Adding statement jewellery to your outfit is one of the easiest ways to express your personality and transform even the simplest look. Whether you love bold statement earrings, eye-catching necklaces or dramatic cocktail rings, the right piece can instantly elevate your style.

But wearing statement jewellery well is all about balance, confidence and choosing pieces that work with your outfit rather than competing against it.

As an Australian jewellery designer and maker, I've spent much of my 30 year career creating statement earrings, statement necklaces and cocktail rings.

In this guide, I'll share practical styling tips for wearing statement jewellery with casual outfits, dressy looks, prints, layering and more - along with real examples from our Australian jewellery collections to help inspire your own combinations.

Let's dive in ...

Why Wear Statement Jewellery?

Statement jewellery is designed to stand out, add personality, and create a focal point for your outfit. It can:

• Instantly dress up a casual outfit.
• Add elegance and drama to evening wear.
• Reflect your personality and make your look more distinctive.
• Help you refresh and wear wardrobe staples in new ways.

Whether you're dressing up for a special event or just wanting to add interest to a casual outfit, the key is styling your statement jewellery with balance and confidence.

It's also important to dress like yourself and show off your own unique sense of style. To figure out your personal style, check out our must-read guide on How to Style Jewellery for a fresh start.

If you just want to do some experimenting, spend some time with your favourite jewellery, outfits and accessories, along with a mirror. Try combinations you've never worn before and see what works.

Choose a Jewellery Focal Point

One of the best ways to wear statement jewellery is to simply pick one focal piece and let it take centre stage.

If it's a truly bold piece, then you might choose to wear no other jewellery, but often you'll want to add more subtle but aesthetically related jewellery as highlights without drawing attention away from your focal point.

By focusing on one standout accessory, you avoid your jewellery competing for attention. Here are some examples:

Bold Necklace with Simple Earrings and/or Rings

This is a classic combination. The trick is to choose simple earrings or rings, most often in the same metal colouring.

A large pendant necklace like this rose garnet and mehndi mandala design works beautifully - and it really does make a statement. To wear this piece, I recommend pairing it with simple silver ball stud earrings. You could also consider a single silver stacking ring band.

Dramatic Earrings with No Necklace

If you're wearing big and bold statement earrings and the 'real estate' involved, it can be a good idea to avoid wearing a necklace. Given the proximity of the neckline to the ears, a necklace in particular will compete for attention with your earrings - something you may not want.

But that doesn't mean forgoing all other jewellery when wearing statement earrings. Simple stackable rings are a great idea to add some highlights without distracting from the focal point of your earrings. You could also look at bracelets that aren't too bold. Again, matching the metal colour is generally a good idea, but always experiment to see what works.

Bold dangle earrings with an intricate Australian flora-inspired pattern are a good example of statement earrings you might choose to wear without a necklace as they are relatively long earrings with an unusual and eye-catching design, which will swing and move with you.

We recommend pairing these earrings with some sterling silver rings, perhaps with gemstones to add some colour. You could also consider a bracelet instead or as an additional highlight.

A Large Cocktail Ring or Suite of Rings

One way to make your hands the focal point is with a single statement cocktail ring which is big and bold. Alternatively you can wear several different rings on different fingers, perhaps mixing styles, metals and different gemstones.

Either way, you likely won't want to add distractions with big earrings or a bold necklace. Bracelets or bangles are also likely to be a distraction (but feel free to experiment!).

Our Daisy cocktail ring with an opal gem is a great statement ring. It's not huge and is comfortable to wear, but it is bolder than average and will certainly be eye-catching. Consider pairing it with the matching handmade opal stud earrings for a subtle connection between the two pieces without competing for attention.

Wearing Multiple Statement Pieces

If you're feeling more adventurous, you can mix multiple statement jewellery designs, however, balance is usually key. Here are a few ways to wear more than one bold piece:

How to Wear a Statement Necklace and Earrings Together

Often you'll read styling advice suggesting that you should choose either a statement necklace or statement earrings - and often that will feel like the right choice. However, you absolutely can wear both together: the trick is creating balance between the pieces.

One good approach is to let one piece dominate while the other acts as a supporting feature. For example, if you're wearing a large and intricate necklace, choose earrings that are bold in shape but smaller in scale or less detailed.

Another option is to co-ordinate through colour, texture or theme rather than size. Jewellery that shares a similar visual language will feel intentional rather than overwhelming.

Matching sets can work beautifully too, especially when the pieces are clearly designed to complement each other. The key is wearing them confidently and allowing enough visual space in the rest of your outfit.

For example, our wattle wreath pendant on a yellow jade beaded necklace paired with our matching wattle hoop earrings create a striking combination. They share the same intricate cut-out pattern and bright silver finish, while the pop of yellow colouring on the necklace allows it to dominate visually.

Pair these pieces with a minimalist outfit - perhaps matching the yellow or going more neutral - and you'll have created a distinctive look.

Layer Statement Necklaces

To do this generally you'll want to wear the necklaces at different lengths, either because they are different lengths or they have a necklace extender which helps you adjust the length to suit, as all of our pendant necklaces do.

To achieve balance, choose necklaces that contrast in some way, have different metals, different construction or different colouring. You're also likely to choose one necklace that is more bold than the other.

For example, consider pairing our Australian flora and fire opal necklace with our distinctive handmade chain necklace, worn either shorter or longer than the flora pendant (the chain can be clasped at any point). The bright pop of orange-red colouring with a solid gold setting of the pendant will contrast with the plain silver of the handmade chain, while simultaneously drawing the eye to it.

How to Pair Statement Jewellery with Your Outfit

Wondering how to get your statement jewellery to work well with different types of outfits? Here are my top tips.

Minimalist Outfits with Bold Jewellery

One of the easiest and most effective ways to wear statement jewellery is with a minimalist outfit.

Simple clothing creates space for bold jewellery to stand out -and wearing different statement jewellery pieces with the same outfits will make each look you choose distinctive.

A white shirt, black dress, linen outfit, monochrome or colour-blocked look can instantly feel more creative and individual when paired with an eye-catching necklace, sculptural earrings or layered rings.

For an example, take a look at our Fan Shell Silver Pendant on Peach Pearls Necklace and imagine it paired with a simple white linen dress or shirt. The pendant will sparkle and the peach and mauve colouring of the pearls will also draw the eye.

This is often where statement jewellery has the biggest impact: not competing with an elaborate outfit, but transforming something understated into a memorable look.

Nature-inspired jewellery can work especially well in this context because it adds texture, movement and detail without feeling overly formal.

Should You Match or Contrast with Your Outfit?

You can either match statement jewellery to your outfit for a cohesive look or create contrast for more impact. Make a conscious choice, whichever way you go.

For instance, our beaded ocean textures necklace looks amazing matched with a dark blue outfit. Alternatively you could pair it with something red to pick up the nautical theme, but with a contrasting colour. Yellow will also work beautifully to complement the blue beads.

A different example is to pick a colourful statement piece and pair it with a simple black, white or grey outfit. For instance our vivid minty green chrysoprase beaded necklace with an intricate wattle branch pendant will work beautifully in this way.

Statement Jewellery for Casual vs Dressed Up Looks

A simple casual outfit like jeans and a white shirt can be instantly upgraded with a statement necklace, bold earrings or a striking cocktail ring. Consider our bouquet of flowers necklace worn in this way, perhaps paired with some silver rings on a spring or summer's day.

For dressy outfits or special occasions, go for dramatic statement jewellery with intricate details, gemstones, or layered looks. My favourite example would be our striking long dangle earrings with a cascade of leaves put together with a simple black dress. You could skip a necklace and add some simple silver rings.

How to Style Statement Jewellery with Prints

Statement jewellery can look incredible with patterned clothing, but it helps to choose your focal point carefully.

If your outfit already features a busy print, consider jewellery that picks up one colour from the fabric rather than competing with every tone in the pattern. Metal-only jewellery can also work beautifully with colourful prints because it adds contrast without introducing more colour.

Bold jewellery paired with simple black-and-white prints is often especially effective. Likewise, organic and nature-inspired jewellery can soften geometric prints and add personality to minimalist outfits.

Large necklaces and earrings tend to work best with prints that have some negative space or larger-scale patterning. Very tiny, busy prints combined with highly detailed jewellery can feel visually crowded.

The Maximalist Jewellery Approach

My favourite fashion rule is: forget all the rules! If you love bold, expressive fashion and standing out from the crowd, then going all out with layering diverse statement pieces together can create a truly striking look.

You could simply embrace the matchy-matchy and wear a bold statement necklace with matching bold statement earrings, as I've outlined above.

Alternatively, wear a riot of cocktail rings and gemstone rings in different metals on multiple fingers of both hands.

Or go completely wild and cover yourself in statement jewellery! Because: why not? My thinking is that style rules are generally made to be broken and if that works for you, then go for it.

(Reading this on a website that isn't simonewalsh.com? Be aware that the content has been stolen, infringing the copyright of a small business. ABN: 65108844126)

Find Your Perfect Statement Jewellery Pieces

Statement jewellery is one of the most enjoyable ways to experiment with personal style. Whether you prefer bold earrings, artistic necklaces or eye-catching cocktail rings, the right piece can completely transform an outfit and help express your individuality.

Explore our collections of statement jewellery designed in Australia and crafted with creativity, texture and distinctive detail:

---

FAQs About Statement Jewellery

What counts as statement jewellery?

Statement jewellery includes bold or eye-catching pieces designed to stand out and become a focal point in an outfit. This can include oversized earrings, bold necklaces, cocktail rings or layered jewellery looks, but even smaller pieces that have a pop of colour or a unique texture or detail that draws the eye can be considered statement pieces.

Can you wear statement earrings and a necklace together?

As above: Yes - balance is generally the key. Usually one piece should dominate visually, while the other complements it through colour, texture or shape.

How do you wear statement jewellery casually?

Statement jewellery works beautifully with simple everyday outfits like jeans, linen, knitwear or monochrome looks. A bold piece can instantly elevate otherwise minimal clothing.

Is statement jewellery still in fashion?

Absolutely. Statement jewellery always evolves over time, with current trends including sculptural metals, nature-inspired designs, layering, bold earrings and artistic handcrafted pieces.

How do you prevent statement jewellery overwhelming an outfit?

Choose one focal point, keep some visual balance in your clothing, and avoid combining too many competing textures, colours or oversized accessories at once.

What necklines work best with statement necklaces?

Short answer:

• V-necks
• Strapless
• Scoop necks
• Simple crew necks
• Generally avoid very busy necklines

See our Necklace Length & Style Guide for more neckline and necklace styling tips.

---