Ask Belle: Pairing Shirts and Jewelry

Hi Belle,

I am hoping for your advice on two things.  I work in a very conservative office where I wear suits every day (mostly grey/black/navy and mostly skirts) and I’m wondering if you could recommend some shirt/necklace combos that would make my outfits more interesting.  

Thanks,

Emily

When it comes to jewelry, I’m a simple girl.  A few good pieces are really all I need, and I rarely feel the desire to layer on gobs of baubles and trinkets.  As a result, I don’t wear necklaces with cowl neck blouses, tie neck blouses or button up shirts.  This is because I like the simplicity of the neckline and don’t want to spoil it.

However, when it comes to v-neck, crewneck and boatneck tops, I am all about adding a necklace.

Boatneck.  This melange boatneck top from A.P.C. ($126) has a high neck, so you need a longer necklace to lengthen the torso.  I chose this gorgeous Noir Deco Strand in gold, black and grey from Baublebar ($26) and this long tassel necklace from Stella & Dot ($138). If you like the tassel look but need to something more wallet-friendly, try this necklace from NY & Co.

Crewneck. The Tippi sweater from J.CREW (on sale for $40) is one of my wardrobe staples, I love the 3/4 sleeve and the easy fit.  Adding a necklace is a great way to spice up this basic top.  Here, I chose a bib necklace from Stella & Dot ($118) that adds a punch of color to the neckline.  I also like this Amrita Singh faceted stone necklace in a deep green and this beautiful ombre purple graduated chain for under-$30.

When wearing a crewneck, you can also wear longer necklaces like the druzy chain from Andara for $325.  The longer chain helps break up the look and the color pairs nicely with the camel sweater.  If druzies aren’t your thing, you can also try layering delicate, inexpensive station necklaces, like these ones from Last Call in simple gold and a mix of blues.

V-Neck.  For the v-neck sweater I chose necklaces with a v-shape to complement the neckline.  While a simple pendant necklace, like this tag pendant from Gorjana, would look lovely, I wanted to try something a little different to jazz up this dark grey sweater from Reiss.

This lariat necklace from Emily Elizabeth ($100) has a delicate feather leaf design.  It’s also adjustable, so whether you’re wearing a deep v-neck or a shallow one, you can make it work. 

The second necklace is a v-neck statement necklace from TopShop in a mix of gold tone, silver tone and oxidized metals.  I like the way the colors of the necklace pair with the steel grey sweater, adding some monochromatic glitz to the look. 

When choosing a necklace to wear with you blouse, you want to be sure that you choose a style and shape that works with the neckline.  You also want to select a color that complements or coordinates with the outfit.  Don’t be afraid to wear big, fun jewelry, it’s a great way to lift a look.  (I mean, how stylish and is this cobalt, jet black and gold Kate Spade necklace?)