The correct jewellery will highlight your best features and make you appear more balanced; rather than adhering to rigid rules, concentrate on simple principles such as how lines, length, and size suit your face, neckline, and body shape.
Narrow Face & Slender Frame: Adding Softness and Width
Choose jewellery featuring soft curves and gentle horizontal lines if you have slim facial features and a thin build, as these types of jewellery can make your face appear a bit fuller.
Earrings
- Large pearls or gemstones, short drop earrings which reach the jawline, or medium-sized hoops are all suitable options.
- Do not choose earrings with a thin threader since they have the effect of pulling your features down and of making your face appear longer.
Necklaces
- Better options would be short strands of pearls or gemstones (40–45 cm / 16–18 in), fine-beaded chokers, or short necklaces with a small pendant.
- On a small frame, long necklaces can occasionally appear too long. However, those composed of many small beads—although they look large, they remain delicate—suit thin people well since they give a sense of movement without clinging or looking bulky.
Framing and Creating Balance
Wearing jewellery can make your neck appear longer, smooth out your torso, and highlight your neckline.
Earrings
- Select drop earrings that are long and slim, or go for medium dangles, or choose keshi pearl earrings with a vertical design.
- Do not choose wide and heavy drop earrings or bulky hoops since they can make your lower face and neck appear fuller.
Necklaces
- You might consider wearing Y-shaped necklaces, those with a subtle drop pearl, pendant chains ranging in length from 45 to 50 cm (18 to 20 inches), or open styles that feature a single statement pearl or gemstone.
- Don't have long, loose strands spread over a broader chest, since they can appear disordered and make your chest look wider.
- Necklaces in the shape of a Y and lariats have the effect of drawing the eye downwards and give a longer, more graceful appearance. For people with a fuller figure, small and delicate jewellery will probably not be noticeable, so it is best to choose one bold piece to be the main item.
Proportional Face & Frame: Versatility and Freedom
As long as your proportions are balanced, most jewellery styles will suit you.
Earrings
- Short dangles, medium drop earrings, classic studs, and medium hoops are all suitable options. Browse our baroque pearl earrings for a modern, versatile choice.
Necklaces
- You could choose classic lengths (42–45 cm / 16.5–18 in) when using decorative pendants, finer longer strands, single-stone designs, or lightweight layered chains.
- To ensure your outfit looks put together, select a jewellery length that matches the length of your top or dress.
Necklace Design & Spacing: Why “Breathing Room” Matters
A good necklace needs to have some open space as part of its design, or it might appear heavy or bulky on the neck.
- Designs that are breathable make use of larger stones or pearls with fine beads, delicate chains, or small gaps in between. This arrangement makes the designs appear lighter and more elegant.
- Necklines with beads that are closely packed together can make your neck appear thicker and shorter.
Fine Chains for a Sleek Silhouette
Thin and long chains look very good, particularly when used as a second layer with short pearl or gemstone chokers; they have the effect of making the neck appear longer and help to keep your style delicate and elegant.
Less is More: The Golden Rule of Balance
To make your outfit look well put together, balance the jewellery you choose.
- If you have a statement necklace, then go for simple and delicate studs or leave the earrings out altogether.
- You can combine statement earrings with a simple and minimal necklace or omit the necklace altogether. In the case where your necklace has large components, ensure that it is long enough so that the prominent parts don't gather close to your face.
A single piece of jewellery appears more sophisticated than having multiple pieces all vying for attention.
Don't Forget the Neckline
Choose jewellery that suits your clothes, since the shape of your neckline, jacket lapels, and collars affects how your necklaces and earrings look. When choosing your jewellery, take into account the cut of your top or dress so that it matches the proportions of your outfit. For a full guide to which necklace styles work with each neckline, read our guide to jewellery for different necklines. If you’re also thinking about wearing more than one necklace, read our guide on how to layer necklaces without it looking cluttered. And for ideas on wearing pearls in a relaxed, everyday way, read how to wear pearls without looking too formal.