How to Style Jewellery for Autumn and Winter
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Summer jewellery is easy. With bare arms and open necklines, everything gets its moment to shine. Autumn and winter, however, ask a bit more of you. Coats, scarves, jumpers, and polo necks all compete for the same real estate. The trick isn’t wearing less jewellery when the layers go on - it’s simply wearing it differently.
Here is how to keep the mystery alive all season.
BROOCHES: THE LAYER’S BEST FRIEND
A brooch is the one piece that actually improves with more fabric. Pin it to a coat lapel, a scarf, a beret, or even the strap of a bag. It does the heavy lifting a necklace simply can’t once you’re buttoned up to the chin. Think of it as a wax seal on a letter: small, deliberate, and telling people something about your style before they’ve even taken in the rest of your look. Brooches are cool and so back baby.
SILK SCARVES: YOUR NEW NECKLINE
When a polo neck or turtleneck takes over, your necklace often has nowhere to go. A silk scarf can step in as your new neckline instead. Knot it loosely at the throat and let a pendant or a longer chain sit over the top. Or, skip the necklace altogether and let a beautifully patterned scarf be the statement. Either way, it’s a classic styling trick - never show the whole hand, just enough to intrigue.
I'm a huge fan of Melanie's work at Laslett England. Her silk scarves are just to die for.
CHUNKY CHAINS AND LONG, EDGY NECKLACES
A polo neck is the perfect base for a chunky necklace. Because the fabric sits close to the body, it gives the piece a smooth foundation to rest on. Try layering a shorter, heavier chain right at the collar.
For something with a bit more story, a long necklace with a unique pendant works even better over a polo neck than it does over bare skin. There is something about the combination of a high, prim neckline against a striking piece dangling below it that feels incredibly intentional. Don’t be afraid to let it hang low - the longer the drop, the more deliberate it looks.
Try our big ol' cross with a massive yellow sapphire for the flex.
HOOP EARRINGS: THE ULTIMATE WORKHORSE
With everything else wrapped up, your face and ears become the focal point. Hoops are the easiest way to frame your face. A polo neck paired with hoops looks instantly finished without adding another texture to compete with your knitwear. Go small and delicate for daytime, or size up in the evening to make a subtle statement.
Hoopy, hammered, silver or gold. Lovely.
THE GENERAL RULE
Winter styling is about substitution, not subtraction. Every bit of jewellery that summer skin used to show off is now covered by autumn and winter fabrics, so give your pieces a new place to live. Try a lapel, a scarf knot, a collarbone, or an earlobe. Layer with purpose rather than habit, and the whole look will read as effortlessly thought-out. Because, of course, it was.