Accessories are the icing on any outfit, as they help create cohesive looks. If you recently purchased vintage jewelry or have enjoyed collecting vintage pieces for years, there are many fun and visually stunning ways to rock these accessories. Below are tips for styling vintage necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and other pieces. 

Styling Tips for Vintage Jewelry

1. Wear Complementary Clothing

To avoid a clashing, confusing result, pair vintage jewelry from specific eras with clothes inspired by the same time periods. You wouldn’t wear Art Deco jewelry with Victorian-inspired clothes, or vice versa. Victorian-inspired clothing is typically modest yet feminine, such as structured bodices, while Art Deco clothing styles are pulled from flapper ensembles. If your pieces are from the Edwardian period, choose unstructured tops over corsets or bodices, though early Edwardian styles still included corsets. 

2. Stick to One Statement Piece

Vintage costume jewelry often falls into the “statement” category, such as an oversized brooch or dangling earrings with eye-catching jeweled designs. To avoid appearing overstyled, stick to one statement jewelry item and otherwise select simple pieces. For example, a dazzling brooch pairs well with a skinny bracelet featuring the same jewels and a simple ring that matches the other accessories’ metal, such as gold or silver. 

3. Don’t Be Afraid to Stack

Stacking jewelry has become a classic form of accessorizing. If you have numerous vintage bracelets you want to stack for “statement accessory” purposes, consider mixing styles. Smooth plastic, chain link, pearl, geometric, spiked, and beaded bracelets offer scale/texture combinations that create unique results. For even more original results, stack vintage and contemporary bangles. 

4. Let Your Top’s Neckline Dictate Necklace Lengths 

The right vintage necklace for your outfit depends in part on the neckline. A high neckline calls for a relatively short necklace, such as a vintage choker or collar necklace. A Queen Anne neckline pairs well with a vintage bib necklace, or chunky, bold necklaces that typically feature jewels and intricate designs. If you’re working with a plunging necklace, try a chain, lariat, or opera necklace for a complementary result. 

Browse the extensive vintage jewelry selection from Queen Street Gallery in Martinsburg, WI. Since 1997, this one-of-a-kind gallery has sold vintage, antique, and rare pieces, including gold and silver jewelry from estate sales. Call (304) 263-9495 today to place an order or ask questions.