From never saving jewelry for best to dabbling in Art Deco, complementing your favorite metal with a macchiato-inspired manicure to shopping sustainably, Vogue asked designers, fashion insiders and power stylists to share their rules on how to wear jewelry like a star.
Vogue Arabia, March 2022. Photo: Nima Benati
Ananya Malhotra, jewelry designer
Create your own signature. When I designed my Chakra bracelets, I faced resistance from my workshop, who refused to string high jewelry materials with elastics. I love to combine semi-precious materials such as rose quartz with rubies and diamonds.
Fernando Jorge, jewelry designer
Don’t save jewels for special occasions. The contemporary collector picks pieces that blend seamlessly into their everyday style.
Susan Caplan, vintage jewelry specialist
Buying what you love can also be sustainable: invest in timeless, good quality pieces that can be passed down to future generations.
Laura Ingham, deputy director, Global Fashion Network, Vogue
When it comes to the red carpet, a twinkling men’s brooch affixed to a lapel or bow tie is as precious as any statuette – see Colman Domingo at the 2024 Oscars.
Maria Sole Ferragamo, founder, So-Le Studio
Ask yourself: is this comfortable? I craft my pieces from leather and brass remnants, so they’re super light and can be worn 24/7.
Anna Ruzhnikov, head of fine and important jewels sales, Sotheby’s
Pair pieces from varying design periods. A Victorian bracelet will look fabulous with a contemporary ring.
Lucia Silvestri, creative director for jewelry, Bulgari
Mix different combinations in terms of shapes, lengths, colors and materials. You’ll set your own style boundaries according to your personality.
Jacqueline Rabun, jewelry designer
Wear jewelry that elevates and strengthens your spirit. Think sculptural 18k yellow-gold jewelry combined with rutilated quartz crystal or malachite.
Hannah Coates, beauty and wellness editor, Vogue
Map out your mani. Your morning caffeine fix aside, a creamy cappuccino nail color suits any skin tone and complements all precious metals, from rose gold to platinum.
Sophie Bille Brahe, jewelry designer
The question isn’t just what, but where? I like to part with tradition and wear my jewelry in subtle locations on the body, on the ankle, or on the back of the neck.
Naomi Smart, commerce director, Vogue
If in doubt, do art deco. I love to wear architectural rings inspired by Suzanne Belperron or René Boivin with everything from The Row tailoring to casual denim and a rugby shirt.
Laura Hawkins, fashion features editor, Vogue
Think of AW24’s affection for built-in jewelry as a trend-led take on buy-one-get-one-free and opt for Miu Miu’s brooch-laden dresses and Louis Vuitton’s chain-link T-shirts.
Gaia Repossi, creative director, Repossi
Show off subtly. An elegantly placed floating diamond is a statement rather than an ornament, and it’s guaranteed to inspire.
Jessica McCormack, jewelry designer
Do “day diamonds” as part of your 24/7 uniform – wear them to dinner with a tailored blazer, or with jeans and a t-shirt, and they won’t sit unworn on your bedside table or tucked away in a safe.
Alice Cary, commerce writer, Vogue
Go forth and stack. Be it cuffs and hoops dancing around your ear lobes, or fistfuls of thrifted rings on every finger.
Hannah Martin, jewelry designer
Ignore outmoded rules. Mix and match metals and colors, and embrace genderless styling; nothing is or should be by the book.
Carmen Busquets, fashion entrepreneur and jewelry collector
Play with symmetry for off-kilter chic. I love to wear a bold necklace, symmetrical bracelets on both arms, and asymmetric earrings designs by both artists and jewelry designers.
Francesca Amfitheatrof, artistic director of watches and jewelry, Louis Vuitton, and head of creative at Codognato
When it comes to diamonds, abundance is to be encouraged! Use different cuts to add more sparkle and light.
Christian and Yasmin Hemmerle, company directors and owners, Hemmerle
Rarity is always in style. There’s nothing like an innovative piece that champions metals, artefacts, and rare old stones. Our own design creations always defy the rules of our times.
Caroline Scheufele, co-president and artistic director, Chopard
Fanciful motifs are refreshingly modern: an oak tree necklace, and rings adorned with mushrooms or frogs are daring and unique…
Harry Lambert, stylist
For knockout red-carpet moments, a focus earring is the cherry on top of the styling cake. Saint Laurent’s AW24 runway is a lesson in how to wear a giant earring look. Plot spoiler: bigger is always better.
Originally published in Vogue.co.uk
