How to layer necklaces

How to layer necklaces

by | Feb 19, 2018 | Jewellery

photography credit - kerry j photography

 

Following on from the trend to stack bracelets and bangles came the trend to layer necklaces.  Easy peasy right?  Just throw on a few necklaces and you’re good to go? Well… yes and no. What you don’t want is for it to look a muddle.  It’s about allowing your personal style to shine through!

Here are a few ideas on how to achieve some different layered looks

Elegant but effortless

First, an effortless thrown on look.  One of my favourite brands for layering, Muru, offers pendants in lengths from 16″ to 26″ with a wide choice of meaningful talismans to choose from, easily giving you 2 or even 3 layers straight away! What’s on the end of the chains is of course important.  You want to aim for different shapes and sizes for maximum interest so as well as looking at simple pendants like the Bow, consider also a bar necklace like this Arc, both 16-18″ (41- 46cm) and available in gold, silver or rose gold.

Muru Bow Pendant

Next choose a longer necklace.  As already stated Muru offer a variety of lengths with most of their talisman pendants…..

Layering with Muru talisman pendants

 

As your longest layer you could choose from Rachel Jackson‘s designs all of which are great for layering but these shown below are 30″ (76cm) length

 

 

 

 

 

 

Layering with Rachel Jackson designs

 

or choose this as your long layer from Reeves and Reeves

 

Whichever you choose doesn’t need to be perfectly spaced out, it should look relaxed not too rigid and you can even mix metals.  The exact lengths will depend on your own body height and shape;  whatever suits you best.   In the image at the top of this blog and inset above  Maxine has used the Muru and Reeves combination perfectly

Layers to add sparkle

Ok, so what if you want to ‘dress up’ an outfit with some extra sparkle using layering?  Well, the basic principles are of course the same, add interest with each layer but if you’re using bling you may just want to stick to 2 layers.  No hard and fast rules of course that’s up to you and your personality.  Take a look at Vixi 

Short layer

or Lucky Eyes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Longer layer suggestions, again from Vixi

Vixi Daydream Rose Gold

For versatility from a layer take a look at Lucky Eyes again.  This stunning yet dainty crystal necklace can be worn long or double wrapped giving you 2 layers in one.  Simple yet sophisticated.  There is also a short version of this by the way.

Include a fun element

Add a touch of fun with the ever popular Pineapple from Rachel Jackson at Cinderela B  or the perennial favourite Honey Bee from the marvellous Bill Skinner 

 

The options really are limitless!  

I hope this blog has given you some ideas of how you can use the trend of layering to good effect, to reflect your own style and personality.  Elegant and fun to make you feel good about yourself!SaveSave

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Bracelets and how to wear them

Bracelets and how to wear them

by | Jan 19, 2018 | Bracelets, Jewellery, Stacking, Style

photography credit - kerry j photography

 

Bracelets are not something I always wear, unlike earrings (wouldn’t leave home without those!) and for a lot of people they are often an afterthought but they are a wonderful way to enhance your outfit and add individuality.   If you find it difficult to choose the appropriate style here are a few tips and ideas:

Simple, sophisticated office style

The office isn’t necessarily the place for noisy bangles clunking together nor large chunky bracelets that are obtrusive and irritating clinking against your desk, so choose a stylish single bracelet that will add some sophistication and charm to your corporate outfit, that sits well at the end of a jacket sleeve.

A simple chain bracelet with a single charm will do this job very well or go for something with a little more interest and texture,  with understated sophistication.

Hummingbird bracelet from Sophisticato.uk

Muru Feather bracelet from Sophisticato.uk

Tara Kirkpatrick bracelet from Sophisticato.ukPictured above left to right Cinderela B Hummingbird, Tara Kirkpatrick Wire Balls & Muru Feather Talisman

For something that will take you seamlessly from the office to a bar or restaurant add a little sparkle with something like these pretty cz bracelets from Nour London

Nour London Bracelets from Sophisticato.uk

Stacked bracelets for casual chic

Bracelet stacking is a continuing jewellery trend that is likely to remain with us for some time. It allows you to showcase your individual style and can be great fun mixing colours, widths and styles to team with most outfits.

Getting started with stacking is effortless;  just start with 2 or 3 and build up!  First, choose a theme such as colour or materials and choose bracelets that complement each other but don’t match each other perfectly. Take care when mixing different metal colours as this can look haphazard if not done thoughtfully. However, if you have gold rings (wedding/engagement rings for example) don’t feel you have to stick to gold on your wrist or anywhere else for that matter.

Large stacks of bracelets ideally should be worn with much simpler outfits so as not to look cluttered. A good rule of thumb is the larger the stack the simpler the outfit.  Go ahead, experiment and have fun – the options are really endless!

 

Stacking bracelets

Muru stretch bracelets from Sophisticato.uk

Pictured  left Boho Betty and right Muru Talisman 

Quirky or sparkly – bracelets for elegant date nights and glamorous parties

For high impact but no fuss try a cuff such as Chris Lewis Wound Silver Cuff (featured at the top of this blog) which would add a touch of class to any outfit for that special dinner date, as would the beautiful Keisha Pearls bracelet pictured below along with a couple from Bill Skinner for a slightly more quirky but nonetheless ‘dressed up’  look.

Bracelet selection from Sophisticato.uk

Above left Bill Skinner Scenes of Nature, Centre Keisha Pearls by Pearls of the Orient, Right Bill Skinner Honeycomb & Bee

Sometimes though you just have to go all out for glam and sparkle for those extra special dates or party nights and Nour London have the perfect solution without breaking the bank!

Sparkly bracelets by Nour London available et Sophisticato.uk

 

I hope this helps you to wear bracelets with greater ease and will be front of mind the next time you’re looking to put that finishing touch of chic to your outfit. Choosing timeless bracelets will give you tons of options as they can be worn again and again!

For more ideas and alternatives use this link

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Holiday Jewellery – Travelling Tips

Holiday Jewellery – Travelling Tips

by | Jul 19, 2017 | Holiday Tips, Jewellery

We all love travelling, whether a major summer holiday, spa break or City break. If you’re like me, travelling light doesn’t come easy; choosing outfits to stay within today’s luggage weight restrictions if you’re flying or to fit into weekend bag, is hard enough, then having to decide which jewellery to take can just add to the dilemmas so here are a few tips I have adopted.

Don’t treat it as an afterthought

Don’t leave your accessory planning to the last minute. As you plan your outfits think about your jewellery. To be honest I sometimes jot down the outfits I’m considering along with the jewellery options. I find it really helps me focus rather than just empty my wardrobe and jewellery drawer on to my bed for packing only to have to put most of it back!

Leave valuables behind

No matter where your journey is taking you it should be a break from stress and worry so leave behind your most expensive, valuable pieces unless they’re a key part of an outfit for an extra special event on the trip or you’re not going to take them off!! (Not advisable ) If you are taking valuables make sure you have insurance to cover them.

Earrings are must-haves

All that said, don’t limit yourself too much. You should definitely include 3 or 4 styles of earring.   Earrings to me are the most important!  I just don’t feel dressed without a pair of earrings in and my go to studs at the moment are Muru’s Prosperity Studs which just go with anything and  I have in silver and gold.  Due to my colouring I’m normally a silver girl (more on this in a later blog!) but find when I have a bit of a tan I can also wear gold.  Hoops of one description or another are big right now so include a pair of those, add in some tassels and a statement pair, just in case. That way you should have all eventualities covered!

 

Pictured left to right top Muru Prosperity Studs, Bill Skinner Pineapple Studs, Rachel Jackson Oversized Punk Hoops. Boho Betty Kai Aqua Ombre Tassels.   Left to right bottom Boho Betty Thread Thru Spears, Penny Levi CZ Studs, White Leaf Silver Leaf Statement Earrings, Boho Betty Emmanuel Earrings 

There are lots of other combinations you could decide on depending on your personal style and your destination but you get the idea!

Necklaces & bracelets

Chains can easily get tangled so you need to take precautions – some tips follow later   You can of course limit yourself to one simple pendant that can be worn with multiple outfits. My current favourite is a Muru Arc necklace which is fantastic for layering and can be worn with any neckline or their Hummingbird pendant which has a bit more interest when worn alone.  I know, Muru again,  but they are just such wearable pieces, so affordable and have such lovely meanings attached.

For those very casual evenings when all you need to wear are your crop trousers and a plain t-shirt or strap top pack a ribbon choker – immediately it lifts the outfit.

Boho Betty Choker from Sopistocato.uk

A little Boho style

A few simple bracelets for stacking and a tassel necklace that can be worn with different outfits will have your warm summer evenings pretty much covered.  Stretch bracelets and leather wraps really come into their own here and you can’t beat Boho Betty for a bit of Summer chic!

 


Stacking bracelets available at Sophisticato.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

             

 City break or club night

When the situation calls for something with a bit more pzaz swap the stack for a cuff for a fuss free style statement such as this one from Last True Angel.

Cuff bracelet available at Sophisticato.uk

Finally, pack one statement necklace for when you want to make an impact. Either something neutral or go for a pop of colour and team with simple studs.  Your size will often dictate just how big your statement can be. Rule of thumb – the bigger your size the bolder your statement!

Statement choker from Sophisticato.uk

Kazuri ceramic bead necklace from Sophisticato.uk

 

How to pack your jewellery safely

Ok, so you’ve made your selection, now you need to pack it. Ideally use a jewellery roll with compartments to keep your items organised. If you don’t have one (mmmmm… perhaps I should start selling them!) I promised tips to prevent chains getting tangled, well you can use empty toilet rolls – just thread your chain through and pop the cardboard roll in a polythene bag or wrap it in a scarf; if you have some straws thread your chains through these,  cut the straw to enable you to fold it and again just pop the straw chain holder in a poly bag or wrap it in something soft.    Chunky items can also be wrapped individually in a ‘jeye’ cloth or similar then placed in a zip lock bag. Any bags that you received your jewellery in like the drawstring organza bags often used by us jewellery sellers, can of course be used.

If you’re flying, my advice is to pack it all in your hand luggage – just in case your checked bag ends up in the wrong place!!  Happens to the best of us at some time unfortunately….but that’s a whole other story!

None of the pieces suggested in this blog will cause financial trauma if they got lost so enjoy your vacation, relax and above all have fun!

 

 

Updated April 2018

 

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