How to Style Statement Jewelry Without Overdoing It – Tips from Professional Stylists
Statement jewelry is soon to be the new norm as jewelry maximalism has become dominant on fashion runways and red carpets alike. But many people struggle with how to style statement pieces without feeling like they are overdressed. We decided to call in the experts. Below are tips from various types of professional stylists on how they style statement jewelry without overdoing it.
“Being a jeweler, I am somewhat biased towards statement pieces,” says Giuseppe Picchiotti, founder and lead designer at PICCHIOTTI. “I love it when a woman’s jewelry announces her presence, her worth, her own particular radiance. The sparkle precedes her as she makes an entrance, and that moment is pure magic. Today, it is no longer reserved only for women. I hope everyone gets to experience that incredible feeling at some point in their life.”
Tips for the Fashionista, from Fashion Stylist Kathie Young
Clockwise from upper left – 7 for All Mankind F/W 2026-27 (Spotlight Launchmetrics), PICCHIOTTI Masterpieces Peacock Brooch, PICCHIOTTI Diamond Waterfall necklace, Etro S/S 2027 (Spotlight Launchmetrics), Zimmerman F/W 2026-27 (Spotlight Launchmetrics), vertical stack of PICCHIOTTI Xpandable Fashion Gems rings
Kathie Young is a veteran stylist from the fashion industry, having styled countless NYFW runway shows, catalog shoots, and special events with models at Bloomingdales, Saks Fifth Avenue, and more. She defines “statement jewelry” as jewelry that is bold in design, eye-catching, often large enough to be seen from far away. For her, statement pieces can act as a focal point to the entire outfit, rather than blending in with it. Kathie says, “If I’m sending something down the runway, the best, and in my opinion, only way to style statement jewelry is with clean, simple uncluttered garment lines, allowing the statement jewelry to speak for itself.”
A sculptural collar necklace or bright colorful gemstone bib or Y necklace wears perfectly with a strapless gown or lower necklines like plunging V, cowl neck, or halter. …. These necklines do not interfere with the statement necklace. The piece literally shows up. According to Kathie, it says, ‘here I am, look at me!’
In recent years, the demi parure has returned in high jewelry collections, where necklace and earrings match in color or style. When wearing similar motifs at the ear and neck, opt for something special on the wrist or finger like a statement cuff or a spectacular gemmy cocktail ring. With #gemmaxing trending, feel free to experiment with ring stacking, wearing one or more on practically every finger, a la Celine’s and Zimmerman’s recent runway looks.
Special Occasion Tips from Celebrity Stylist Tiffany Gifford
Clockwise from upper left – PICCHIOTTI Chandelier Sapphire and Diamond necklace, Zoe Saldaña at the 2026 Oscars (Getty images), model wearing PICCHIOTTI Ruby Lace ring and Ruby Chandelier Floral drop earrings, PICCHIOTTI Masterpieces Sapphire Emerald convertible necklace, Greta Scarano at the Venice Film Festival 2026 (Getty images), PICCHIOTTI Flora ring in sapphire, tsavorite, and diamond
Celebrity stylist Tiffany Gifford chooses her statement jewelry based on the part of the body that she wants to draw attention to. “When I am styling my clients, I usually try to focus on one area of statement jewelry, so there’s one focal point. It also very much depends on what they are wearing as to where I want to draw people’s eye.”
Hairdo is also an important factor. According to Tiffany, “I also have to consider what the hair is doing, because I could really want a statement earring, but if the hair is covering it – I am wasting precious real estate!”
Tiffany also makes sure that all of the jewels and the clothing work well together. “I love things that look coordinated, like thought went into the collection of whatever one is wearing.”
The fashion world obviously influences red carpet looks as most stylists select their clients’ gowns from the Haute Couture designers. Given her keen eye on the runways, Tiffany predicts, “I definitely think the hot item that will be trending next is brooches! So glad I kept all mine from the early aughts!!” A brooch can be an easy way to add a statement piece of jewelry to an ensemble without overdoing it. Experiment with fun ways to wear the brooch – no need to limit the brooch to the lapel. Try it on a scarf, in the hair, on your handbag, shoes, or even your back.
Executive Styling Advice from Strager Style
Clockwise form upper left – model wearing PICCHIOTTI Elongated Drop necklace and earrings with Xpandable Desert Diamond ring, stack of PICCHIOTTI Xpandable Essentially Color bracelets, PICCHIOTTI Ruby Hoop earrings, @tinywristcheck stack of luxury watch with PICCHIOTTI Fashion Gems Coral and Lapis bracelets, PICCHIOTTI Xpandable Octagonal Ruby cocktail ring, model wearing PICCHIOTTI Xpandable For the Love of Color ruby bracelet, Xpandable Ruby cocktail ring, and Xpandable Diamond and Ruby cocktail ring
Shaye Strager, Founder and Stylist at Strager Style and A Stylist’s Closet shares her styling wisdom with corporate professionals and upscale women in Atlanta. Formerly a New York City celeb and fashion stylist, Shaye brings decades of expertise to her clients and helps them with public speaking events, business travel, seasonal closet change-over, and more. Like Tiffany and Kathie, Shaye prefers a strong focal point, but for different reasons. “I style a lot of female executives and business owners, and for us, we want the focus to be on one thing from their outfit, so that their viewer or customer doesn’t get distracted by multiple pieces fighting for attention. Because of this, we strive to have one piece of statement jewelry that POPS—or really draws the eye. In business situations, I encourage my clients to keep their jewelry personal. They have a lot of pieces they have collected during major milestones in their careers and lives— and I like that they wear them for important occasions. Lately, I’ve encouraged them to do a bit more stacking—for instance, with their gold watch to add a bangle or bracelet. I also like a layered look at the neck—especially if they are wearing a necklace that was a gift from their spouse, then I like adding a longer open link gold chain for a more fashion-forward look when appropriate.”
Shaye’s styling may change slightly based on her clientele. “Especially with CEO style, my clients want to look current without being showy. There is a fine line there—and it is always done well with fine jewelry. I think faux often reads as glitzy, but layering fine gold with diamonds always feels good to me when done subtly and without being overtly trendy.”
Clients often come to Shaye for help building or updating their fine jewelry wardrobe, as well. “Right now, I have a lot of clients wanting to update their ‘daily wear’ diamond studs to different styles of everyday studs and/or hoop earrings. They tend to want things that look distinctive and personal. My clients want earrings that are as unusual and beautiful as they are. They don’t want them to be heavy, but they are loving colored gemstones, as well as designs in both yellow and rose gold that are close to the ear. This has been a great creative exercise for us to expand their jewelry wardrobes.”
Shaye is known for her bracelet stack. “My clients know my wrists from a mile away, so they know how I feel about stacking bracelets. I feel more is more at the wrist – but I do have clients who don’t like bangles because of the way they hit the keyboard at work. For these clients we have specifically looked for wider and more prominent ‘statement’ pieces – rather than doing several smaller stacked pieces, just having one larger and slightly larger sized (so it drops below where the wrist hits the keyboard/desk). Jewelry must work for your lifestyle, and I let clients tell me where they want the most emphasis put.”
Special events are another reason people come to Shaye for styling. “When it comes to events, most of my clients really like to go all out! Because they tend to be more conservative in corporate situations, we love to go longer with earrings (drops, dangles, chandeliers, and shoulder dusters) when we have a great halter dress that gives us an open shoulder to play with. Same sentiment applies with rings, as I find that this is when clients are willing to wear a statement cocktail ring or a family legacy diamond ring when being honored. I always support wearing things from the safe as often as possible. The time to wear your jewelry is now—and often.”
Giuseppe Picchiotti could not agree more. “I design jewelry to be worn and lived in. Statement pieces are a bold choice that celebrates an individual’s own unique sense of style. Why let it sit in the safe? Most people have insurance, so wear the pieces that bring you delight. Our time is limited, so make the most of every moment by feeling great about who you are and wearing your statement jewelry as often as you can.”
Feature image at top – clockwise from upper left – Morgane Stapleton styled by Tiffany Gifford at the 60th ACM Awards, PICCHIOTTI Emerald Wonder Masterpieces necklace, PICCHIOTTI Waves diamond earrings, Philipp Plein S/S 2027 (Spotlight/Launchmetrics), PICCHIOTTI Signature Style Xpandable bracelet with fancy yellow diamonds, model wearing PICCHIOTTI Xpandable Fashion Gems Turquoise, White Gold, and Yellow Gold bracelets, PICCHIOTTI Fiocco Bow ring
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