Have you ever found yourself admiring a dazzling red carpet look, wondering how celebrities manage to make their outfits truly unforgettable? Often, the secret lies in the art of statement jewelry. It’s more than just an accessory; it’s a conversation starter, a focal point, and the ultimate expression of personal style. Yet, many struggle with incorporating bold pieces into their own wardrobes, fearing they might look overdone or mismatched. Fortunately, the video above features celebrity stylist Micaela Erlanger, known for crafting iconic looks for stars like Lupita Nyong’o and Constance Wu, offering invaluable professional tips on how to master the impact of statement jewelry.
Micaela, honored as Style Influencer of the Year at the ACE Awards, brings her expertise directly to you, demystifying the process of selecting and styling those show-stopping pieces. Her approach transforms the intimidation of elaborate accessories into an empowering fashion strategy, making high-impact style accessible for any occasion.
The Art of the Statement Earring: Red Carpet Radiance for Every Day
When it comes to instantly elevating an ensemble, a powerful pair of earrings can dramatically shift your look. Micaela highlights how statement earrings are often the easiest way to make a significant impact without overhauling an entire outfit.
Elevating a Bold Hue: Lupita Nyong’o’s ACE Awards Look
Micaela’s styling for Lupita Nyong’o at the ACE Awards serves as a prime example. Dressed in a vibrant Carolina Herrera gown, the look was completed with “big, bold, bright” earrings. This strategy demonstrates that when wearing a solid, attention-grabbing color, the right earrings can amplify its effect rather than compete with it.
The chosen earrings featured mixed stones and materials, incorporating turquoise—a natural color pop. This careful selection ensures that while the earrings are bold, their various elements complement the dress’s hue, creating a cohesive yet dynamic visual. Such an approach suggests that mixing textures and colors within a single accessory can provide depth, preventing an otherwise flat appearance.
Fringe and Flair: Liza Koshy’s Red Carpet Inspired Ear Climbers
For those seeking unique flair, Micaela introduced a fringe ear climber, a style worn by Liza Koshy on the red carpet. These earrings are exceptional because they feature multiple elements: turquoise, pearls, and movement from the fringe, all while cleverly mixing metals.
The blend of gold and silver in one piece is a game-changer, simplifying accessorizing with other metallic items. This ingenious design allows for seamless integration into various outfits, from a sequin jumpsuit to a simple T-shirt and jeans paired with a blazer, proving the versatility of well-chosen statement jewelry.
Anchoring Your Look: The Power of a Statement Necklace
While earrings frame the face, a statement necklace serves to anchor the entire upper body, drawing the eye and filling open necklines with intentional design. It’s a strategic choice for making a powerful fashion declaration.
Constance Wu’s Red Gown: Filling the Neckline with Sparkle
Micaela referenced Constance Wu’s flawless appearance in an off-the-shoulder Rodarte red gown, showcasing the strategic use of a statement necklace. Red, as Micaela noted, is one of the most universally flattering colors, suiting virtually any complexion or hair color. For an open neckline, a chunky or elaborate necklace fills the décolletage beautifully, preventing the area from looking bare or unfinished.
This approach transforms an open space into a deliberate canvas for dazzling statement jewelry. A statement necklace becomes a strong focal point, drawing attention upwards and completing the silhouette. In contrast to Constance’s choice of a subtle stud and choker, the recommendation for a statement necklace for Kristen highlights how different accessories can serve the same gown based on the desired impact.
Beyond the Cocktail Dress: Versatile Styling for Statement Necklaces
The true genius of a statement necklace lies in its versatility. While it perfectly complements a cocktail dress, Micaela encourages bolder styling choices: “I would wear this necklace with a T-shirt. Really? Or with a sweater.” This counterintuitive advice challenges traditional notions of formality, encouraging the wearer to mix “bling” with pared-down basics.
This strategy embraces the high-low trend, allowing for numerous wears from a single piece of jewelry. By pairing an ornate necklace with casual wear, an everyday outfit is instantly elevated to chic status, demonstrating that statement jewelry isn’t just for special occasions, but for making every day special.
Mastering Mixed Prints with Harmonious Accessories
Mixing prints can seem daunting, akin to navigating a complex sartorial puzzle. However, Micaela Erlanger breaks down this intimidating trend, proving that with the right approach, it can be effortlessly chic and surprisingly versatile. The key lies in finding balance and using accessories to harmonize diverse patterns.
Constance Wu’s Michael Kors Ensemble: Finding Balance in Boldness
Drawing inspiration from Constance Wu’s Michael Kors outfit, which boldly combined florals, small prints, and leopard, Micaela emphasizes a crucial principle: find balance by mixing an all-over, repeating print that can act as a neutral anchor. This foundation allows for the introduction of a complementary colored skirt featuring a different repeating print, creating visual interest without chaos.
The strategy involves playing with scale—mixing small prints with larger ones. For instance, a small, subtle repeating pattern on a top can ground a more expansive, vibrant print on a skirt. This thoughtful juxtaposition ensures that instead of clashing, the patterns engage in a harmonious dialogue, enhancing the overall dynamism of the outfit.
The Subtle Statement: Choosing Earrings for Patterned Outfits
When the clothing itself is a riot of pattern, the jewelry should complement, not compete. Micaela suggests opting for “a more subtle hoop or an earring in a more neutral tone.” This is where trends like tortoise shell, highlighted as a major runway trend, come into play.
Tortoise earrings, with their rich, earthy tones, provide texture and visual interest without overwhelming the prints. Crucially, the placement of the earring is considered; it should hit “in a really great place” and not interfere with the neckline or collar of a printed top. This attention to detail ensures that each element—print and statement jewelry—has its moment to shine.
Jewel Tones and Contrasting Accents: A Stylist’s Secret
Harnessing the power of color is a cornerstone of sophisticated styling. Jewel tones—deep, rich hues like sapphire blue, emerald green, ruby red, and amethyst purple—offer a luxurious base that lends itself exceptionally well to strategic accessorizing.
Diane Kruger’s Cannes Custom Prada Gown: The Allure of Opposite Hues
Micaela shared the anecdote of Diane Kruger’s custom Prada gown for Cannes, a special blue dress with contrasting bold straps that acted as jewelry themselves. This instance beautifully illustrates how a solid, bold color provides a perfect canvas to create a focal point using accessories. The key is to employ an opposite bold color in your statement jewelry.
For example, a stunning sapphire gown could be paired with emerald or ruby earrings, creating a deliberate and captivating contrast. This technique not only highlights the design and neckline of the dress but also makes the chosen accessories pop, demonstrating a masterful understanding of color theory in fashion. The “jewelry in of themselves” straps reduced the need for a necklace, allowing for focus on striking earrings.
Balancing Brilliance: Rings, Bracelets, and Earrings
Beyond color contrast, balancing accessories is paramount. Micaela advises, “if you’re going to do a bracelet on one wrist, do a ring on the other.” This simple yet effective rule prevents an overly cluttered or uneven look. It ensures that the eye moves smoothly across the body, appreciating each piece of statement jewelry without being overwhelmed.
Date night earrings, often selected for their subtle sparkle and elegant drop, are perfect for complementing such a balanced ensemble. The addition of a sleek clutch with a graphic touch can further tie the entire look together, adding another layer of sophisticated detail that speaks to conscious styling choices.
Effortless Elegance: Accessorizing Matching Sets and Jumpsuits
For those days when dressing feels like a chore, matching sets and jumpsuits offer a streamlined solution. They remove the guesswork of coordination, providing a complete, stylish base that’s ripe for accessorizing. Micaela shows how even the simplest sets can become platforms for high-impact jewelry.
Diane Kruger’s Dolce & Gabbana Set: The Simple Set Advantage
Micaela recalled Diane Kruger’s fashion-forward Dolce & Gabbana matching set, which, despite its inherent boldness (with a nod to a deck of cards), was accessorized with simpler jewelry. However, for a simple matching set, the opposite approach applies: use statement jewelry to infuse drama. A simple set, described as a “glamorous pajama set” for its comfort and ease, offers a clean canvas.
A ’70s-inspired vibe, reminiscent of Bianca Jagger’s iconic style, can be achieved with mixed stone earrings and an iridescent headband, much like the one Lupita Nyong’o wore to the Academy Awards. This combination proves that even without an elaborate gown, a matching set, when paired with thoughtful and bold accessories, can achieve red carpet-worthy glamour, taking the complication out of getting dressed.
Glamorous Jumpsuits: Opting for a Sequin Statement
When a dress simply isn’t the mood, a sequin jumpsuit offers an equally glamorous, if not more striking, alternative for a party. Micaela endorses this choice, highlighting its ability to make a bold statement on its own. The accessorizing, however, can elevate it further.
For a sequin jumpsuit, two options for statement earrings were presented: a fringe ear climber or a multi-element pair worn by Liza Koshy. The latter, featuring turquoise, pearls, movement, and fringe, exemplifies the “mixing metals trend” with both gold and silver elements. This versatile design makes it compatible with any metallic look, underscoring that sophisticated statement jewelry can adapt to diverse styles and occasions, from dazzling party wear to layered looks with jeans and a blazer.
Ask the Statement Stylist: Your Q&A with Micaela Erlanger
What is statement jewelry?
Statement jewelry is a bold accessory meant to be a focal point of your outfit and express your personal style. It’s designed to be a conversation starter and make your look unforgettable.
Why should I wear statement jewelry?
Wearing statement jewelry can instantly elevate your outfit and create a significant impact without needing to change your entire ensemble. It helps transform simple looks into something chic and special.
How can I wear statement earrings?
Statement earrings are an easy way to make a big impact, especially with solid-colored outfits. They can frame your face and amplify your look without requiring you to overhaul your whole outfit.
Can I wear a statement necklace with casual clothes?
Yes, absolutely! You can pair a statement necklace with casual items like a T-shirt or a sweater to instantly elevate an everyday outfit and make it chic.
Is it okay to mix different metal colors in my jewelry?
Yes, it’s a popular trend to mix metals like gold and silver in one piece or across different accessories. This makes it easier to match your jewelry with various outfits.