What is a Statement Necklace?
For 2008 the statement necklace is oversized in all its proportions. It’s long and wide sometimes hung with huge dangling paste stones and charms. The necklace fills in the front of garment being worn, in some cases extending to the waistline and beyond. The statement necklace can be just one necklace or many different but complimentary ones combined.
Technically, it's costume jewelry as the metal is normally plated rather than precious metal and the gemstones are paste or crystal. Although this is costume jewelry that can come with a fine jewelry price tag.
This year's necklaces are also seen using feathers, leather and other non-tradtional jewelry components.
How to Wear Statement Necklaces
Unless a circus clown look is desired all large overstated jewelry is worn with garments with simple, clean lines. Ditto for any fabric surface design, it’s best not to combine this type of jewelry with anything but solid colored fabrics. Neutrals will look the best: white, black, grey and taupe.
Obviously, other jewelry should be kept to a minimum. The statement necklace is the focal point of the outfit. This purpose is defeated if the eye is darting about the body.
Body Shape and the Statement Necklace
The big question is if those petite in stature can pull this look off. The answer is yes – the same balancing act that petites have to do with most items of apparel apply to statement necklaces.
Scale down the size and width. For the petite the statement necklace should be a slim column drapping from the neckline that fills in approximately 1/3 of the front of the garment. This is actually a good rule of thumb for all body types, but is especially applicable to the petite.
One look to avoid - the full, flat out lobster bid effect. Unless one is going into battle and needs some armour, this is just too much. Scale this look down to peter pan collar size for best appearance.
Celebrities Wearing Statement Necklaces
Iman (scroll down at the link to view the image) was spotted recently at the CFDA Awards wearing a Robert Lee Morris statement necklace with hammered gold plates arranged in layers from a cuff necklace. She paired the necklace with a red garment. This is one exception to the neutral rule. Plain gold looks stunning against red. However, had the necklace been set with stones, it would probably have been too much.
This necklace isn’t shown on Morris's website, however his Double Ziggurat pendant necklace makes for a great scaled down statement necklace.
Michelle Monaghan wore a Subversive necklace at the Free Arts N.Y.C. art and photography auction in New York. Subversive Jewelry's designer Justin Giunta combines the old and new: antique and oxidized chains hung with large charms. Subversive’s necklace co-ordinated perfectly with the Erin Fetherston black bubble dress worn by Monaghan to this event.
