I don’t believe in hard rules when it comes to style, especially not at this stage of life. But I do appreciate a few gentle guidelines, especially around jewelry. The right piece can make an outfit feel finished. The wrong one can throw things off just enough to make you feel slightly… off yourself.
Jewelry’s personal. Many of us have drawers full of pieces with memories attached…gifts from loved ones, souvenirs from travels, things inherited from women we adored. That’s part of what makes editing them tricky. Still, if you’re wondering how to wear jewelry in a way that feels fresh (not fussy), here are a few things I’ve learned.
1. Scale Matters More Than Ever
Small, delicate jewelry can get lost on mature skin, while oversized statement pieces can overwhelm. The sweet spot is finding a scale that balances your features without fighting them. If you have a petite frame, go for medium-sized earrings or necklaces that do not drown you. If you are taller or have a strong bone structure, you can carry larger pieces with ease.
I still love a classic stud earring, but I often choose one that is just a bit larger so it doesn’t disappear. The same applies to necklaces. A tiny chain may feel underwhelming now, while something with a pendant or bit of substance holds its own.
2. Pay Attention to Necklines
Your jewelry should work with the neckline you are wearing, not compete with it. A crewneck sweater needs something longer to elongate, while a V-neck is flattered by a pendant that echoes the shape. Collared shirts can look chic with hoops or layered chains that peek out without clutter.
The mistake many women make is wearing the same necklace day after day, regardless of the outfit. Jewelry should be considered part of your look, not just an afterthought. When the proportions are right, it makes the whole outfit look intentional.
3. Skip the Matching Sets
We all had those velvet-box sets with perfectly coordinated necklaces and earrings. They were lovely in their time, but wearing them together now can feel a little too “assembled.”
Mixing textures, metals, or eras creates a more modern, personal look. Silver hoops with a gold pendant? Go for it. Pearls layered with a chunkier chain? Even better. It makes your jewelry feel curated, not costume-y.
4. Earrings Are More Important Than Ever
If you only update one category of jewelry, make it earrings. They draw attention upward, highlight your eyes, and can even balance the face, which becomes more important as everything else starts shifting south.
I love a good drop earring or hoop for a little movement. If your piercings have stretched, lightweight styles or support patches can make a big difference (and save your lobes from further mutiny). I swear by these earring backs, which support my post earrings and prevent them from sagging down.
5. Choose Quality Over Quantity
At one point in my life, I loved collecting jewelry. Every trip or department store visit seemed to add another trinket to the pile. But too much jewelry creates clutter, both in your drawer and on your body. After 50, quality feels more important. A single strand of pearls worn often is more elegant than a drawer of impulse-buy necklaces that never see the light of day.
Investing in pieces you will wear repeatedly makes more sense than buying something just because it was on sale. If you are editing your collection, ask yourself…does this piece flatter me, or do I just own it?
If you love the look of David Yurman jewelry but not the price, you’ll want to read this post: How to Get the David Yurman Look for Less.
6. Add Color With Care
Bright jewelry can be cheerful or overwhelming. The trick is choosing a color that complements your natural palette. Turquoise can look amazing on cool-toned skin. Earthy amber might be perfect for warm-toned wardrobes. But neon beads? That might be a harder sell, depending on your personal style.
If you love color, choose it the same way you’d choose lipstick…something that lights you up, not washes you out.
7. Update Classics with a Twist
Pearls, hoops, and chains will never go out of style, but there’s nothing wrong with giving them a little twist. I’m reaching for baroque pearls instead of perfectly round ones, sculptural hoops instead of thin circles, and chunky link chains that feel modern without trying too hard.
Here are some of the updated styles out there to look for and shop:
It doesn’t take much. Just enough to say, I know what decade it is.
Final Tip: Edit Before You Leave the House
I still love Coco Chanel’s old advice: take one thing off before you leave the house. Some days I follow it. Other days, I look in the mirror and add something…a better earring, a different bracelet…because something feels unfinished.
The point isn’t to get it perfect. It’s just about noticing what your jewelry is doing.
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that not everything needs to be the star of the show. If I’m wearing bold earrings, I usually skip the necklace and let a bracelet or brooch carry the rest of the look. If the necklace is the focal point, I’ll downplay the earrings or leave them off entirely.
It’s not a hard-and-fast rule (you know how I feel about those). It’s just about balance. When one piece shines and the rest steps back, the whole look feels considered, not overworked.
What about you? Has your approach to jewelry changed over the years? Are there pieces you still reach for every day or ones you’ve quietly retired?
I’d love to hear what’s made the cut in your collection… and what no longer feels quite like you. Let’s chat in the comments.