I spent Sunday in San Francisco in gorgeous, sunny weather. I walked a huge portion of the city in search of some great jewelry. Does that seem insane? Maybe. But the weather was warm and I was alone and jewelry seemed like the perfect thing to hunt.
I have a bit of a thing for bold statement pieces, and I happened to find a really lovely necklace from a street vendor in San Francisco right by one of the hotels we stayed in last Summer in our Summer of Fun down the California Coast.
Isn’t it beautiful? And for $12 I’m a happy lady. I probably could have haggled and gotten a better deal, but I was late for the trolley and had to catch a flight. Next time.
Here’s how I’m planning to wear this necklace: with as little distraction from my top as possible. White tee, shorts, gladiator sandals, small silver hoop earrings.
Alternately, I could wear it with a button down shirt on the outside, with a pair of hot jeans and some heels.
The main thing with a piece this great is to let it shine all on its own. This is true of a bold pair of earrings or a great bracelet: give it space, let it breathe, let it be in the spotlight without competing pieces.
How would you wear it?
Allison
Hello there! I'm Allison Czarnecki, founder + editor of Petit Elefant, a blog all about style on a budget for every part of your life: style / home / travel / family. I do a lot of how-to beauty + style tutorials, travel posts, easy recipes, home remodel projects, and cool DIY crafts you totally want to try. I'm super happily married (to a hot Polish immigrant) and am the mother of two kids, a daughter and son, all of whom are featured here on the regular. We live in the country but we're a little bit rock + roll. Welcome!
I wore a similar necklace today with a medium blue V-neck tee, and then when I got cold, a brown cowl neck sweater. I didn't think either solid top competed much with the green. For earrings, I wore pearl posts.
Pearl posts are perfect with a big bold necklace, love it.
I love it! If it was me, I'd probably do a top-knot ponytail and big-but-skinny silver hoops plus a tiered racerback tank minidress and big honking boots.
Top knot ponytail, look at you! Tiered tank, love it to death, what a great combo!
I would go with a yellow or white v neck tee with skinny jeans sandals or heels depending on the outing and no earring since I would be wearing my hair in loose curls.
Bobbi,
You have fabulous curls, which are a perfect accessory to a bold necklace and a plain v-neck tee!
I agree with you. When people have to much on or everything is saying look at me then it is distracting instead of being beautiful. Keeping everything else simple is key, but I feel that way with almost everything. I find homes with too much in them overwhelming and cluttered.
It’s true! Jewelry and home design aren’t that far off from each other. Simple and clean make the eye feel rested.
Love! I have a similar necklace that I wear with a crewneck black shirt, silver hoops and denim shorts/sandals. In fact, I haven't worn that in a while. It's time!
Crew neck, yes! Put said outfit on NOW.
ohhhh….love it! The green is awesome and I love the way it looks. I am totally jealous. I am a total accessory junkie…so I totally great you on this. I love to wear a statement piece with a black shirt…it really shows off the accessory and make me look skinny…you can't lose.
Nate,
Black is perfect! Accessories are the best way to doll up an outfit, and I love the black idea.
I don't know how I would wear a necklace like this but I do know that I would probably think about eating it all day! They just look like big delicious gumballs! I love it!
That’s hilarious, they kind of do look like gumballs. Great, now I want gumballs.
A day of free time in SF and finding a $12 necklace….priceless! I have a stylish white, sleeveless v-neck paired with my favorite Gap long and leans with a high black heal is perfect for happy hour with friends.
I would also wear it with my favorite vneck "little black dress" to an upcoming wedding.
I think any day in San Francisco is a win right? Especially a sunny one in May. Add a great necklace and it’s a total win.
Little black dress with a pop necklace? Awesome.
I love a chunky (monkey) necklace!!
Chunky monkey, that funky monkey!
Now I want to listen to Beastie Boys.
I adore pieces like that but as a small, very short girl I felt they might be overwhelming.
But I have a very cute grey dress that shows off my baby bump and it's so plain…. I think a piece like this would be perfect!
Dandy,
No, you can totally wear bold, you just have to be careful with proportion and other patterns. You wouldn’t want to wear it with any other patterns on you at all, but I think you already get that!
Completely agree–too often a special piece is completely drowned by too many accessories.
I think it’s one of my most buggy fashion faux pas. Too many pieces on at the same time.
How to Wear Bold Jewelry
Step 1: Unabashedly.
Step 2: Deep V tee.
And next time, pick up one for me. I'll hit you with the cash next time I see ya. Which reminds me.
Step 3: Make everyone a teensy bit jealous when you wear it b/c it really does take boldness to elevate an ordinary day with bold jewelry.
Gwen Bell,
Love 1, 2, & 3.
And you.
Love the simplicity of your suggestions! Like Nicole said, too many fabulous outfits are drowned with over accessorizing. One focal point!
I have a similar awesome chunky turquoise necklace that I love pairing with a button down collared shirt or a black dress. It really packs a punch, draws the attention up, and frames the face beautifully.
Sarah,
I agree 100%. Too many = clutter. A simple backdrop is a perfect way to showcase the pretty.