How to Choose Jewellery That Works with Your Wardrobe, Not Just One Outfit
We've all done it. Found a beautiful piece of jewellery, imagined exactly what we'd wear it with, and then discovered it doesn't quite work with anything else in the wardrobe.
I think jewellery should be more versatile than that.
The pieces we enjoy wearing most aren't necessarily the ones we bought for a particular occasion. They're often the ones we reach for again and again, whether we're going out for dinner, meeting friends or simply getting dressed for an ordinary day.
And versatile jewellery doesn't have to be plain. In fact, a little colour or an unexpected design can make even the simplest outfit more interesting.
Here are a few things I've learned about choosing jewellery that works with your wardrobe, rather than just one outfit.
Start with the clothes you actually wear
Before choosing a new bracelet, pair of earrings or pendant, have a look at the colours and styles you wear most often.
If your wardrobe is full of black, white, navy or other neutral shades, you're in a particularly good position to experiment with colourful jewellery. A bright bracelet or patterned pendant can add just enough interest without changing your whole look.
If you already enjoy wearing colourful clothes, you might prefer jewellery that picks up one particular shade, or something with a simpler geometric design.
The important thing is not to buy jewellery for an imaginary version of your wardrobe.
Choose something you'll enjoy wearing with the clothes you already own.
Can colourful jewellery go with everything?
Perhaps not absolutely everything, but it can be surprisingly versatile.
One of the things I love about colourful jewellery is how differently the same piece can look depending on what you wear it with.
A bracelet with blue, red and yellow in the design might look bold against a black jumper, relaxed with a white shirt and quite subtle alongside a navy outfit.
You don't necessarily need to match the main colour. Sometimes picking up a smaller colour within the design works even better.
And there's no rule that your earrings, bracelet and pendant must all be the same colour.
A little contrast can make an outfit feel much more personal.
Choose between subtle jewellery and a statement piece
Not every piece of jewellery needs to make the same impression.
Sometimes you want something small and understated. Other times, a bold design is exactly what an outfit needs.
A narrow bracelet can add a discreet touch of colour, while a wider one gives the artwork more presence. At Urband London, we make our stainless steel stretch bracelets in four widths, from our 6mm Super Skinny to our 22mm Wide.
The interesting thing is how the same pattern can feel completely different depending on the width.
The same principle applies to earrings and pendants.
Small earrings can bring a little colour close to the face without dominating an outfit. A larger pendant, on the other hand, can become the main feature of a simple top or dress.
If you're wearing something with a busy pattern, you might prefer one quieter piece. With plain clothing, there's often room to be more adventurous.
Neither approach is right or wrong. It's about finding a balance that feels comfortable to you.
Double-sided jewellery gives you more choice
I particularly like jewellery that offers more than one way to wear it.
That's one of the ideas behind our double-sided earrings and pendants.
Both sides feature artwork, so you can turn the piece around to show a different design.
Imagine wearing a pendant with a colourful pattern on one side and a more restrained design on the other. You might choose one side for a casual afternoon and turn it over before going out in the evening.
The same idea works with earrings. Rather than changing your jewellery completely, you can simply choose which side you want to show.
Of course, you don't have to change the look every day. Sometimes it's just nice knowing you have the option.
For me, that's what makes double-sided jewellery interesting. It's a small piece of design thinking that adds something practical to the pleasure of wearing jewellery.
Do your earrings, necklace and bracelet need to match?
Not at all.
Matching jewellery sets can look lovely, but I often find it more interesting when the pieces complement one another without being identical.
You could wear a colourful bracelet with simple silver earrings, or a patterned pendant with a narrow bracelet that picks up one of its colours.
Another approach is to mix shapes. A geometric bracelet can work beautifully with round earrings, while a bold rectangular pendant might be balanced by something more delicate on the wrist.
Try choosing one piece to be the main feature and letting the others play a quieter role.
And if you enjoy mixing several bold designs together, there's no reason not to.
Jewellery is personal. It should reflect your taste rather than follow a fixed set of rules.
Build a small jewellery collection with different possibilities
You don't need a huge jewellery collection to create different looks.
A few well-chosen pieces can give you plenty of options.
I would start with something you feel comfortable wearing regularly. Perhaps a slim bracelet, a favourite pair of earrings or a pendant that works with several tops.
Then add something a little different. It could be a wider bracelet, a more colourful pattern or a pair of earrings with an unusual shape.
Finally, consider a piece that can change its appearance, such as a double-sided pendant or earrings.
The aim isn't to collect as much jewellery as possible. It's to have pieces you genuinely enjoy wearing, in different combinations, for different occasions.
Sometimes the most interesting combinations are the ones you hadn't originally planned.
Let your jewellery say something about you
When I'm designing for Urband London, I don't start by thinking about which outfit a particular design should match.
I'm usually inspired by something quite different: a pattern I've noticed, a colour combination, architecture, nature or simply an idea I want to explore.
That artwork eventually finds its way onto a bracelet, an earring or a pendant.
And one of the nicest things about this process is seeing how different people choose to wear the same design.
Someone might pair a colourful bracelet with jeans and a T-shirt. Someone else might wear exactly the same bracelet with a smart black dress.
Neither is wearing it the wrong way.
That's what I enjoy about jewellery. The design may begin with me, but the person wearing it gives it a life of its own.
The best jewellery is the jewellery you actually wear
If there's one thing I'd suggest when choosing jewellery, it's this: don't think only about how a piece looks on its own.
Think about how it will fit into your everyday life.
Will you feel comfortable wearing it? Can you imagine it with several outfits? Does the colour or design make you smile?
If the answer is yes, there's a good chance you've found something you'll enjoy for a long time.
Because jewellery shouldn't spend most of its life waiting for the perfect occasion.
It should be worn, enjoyed and made your own.
Discover Urband London's original stainless steel stretch bracelets, double-sided earrings and pendants, featuring colourful artwork designed in London.
Raoul Sagal
Founder & Designer, Urband London
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