How to wear a statement necklace with flair and confidence

Put it on!

A lot of people own a statement necklace, but hesitate to wear it. Art pieces draw attention, so you might feel awkward if you’re not sure it “works” with your outfit.

Want to wear dramatic art jewelry with confidence and style? I have some ideas for you!

How to wear a statement necklace with flair

It’s easy if you make showcasing the art your primary goal. Your clothing becomes the gallery wall that makes its artwork stand out.

Dark backdrop: To make your necklace pop, wear dark clothing that accentuates its design. A black, boat-neck dress or velvet top highlights the necklace’s colors and sparkle

Bright, solid backdrop: Choose a color from the piece and wear a solid top in that shade. This allows you to wear something colorful without overpowering the piece. An alternate way to add color would be to wear a matching-color jacket or skirt.

Nude backdrop: If you wear a dramatic piece on any shade of flesh-colored clothing, it provides a simple canvas for the art. You can also wear a low-cut top or dress so the piece is displayed against your skin.

Use caution with patterned clothing: It takes a skilled eye to combine patterns and statement pieces. Because prints add more visual elements, they can be too busy and detract from the necklace’s effect. If you want to try patterns, choose those that have low contrast and the same color spectrum (all reds, for example).

If you check your closet, you’ll probably have at least one item you can wear with a statement necklace.

Why wear dramatic art?

The most fun part of wearing a statement piece is people’s reaction. When you wear something dramatic, it gives you a kind of freedom and license to be someone different. Very often, you get a compliments and attention wearing something bold.

It’s a joyful experience. I’m reminded of the artist Susan Golden—wearing primary colors and her great big beaded bangle bracelets—carrying off a style all her own. Get inspired, see how it’s done in Advanced Style, a photo book about New York’s most fashionable older women by Ari Seth Cohen. It features lots of over-60 women looking classy, dramatic, artistic. They’re my sheroes!

Classy, brave, inspired. This is how I want people to feel when they’re wearing my statement necklaces.

Where to wear your statement necklace

To the supermarket, of course! If you love wearing dramatic jewelry, be bold, and wear it for no occasion at all. If it makes you happy, put it on. Take yourself to dinner. Wear it to an art event. One of my favorite customers bought a piece from me and then shared it with her sister. They take turns wearing it to events.

And—since you can’t wear a dramatic necklace every day—you can also display it as art. One of my friends hangs hers in a shadowbox and another shows hers on a neck stand. Instead of tucked away in a jewelry box, you can enjoy looking at it all the time. Why not display it as art?

The most important thing is to enjoy your art jewelry.

If it’s something you love, just wear it. You can carry off anything. You just have to DO it!