While studying at university I worked in some
of the most exclusive Jewellery stores and had many customers with plenty of money
but a lot of them didn't have very good taste. I don't sell Jewellery now, but after
my cousin let me help her pick out her prom jewellery I though I may as well share
my advice with others attempting to pick their jewellery for prom.
Be
yourself, enjoy your prom and hope this helps with the jewellery issue!
When
dressing for prom night, you should take an elegant approach to jewellery This means
fewer pieces, feature pieces and nothing informal. The following are a few pointers
to consider when planning jewellery for prom:
Earrings
One
set of earrings, no more.
Set with a colored stone
or pearl to match the necklace, enhancer and or ring you wear.
If
you are wearing drop earrings, your hair should be worn up, not just back to show
them off properly.
Be careful not to wear large flat
earrings if you are wearing your hair up as they can draw too much of a focal
point.
If you are going to buy a piece of jewellery especially
for prom, earrings are definitely where to focus your attention.
Necklaces
One
necklace, no more.
If you are wearing pearls, or a
pendant - wear earrings to match.
If you are wearing
a pearl enhancer or pendant, check the length of the necklace so the enhancer
or pendant sits at the right height.
Chokers
If
you are going for the 'Pretty Woman' look... think carefully about the choker...
A
velvet choker with a nice feature (pendant or enhancer) but only looks right with
certain dresses. If you are considering wearing a choker, try it on with the dress
to be sure.
Rings
No
more than one ring on each hand, preferably only one ring on the right hand.
If
you are wearing gloves, don't wear a ring over the glove, it will fall off too
easily.
If you are wearing a ring under gloves, select
only rings without a setting or the flat channel setting (not raised settings
like claws or even bevel / rub over settings).
Remember,
rings can catch easily on dress material, so be careful.
If
you are wearing earrings or a pendant or pearls, it's nice to match the stones
in all three (earrings / pendant / ring).
Toe rings
and thumb rings are definitely out.
Watches
A
watch with a bracelet band in the same tone as the other jewellery is appropriate
(silver to match silver or white gold), and of course yellow gold watch to match
yellow gold jewellery, rose gold watch to match rose gold jewellery
If
you are wearing gloves, a watch on the outside of a glove does look kind of silly,
so try taking your gloves on and off with the watch underneath and check to see
how much it shows through the glove.
At any rate,
wearing a watch is not at all necessary at such an occasion.
Bracelets
No
more than one bracelet is appropriate.
Don't wear a
bracelet on the same wrist as your watch it's too 'busy.'
Bangles
are out, they are considered less formal.
Broaches
If
you are going to wear a broach, consider where your flowers will pin (typically
above the left breast) and that this place where a broach is traditionally worn
is already taken.
Often a broach from your mother or
grandmother is a beautiful and symbolic piece, very appropriate for prom night.
A
broach can alternatively be worn elegantly pinned to a ribbon, affixed to the
wrist.
Hair
If
you are wearing any kind of jewellery in your hair, for example a comb or chop sticks
or pin, consider how this jewellery fits with the theme of other jewellery you are
wearing.
If you want to go 'all out,' this does not
necessarily mean wearing some kind of jewellery in your hair.
You
should ask the hairdresser for advice.
Beaded
Material
If your dress incorporates beaded material,
the jewellery you wear should be closely in step with the 'presence' of the beads.
Take
the look of the beads into account in the theme of the overall presentation.
What
not to Wear
Don't wear an anklet, toe ring, thumb
ring or bangle. These pieces are less formal.
Belly
button rings and waist chains are also less formal, but can in some cases we worn
to taste.
Caring for jewellery on Prom Night
jewellery
goes on last (after the dress, after make-up and perfume) and gets taken off first
(before anything else comes off especially make-up).
jewellery
(pearls especially) can be damaged by make-up, hair spray and perfume. It can
also catch easily on dress material.
It's best not
to take any jewellery off during the occasion. If you do take anything off, be very
careful where you put it for safe keeping.
Final
Notes
On prom night, jewellery is an optional extra
and not essential.
Be realistic in your
approach and if you are buying pieces especially for prom night, buy something
you will be able to wear again, when you have a different dress on.
If
you are borrowing a piece of jewellery to wear on prom night, it's a nice touch
to feature the item in a photo of you dressed for the prom and send a copy of
the photo with your thank you note when returning the jewellery
Don't
wear something you are uncomfortable with. There is enough pressure getting everything
right on the night without making jewellery a negative. It should be exciting and
positive, the finishing touch that guarantees a big smile and makes you feel really
special!