Lia Sophia ‘Capulet’ necklace
Olivia Palermo presents Carrera y Carrera’s Mediterraneo collection. Photo: Image.net
Lela Rose Spring 2012/Image.net
Badgley Mischka Spring 2012/Image.net
Q: Can I wear gold and silver together?
A: Yes! I’m not sure how this so-called rule came
to be, but I’ve been breaking it for years. Mixing metals is the visual
equivalent of mixing seemingly random flavours. You wouldn’t think
chocolate and sea salt, or prosciutto and melon, would be tasty together
and yet they’re delicious. The same is true of metallic tones; the
warmth of gold and the coolness of silver can play off each other in
surprisingly pleasing ways.
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A wardrobe that only swings toward one metal seems stringent, dated
and, frankly, hard to shop for – think of all the pretty things you
might be missing out on!
Picture it: you’ve finally found the perfect pair of buckled boots,
but the hardware is silver and the chain on your prized wear-it-everyday
bag is gold. Do you bypass the boots just because of a buckle? I think
not. You buy the boots, wear them with the bag and feel confident about
it. So, when it comes to hardware details on accessories or clothing
(from belt buckles to bag clasps, blazer buttons to beaded shoes), by
all means mix the metals!
As for jewelry,
some people may think they can wear only one metal or the other. You
know, the ‘I’m only a gold person’ belief. And while I can appreciate
that one metal may appear more flattering with someone’s skin tone,
eye colour and hair shade, I’ve found it’s the tone of the metal in
question and the balance of the mixed metals in an overall combination
that matters most. Wearing only gold (or only silver) everything can appear matchy-matchy, rather than modern, even when the pieces aren’t necessarily a set.
So, if you peer into your jewelry box and notice a
strong theme then it’s time to mix it up a bit. The good news: it
doesn’t take much effort to see results because small additions can add
flourish. If you love to pile on bangles, pick up one that’s in the
opposite metallic family of what you normally wear and sub it in. Or
look for simple stud or hoop earrings in a new-for-you metal to wear
with your favourite necklace. Or, stick with me here, shop for a new
necklace in a contrasting metal to layer with an old fave. This idea
works best if you choose simple and similar shapes, like all round beads
or chunky chains. The easiest route? Look for pieces that are already
multi-toned. A bracelet with copper studs and silver trim, for instance,
eliminates guesswork while making you look good.
