Simple dressers, rejoice! For the season ahead, there is no need to pour on loud patterns to make a head-turning statement. The best way to add a whole lot of oomph to any pared-back wardrobe is with tried-and-true sterling silver. To wear the metal, skip dainty pieces and layer it on with a heavy hand: think heaping ornate necklaces, stacked cuffs, and knuckle-engulfing rings. For reference, look to jewelry designer Lizz Jardim, who wears decorated headpieces in a nod to ancient Berber style, or Ruby Aldridge, whose Eastern European look at Vogue.com’s recent Coach karaoke party received a jolt of cool with a neck full of pieces from China and India.
If you’re looking to re-create the layered look yourself, there are a slew of glimmering choices, both new and old. Ancient forms are revamped with a beaded necklace by Pamela Love or engraved cuffs by Pat Areias. On the centuries-old front, there are souk-sourced gems from vintage retailers like Marteau, which have the power to add some soul into any look. After all, not all that glitters is gold.
Photo: (Clockwise from left) Courtesy of marteau.co; Courtesy of patareias.com; Courtesy of croghansjewelbox.com; Courtesy of shopaltitude.com
Big Baby Squash Blossom necklace, $1,245, marteau.co; Pat Areias BR37 cuff, $836, patareias.com; Croghan’s Jewel Box silver-plate rice bead necklace, $40, croghansjewelbox.com; Kaligarh silver Thossia necklace, $195, shoplatitude.com