important as your choice of outfit. In addition to Jewelery complimenting a certain style of clothing it can help accentuate or disguise physical features. However there are more factors to think about than just whether something suits you. A well-chosen piece of jewelery must be comfortable, complimentary but also liked. If your height dictates that you should avoid dangle earrings but you just have to have them, it is important to wear and enjoy them. Your choice of jewelery is a statement about who you are just as much as it is about what suits you.

The following are some tricks that I have amassed over the last 18 years designing jewelery. I hope that you find them useful.

Face shapes
There are primarily 5 different face shapes (oval, rectangle, round, heart and square) and each of these shapes suits a different style of jewelery. However it is not easy to identify which shape you are. Also it?s not just your face shape that needs to be taken into account, as your build (petite, medium, large) is also an important factor in getting the overall look right.

How to determine what face shape you have
Pull your hair away from your forehead with a hair band and stand in front of a well-lit mirror. Its better if you have a friend to try this out on each other.

An oval shaped face has a wide forehead, prominent cheekbones that gradually narrows to a small chin A heart shaped face is similar to an oval shaped face except that the cheeks appear wider in relation to the chin, which is very small and often pointed. A round face is widest at the cheeks with no angles. Long faces have a forehead, cheeks and jaw line of roughly the same width Square faces also have forehead, cheeks and jaw line of roughly the same width however they also have a very strong straight jaw line

As a simple rule if you choose a style of jewelery the same shape as your face you will accentuate it.

Oval face
This is the easiest of the 5 as any style of earring will suit.

Long/ face
Going by the rule above long earrings will make your face appear longer. If you want to disguise a long face short, stud earrings are best matched with a round necklace and neckline. A v neckline will accentuate the length of the face.

Round face
Round/hoop earrings will accentuate a round face. Long, slim earrings will give the impression of length. Add to this either a pendant or V shaped necklace to a V shaped neckline

Heart face Women with a heart shaped face have a narrow chin. If a narrow chin needs disguising choose earrings that are wider at the base. If your heart shaped face is your best feature it will be accentuated with earrings narrow at the base.

Square face For women with square shaped faces avoid harsh angular lines, rather opt for hoop or round shaped earrings with a round necklace Also avoid a square neckline.

Necklines We have addressed, round, square and V necklines but what about strapless and backless.

Strapless dresses look great with choker or simple round necklaces or just a long pair of dangly earrings Backless dresses, or those with a deep V at the back look great with a lariat necklace. This looks like a simple round or pendant necklace at the front but has a string of beads dangling down the back.

Want to look shorter?

If you are tall and want to appear shorter choose either a choker or round style necklace, avoiding long strings of beads. If you have a long neck that you want to show off, long slim earrings and a round necklace are a must.

Want to look taller?

If you are petite and want to look taller opt for V shaped necklaces and avoid choker styles. The longer the necklace the taller you will appear, but not too long-the princess length of necklace at 18 inches is long enough. Very long chunky earrings may dwarf petite frames. If you have a short neck this will appear shorter the longer the earrings that are chosen. Very fine short dangle or stud earrings are the most complimentary.

Chest size Your chest will look larger with a round neckline, halter neckline, polo neckline and choker /round necklaces. It will be minimized with a V neckline and V or pendant shaped necklace.

Bracelets Bracelets can add that finishing touch to your overall ensemble The choice is endless with so many designs about but the most suitable for your frame is as follows. Larger builds can cope with chunky, or many layered bracelets. Also a wide band or cuff looks great. For petite frames fine delicate bracelets will compliment small hands and wrists. .

Finally, always take note of what you are wearing when someone compliments you on how well you look as this is an affirmation as to your choice of style and colour. Happy jewellery hunting!

Jenny guazo is jewellery designer for braceletsnbrides http://www.braceletsnbrides.co.uk