Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Looking for a simple way to go from Frumpy to Fabulous after 40? Simply add a great necklace. Whether it's a subtle accent or a giant statement piece, a beautiful necklace frames your face and completes your look. But getting just the right necklace takes some thought.

Here are 5 Do's and Don'ts to make you look like a Knockout in a Necklace.

1.Don't Wear a Necklace that is too Tiny

If you are wearing a daytime outfit with an open neck and want to fill in the space, don't wear a necklace that is too fine and tiny. Delicate, traditional diamond or gemstone necklaces look dated, unless you are attending a very formal affair. Instead opt for a larger, fuller necklace to look Fabulous after 40. Don't worry that if it happens to be costume jewelry. Costume jewelry is in and Large and chunky will make you look much more modern.

2. Don't Wear a Necklace that Competes with your Top

There's the odd time when a beautiful top speaks for itself. This is when less is more. When you have a top that has very fancy buttons, some metallic hardware detail or even an asymmetrical neckline then you don't want to distract from that. Forget wearing a necklace and instead try a striking pair of earrings or a stunning bracelet to complement the look.

3. Do wear necklaces that match your skin tone

To look fabulous after 40, it's best to match your jewelry to your skin tone. If you have warm (yellow) undertones to your skin, gold or copper looks best because it blends in with your skin. There is a flow from jewelry to skin. If your skin is cool (blue undertones) then silver or white gold jewelry is most flattering. The current fashion is to mix both silver and gold, and its fine to do that, but just make sure you have a touch more of your home color on for the perfect look.

4. Do Theme your Necklace to your Outfit

Many women have a tendency to throw a gold or silver necklace on whatever they are wearing which is the safe, conservative way. But if you are wearing something like a tropical prints or bohemian inspired blouse then make sure you put some thought into the theme of your outfit and then match your necklace accordingly.

A plain gold box chain adds nothing to a tropical print dress. It's far too prim and proper to do this exotic theme justice. Instead you need to enhance the tropical feel and A large chunkier necklace made of irregularly shaped beads and stones is more natural and earthy looking, so in keeping with this tropical theme.

5. Don't Settle for just one Necklace

If you are over 40, you are probably used to wearing a single strand of beads at a time. This season the layered look is really popular. So instead, instead of wearing a single chain that looks "just OK", take it to the next level, wrap it around your neck a couple of times. Then add a second chain for a fashion forward look!

Deborah Boland and JoJami Tyler (The Glam Gals) are Image and Style Experts specializing in helping women 40 plus look and feel fabulous. They are the authors of the e-book, The Glam Plan~ 12 Simple Steps to Take You from Frumpy to Fabulous, as well as coaches for their Tweak Your Chic™, Image make-over program. For more tips go to: www.fabulousafter40.com and sign up for their bi-weekly newsletter.

You can also contact them at: info@fabulousafter40.com