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Bling book: How to wear traditional jewellery all year round
Don’t put the heavy jewellery back in storage after the festivities. Stylists offer tips on how to wear them all year and still look chic
It’s festive season. You’re finally bringing those stacked bangle sets,dangling earrings and oversized rings out from storage to wear with a new lehenga or sari. Then, like every year, they’ll be wrapped in tissue and left to glitter in silence until next year.
Who said that festive jewellery can’t be paired with everyday outfits? Fashion experts offer a fuss-free guide to playing up traditional pieces at work, at a party, or even for a coffee date with the besties. The hack: Pick neutral clothes, pay attention to necklines, and brace for a bit of drama.
Dresses and skirts. The belly chains and mirrorwork cummerbunds that only come out during Navratri can see a little more of the world when paired with skirts and shift dresses. New York-based content creator and artist Manasi Arya (@ManasiArya) recently gave her denim skirt a festive upgrade by pinning several kinds of traditional Indian earrings onto it. “I love how desi jewellery is trendy now because of shows such as Bridgerton,” she says. Lac bangles, a chunky kada, or multi-coloured stacked bangles can elevate a sundress, says Sonal Agarwal, fashion content creator (@PinkPeppercorn_Sonal).
Pantsuits and jumpsuits. Don’t go overboard and get too matchy-matchy. Wear glitzy heavy chokers with solid-coloured pantsuits, says content creator Natasha Luthra (@Natasha.Luthra). “Skip the earrings; the statement choker is enough,” she says. Wear a hairstyle that pulls the hair away from the face and neck. “Why wear fancy jewellery if it’s not going to be seen?” Luthra wears solid-colour outfits to best show off complicated accessories. “Blacks, nudes, whites, and other neutral-shade ensembles can be transformed by the jewellery you wear.”
Co-ord sets. “Consider the length of the top and its style, says Luthra. “If it’s a shirt-style set, accessorise with heavy earrings and keep the neck bare.” For strappy or strapless sets, Arya suggests adding a dupatta. “You can also add bangles, a heavy necklace, or a traditional lehenga belt.”
Formal wear. “Chokers add style to a deep-necked outfit, or a top with a turtle neck,” says Agarwal. “With collared shirts, wear the choker inside so that it just peeps out.” Luthra suggests sticking to slim chokers and stud earrings at the office.
T-shirts and formal shirts. Pair a casual, contemporary look with lighter jhumkas and bangles, says Agarwal. “Silver jewellery looks better with Western wear than gold,” she says. With a formal look, a heavier piece works better. “I love pairing a white shirt with a lehenga, and accessorising with kundan chokers. It adds a festive edge.”
All the extras. Jewellery is anything you want it to be, says Agarwal. Several stylists have pinned their dangling earrings on as cufflinks or as shirt-button accessories. They’ve fastened them as maang tikkas. “I’ve draped a sari over shorts and used an Indian-design belt to tie the whole outfit together. Wear necklaces, especially long ones, as headpieces, belts, or wrapped around the wrist as a bracelet.” Her hack: Pick the jewellery before choosing the outfit. “You’ll find it easier to build a look around the statement piece than vice versa.”
From HT Brunch, November 02, 2024
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