Dainty and Gold: Building a Collection of Jewelry Staples

Back to the Basics

Article by Austin Flake, Photos by Emily Greco

Everyone has that go-to piece of clothing - a favorite sweater or those comfy shoes that you never want to take off. The building blocks of a wardrobe are the staple pieces, the items you can pair with anything. It’s no surprise that jewelry can also work as a staple item in your wardrobe. Finding pieces that you love and can incorporate into your everyday look can be a great way to let your personality shine without doing too much!

Earrings: Keep it simple with some studs, or dress it up with hoops; either way, earrings are an easy way to add a simple but noticeable detail to your look. If you’re working on building a jewelry collection, pick the pieces that you love and can wear with any outfit, whether it’s a cute dress, or a pair of Nike shorts and a T-shirt. I always tend to go back to pearls or small gold hoops. Even when your entire outfit was put together in five minutes, earrings can make it look like you put in way more effort than you did.

“Earrings are an easy way to add a simple but nOticeable detail to your look.”

Necklaces: Wearing a necklace with a loved one’s name, or a necklace that symbolizes something important in your life can be a great way to incorporate a staple piece into your wardrobe! Not only will that symbol always be close to you, but it will also help add a unique flare to any outfit. My go-to piece is a plain gold necklace that is easy to layer and goes with everything.

Rings: The best part about rings is that you can mix and match them however you want! Whether it’s your Aggie ring, or a simple layering set, feel free to play around with different combinations. Try to make sure to find a size that fits you best. When paired with a fresh manicure, rings can add that extra pop to your everyday look that you’ve been searching for. 

Bracelets: Not everyone loves bracelets due to the fact that they can get in the way of simple tasks and that’s totally understandable. If bracelets are your thing, this tip is for you. Friendship bracelets are huge right now and will bring out those crafting skills (plus make your BFF appreciate you that much more). Charm bracelets are super cute and can carry so much meaning because you can add as many charms as you want and they can all hold a special memory. If bracelets aren’t your thing, you could try a more practical option like a cute watch, which can make an outfit look more sophisticated.

Jewelry can easily become a part of your wardrobe essentials, even if you just start out with a few staple pieces. Jewelry allows you to add your own personal touch to any outfit and never fails to make you feel just a bit more put together. Finding those pieces that you never want to take off is a must when building a collection. Never be afraid to experiment with different metals or colors, and most importantly, express yourself through the pieces you love!