How to Style Earrings for a Black Tie Event

A black-tie event translates to formal. Think timeless, classic, and elegant. And if you are invited to an upscale event, be ready to dress the part. That doesn’t stop with your attire; it also includes your accessories. Fun and funky are out; the goal is to look upscale and chic. Believe it or not, earrings can set off your entire look, so style them as carefully as you do everything else when getting ready for a special occasion.

Basic Do’s and Don’ts

First and foremost, don’t panic. Even if you have never worn a dress in your life, there is enough (free) information out there to have you looking like an A-lister. And you don’t have to spend a fortune to look fabulous! The same goes for your jewelry. Don’t feel obligated to spend big on the real thing when there are much more affordable copycat pieces. This is especially true for earrings! You can get gold-tone, silver-tone, plus imitation stones. The best news, these costume pieces can go undetected by all but the most carefully trained eyes. If you are conscious of not wearing fine jewelry, purchase items that can pass for real rather than obviously are not.

Related: Elegant Stone-Studded Hoops

Stay With Tried and True

Some things never go out of style. This includes simple yet tasteful earring designs such as studs, (small) hoops, drop/chandelier designs, and classic cut stones. Look for gold, silver, platinum, diamonds, pearls, and gemstones such as diamonds, emeralds, or sapphires. As mentioned above, these earrings do not have to be real, as today’s faux styles are quite attractive. Just make sure the earrings are not too distracting or too large and complement your dress or outfit. Here are some specific tips on how to style your earrings for a black-tie event.

Flow With Your Hair

Make sure your earrings also complement your hairstyle rather than distract from it. If you choose a bun or a ponytail, cluster earrings will set it off beautifully. These are larger than studs but once more, make sure they are not too large or “busy.” This style works well when hair is pulled up or back by highlighting your face. If you are wearing your hair fully or partially down, choose drop or chandelier earrings, as they will set off the flow of a loose mane.

Match Your Earrings to Your Other Jewelry

Make sure your earrings coordinate with other items such as bracelets and necklaces. For example, if you wear gold jewelry, you should wear gold-tone earrings. If your other jewelry has stones in it, consider earrings that match these stones’ color and shape. If your white gold necklace is accented with round sapphires, go with round sapphire earrings set in white metal.

Need help coordinating your jewelry for a special event? Browse the dazzling collections at LaCkore Couture to find your ideal accessories!

Let Your Attire Select Your Earrings

You want to make sure your earrings fit the aesthetic of your outfit. If you choose a strapless gown, high-neck, or halter style, try drop or chandelier style earrings. They will fill the space around your neck and chest while drawing attention to your face. If your dress has sleeves or is a one-shoulder style, pay close attention to the length of your earrings. They might compete with your dress design and leave you looking short-necked if they are too long.

For these necklines, along with off-the-shoulder and V-neck styles, a matched earrings, necklace, and bracelet set is often a wise selection. Regarding lace or embellished selections, stick with simple drop earrings. Pantsuits have become quite popular for black-tie events. These bold looks are beautifully set off with cluster earrings that make an equal fashion statement.

Related: A Bold Yet Tasteful Twist on Pearls

Don’t Be Afraid of Color

Colorful earrings can add a new dimension to classic looks. If you are wearing black, consider a splash of vibrancy with stones such as rubies, emeralds, sapphires, amethyst, aquamarines, or even exotic topaz. You have a little more room for color when wearing a neutral color like black. If you are wearing a colored dress, make sure colored jewelry is used to subtly accent, not overwhelm.

Related: Try a Touch of Turquoise

Balance is Key

There can be too much of a good thing, and this does apply to your bling. Like so many other things in life, balance is vital. While a black-tie event is a time to look your best, don’t walk out of the house wearing every sparkly item you own. After all, formal affairs usually adhere to some social guidelines, and the last thing you should do is make a faux pas. Keep your earrings subtle and simple if you wear a bold necklace. If you have a showstopping pair of earrings you have been waiting to debut, skip the necklace and ensure they work with your dress.

Pair Earrings With Other Pieces

For many people, wearing earrings to the black-tie event is all they need for a distinctive look. However, you can always add necklaces, rings, and bracelets to boost your outfit. Keep in mind that you will want to choose these items carefully. If they seem tomis match or overwhelm the other pieces, you risk having a fashion faux pas. Here are some tips for selecting other types of jewelry for a black-tie engagement.

Don’t Forget About Necklaces

When you are attending a black-tie event, make sure to wear a necklace. These jewelry pieces and earrings can provide another touch of elegance for your event. You will want to check out the neckline of your dress and choose the appropriate necklace. If you have an empire waist dress, make sure to select a chain with smaller stones. Think about large gemstones or chunky jewels in a bright color for a bolder look. 

What About the Wrists?

For your bracelets, you can get away with wearing a simple bracelet. For example, if you have a white and black outfit, you could wear an intricate silver chain for a bit of contrast to your look. At some events, you want to wear gloves and not want to sport a bracelet. Instead, choose to focus more on your earrings. 

Finally, you can wear watches to a black-tie event; make sure they are not too casual. A formal watch must complement the other accessories in terms of style and color. Unfortunately, there are not many watches that you can wear on every occasion. Small dainty watches are better options for a black-tie event than an oversized clunky timepiece. 

Choose the Right Rings

When you need to choose rings, always match the stones with your formal attire. For example, if you have a yellow gold dress, you may want to select a blue- or green-colored stone over white-gold. Aquamarine would be an excellent choice as it provides a deep, rich color that can complement the look of black-tie outfits. 

The right formal jewelry can really take your outfit to the next level of fashion. Plus, it can pull it together to give you a polished and chic look. You will want to select matching stones for your formal apparel to create the right look for the event. 

Some Jewelry Is Not Designed for Black-Tie Event

While you may want to break out your favorite bracelet, necklace, or earrings for the event, some items are not made to be worn with formal attire. You will want to choose your jewelry based on the outfit so that you can achieve a cohesive look. Anything too casual will just look out of place on you. Black-tie events are the time to wear something fancier than if you go to the office or out for a casual lunch. Choose the right pieces of jewelry, especially earrings, that will complement, but not draw away, from your look. 

The Final Look

No matter what color, cut, or design your gown (or pantsuit!) is, do not underestimate the power of the perfect earrings. Think of this seemingly simple accessory as the bow on a beautifully prepared gift. Earrings can enhance, highlight, and even add dimension to your appearance. Whether occupying the space between your neck and shoulders or adding a flash of color with timeless jewelry cuts, the right earrings can make a striking statement. Just make sure that statement is one you want to be remembered for in a positive light! Follow these tips, and you will likely be remembered the way you want.

Do you need just the right earrings to set off your black-tie gown? LaCkore Couture has stunning options to complement any style!