I’m a big fan of jewelry. Cheap jewelry, expensive jewelry, I love it all. My favorite pieces of jewelry are my wedding ring and a pair of earrings I bought on the street in New York City for $1. I don’t really discriminate when it comes to pretty baubles.
Friends ask me all the time: how do you know what to wear together? I don’t know actually, there really isn’t a science to it. I don’t really care what’s hot or what’s not, I just know what I love and will wear regularly. If you find something you love, you’ll find a way to wear it.
The trick is not to wear it all at the same time. Sometimes I see photos of celebrities wearing 10 pieces of jewelry and they’re all competing with each other; you don’t really get to appreciate each piece. To me that’s missing the whole point of jewelry, which is frankly a travesty.
Here’s my general rule of thumb for accessorizing an outfit: wear one statement piece, the rest will complement. So if I’m wearing a big ring, I won’t wear a big bracelet. If I have on huge earrings I either skip a necklace or tone it way, way down. Make sense?
My go to places for finding great accessories: Forever 21, Charlotte Russe and Stella & Dot.
When I visit big cities like New York or L.A. I buy jewelry off the street for less than $5 each piece. It doesn’t have to cost a lot to wear cool jewelry but when you find something you love, snatch it up. You never know when you might find just the right necklace on a street corner in San Francisco.
Find more from Guest Mom Allison at her blog Petit Elephant.
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{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
Excellent, Allison!
One of my favorite tips is that a necklace should never compete with the neckline–meaning the necklace should end above or below where the neckline is on your shirt. If you follow that rule, necklaces can be a simple way to make an outfit amazing.
I am always in awe of how your jewelry comes together. We must go shopping together soon. Can we combine a work meeting with a shopping trip? Have such things been done?
loving those stella and dot earings
Charlette Russe and Forever 21 have the BEST cheap jewelry!!! Love it!
I love my cheap Charlotte Russe silver bracelets that YOU told me to buy! They go with everything. And that Stella and Dot jewelry is gorgeous.
So…that's how you always look fabulous. Shopping trip soon? :) You know I need some help in that dept.
Azucar,
What an excellent tip! It's never even occurred to me, but the neckline would compete wouldn't it?
Cicada,
Work & shopping trips have likely co-existed since the beginning of time.
Heidi,
Stella & Dot has some seriously cute, swank jewelry. They're my new favorite.
Featherbed,
I know, right? You can always count on those two for great accessories. CHEAP, great accessories.
Make and Takes,
They're great right? You can wear them with jeans OR a dress. Love them.
Cafe Johnsonia,
Pick the time and place. And you really don't need help, you're plenty fabulous on your own.
I cannot think of a better person to write this! Allison is a gorgeous mama and always has the "perfect" piece. When I had nothing to wear at BlogHer, I totally raided her stash. We're going jewelry shopping in LA right? I know just where to take you…
Momfluential,
What a sweet thing to say! Indeed, you can raid my jewelry anytime. You know I never spend more than a few dollars here and there. Can't WAIT to shop for jewelry together in LA!
Great post and great tips where to find inexpensive accessories!
When I grow up I want to accessorize just like you! One of my favorite pairs of earrings are a set I bought in Rosarito, Mexico for a couple dollars. And Forever 21 is another go-to store for me too. Great post, babe!
Katja,
Thank you. I am constantly on the prowl for new stores with great accessories. Great CHEAP accessories!
Emily,
You never know where you'll find good jewelry right? I find it in random, fabulous places.
Nice post!
Jenny,
Thanks! Jewelry is really easy for me to talk about. ;)
You can find great, cheap, and unique jewelry on Etsy.com and you support the handmade movement as well.
Red Charlotte,
You're completely right. Etsy is an amazing place to find one-of-a kind, homemade jewelry, and I love it!
Yes! I think it makes complete sense!
-Mommy from Tokyo :)-
Pascale,
It really does, especially once you start layering your jewelry. You just never want to go overboard…
Awesome tips for the jewellery-challenged me….Thanks so much!
I absolutely love this. I am finding that the older I get, the more I love jewelry. I got a great piece at our local farmer's market and love it!!!
Thanks so much for this post. We all need the reminder now and then that less is more ;)
Mixing Bowl Mama,
Jewelry challenged? Love it! Anytime.
Kim,
Less IS more, especially with age. Maybe that's because there's more of ME.
Allison,
How do you organize your accessories at home? I admit I've had to untangle my necklaces more than once, just to be able to wear them. Any advice?
Sarah,
Good question! I have a lot of little IKEA bins, a whole shelf full. I think it's about time for a craft project to solve the problem frankly.
Thanks for the tips! And I love Forever 21 too :)