8 Fashion Rules for Wearing Statement Pieces

A well-picked statement piece has the power to turn any outfit into something special. A statement piece can be anything—a bag, a jacket, a pair of earrings—and it’s usually the one element that draws people’s eyes to your outfit. There’s a common misconception that statement pieces should be colorful, bright, and large, but that’s not always the case. As the name implies, a statement piece should make a strong and compelling statement about your style and personality. That said, here are some tried-and-tested rules you’d do well to follow when incorporating statement pieces into your looks.

Let the Piece Stand Out

The first thing to remember about wearing statement pieces is that they are best paired with simple outfits. If you have an eye-catching bag or necklace, it’s best to keep your colors and patterns muted to prevent your outfit from being too over the top. For example, if you’re wearing an oversized top with a striking pattern as your main piece, complement it with a pair of black women’s leggings for an interesting yet coherent ensemble.  

Generally, neutrals and flat colors work best with statement pieces, especially accessories. Avoid wearing extravagant necklaces with patterned garments to balance the elements of your outfit.

Mind the Details of Your Piece

Details are what make a statement piece unique. When choosing a statement piece for your outfit, make sure that the item has interesting or quirky details that will make people take a second look. But while your statement piece is meant to make your ensemble pop, it shouldn’t be too loud or overly embellished that it seems almost impractical to wear. Remember, your statement piece still has to harmonize with your outfit. Although there are times when contrasting features create a unique outfit, your statement piece must not stick out like a sore thumb.

Don’t Wear Statement Pieces Simultaneously

You may feel inclined to pile statement pieces together, but you wouldn’t want your outfit to look too busy. Wear one item at a time to let a single piece shine. If you need to wear other jewelry on top of your statement piece, make sure that the additional accessories are dainty or light enough to keep your whole look balanced. 

For instance, large necklaces are best paired with a chain, simple rings and earrings. Or, you could take a leaf out of celebrity stylists’ books and skip the bracelets for an elegant, red carpet-worthy look. But if you’re partial to bracelets, you may want to wear statement cuffs or bangles that look great with heels.

Wear Jewelry with the Right Neckline and Hairstyle

The key to wearing statement necklaces is to wear them with the right neckline. If you intend to make a bib or choker necklace the star of your ensemble, it’s best to stick with off-shoulder, V-necked, strapless, or scoop-necked tops or dresses to really highlight the piece. Avoid wearing halter necks or collared shirts as they often overpower bold necklaces. And as mentioned earlier, clothes in neutral colors such as white, black, or nude work best with these pieces.

If you’re planning to go big on your earrings, consider wearing your hair in a ponytail or up-do. Should you prefer to keep your hair loose, make sure to tuck it behind your ears. The goal is to draw attention to your earrings, not your tresses.

Stick to the Style You’re Most Comfortable With

Statement pieces are essentially meant to represent your signature style. As such, it would be ideal to pick pieces based on your style preferences and not the current trends. Going for colors, patterns, or styles that you already have in your closet will make it easier for you to find outfits that go with an attention-grabbing piece.

For example, if you’re into streetwear, you must pick a statement piece that will work seamlessly with this aesthetic. Consider a pair of bright neon sneakers, a bucket hat, or a printed tracksuit. Alternatively, these pieces may not complement your outfit if you’re more into vintage looks. If this is more your style, pieces like embellished sunglasses, faux fur coats, large straw hats, or long strands of pearls would be your best bets. 

Wear Matching Outfits

On top of sticking with your preferred aesthetics, you can wear matching tops and bottoms to make styling statement pieces easier. The great thing about dresses, jumpsuits, and matching skirt-and-top sets is that you don’t have to put too much thought into mixing and matching. Just make sure that your matching outfit won’t take the focus away from your statement item.

Opt for Colors That Look Good Together

The color of your statement piece is another essential thing to consider when planning your outfit. For one, your piece must blend well with the rest of your outfit by being in the same shades or color family. Alternatively, you can draw more attention to your focus piece by playing with contrasting colors such as black and white, yellow and purple, and blue and orange. 

If you find color matching a bit tricky, you may opt to consult a color wheel. Doing so can help you determine analogous colors or colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. Color schemes like yellow and orange or violet and blue can make your look captivating while still staying coordinated. 

Of course, the same color rules apply to statement jewelry. If you’re wearing a statement rose gold or copper necklace, you can go for clothes in light neutral shades or nude tones such as beige or blush pink. However, rose gold can also serve as a striking contrast to dark neutrals (navy, grey, and black) or bright, happy colors such as coral and teal.

Keep Your Makeup Subtle

Tasteful makeup can enhance your features, but a smoky eye or bold lip can detract focus away from your statement jewelry. After all, makeup is already a statement in itself. So while you can still opt to wear makeup, it’s best to go for a simpler, “no makeup” look to keep the focus on your statement piece.

However, for statement clothes, you can have a bit of leeway as long as your makeup doesn’t clash with the rest of the look. A classic red lip or eyeshadow that follows the same color palette as your statement piece can instantly elevate your look.

Rules That Can Make Your Style Rule

Rules are meant to be broken, but there are best practices you can follow to put together your best looks. At the end of the day, how you wear big and bold items depends on your style. You just need to ensure that your statement pieces, the headliners of your outfit, make you feel your best and capture the essence of who you really are.