Ahh spring! It's time to say hello to new spring and summer jewelry styles and trends...oh ya, and of course there's the warm sun, green grass, and budding trees too. But spring style is just as exciting as all of that too, right?

Spring & Summer Styles and Trends :
Jewelry Edition

So as the days get longer and the sun gets warmer, it seems like the perfect time that I showcase some of the newest pieces to Apostle.

You may have noticed a theme when scrolling through my Instagram feed, (@alayne.joy, in case you’re not following). For the spring, you may notice the use of florals, natural gemstones with an element of sparkle, designs with charming and unique accents, and bold pieces with delicate feminine details.

Florals

Floral patterns and motifs aren't just for clothing, but it's become a popular accent used in jewelry as well!

When it comes to florals, many of us think of bright colours and the basic flower shapes. However, the floral designs this season have a more abstract or desert feel, with imprints set into the material giving it a fossilized texture. Some beautiful examples of this are the Palm Drop Earrings from Liv Finely, the In the Garden Necklace from Little Gold, and the Primrose Studs to match.

Beautiful Gemstones

As a unique way to add colour to an outfit, the use of natural gemstones is a great way to add another dimension to your look. No stone is the same, so not only will your piece be unique to you, it will be the only one with the exact colouring you see in the rock. The Labradorite Pool Necklace shows gorgeous earth tones with a touch of blue undertones. If you want something a little more subdued, the Cameo Necklace is a stunning alternative using Rainbow Moonstone to add beautiful, neutral touch. Some complementary pieces include the Moonstone Mari Studs (these little studs are SO cute and pretty!) and the Parker Gem Bracelet (adds such a nice touch of light pinks to your outfit!).

Just A Touch of Sparkle

Whether you're days consist of everyday casual, office attire, or you like to dress up a little more- a touch of sparkle will add polish and class to your outfit!

As the summer days tend to include a bit more of a relaxed vibe, it's important to pay attention to clothing and accessories that can take you from day to night- and a little sparkle can take you there!

The Nora Studs from Shashi have a touch of elegance with a halo of sparkle surrounding a beautifully-cut Labradorite gemstone. The Madison Shimmer Earrings (available in gold or silver) are a classic & chic huggie-style that you will wear constantly (and if those aren’t to your liking check out the Hoop Blog post that showcases the different hoops, no matter what your style is!).

Whether you’re shopping for yourself, or for a gift the “Cheers to you” Necklace is a lovely option, with the right amount of sparkle it's beautiful on its own or would pair nicely with a simple gemstone necklace. No outfit is complete without a bracelet in my books, and the ideal pairing would be the Bezel Bolo Bracelet (available in gold or silver), again nothing too dramatic just a touch of elegance.

Charming Accents

I have always been one to admire the artistry in jewelry design and I admire when designers are able to find the intersect between uncommon and every day. Little accents like hearts, inscribed messages or images- these make pieces so unique and add such a special (and sometimes sentimental) touch- making them a meaningful gift either for yourself or a loved-one. 

The Love Token Necklace is available in Gold or Silver, and the Tiniest Heart Studs (also available in gold or silver) make for a gorgeous feminine set that's full of love! For those who love a subtle touch of feminine drama, the Pearl Drop Chain Earrings paired with the Angel Face Necklace could be just the set you’re looking for.

Bold Feminism

We all have a bit of a wild side…yes even you moms reading this, we’re not normal moms we’re cool moms, we just have to tame it from time to time. I love how jewelry can be used as an expression of our personalities. These pieces are for those of you who want to make a statement, but in a cool, understated and feminine way (no heavy pendants or bulky chains here! We need easy-to-wear all day, with all the things, kind of style!).

The Chico Earrings from Liv Finely are unique and contemporary and extremely lightweight! You can pair them (any anything else) with the Artisan Woven Stacking Ring from Daisy London. Finish off the look with the Venice Necklace from Gorjana, and you’re set for the day, from drop off, to zoom meeting, to patio drinks the true balance of bold and beautiful.

(Little side note- if you love a cool, modern style that evokes both a feminine, delicate feel with a touch of confidence, you will love the Daisy London collection!) 

The spring/summer jewelry styles and trends are all about feminine and versatile styling with a little more oomph behind it. The very lightweight, delicate pieces are still definitely a thing, but Designers wanted to instill a bit more personality and strength in their designs as well- which I absolutely love! This combination truly creates a look the is timeless, wearable for the everyday, and versatile for all the things! 

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 What jewelry should I wear for my face shape?

In the same way that a great haircut can really highlight your features, selecting the right jewelry can have the same effect and be complimentary to your face shape.

This blog is based on a segment I did for Breakfast Television on City TV. To see the quick 4 minute segment, click on the BT Calgary logo.

The first step is to know your face shape.

There are many different methods of finding this out : You can be very specific and get into measuring your face or tracing your face while looking in a mirror (click here for a link to Wiki on the steps), or you can print our a picture of yourself and outline your face with a thick marker. However, many of us aren't a "true" shape, rather we could be a combination of two, and it could be difficult to find one category that we fit exactly. In this case, knowing your features is all you really need.

For example, look in the mirror with your hair pulled back and see where is the widest part of your face, where is the most narrow spot, or if your face is symmetrical then you likely have a round or square face. Below, I will go through the different face shapes and point out some characteristics of each shape. From this you will be able to tell which category you fall under.

Remember that these are not rules, they're simply guidelines. These tips are simply tools that you can use while you are getting ready in the day or as you shop for new jewelry. To me, rules are very restrictive and personally, rules and I don't mesh well together. The most important thing is that you feel beautiful and confident, and that your personal style shines.

Oval and Diamond Face Shape

These face shapes are slightly longer than they are wide. Oval face shapes have a rounded hairline and jaw. Diamond face shapes have a narrow chin and forehead, and the cheekbones are widest part of the face.

Being that Oval and Diamond face shapes are already long, wearing long necklaces and earrings will only accentuate the length. Instead, opt for shorter necklaces that can add width- wide curves, rectangle pendants and collars are great options. For earrings, short to mid length dangles are great, but anything that falls at your jaw or below with make your face appear longer than it is. Oval face shapes look great with ear climbers, jackets or studs because they add some detail and width and the middle of your face, creating an illusion of a wider face.

Triangle and Square Face Shapes

Both of these face shapes have a nice strong jawline. A square face shape has an equal distance from the forehead, cheekbones and jawline, whereas a triangle shape gets quite narrow at the hairline.

To balance a strong jaw, adding length with long necklaces and earrings is perfect! With linear jewelry, you are drawing the eye up and down and creating a longer look. Long necklaces with eye-catching pendants are a great choice, and long, linear earrings are also a good option. You may also want to try earrings that are rounded at the bottom and hit at, or below, the jawline to add some curves and balance a square jaw.

Oblong and Rectangle Face Shapes

Similar to Oval, a rectangle and oblong face shape is has more length than width. However, a rectangle and oblong face shapes have even more length. Rectangle shapes have a square hairline or forehead and jaw, whereas oblong shape have a rounded hairline and narrow chin. (This image from Byrdie is titled "Rectangular" but I feel like that was a typo because it looks quite oblong to me...but I could be wrong.)

Thanks to the great lengths to these face shapes, the jewelry that is more complimentary are styles that add width (just like oval shapes!). Short necklaces that have a wide curve, circular pendants are also great, and short earring such as studs, climbers or jackets. Another earring option are chandelier styles or teardrop shapes.

Round Face Shapes

 Round is fairly straight forward, and it seems like people with a round face, know it. If you have nice round cheeks, rounded jaw and hairline, you have a round face shape!

To balance the curves of a round face, looking for jewelry with geometric shapes or necklaces that create a "V" or "Y" shape are very complimentary. Lariats (either short or long), long necklaces that create a "V" shape, or layering long necklaces. Linear style earrings, or earrings that are nice and long can create the appearance of a longer face shape.

Inverted Triangle or Heart Face Shapes

If you have a nice narrow chin and your face widens towards the hairline, you have a Heart or Inverted Triangle face shape. The difference between these two shapes is that a heart shape has a rounded hairline and perhaps a widows peak, while an inverted triangle shape has a more squared off hairline.

With this shape we want to balance the narrow chin by adding width at the jawline with wide earrings, as well as at the base of the neck with shorter necklaces. Earrings that are a teardrop shape are perfect, or chandelier styles, or anything with nice round edges. Collar necklaces, short statement pieces or bold curves are really nice options for this face shape.

Play around with different styles of jewelry and see what you like the best. Again- it's not about rules, it's about feeling your best.

If you want to learn more about accessorizing, click here to read about what jewelry works best for your body type.

If you have any questions, or would like help selecting jewelry that works well with your face shape, or body type, don't hesitate to send me an email. I love working with my clients to find jewelry that they love, and doing consults or personal styling is what I love! It's win-win!

All face shape images are from Byrdie- an amazing resource for all things beauty related.

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Want to know which style and length of necklace you should wear with different tops and necklines? Our complete Necklace and Necklines guide takes out the guesswork.

 Necklaces and Necklines

"What necklace do I wear with this top?"

Picture this : It’s early in the morning and you’re getting ready to head out for the day. Hair is done, make up is done, clothes are on, and you look in the mirror and determine that you need a necklace. You put one on but it doesn’t look quite right (but you’re not entirely sure why). So, you try another. It’s not right either. Having somewhere to be, you grab ol’ faithful (you know the one- the default necklace that you always wear), or you’ve given up entirely, and head out the door. Throughout the day, you look at yourself in the mirror or catch your reflection in a window, glance at your necklace choice (or lack thereof) and wish you’d picked something different…but what?!

I have compiled some guidelines to show which styles and lengths of necklaces look best with different necklines. It’s important to remember that these guidelines are a great starting point and a way to take the guessing game out of the morning ritual. I have also included our Necklace Length Guide which will give you a good idea of where different necklace lengths typically fall (what is a 20” necklace, anyways?).

Once you have figured out what works best with your outfits, play around a bit with different looks and/or layering. There aren’t any rules, and if there are, I tend to live by the old adage that rules are meant to be broken. Now, more than ever, people are doing what they want with fashion and allowing their own creativity to shine. But for some of us, we like to have a bit of knowledge to base our creativity on.

Here you will find a breakdown of every neckline and suggested necklace styles and lengths, as well as a chart for quick reference. Feel free to save and print the chart, make notes on it, and keep it in your drawer to assist you each morning.

CREWNECK

This style of neckline can vary from hitting the base of the neck to just below the collar bone. For higher crewneck tops you can try a chunky bib or collar style necklace. For the slightly lower cut crewnecks, opt for a short necklace (approximately 16”) that hits just above the neckline. If you want to elongate your torso, try pairing the short dainty necklace with a longer length that hits just above the bust.

SCOOP NECK

Scoop necklines are perfect for showcasing shorter necklaces (18”-20”, depending on the neckline). There are a number of necklace styles that compliment this neckline, so the options are limitless. You could choose a chunky or statement/bold style, lariat, large pendant, delicate (either one, or layer many)… You have a lot of space to fill with a scoop neckline, so utilize it (think of it as a blank canvas).

V NECK 

Similar to Scoop necklines, V necklines give you a great opportunity to feature your necklace(s). This style of neck can come in different heights and widths as well, but the trick is to match the shape of the V. You can choose short lengths layered with longer lengths, lariat style, or delicate or chunky. Because of the V shape, I recommend harmonizing it with angular/geometric shapes as well (ie. A triangle pendant, spikes, etc).

BOAT NECK

This style of neckline doesn’t allow for shorter necklace lengths. Go with one or two lightweight (dainty) long necklaces (32” or longer). As another option, go with long, attention grabbing earring and bracelets instead of a necklace.

SQUARE NECK

The variety of square necklines is vast. Some are high, low, very pronounced, less obvious… You possibly own a square-neck top and not even realize it (I didn’t think I owned any until yesterday, when I realized I have 6!). A square neck is in itself an edgier, bolder style, so choose a necklace that works with those lines: angular, geometric, chunky or bold. In terms of a length, choose one that hits above the top so that it can lay flat and not compete.

TURTLENECK

Fall and winter are coming, and so is the return of the Turtleneck. Steer away from short necklaces which can “cut up” the look of the top. If you really feel that a necklace is necessary, go for one or two lightweight long (32” or longer) styles. Preferably, opt out of a necklace altogether and go for an earring and bracelet stack instead.

HALTER

Halter tops can either go to the very base of your neck, or very low, exposing some décolletage. This type of neckline creates a V shape, so choose a necklace/pendant that has a narrow shape and follows the lines of the top. If the halter allows space for a necklace to lay flat on your skin, a perfect necklace style would be a lariat. Halters naturally bring attention upwards towards your face, choosing to forego a necklace and wearing a long dangle earring would compliment this style of top or dress perfectly.

STRAPLESS

Strapless tops and dresses a meant to show off your décolletage – don’t mess with a good thing by covering it up with a big chunky necklace. If you feel too bare, a short, dainty style necklace would highlight the area without competing with it. Again, a nice long and/or bold earring would work great.

BUTTON-UP / COLLAR

There are two ways to wear this- a modern take on the button-up top is to have every button secured right to the top and wearing a bold, chunky style necklace on top of the shirt with the collar folded over.

The other, more traditional way is to leave the top one or two buttons undone. With this look, choose a shorter length that allows the base of the necklace to rest above the top button. A lightweight, dainty necklace (or necklaces) is classic and feminine, while a chunkier style gives a cool, youthful vibe.

BLAZER / JACKET

The length of necklace will depend on what type of style of top you wear under your blazer. Ensure that the necklace you wear is able to lay flat (hits either right above the neckline of the top, or no longer than the bust). You can play around with different styles, but I would caution against large pendants that will be hidden under the jacket.

Hopefully this comprehensive guide has taken out some of the guesswork of which necklace goes with which neckline, and gives you the foundation to start making your own “rules”.

If I missed a neckline, or you have questions, don’t hesitate to comment on this post or send me an email.

Below is a chart that shows each neckline and the corresponding necklace styles.
Below the chart, you will find our Necklace Length Guide.

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How To Layer Necklaces

Layering jewelry can sometimes leave us feeling confused and exasperated. However, like most things, practice (and a little know-how) makes perfect.

I’d love to say that I have the power of knowing exactly which necklaces to layer together, but it has taken a bit of time, plus trial and error, to discover what does and doesn’t work. To make your life easier, I have compiled what I’ve learned into Ten Necklace Layering Guidelines so that you can be armed and ready to layer up.

1. Short & Long

You likely have a go-to long necklace that is a staple in your accessories collection. An easy way to amp up the ante is to add a delicate, shorter necklace. Choose a shorter style that doesn’t take away from the longer one- you don’t want the short necklace to be the focal point, so ensure that it is a lighter style. Keep it simple.

When it comes to wearing the short, dainty necklaces, you don't want to hide it under your top with a high neckline. Ensure the neckline is low enough so that the short necklace can lay flat and breathe.

Here we have the Leah Alexandra Naomi long Necklace, highlighted by the Lisbeth Marlowe Necklace.

2. Choose Similar Colours

No matter the varying lengths, a great way to mix and match, yet maintain a cohesive look, is to go with necklaces in similar colours. You could choose different tones of gold (or silver, or rose gold) chains, or as shown in the picture, we went with a necklace with Aquamarine beads paired with another necklace that features Green Patina charms. The shapes are not the same, nor are the chains, but having the same colour accents brings it all together.

This perfect pair is created by the Hailey Gerrits Armour Necklace (the longest length), and We Dream In Colour Wee Naija Necklace.

3. Pick Your Leading Lady

When you have one necklace that you love, no matter the length, make it your Leading Lady. Once you have your Lead cast, choose the Supporting Actors. The Leading Lady doesn’t necessarily have to be big and bold, but the Supporting Actors shouldn’t outshine Her and steal the spotlight. Go with lighter, more delicate necklaces that will showcase Her charm.

With this look we cast the Neely Phelan Ivory Horn Necklace as our Leading Lady, and to support Her we have the Gorjana Taner Dagger Necklace and the shorter Lisbeth Lave Necklace.

This works with any lengths of necklaces and any style of top, just remember not to distract from your Lead.

4. Short Stop

By layering short necklaces together you create a focal point that is both modern and classic. To create this look you will want to choose similar shapes. In these pictures, we layered two and three dainty necklaces that have a V type shape. If most of your necklaces are more rounded, go with that. Don’t feel trapped if you don’t have multiple “dainty” chain necklaces- our next Guideline shows layered chunkier necklaces.

This works with any type of top, but ensure that the neckline of the top is low enough to allow your short necklaces to breathe and lay flat. For added interest, try this look with a collared top.

Here we show the Leah Alexandra Gem Necklace in Moonstone (the shortest necklace in the trio), the Whitley James Arrowhead Necklace, and the Gorjana Taner V Necklace.

5. Create A Collar

As mentioned in Short Stop, layering chunkier necklaces can create a whole other look. When you choose a shorter, thicker, bolder necklace and layer it with others in a similar lengths, you create your own unique Collar-style necklace. This route gives your outfit an edgier, rock-and-roll look, and the chunkier, the better.

This look works great with any top or neckline. With those chunky chains, add edge to an otherwise plain crew neck sweater or tee.

Our collar was created using the Leah Alexandra Black Onyx Bar Necklace, Melanie Auld AFLA Multi Triangle Necklace, and the Lisbeth Willow Necklace in Moonstone.

6. Update Your Pearls

If you’re like me, you have a strand of pearls that has been sitting in the drawer waiting to be worn, but every time I put them on I suddenly feel…older. So I quickly take them off and store them away. Then it hit me- by pairing my classic pearls with a more modern necklace, it instantly gives my pearl strands an updated, youthful look!

When you choose what to layer with your pearls, make sure that the “weight” of it is equal to that of your pearl necklace. You don’t want the pearl necklace to be the whole look, you want it to be an equal partner to the other half. Think of it as a wonderful, happy marriage- two different necklaces that can come together and become one.

I partnered my classic pearl necklace with the Neely Phelan Vintage Tropez Mesh Pendant Necklace.

7. Stone Cutter

Bring in some natural elements with stones and/or crystals. Neither the colours nor shapes need to be the same, however try to keep some consistency with the chains (all gold, silver or rose gold). By using different stones and crystals your look will be youthful and creative, yet rooted in similarity.

Here we've got the Leah Alexandra Arrow Necklace in Aquamarine and Sapphire, with the longer Whitley Beate Necklace in faceted Moonstone.

8. Lariats & Tassels

When you wear a lariat necklace or a necklace with a tassel pendant, you draw the eye downward giving a longer, leaner look. When paired with a shorter necklace, these styles give your accessories a great end-point as they taper off and add length.

The first look is created by using the short Neely Phelan Druzy Bar Necklace on Pyrite Stone Chain with our Whitley Lizbeth Tassel Necklace.
For our second look, we have the Gorjana Taner V Necklace, combined with the Leah Alexandra Lariat Necklace in Rose Gold.  

9. Cascading Lengths

One of the more difficult layering looks is to find necklaces in different lengths that all work together. A rule of thumb that will help you with this is to choose necklaces that have at least one similarity. In this picture, we have three necklaces that all contain silver. While the middle necklace isn’t a silver chain, the silver spikes lend to the unified look. Another element that works with this outfit is that the longer two necklaces have similar shapes in the spikes and the sea glass pendant. Sure, the shortest necklace is rounded, however the fact that it’s silver contributes to the overall unified look.

From shortest to longest, we have the Gorjana Taner Bar Necklace, We Dream In Colour Sofia Spike Necklace and the Dreamboat Lucy Retreat Necklace with white sea glass.

10. Use Multi-Layered Necklaces

The simplest of all routes – get a necklace that is already designed with layers. Layering necklaces has been so popular for so many years that Designers have been creating styles with combined multiple lengths. It couldn’t be easier than that! In this photo, I have only two necklaces on, but it appears as though I am wearing four. Whether you wear one multi-layered necklace, or put a couple together, the end result will be flawless.

This stunning combo features the Leah Alexandra Arrow Necklace in Aquamarine and Sapphire, along with the Gorjana Nina Layered Lariat Necklace.

These Necklace Layering Guidelines will give you the tools you need to create endless looks that can evolve with your style. Remember, these are just guidelines, feel free to stick to them, or use them as a starting point to come up with your own formulas. When it comes to fashion and style, anything goes and you breathe life into it when you make it your own.

Have questions or would like some additional tips and tricks? Send me an email and I’d be more than happy to help!

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