As the heat of summer fades, and the air begins to hint at winter’s coming chill, it’s time to move your lighter summer wardrobe to the back of the closet and bring out the heavier fall and winter items. Scarves take the place of necklaces, and longer sleeves hide bracelets and small luxury watches. So, you need to be creative when coordinating jewelry with your fall outfits. Whether you are heading back to the office after COVID-19 stay-at-home orders or out on a hayride, here are a few key things to keep in mind when styling your jewelry with fall outfits.
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Layering Isn’t Just for Clothing
Depending on your location, fall may come in fits and spurts, and layering is the best way to be prepared for the chilly mornings and evenings and the balmy afternoons. But don’t just throw a cardigan over your favorite top in the morning; think about how you can layer your jewelry to make a statement. Necklines are often higher in fall clothing, so take advantage of them by layering multiple necklaces of varying lengths. The shorter pieces draw attention to your face and make your torso look longer by breaking up the longer shirt length, especially if you are wearing a solid-colored top. You can even wear longer and chunkier chains and pendants with turtlenecks and sweater dresses to complement the material’s texture.
Chunky mixed metals are the hottest trend for fall 2021. If you prefer to wear a scarf, make a statement with bold fringe or reimagined hoop earrings. Mix and match bracelets to take advantage of the popular three-quarter-length fall sleeve. Experiment with material and weight combinations until you find the perfect blend for your style. You can even go for a mixed metals look with a luxurious two-tone Rolex watch for an elegant addition to your ensemble.
When wearing long sleeves, skip the bracelets and accessorize your hands with stacking rings instead. Vary the weights, shapes and materials of the rings, and keep one finger bare to prevent overdoing the look. On one finger, wear stacks of delicate rings, and on another, draw attention with a large statement stone or wear a cocktail ring for a night out on the town.
Choose the Right Color and Tone
Fall is full of stunning colors, from burnt oranges and mustard yellows to rich chocolate brown and emerald green. To ensure your jewelry doesn’t clash with your ensemble, coordinate the colors and metallic tones of your pieces with your clothing. If you want to create a dramatic look, opt for contrasting colors, such as pairing a blue beaded necklace over an orange top or wearing yellow gold twisted hoop earrings with a chocolate brown silk scarf. For a more subtle outfit, analogous or neutral shades are the best choice. Choose a creamy ivory knit sweater and combine it with a rose gold luxury watch with a champagne dial.
It’s All About Scale and Balance
An often overlooked part of pairing jewelry with clothing is scale. In the summer, delicate jewelry is popular because it pairs well with lighter clothing. In the fall, delicate necklaces can be overpowered by heavier clothing, so stick with thicker necklaces and statement earrings. Even if you are petite, you can wear heftier jewelry pieces to balance out your bulkier sweaters and coats.
Pair Patterns with Simple Jewelry Styles
Fall is a time when you can break out plaids and chunky textured knits to make a bold fashion statement while staying snug. But wearing equally bold jewelry can make your outfit appear chaotic. If you wear a top with a striking pattern, go for more subdued jewelry. Pair a plaid turtleneck with a Franco or cable link yellow gold chain; the chain is still thick enough that it won’t get lost in the pattern but simple enough to make the plaid’s colors stand out.
Wear Jewelry That Doesn’t Harm Your Clothes
Be careful with earrings. If your sweater has a high neck, or if you are wearing a scarf, you may want to avoid wire-backed earrings that don’t close, as they may get caught in the fabric and fall out. Instead, stick to earrings with latches, screw backs or push backs. Earrings that dangle will stand out and match the scale of the sweater or scarf, but they can become caught on the fabric and snag it. Oversized post earrings may be preferable in those situations because they capture attention without falling out or snagging your clothing.
Consider the Event’s Purpose
Fall is filled with a lively mix of outdoor activities like apple picking and campfires or cozy board game parties with friends. If you are attending a party, colorful statement pieces are an excellent choice. Opt for jewelry charms and necklace pendants that fit the season, like apples or leaves, or for quirky Halloween pieces like ghost earrings.
For a professional event, stick to the classic, simple jewelry and skip the seasonal options. Avoid your favorite spooky season charm bracelet and wear the luxury watches instead. Choose a classic dress watch with a metallic or leather band and a simple dial; leave the oversized or high-tech watches for more casual events. Another tip when styling your jewelry for professional occasions: Only wear one statement piece like an oversize necklace and keep the rest of the jewelry simple and minimal.
Consider Fabrics and Textures
Fabric choices change as the temperatures drop, and one of the more popular fall options is leather because it provides a nice contrast to the texture of fall knits. Leather accessories include everything from boots to bags to jackets, and leather pants pair well with loose, oversized tops and cardigans as well.
Gold complements leather beautifully, so bring out your gold pieces to accessorize your leather clothing options. Stack gold bracelets on your wrist to peek out from under the leather jacket, or wear an oversize gold necklace when carrying a large leather bag.
Thicker and warmer textures for fall, like cable knit sweaters and flannels, are popular. They often come in warm fall colors like burgundy, navy, burnt orange and deep greens. Make sure your jewelry pairs well with the color and texture of your outfits. Look for warmer toned yellow and rose gold pieces to complement the autumn hues.
Step Out Well Styled This Fall
While it may be tempting to give up on jewelry this fall, go bold. Bring out the oversize jewelry to compete with your oversize sweaters. Brighten darker colored outfits with pops of fall color. Layer boldly. But whatever you do, remember to showcase your personal style in every piece.
