Here’s what to wear with vintage necklaces

Vintage jewelry is classic and often stunning, but pairing it with the right outfit takes a bit of practice. A beautiful piece can inspire too many ideas and quickly push a look into costume territory. Don?t worry. These simple tips will help you pull off this style with ease.

When you?re figuring out what to wear with vintage necklaces, remember their purpose is to highlight your own beauty ? you?re not a jewelry and design display case. Allow the piece to guide your wardrobe choices and have fun with it. Fashion is where design and personal expression meet so take some chances ? it?s only clothes.

Once you?ve fallen hard for a certain vintage necklace or two, put it on! Don?t let it collect dust just because you don?t have the perfect dress to go with it. Whether you?re off to an evening soiree or simply looking for news ways to accessorize daily ensembles, keep the following in mind:

Otherwise modern

Knowing what to wear with vintage necklaces also means knowing what not to where. And the answer to that is more vintage. Modern clothes are your best defense against any possible Halloween confusion.

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Simplify

If you?re not dressing for a formal event, opt for timeless lines and clean designs. A white button down shirt or plain tee with fitted jeans is often all you really need. When the time and place calls for more, try a flattering dress with a scoop neckline for shorter chains and high neckline for pieces that hang low.

Remember that the answer to how much jewelry to wear is always…LESS.

Muses

Vintage jewelry evokes the glamor and romance of decades many of us can only know through novels and movies. Style icons from these decades make for fitting muses. These women will always be remembered in part for the looks they pioneered.

Look at how Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis accessorized classy, simple dresses with pearls and heels. Audrey Hepburn wore large, chunky statement pieces with sleek black tops and dresses. Louise Brooks sported extravagantly long chains with glittery pendants with equally eye-catching, plunging necklines and bold lips.

High quality

A subtle mark of womanhood is leaving behind cheap clothes and jewelry, and investing in fewer, but high quality pieces. Wait until a big holiday sale comes around, then treat yourself to a few sophisticated closet staples that go perfectly with the quality craftsmanship of many vintage accessories. Elegant dresses, chic chambray shirts and tops with daring prints are a good place to start.

Button it up

Accentuate a statement piece by clasping it high at the neck and pairing it with a collared shirt buttoned all the way up. Frame the center with your collar and allow the pendant to be the single focal point of the outfit.

Pretty backdrops

Finding what to wear with vintage necklaces featuring charms or special pendants is easy. All you need is something plain and dark or neutral to put the spotlight where it belongs. Dark sweaters or solid tops with texture offer an eye-pleasing contrast.

Show off the details

It?s the small, perfect details that often makes vintage jewelry so special. With necklaces, these details may be found in a beautiful clasp or hanging chain with a few glam beads at the end. Draw attention to these features by pulling your hair up and wearing tops with high, simple necklines that won?t compete.

Necklaces are a great way to ease into wearing retro and antique pieces because they?re so versatile. There?s no wrong way to wear one. Plus you can play with swapping new chains with old lockets and pendants. Layering is also an easy way to create a completely unique result.