A dress without accessories is like a Christmas tree without ornaments: beautiful but oddly naked. Celebrities and their stylists know that carefully selected accessories can make or break an outfit. Coordinated accoutrements can tie your look together, creating a pleasing package, while clashing pieces can distract the eye and throw off your entire look.
While it's difficult to decide which of the myriad wonderful accessories to wear, you don't need a celebrity stylist to get it right, as long as you keep the following time-tested tips in mind. And remember: less is more. Wear too many accessories and nothing will get noticed, except the fact that you piled too much on.
Prom Jewelry
The most obvious prom accessory, jewelry, is easy to get right if you consider two things: your hairstyle and your dress. (Personal style counts, too, but only you know what suits you. Choose pieces you'd wear after prom and you won't go wrong.) Think also of color. Try not to match your dress exactly, but rather choose colors that compliment your ensemble. For example, a green dress will look great with deep blue or black gemstone jewelry. When in doubt, wear diamonds or pearls--they look great with everything! My personal favorites are freshwater pearls. In addition to white, freshwater pearls come in many beautiful pastel colors, like lavender, peach, pink and yellow that complement a variety of fabrics. Freshwater pearls are also surprisingly affordable.
Jewelry and Prom Hairstyle
Your prom hairstyle plays a major role in the type of earrings that work. If your hair is short or will be in an updo, you have tons of great earring options. Pearl, diamond and gemstone studs are always elegant, and have the added bonus of allowing you to choose a bolder necklace. Drop earrings look great too, and are sweetly feminine. If you choose a bolder earring, like a stiletto or chandelier style, keep other jewelry simple. The same goes for hair ornaments.
If your hair is long and you're wearing it down, you need an earring that can make a statement. Consider big bold gemstones or dangling hoops or a chandelier or stiletto style. (Think Reese Witherspoon, Queen Latifah and Jessica Alba at the Oscars.) Just don't overdo it by wearing a bold necklace or bracelet. One standout piece of jewelry is sufficient.
Jewelry and Prom Dress...
* Spaghetti straps: You have tons of great jewelry options here, but again, you want to pick subtle jewelry or one standout piece. Consider a wide pearl cuff bracelet and a pearl ring, or pearl, diamond, or gemstone dangle earrings and a diamond or pearl pendant. A bezel set diamond--or CZ--works well with a spaghetti-strapped dress. Just make sure, if you're wearing a great bracelet, that your date doesn't get you a wrist corsage.
* Strapless: The majority of prom 2006 dress styles are strapless. That's good news for jewelry lovers, as your prom necklace can really stand out. Choose something short to accent your collarbones like a princess length pearl strand or a diamond or pearl pendant. Don't wear a necklace that comes to the top of the bodice; you don't want the fabric and the jewelry to compete. If the necklace you choose is simple, consider adding bold earrings or a bracelet for added pizzazz.
* Cap- or short-sleeved: Play up your arms and balance out the dress' sleeves with tons of thin stackable bracelets (I love wood, shell and enamel, but not all together, of course). Pick a simple necklace and earrings, or go without. If bangles drive you nuts while you dance, skip them and choose a wide cuff instead.
* High-necked: Lose the necklace (it'll compete) and instead pair a high necked dress with a simple pair of earrings and an elegant bracelet in the same stone. Or stack several bracelets in lieu of a wrist corsage. Remember to choose a piece that won't compete with the bold neckline of this dress. Shoulder-grazing earrings are an option here if they suit the dress's style. They'll be dramatic and sophisticated for sure!
* Square-necked: A square-necked dress is the best setting to show off a beautiful necklace. Borrow Mom's pearls or Grandma's diamond pendant, buy freshwater pearls in a color that complements your dress, or choose a bold gemstone piece if the dress is jewel toned. Play it up here, but keep other prom accessories simple.
* V-necked: Matching necklace and earrings can pull your look together very well, as the V draws attention to your face and collarbones. For no-brainer options, choose a pearl set or a simple bezel-set diamond pendant and stud earrings.
* Plunging: Consider pinning a vintage brooch at the bottom of the plunge, or adorning yourself with a pearl choker, diamond collar or a plain ribbon. Don't wear a longer necklace as it'll detract from the plunge. Keep earrings simple.
* Simple: Lucky you! A simple prom dress such as a sheath, allows you to get a lot funkier with your accessories. The layered look is still hot, so consider piling on a few long gold chains with shorter pearl necklaces, or pearl-and-chain combos. A sparkly diamond cuff, a la Hilary Swank at the Oscars, (go faux!) always looks chic. Remember that you'll be dancing, so no extra long pearl ropes as you'll risk whipping your fellow prom goers.
* Ornate: An ornate dress is a work of art. Depending on the style and level of detail, you may want to choose a simple piece of jewelry, such as a diamond pendant, pearl necklace, simple gold chain or pearl, diamond or gold studs. Stay away from glittery jewelry that will compete with the dress. If the neckline is high and bejeweled, opt out of jewelry entirely and consider pinning something sparkly in your hair instead. A bold, chunky cocktail ring can work wonders here too.
* Vintage: Make it modern with multiple strands or stacks of bangle bracelets or layered necklaces. I like a few shorter gold pieces layered with gold and pearl chains. But don't go overboard: a dress that makes a statement should not be overwhelmed with jewelry. Depending on the dress, a beautiful pearl strand tied with ribbon or a simple pair of diamond studs can work too.
Remember, all top stylists worth their salt know that, when it comes to accessories, it's best to stick with pieces that won't overwhelm your look. The most important tip? Have a blast and keep in mind that getting ready for prom is almost always the best part, so savor every moment!
About the Author
Amy Drescher is a fashion writer and accessories buyer for Moon River Pearls, www.moonriverpearls.com. She welcomes your questions. Reach her at adrescher@moonriverpearls.com. Visit her blog at http://cafe.moonriverpearls.com/amy.
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