We’ve got some good news for you, because we’ve found a way to disguise the fact that you only woke up fifteen minutes ago and to look entirely put-together without the pore-clogging faff of makeup. It’ll even breathe new life into that zip-uphoodiethat your colleagues have gotten to know worryingly well over recent weeks.
You’ve made it to week ten of working from home during lockdown (congratulations! ), but while you may have made at least a marginal effort for those early-days video conference calls – we’re talking a clean top and a careless blot of concealer on good days – you’re likely finding your enthusiasm for Zoom-aesthetic-etiquette waning somewhat.
Your skin isn’t thanking you for the unnecessary makeup barrier fused with the lack of time spent outdoors (who knew you’d miss that walk to Pret for another round of egg cress so much? ), and even your fanciest tracksuits have no doubt started to lose their appeal. Sound familiar?
Jewellery. Ta-da! Okay, hear us out.
We don’t mean that old cartilage piercing you’ve had in since uni Freshers Week, nor do we mean your wildly OTT costume jewellery that you look to most Saturdays to zhuzh up that old-but-classic LBD.
No, we’re referring to intelligently put-together layers of basic, elegant jewellery. Think lashings of chains (v #ConnellsChain-inspired, actually) and endless earrings.
Pulling focus without looking over-done, clever jewellery hacks will be your best friend for the foreseeable few weeks of Zoom calls – trust us.
Here are the 6 key tips for how to layer your necklaces and earrings for maximum (subtle) impact…
1. THINK ABOUT TEXTURE
Particularly when it comes to necklaces, it’s a good idea to mix things up a bit in terms of weight and density. Try alternating between heavier, statement-making chains and slimmer, daintier ones as you go and you’ll find a natural balance.
2. CREATE A FOCUS
Rather than simply layering 4/5 simple chains atop one another, why not introduce one with a pendant or a couple of charm details? It’ll create a more curated look with the base chains acting as supportive backing dancers to the main event.
3. VARY YOUR LENGTHS
Perhaps the most obvious tip but undoubtedly the most commonly forgotten, wearing several necklaces of the same length does nothing but create a chunky metal mass with the inevitable threat of repetitive tangles. Instead, stagger your lengths – not necessarily all equidistant – to create flow and nonchalant subtlety.
There’s long been a belief that you either wear gold jewellery or you wear silver jewellery. Sometimes you might ring the changes with a little rose gold action, but you absolutely never make the fatal error of mixing. Thankfully, attitudes have relaxed and mindsets have broadened somewhat, with gold and silver jewellery now proving one of the chicest combinations.
5. HAVE A SENSE OF SYNERGY
Whether layering your necklaces or your earrings, it’s wise to have some semblance of a theme running throughout. Whether it’s as subtle as small diamond injections here and there or as literal as the same pendant style on several pieces, something to tie the look together and justify your selection keeps the look feeling more curated and less thrown on.
6. BE WARY OF OVERKILL
If you have a tendency to be a bit OTT with your jewellery, there’s a very simple way to avoid overkill. When you think your look is complete, remove the last thing you put on. It’ll keep the original, curated layers as well as the intended sense of ease and simplicity.
