Costume Jewelry

Costume jewelry offers an inexpensive way to achieve a point of difference. 

 Costume jewelry is bold and distinctive. It conveys a sense about who the wearer is. People judge others based on their appearance and assume many things about that person’s personality, values, and beliefs based on how they are dressed. By carefully choosing what kind of costume jewelry to set off your outfit you can boost your confidence and play the part of who you are or who you want to be. It helps both guys and gals design their own sense of style, letting them to step out of the run of the mill and classify themselves as exceptional, confident, passionate, and interesting people. 

Men and women from all parts of the world, from all cultures and from all levels of society have been wearing adornment of some sort or other throughout the centuries. Various pieces of clothing and accessories are a sign of class as well as religious and cultural identities. People still use fashion accessories to show the world who they are and what they value or to indicate a persons rank and/or position in society. Costume jewelry is used to makes a statement.

 

Unfortunately though, some men and women steer clear of wearing bold accessories because they do not feel good about stepping out of their comfort zone. But costume jewelry can make a person feel good about them-self. Used appropriately it can add a bit of flamboyancy and elegance to your outfit and make you look and feel like a million dollars. 

  Costume jewelry exploits the aesthetic power of gemstones and crystals whether real or artificial. Gemstones and crystals are associated with special spiritual and physical properties which give gemstones meaning.  Gemstones may be birthstones and come in many different colors. They are superstitious and provoke emotional responses. For example, wear carnelian for courage: malachite for calmness; aquamarine for better communication. Gemstones are empowering.

 The most popular types of costume jewelry include bib necklaces, long necklaces, cocktail rings, chandelier earrings, cuffs and bangles. When choosing costume jewelry the following factors should be considered:

 Size Match

Costume jewelry is often large and pretentious. While it is intentionally big to draw attention to itself and the wearer, it should not be overbearing. Choose items which are in proportion to your personal size, because petite women may look absurd with overly large pieces.

 Color Match

 Costume jewelry is often very colourful and can be made from a single bold color or it can be multi-colored. Choose pieces which complement and match the color of your outfit. It is also a good idea to wear colors which contrast your outfit or which pick out a color you wish to highlight. The color can also be selected to match other accessories such as handbags, shoes and hats so that there is an obvious color theme.  

 Slant Match

 If the colors of your necklaces, earrings and bracelets you wear are similar but don't   match exactly, it is said to be a slant match. For example, copper and gold do not precisely match, but they look good together because although they are not the same color, but they are close enough to slant match. There is just enough difference between them to draw attention. So instead of just wearing a gold necklace with gold earrings and a gold bracelet, add a copper piece as well.

 Wear One Piece

 Unless it comes in a matched set, it is advisable to only wear only one piece of costume jewelry at a time. If wearing flamboyant earrings, wear a simple ring. If the necklace is bold and ostentatious, choose simple earrings such as small studs. Wearing too many big, bold pieces all at once can look a little showy and overdone. It is important to choose clothes and other accessories that are reasonably plain or tie in with the color scheme. Bangles are an exception to this rule. Multiple bangles worn together look very impressive.

Avoid  Clutter

 Make sure the costume jewelry and other accessories you choose does not add a sense of clutter to your outfit. It should complement your style and add glamour. It should not distract from your appearance or leave you open to ridicule. Choose pieces which color match your outfit and add appeal. Do not use multi-coloured pieces if your outfit is already busy with pattern and color.

Wear Vintage Pieces

 It may be easier to find a really unique vintage or antique piece. Vintage inspired costume jewelry, adds sense of sophistication and style.

 Match Makeup

 Keep makeup simple so as not to distract from your overall look. Makeup should be coordinated so it is consistent with your look. Although bold makeup is sometimes suitable, it is better worn with simple costume jewelry. There is nothing wrong with using bold makeup, but the rule "one at a time" applies here as well.

Match Clothes

 Don’t have too much going on all at once. Take advantage of the middle ground between plain and grandiose. If you are wearing costume jewelry it is best to avoid bold, attention-grabbing patterns. Wear simple, plain, pinstripes, and faded patterns. Conversely, when it comes to bold pieces in an outfit, less is definitely more.

Wearing costume jewelry allows both men and women to define their own style and stand out as individuals. Add flair to your look by wearing a well chosen piece to complement your outfit and make a statement about your fashion style.

Why Do People Wear Jewellery As A Fashion Accessory ?

People wear jewellery as a fashion accessory for both aesthetic and functional reasons and sometimes both!

 In fact costume jewellery is the easiest and cheapest way to dress up an outdated, simple or plain outfit, or to turn a stylish, trendy outfit into something truly outrageous and flamboyant! Costume jewellery is an inexpensive way to add a fashion accessory and can be designed to set off a particular fashion or style. It may be in the form of a colorful and showy necklaces, bracelets, brooches, rings, or earrings or it may just be a piece of an inexpensive fake gold chain or ring.

Expensive designer jewellery an also be worn as a fashion accessory. It is also worn to depict a persons status symbol, or as a symbol of cultural significance or religious statement. Wearing popular brands like Tiffany or Rolex often makes a statement about who the person is or would like to be.

Unlike costume jewellery which is often mass produced, designer jewellery are pieces that are more exclusive, unique and imaginative. Designer jewellery is a more creative and is often handcrafted by the artist himself. Because of the uniqueness of designer jewellery, more expertise and creativity is required in their manufacture. The designers and craftsmen put a great deal of effort and love into the final product. Each piece is a work of art.

Designer jewellery is more likely to be made of precious metals such as gold or silver and will consist of precious stones such as diamonds, rubies or emerald as well as semi-precious stones such as amethysts and pearls.

 

 Another style of jewellery worn as a fashion accessory is hip hop jewellery.  Hip hop jewellery is usually big and over the top, and often studded with diamonds both real and fake to give you the same custom designed look worn by top level, rappers and pro athletes.  Hip hop jewellery comes in many shapes and forms and  includes heavy gold, silver or platinum chains, watches, pendants, rings, earrings, crosses, cufflinks, belt buckles, jean chains and removable gold teeth grill.

From a functionality point of view, jewellery worn as a fashion accessory can be used for the following purposes. 

 

• Hairpins to keep hair in place. Hair pins can be plain and brownish in color to blend in with the hair and not be seen or decorative pieces of jewellery designed to add glamour to a hair style. Decorative hair pins are very popular with brides and are often worn instead of a veil.

•  Brooches to keep clothing in place. Decorative brooches add a touch of class and sophistication to any outfit. Worn on the lapels of jackets or on dresses they made of semi precious gemstones or diamonds or any other precious jewel. Traditionally large pins have been used to keep a kilt in place by Scotsmen for centuries.

•  Pins and medals are worn to indicate achievement or affiliation. Medals such as an Olympic Gold Medal or a nursing badge indicate outstanding sporting or academic achievement

•  School, college or university emblems or badges are a symbol of belonging to an educational or sporting group.

•  Tie pins are worn to keep a tie in position. Tie pins can be a simple or highly decorated piece of jewellery.

•  Cuff links are worn to do up shirt sleeves together. They are usually worn more on formal social occasions such as weddings and balls. They can be funky, plain, or elaborate pieces made from gold and diamonds.

•  Wristwatches or pocket watches are used as a time keeper.  Simple quartz watches are relatively inexpensive and keep accurate time. Mechanical watches are less accurate time keepers but have incredible social significance. Branded watches such as Cartier, Rolex or Tag Heuer are very popular with men and women alike as a sign of affluence, status and social standing.

•  Engagement rings are a mark of betrothal worn commonly by women and less often by men. Diamond rings are the most popular but almost any precious or semi-precious stone can make exquisite engagement rings.

•  Wedding bands are worn by both men and women are used to be a sign that they are married. They can be plain or elaborately decorated to indicate social status.

•  Some  jewellery symbolise  religion such as the Star of David for Jews; the Cross for Christians or Allah for Muslims

•  Some cultural jewellery is worn as a sign of ethnic or racial identity, such as the Tiki in the Maori culture in New Zealand.

•  Jewellery is also worn as a symbol of office for example mayoral chains or crowns and tiaras worn by kings and queens.

•  Amulets and  medals such as St Christopher medals are worn for protection

•  Some artists create jewellery it to show off their artistic designs.

•  Gold and diamonds and other precious stones  are seen as a sign of prosperity and affluence

•  People use jewels and gold for investment to store and protect wealth

•   In some countries such as, India gold jewellery is given as a wedding dowry to give wealth to the bride.

•  Jewellery, precious stones, gold and silver are traded as  a currency to purchase goods

No matter what its purpose it is good to have a few exquisite pieces of jewellery to wear to make you look beautiful and feel special. People wear jewellery as an adornment and as a fashion accessory. Statement jewellery such as rings, necklaces, brooches and bracelets beautify an outfit and make a statement about a person’s style. Wear jewellery as a fashion accessory as an easy way to dress to impress.