What should every woman have in her jewelry box? The basics that go with every outfit. They should add polish to work clothes and pizzazz to everyday ones. They should make party clothes look red carpet glamorous without going too over the top. They should not only be handled with care but chosen with care as well.

 

 

A watch is usually the most needed and functional piece of jewelry a woman should own. I usually have one with a leather band for everyday or when I meet with clients. It’s stylish and goes with my outfits – even my ratty tee shirts and jeans. I’ll usually put a thin gold chain bracelet over it when I go out. It looks like part of the watch and adds some zip to it. For a good watch, get one with a leather band that adds a Grace Kelly style to your wardrobe. Also have one or two bracelet style ones when you go out at night. There are so many to choose from and I found having one in gold and one in silver will go with a number of outfits. The one piece I will not leave home without is some sort of timepiece. It lets me know when it’s time to leave or how long I’ve been out.

 

 

Earrings are valuable to a women’s wardrobe. They add to the most boring work outfit and make a great accessory to party clothes. If you have pierced ears, keep pearl and CZ studs on the ready. These work with any suit and even add a touch of class to a crisp white shirt and jeans. Small hoops are also good. They signify sophistication. Larger ones may work on teens or for a weekend outing with friends. Wear those to the office and you may receive some raised eyebrows from your boss and fellow coworkers. For evening I like to keep it simple. I love my cubic zirconium studs and I feel that they won’t take away from the outfit. I still want sparkle and shine but it needs to be on a subtle scale. For the weekend, you can have fun. There’s also sorts of styles and shapes with earrings being made out of wood, feathers, natural beads and stones. Have a few funky pairs to go with that Saturday night outfit or that Sunday brunch ensemble.

 

Every woman needs a few necklaces to jazz up her wardrobe. These depend on a woman’s lifestyle and her clothing choices. Yes you can have the pearls and diamond ones but also consider a good cameo or locket. The last two works well with float summer dresses and look unfussy yet stylish at summer weddings. An unusual bead necklace made in South America, Africa or Asia is a great way of livening up a turtleneck and pants. Have one or two of these in your jewelry armoire. Longer strands of colorful beads work in every woman’s life. They can be worn to parties, meetings or just a lunch date with a best friend. Again, as with earrings, try to find fun ones with different beads and color for some kick.

 

 

Rings, bracelets and pins are the final staples a woman should have. I like to wear my cocktail ring when I go out to parties or to weddings. This is simply a large faux gem surrounded by rhinestones but looks like a Harry Winston piece. It’s a real conversation starter and eye catcher. Always have one of these in your jewelry box. Smaller stoned rings are also great because they finish off delicate pieces like a Victorian style blouse or peasant top. Bracelets also add to an outfit. A tennis bracelet is a great finish to a somber suit because the flash adds to its’ sobriety. Stacked bracelets and bangles are good choices and compliment a slinky outfit. Another fun one is the charm bracelet. These can be made to suit your tastes and memories. They also look cute with casual outfits. Pins are another must. They can be the jaunty stick pins or nice initial pins. Wear a few on a blazer lapel for some panache (remember to keep other jewelry at a minimum. Just wear the watch and stud earrings). A good rhinestone pin is an excellent addition to a velvet blazer or tuxedo suit.