How To Choose the Right Jewelry for Your Body Type
Each woman's body is beautifully unique, and jewelry is a wonderful way to complement that individuality. When choosing the right accessories, it helps to consider how different pieces suit various body shapes and sizes.
Whether you’re selecting jewelry for a petite woman, plus-size woman, or someone who is short, tall, or has distinct features, the right jewelry can enhance her look. Face shape, finger length, and wrist size are also some things to keep in mind. Size-inclusive jewelry options can also provide universal fits for anyone. Let’s explore some tips for discovering jewelry that feels just right for your body type.
Understand the Role of Proportions in Jewelry
When choosing jewelry pieces, balance and proportions are important to consider. Whether you’re pairing a necklace and earrings, layering bracelets, or stacking rings, you want to be sure your jewelry is balanced. Striking a balance between too much and too little jewelry can take some practice. Your body shape and size are also important factors in selecting jewelry that feels balanced and enhances your overall style.
Jewelry Size Considerations
When it comes to jewelry size, balance is key. A bold statement piece like a chunky necklace makes a stunning focal point, especially on smaller frames. Consider pairing a large necklace with smaller, more subtle pieces like stud earrings or a single bangle bracelet to avoid overwhelm. For plus-size builds, choosing a longer pendant necklace can help elongate the body and provide a flattering balance for a larger bust.
Size and proportion considerations also apply to rings and bracelets. Thicker bands and larger gemstone rings complement longer fingers and larger hands, while smaller hands may look more balanced with slimmer ring bands, such as these dainty stacking rings. When choosing bracelets, be sure to consider wrist size and arm length. Wearing too many or bracelets that are extra large can overpower petite frames, while larger frames should avoid bracelets that fit too tight.
Combining Jewelry Pieces
When combining multiple pieces, there are many factors to think about. The number of jewelry pieces, style, size of the piece, and your body size and shape should all be considered. Wearing too many pieces can look cluttered so don’t feel the need to wear every type of jewelry all at once. Balancing the right size and number of pieces can take some trial and error.
A longer neckline can be accentuated with long earrings and a small pendant necklace. Women with broad shoulders may want to pair simple, stud earrings with a bolder necklace to draw attention to the neck and chest areas.
Jewelry for Plus-Size Women: Bold Yet Balanced Jewelry
For plus-size women, the right jewelry can enhance proportions and highlight personal style. Selecting longer necklaces, particularly those that fall below the bust, help create a vertical line that elongates the body. Bold statement pieces — large earrings, chunky bracelets, or large cocktail rings — can provide balance and create a striking focal point. Mixing them with smaller accent jewelry can help keep the focus on the standout piece and prevent the overall look from feeling too heavy.
Although there isn’t a distinct category for plus-size jewelry, taking your body size and shape into account can help you highlight your best features while downplaying others. For plus-size women with shorter necklines, long, slender earrings can create the illusion of a longer neck. At the same time, those with larger busts might choose a bold, chunky necklace to draw attention to that area. Short necklaces can also be a great choice for plus-sized jewelry.
Ultimately, selecting jewelry that boosts your confidence and enhances your natural beauty is key.
Jewelry for Petite Women: Keeping it Light and Proportioned
Choosing the right jewelry for a petite or shorter woman can enhance their dainty figures while maintaining balance in their overall look. It’s essential to consider proportions and select petite jewelry that complements a smaller frame without overwhelming it.
Mid-length necklaces, typically ranging from 16 to 20 inches, are ideal as they sit gracefully on the collarbone without crowding a smaller stature. Delicate, layered necklaces can also create depth and add visual interest without looking too bulky. Shorter women may want to stay away from chokers and short necklaces as they can make them look shorter and wider.
When it comes to earrings, petite women may want to opt for hoop or stud earrings that are proportionate in size, such as our small angled stud earrings that add a touch of elegance without overpowering the face. You may even consider pairing them with this angled pendant necklace that’s the perfect length for a shorter woman.
Smaller women can benefit by wearing dainty jewelry. For rings, dainty bands or stackable rings can be mixed and matched to reflect your personal style while keeping your look simple. Balancing statement pieces with more subtle accents allows petite women to express their individuality while ensuring their jewelry complements rather than dominates their appearance.
Other Body Considerations for Jewelry Choices
Face Shape
Women with round faces should consider jewelry that adds length. Long, dainty earrings can elongate the neck, whereas a short round necklace may accentuate the roundness too much and should be avoided. Long or rectangular faces are enhanced with short necklaces and smaller earrings that help widen the face. Women with oval faces have more jewelry options and can wear long or short earrings and necklaces.
Neck Length and Width
Long necks look great with shorter necklaces like chokers and short pendant necklaces, whereas shorter necks can be elongated by longer necklaces, such as necklace chains over 20 inches long. Wider necks are accentuated by medium or long necklaces as well as V-shaped or pendant necklaces. Long, drop earrings can also add length for wider necks. Narrow necks, on the other hand, can be balanced with bold, short necklaces and hoops or large statement earrings to add width.
Wrist Size
Slimmer wrists are well-balanced by thin bracelets or bangles, while wider wrists may look better with chunkier or layered bracelets. It’s important to find the right size bracelet that isn’t too tight but also won’t slide off your wrist. You may consider a size-inclusive jewelry option, such as a permanent bracelet that’s applied to fit just right for your unique wrist size.
Torso Length
Your torso length can also influence finding the ideal necklace length. Longer torsos pair well with layered necklaces that fill more space, while shorter torsos can benefit from single-strand, mid-length necklaces to maintain a streamlined look.
Finger Length and Shape
Shorter fingers look longer when wearing slim rings, while longer fingers can pull off larger, ornate rings. Although longer fingers can suit most ring styles, they are most flattered by round or oval cut settings. More slender fingers can be accentuated by wider rings, such as this stunning Eros garnet ring.
Practical Tips for Jewelry Shopping by Body Type
Finding jewelry that suits your body can take some experimentation. A good rule of thumb for any body type is that medium-length or medium-sizes pieces tend to work for everyone, making them a great option for size-inclusive jewelry. If you’re choosing more unique styles or want to try something new, here are a few helpful tips to consider:
- Try on pieces before buying, if possible. If you’re shopping online, experiment with similarly sized and shaped pieces you already own to get an idea of how they will look on your body.
- Use mirrors to check proportions. Try combining different pieces with the outfit you plan to wear and check it from different angles in the mirror. Taking selfies with a tripod or selfie stick is also a great way to compare different looks.
- Test different lengths, widths, and layered jewelry looks. Experimenting with various jewelry lengths and sizes can help you find what works best for you. Layering can work for any size or frame, but following the guidelines above can help you find the best way to layer jewelry to highlight your best features.
Ultimately, the best jewelry is what makes you feel confident. Explore a range of options — from plus-size jewelry to petite and everything in between — to discover jewelry that resonates with their personal style. These guidelines can help you find pieces that enhance your features, but don’t feel constrained by them — if you find something you love that breaks the rules, wear it proudly. With these tips in mind, you’ll be better equipped to find jewelry pieces that make you look and feel amazing.
Now that you are armed with tips to find the right jewelry for your body type, shop our full collection of jewelry to find the pieces that match your unique body and style.