Prom Trends: Prom Jewelry Styles
Youve pored through prom magazines, hit all the hot shops and finally selected the perfect prom dress. Your shoes are gorgeous. Your date is too. You know how youll wear your hair and makeup, and youve booked your limo and decided which after-party to attend. But have you thought about your prom jewelry? If youre like many girls, the answer is probably no.
Why is prom jewelry an afterthought for so many? Even prom checklists published in major magazines rarely include jewelry in their To Do timelines. Strange, because jewelry can make or break your look. Think Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffanys: Holly Golightly would have looked decidedly naked without her beautiful multi-strand pearl necklace!
When choosing the perfect prom jewelry, which, ideally, you should do weeks before your big night, there are a few things to consider. First, what style is your dress? Second, how will you wear your hair? And third, whats your personal style? Finally, youll need to work within a budget that makes sense (unless youve been saving your babysitting money since you were 11).
Your Prom Dress
This years prom dresses are all about vibrant colorsbold silvery metallics and jewel tones are everywhere, and designers have shown them off dramatically on two key dress styles: the strapless and the plunging neckline. Your jewelry choice is clear here: Bold pieces are the only way to carry bold dresses. Think chandelier earrings, oversize cocktail rings, and wide cuff bracelets. One exception: Delicate pendants are hot right now, and they can work with a bold style if you pair them with dramatic earrings or a big bracelet in a similar style. For example, a lavender pearl pendant set with white gold will look stunning with a lavender or white gold cuff.
Keep things simple and keep in mind that you should choose pieces that will complement your look. For example, if youre wearing a simple strapless sheath in a bold color, you want to accessorize with a bold piece of jewelry. But dont overwhelm your look with jewelry in the same color as your dressthats too much of a good thing. Pick one or two standout piecesboth diamond jewelry and pearl jewelry will look stunning against jewel tones or metallicssuch as chandelier earrings and a cocktail ring, or earrings and a cuff. Dont do a bold necklace and chandelier earrings, however; thats too much bling too close together.
Of course, you might choose to go with a soft and romantic dress instead of the seasons bold styles. In that case, stick to classic jewelry like pearls, diamonds and yellow gold. Consider wearing several styles for a modern look. Layer long, thin gold chain necklaces with shorter pearl strands, or wrap multiple pearl strands and gold chains around your wrist. These options are gorgeous and fresh.
Your Prom Hairstyle
If your hair is short or youll be wearing an updo, the skys the limit as far as prom earrings go. You can do a dainty studpearl studs and diamond studs always look classicdelicate hoops, or a long chandelier-style earring. Remember, if you choose a chandelier earring, keep your necklace simple, or dont wear one at all. If you choose studs or small hoops you can get away with a big bold necklace, like gobstopper size faux pearls or big, chunky gemstones, or you can try the layered look. If your hair is long and youll be wearing it down, chandelier earrings are your best betits the only style people will actually see, and, luckily, as youve learned, chandelier earrings are all the rage this year. Just keep flowers and other adornments out of your hair so you wont overwhelm your look. Remember, less is more!
Your Personal Style
If your style is more goth than Vogue, for Petes sake dont get talked into wearing your grandmothers dainty pearl necklace, your mothers diamond pendant, or something that just isnt you. After all, this is your big night, and youll have the pictures forever to remind you. Stay true to who you are and youll look and feel like a prom queen no matter how the voting goes.
Go Shopping
Now that youve examined your dress, your hair and your personal style and decided on the prom jewelry that will best accessorize your look, its time to go shopping. You can always hit the mall, but your best bet is to go online (unless you can raid your mothers or sisters jewelry box). Sites that allow you to comparison shop will let you find the pieces you love that fit into your budget. Or you can use a search engine to return multiple sites that have, say, pearl stud earrings and narrow it down by color, price, etc. Shopping online allows you to view pearl prom jewelry such as pearl pendants, chandelier earrings, cuff bracelets and the like in just about every price bracket. It also saves time. One caveat: Only purchase jewelry from trusted storessites that clearly post their phone number and address and have a Verisign or other secure shopping logo. Before you buy, also check out return policies in case something is wrong with the jewelry or you just dont like it. Many sites offer free shipping, too, which is a plus. Make sure you order in time for prom.
Last point to keep in mind when youre buying prom jewelry: Unlike your prom dress or dyed shoes, jewelry is something you will wear throughout your life and maybe even pass down to a daughter or granddaughter. So if you splurge a bit on, say, a classic piece such as a white pearl necklace, dont worry, you will definitely have countless opportunities to wear it throughout your life. Dont overspend on trendy pieces, though. Theyre not worth the investment. A big faux emerald cocktail ring probably wont be in fashion forever, but good quality classic pearl pendant or pair of diamond studs will stand the test of time.
A graduate of the Gemological Institute of Americas Graduate Pearls program, Amy Drescher is a fashion and lifestyle writer and accessories buyer for http://www.moonriverpearls.com. She welcomes your questions. Reach her at adrescher@moonriverpearls.com.
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