You probably have a niece, daughter, goddaughter or neighbor heading
to the prom in the next few weeks. She's probably got her dress all
picked out, but what about prom jewelry? Pass along this information
and steer her in the right direction for gorgeous prom jewelry; the
topic is, surprisingly, not covered in many prom magazines.
You've pored through prom magazines, hit all the hot shops and finally
selected the perfect prom dress. Your shoes are gorgeous. Your date is
too. You know how you'll wear your hair and makeup, and you've booked
your limo and decided which after-party to attend. But have you
thought about your prom jewelry? If you're like many girls, the answer
is probably no.
Why is prom jewelry an afterthought for so many? Even prom checklists
published in major magazines rarely include jewelry in their 'To Do'
timelines. Strange, because jewelry can make or break your look. Think
Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's: Holly Golightly would have
looked decidedly naked without her beautiful multi-strand pearl
necklace!
When choosing the perfect prom jewelry, which, ideally, you should do
weeks before your big night, there are a few things to consider.
First, what style is your dress? Second, how will you wear your hair?
And third, what's your personal style? Finally, you'll need to work
within a budget that makes sense (unless you've been saving your
babysitting money since you were 11).
Your Prom Dress
This year's prom dresses are all about vibrant colors--bold silvery
metallics and jewel tones are everywhere, and designers have shown
them off dramatically on two key dress styles: the strapless and the
plunging neckline. Your jewelry choice is clear here: Bold pieces are
the only way to carry bold dresses. Think chandelier earrings,
oversize cocktail rings, and wide cuff bracelets. One exception:
Delicate pendants are hot right now, and they can work with a bold
style if you pair them with dramatic earrings or a big bracelet in a
similar style. For example, a lavender pearl pendant set with white
gold will look stunning with a lavender or white gold cuff.
Keep things simple and keep in mind that you should choose pieces that
will complement your look. For example, if you're wearing a simple
strapless sheath in a bold color, you want to accessorize with a bold
piece of jewelry. But don't overwhelm your look with jewelry in the
same color as your dress--that's too much of a good thing. Pick one or
two standout pieces--both diamond jewelry and pearl jewelry will look
stunning against jewel tones or metallics--such as chandelier earrings
and a cocktail ring, or earrings and a cuff. Don't do a bold necklace
and chandelier earrings, however; that's too much bling too close
together.
Of course, you might choose to go with a soft and romantic dress
instead of the season's bold styles. In that case, stick to classic
jewelry like pearls, diamonds and yellow gold. Consider wearing
several styles for a modern look. Layer long, thin gold chain
necklaces with shorter pearl strands, or wrap multiple pearl strands
and gold chains around your wrist. These options are gorgeous and fresh.
Your Prom Hairstyle
If your hair is short or you'll be wearing an updo, the sky's the
limit as far as prom earrings go. You can do a dainty stud--pearl
studs and diamond studs always look classic--delicate hoops, or a long
chandelier-style earring. Remember, if you choose a chandelier
earring, keep your necklace simple, or don't wear one at all. If you
choose studs or small hoops you can get away with a big bold necklace,
like gobstopper size faux pearls or big, chunky gemstones, or you can
try the layered look. If your hair is long and you'll be wearing it
down, chandelier earrings are your best bet--it's the only style
people will actually see, and, luckily, as you've learned, chandelier
earrings are all the rage this year. Just keep flowers and other
adornments out of your hair so you won't overwhelm your look.
Remember, less is more!
Your Personal Style
If your style is more goth than Vogue, for Pete's sake don't get
talked into wearing your grandmother's dainty pearl necklace, your
mother's diamond pendant, or something that just isn't you. After all,
this is your big night, and you'll have the pictures forever to remind
you. Stay true to who you are and you'll look and feel like a prom
queen no matter how the voting goes.
Go Shopping
Now that you've examined your dress, your hair and your personal style
and decided on the prom jewelry that will best accessorize your look,
it's time to go shopping. You can always hit the mall, but your best
bet is to go online (unless you can raid your mother's or sister's
jewelry box). Sites that allow you to comparison shop will let you
find the pieces you love that fit into your budget. Or you can use a
search engine to return multiple sites that have, say, pearl stud
earrings and narrow it down by color, price, etc. Shopping online
allows you to view jewelry such as pearl pendants, chandelier
earrings, cuff bracelets and the like in just about every price
bracket. It also saves time. One caveat: Only purchase jewelry from
trusted stores--sites that clearly post their phone number and address
and have a Verisign or other secure shopping logo. Before you buy,
also check out return policies in case something is wrong with the
jewelry or you just don't like it. Many sites offer free shipping,
too, which is a plus. Make sure you order in time for prom.
Last point to keep in mind when you're buying prom jewelry: Unlike
your prom dress or dyed shoes, jewelry is something you will wear
throughout your life and maybe even pass down to a daughter or
granddaughter. So if you splurge a bit on, say, a classic piece such
as a white pearl necklace, don't worry, you will definitely have
countless opportunities to wear it throughout your life. Don't
overspend on trendy pieces, though. They're not worth the investment.
A big faux emerald cocktail ring probably won't be in fashion forever,
but good quality classic pearl pendant or pair of diamond studs will
stand the test of time.
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