Layered Chunky Bracelets

Layered Chunky Bracelets

Hi Belle,

I’m about to graduate college and am trying to build a wardrobe for DC. Can you give some basic guidelines for how funky & chunky jewelry can be and still be appropriate for the Hill?

I love big and interesting rings and pendants, especially with cool stones and silverwork. I think some of my nicer stuff could work with the outfits you often post, but any insight you have would be great.

Thanks!  E

While I wouldn’t recommend wearing a studded dog collar or a wrist full of hot pink, plastic bracelets, as long as chunky jewelry is large but tasteful, you should be able to convert your signature style into Capitol Hill style quite easily.

The trick to wearing statement pieces like big rings, wide cuff bracelets, or layers of thick necklaces is to wear them one piece at a time.  If you like a bib necklace, pair it with small gold studs and a simple stack ring.  If you want to wear a large bracelet, leave your fingers bare and keep the necklace and earrings minimal.  And if you choose a statement ring, skip the bracelets and wear a simple drop earring with a long skinny necklace.

You can also layer statement pieces of the same genre.  Wear three different bracelets of similar size in complimenting textures and colors.  For example, this one, this one and this one would match nicely.  You can also layer necklaces of different weights and lengths.  But do not pull a Sarah Jessica Parker, because there’s a difference between accessorized and weighed down.

Chunky jewelry can be a great way to accent the otherwise bland uniform of Capitol Hill, but you need to wear it one piece at a time.  Doing so will add flare to your wardrobe and help admirers focus their much deserved attention on each individual item.  Just remember what the late, great Coco Chanel said, “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.”