photo by me

I’m always curious about this subject of what flatters different people. I think I first got aware of this subject applied in jewelry with a Susannah and Trinny book, “What You Wear Can Change Your Life”. The book itself didn’t reveal much, so I tried to look around for more information on this.
So I’m compiling here what I got out from all of it.

Remember, this is only a general guide. There are always exceptions. And always keep in mind your personal style, of course.

The most important factor is proportion! Consider your structure. If you’re big go for the heavier pieces or if you’re small stick with more light or delicate ones. A smaller piece in a big person will only make them look bigger, and the reverse happens making a small person look smaller with something too big.

Necklaces

Consider your frame, if you’re on the small side chunky will overwhelm you. It might even make you look stumpy. These are for the larger framed, because it complements their size. Petites should wear slimmer pieces.

A short length will draw the eye’s attention up and, if you’re not tall, it might shorten your figure a little. A longer length elongates, just be thoughtful as to where the end of the necklace hits. Don’t have it end at your widest points.

Avoid chunky on short necks, as it adds width to it.
Also forget about chokers. If you cover up what little neck you have, it will look like you have no neck at all. Plus, the choker will only emphasize the thickness. So as you can imagine, narrow necks benefit a lot. Even if they aren’t too long, a narrow choker will give you the extra width you need without making your neck disappear.
Long necks are the best for wearing chokers.

Pendants

If you have big breasts, choose a smaller length closer to your collarbone. Having a pendant sit at your breast’s line focus too much attention on the wider part of your chest. And passing that line is probably not for the best, as it will attraction the eye to far too low.

Rings

If your fingers are thick, a delicate ring will only accentuate that as the ring becomes lost in the finger. And the ring just fades away no matter how pretty it is.
You have the structure to wear a big robust ring. Your hand supports such (visual) weight.

The inverse happen on narrow fingers. A chunky ring will appear too heavy. While a delicate ring will look best. If you want a bit of a bigger ring go for a cut-out design, it keeps it light. But you need to avoid the over-sized stones in your fingers.

Bracelets & Anklets

The same as the rings applies to the wrists and ankles. With an exception, you can wear a bundle of them and it’ll still look good. Just make sure they are similar, as in the same style and material, and you can layer as many as you want. You don’t want them to clash, but that they complement each other.

Now remember, you don’t want to wear anything that’s tight on the wrist or ankle. It will only add width to them. Wear it loose where it doesn’t cut across your narrowest point. This actually adds contrasts to the thickness between the wrist and the point where the piece sits.

So, again, heavier arms should stay away from anything too slim. And thin ones avoid too large.

Earrings

Long earrings elongate the face. Just be careful not to have them end past your shoulder’s line, it might shorten your neck.
Avoid shapes that are the same as your face, it only accentuate those features even further. For a balanced look chose the opposite. Round faces wear more angular shaped pieces, and vice-versa.
(Inverted) Triangle faces, narrow chin when compared to the cheeks, can balance it out with an earring that’s larger on the bottom, like a triangle.

Of course this all depends on the effect you want to achieve, and how accentuated your features are.

Combining

You don’t want to concentrate all of your jewelry in the same body area. Otherwise the pieces will be competing for attention and none will stand out. You want each piece to have their beauty shine through.

In the end

The most important is that you feel good in what you wear and that it suits your style and personality. Something that you feel confident wearing is what you should focus on. Usually if you feel great wearing it then it’s the right one for you. Don’t be a slave to guidelines, they’re not mandatory rules.

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• - Jewelry, a personal dilemma…
  
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