Elevating Your Look: Jewellery Expert Reveals How to Avoid 'Tacky' Bling and Embrace True Elegance
Diamonds might be a girl's best friend, but according to jewellery expert Angela Moore, not all sparkly adornments are created equal. She's shared her insights on how to distinguish between jewellery that screams sophistication and pieces that, no matter the price tag, can lean towards looking a bit, well, tacky.
Moore explains that when people label jewellery as "tacky," it's rarely about a flawed concept. Instead, it's usually down to the craftsmanship, how it's styled, and how it complements the rest of your ensemble. "Jewellery can absolutely be playful, colourful, and personal without looking cheap," she asserts. "But it starts to look less polished when it feels forced, too trend-led, or like every piece is competing for attention."
The key, according to Moore, is for your jewellery to "have a point of view." This doesn't necessitate minimalism or exorbitant cost. Rather, it should feel curated. "A colourful pair of earrings, a meaningful charm, a bright stone, or a touch of sparkle can all look beautiful when they are given space to stand out," she advises. "Jewellery starts to look tacky when there is no editing, balance, or clear reason behind what has been put together."
Here's a breakdown of what to steer clear of and what to embrace for a more polished aesthetic:
The Pitfalls of Prominent Branding
AVOID: Large Logos Moore warns that "large logo jewellery can date an outfit quickly because the branding becomes the main focus, rather than the design itself." The eye is drawn directly to the name or symbol, bypassing any appreciation for the piece's shape, colour, or finish.
WHAT TO WEAR INSTEAD: Subtle Detail Jewellery Opt for pieces with understated charm. Moore suggests, "I'd say a more elegant alternative is jewellery with subtler detail, such as a fine chain, a small pendant, simple hoops, or a piece with a discreet motif that feels more personal than performative."
- Monica Vinader Ring £85
- Pandora Infinity Knot Ring £25
- Orelia Bamboo Ring £40
- Astrid & Miyu Infinite Ring £350
Ditch the Oversized Sparkle
AVOID: Huge Gemstones When it comes to shimmer, Moore believes it "works best when it feels deliberate and not when every piece is competing to be noticed." Jewellery can veer into tacky territory when stones are excessively large, overly bright, or set in a way that appears flashy rather than refined. "If you love sparkle, keep it focused," she stresses.
WHAT TO WEAR INSTEAD: Jewellery with a Gentle Shimmer Instead of layering high-shine pieces, opt for a more subtle approach. Moore recommends a pair of crystal hoops, a small stone pendant, or a bracelet with a gentle gleam. These choices generally exude more elegance.
- Astrid & Miyu Birthstone Earrings £50
- Argos Revere Sterling Silver Round Cubic Zirconia Stud Earrings £13
- Pandora Infinity Bracelet £119
- Rachel Jackson London Star Earrings £50
- Orelia Emerald Star Necklace £25
- M&S Gold Plated Pear End Bracelet £28
Rethinking Necklines and Neckwear
AVOID: Fabric Chokers While certain historical fashion trends are resurfacing, the fabric choker isn't always a winner. Moore cautions that these can be "difficult to make look expensive, especially when the ribbon is fraying, the velvet has flattened, or the fastening looks flimsy." Furthermore, they can create a "harsh line across the neck, which can make the whole look feel more dated."
WHAT TO WEAR INSTEAD: Pendant Necklaces If you prefer jewellery that sits close to your neck, Moore suggests that "a fine chain, a small pendant necklace, or a delicate stone necklace will usually look more grown-up."
- Ottoman Hands Daphne Turquoise Chain Necklace £99
- Pandora Elevated Heart Key Collier Necklace £75
- Be-Jewelled Amber Necklace £70
- Jon Richard Clover Pendant £20
Hoop Dreams: Size and Shape Matter
AVOID: Big, Skinny Hoops Hoops are a timeless classic, but Moore points out that "very large, very thin hoops can sometimes look harsh rather than elegant, especially if they overpower the face or feel out of proportion with the rest of the outfit."
WHAT TO WEAR INSTEAD: Huggies or Thicker Structured Hoops For a similar statement with a more refined finish, Moore recommends "a smaller hoop, a huggie hoop, or a thicker sculptural hoop."
- M&S Hoop Earrings £20
- Reformation Mabel earrings £128
- Orelia Metal Hoop Earrings £32
- Pandora Round Open Hoop Earrings £89
- Monica Vinader Deia Earrings £149
- Astrid & Miyu Hoops £85
Bangle Basics: Material and Scale
AVOID: Chunky Plastic Bangles Moore warns that "chunky plastic bangles can look less polished because plastic does not usually have the same depth, weight, or finish as metal or stone." Bright colours and overly glossy surfaces can attract attention for the wrong reasons, making an outfit appear more casual than intended.
WHAT TO WEAR INSTEAD: A Slim Bangle or Coloured Stone If you desire colour on your wrist, opt for "a slimmer bracelet, a coloured stone detail, or a well-finished bangle." These options tend to look more refined while still adding personality.
- Mint Velvet Gold Bangle £39
- Radley Jumping Dog Bangle £40
- Orelia Bracelet £25
- TUTTI Birthstone Bracelet £30
Ring Realism: Faux vs. Fine
AVOID: Faux-Stone Rings While cocktail rings can be stunning, Moore notes that "very large faux-stone rings can look less classy when the stone is too big, too glassy, or set in a very bright metal." These can easily "dominate the hand and make the rest of the jewellery feel unbalanced."
WHAT TO WEAR INSTEAD: Smaller Gemstones or Signet-Style Rings "A smaller gemstone ring, a signet-style ring, or a simple stacking ring is usually easier to wear and looks more timeless," she advises.
- Orelia Signet Ring £50
- Monica Vinader Odyssey Ring £79
- Reformation Mabel Ring £128
- Pandora Eternity Circle Ring £39
- Daisy London Mini Signet Ring £135
- Monica Vinader Signet Ring £109
The Art of the Set: Less is More
AVOID: Matching Sets Moore explains that while matching sets can be elegant when subtle, they can "start to feel dated when the necklace, earrings, and bracelet are all large or highly decorative." The issue lies in the repetition of visual weight, which can make the overall look feel "flat and overly styled rather than natural."
WHAT TO WEAR INSTEAD: Keep One Piece as the Focus A more contemporary approach, according to Moore, is to "keep one piece as the focus and let the others support it." This could involve pairing decorative earrings with a simpler chain or echoing the same metal tone without replicating the exact design. This allows each piece to shine without competing, creating a more balanced and sophisticated aesthetic.
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