The dos and don’ts — so you can rock out
No matter the nature of your job (professional sleepers, chocolate tasters, I’m looking at you) or how much you proclaim to love it, the everyday routine can get monotonous. Workplaces have game rooms, casual get-togethers and more, to stir things up. And on a personal level you can make things exciting by prettying up your workstation, perking up with a coffee machine, dressing better (it’s true, according to a Northwestern University study, wearing certain clothes has a tangible effect on the wearer’s psychology and performance), or wearing work-appropriate jewellery to reflect your inner star.
The right pieces will help you express who you are at work while keeping things professional and elegant. Chic lab-diamond pieces are a timeless way of elevating your look. Scroll down for all you ever wanted to know about office jewellery — dos, don’ts and our favourite picks from Everbrite Jewellery.
Office jewellery: dos and don’ts
1. Do keep it simple
Less is always more…unless you work at a jewellery business. For office jewellery, minimalism is key. Pick a ‘centrepiece’ design and keep the others unobtrusive — adhere to the rule of threes.
Meaning, don’t wear more than three pieces of jewellery at a time.
If you already have a large engagement ring, pick any of the other two:
– a bracelet (delicate, dainty and featuring tiny diamonds)
– pendant (a single drop diamond on a thin chain)
– earrings (0.5 ct solitaire studs or lobe-hugging hoops with a tiny diamond drop).
The same logic applies if you choose to make the earrings your centrepiece — pick two other simpler silhouettes.
Shun the statement pieces, and go for classic, casual jewels, in gold (white, yellow, rose) or platinum, with classic gemstones like diamonds. Delicate designs are more suited for everyday office jewellery pieces.
2. Do adhere to the dress code and office culture
Workplace attire (and culture) spans the spectrum — from strictly corporate (think blazers and saris) to casual chic (jeans and shirts/dresses) to uber casual-chic (athleisure). Pick your office jewellery based on this.
If your casual workplace encourages expression via fashion, opt for funkier pieces that scream you, but refrain from looking like you just robbed the neighbourhood diamond store. No matter how open your organisation, less is always more at work.
If your organisation is more formal, and coded, stick to the minimal rule — in the jewellery design, size of the piece, and of the diamonds.
Tips to sync up your office jewellery with your OOTD:–
If you’re wearing a formal dress, and your hair up, opt for delicate hoop earrings. If the dress is V-necked, choose a drop pendant and studs.
-If your attire is a pantsuit, or a crisp shirt and trousers, soften it up with hoops, and a tennis bracelet and leave your hair loose.
-If Indian formals are your go-to, pair a contemporary mangalsutra with studs and/or a delicate bangle.
-If casual chic is the aesthetic: a soft, girly dress or flowing blouse and pants go best with delicate hoops, and stacked rings/bangles. Tennis bracelets and small diamond hoops complement laidback athleisure looks.
3. Do keep in mind the nature of your job
If you’re running around to client meetings, on-ground, or work with your hands, keep the jewellery dainty and minimal (it won’t make you sweat, your diamond jewellery won’t get tainted and you won’t be robbed on public transport).
If your commute is an easy one and work involves hours at the desk, you have more flexibility to wear slightly larger and intricate pieces.
4. Do invest in the classics
Every jewellery collector knows that there are some must-have essentials. AKA the office jewellery equivalent of a smart pantsuit, office-appropriate Little Black Dress, crisp white shirt, and chic blazer.
Vogue magazine-approved timeless office jewellery includes: a classic tennis bracelet, solitaire studs, a drop pendant, pearls, tiny hoops, a sleek watch and stacked rings (options for which you’ll find as you scroll down, worry not). Invest in these to wear them in circulation through your career — they’ll always be in vogue.
5. Do pick pieces that suit you
Guidelines to pick the right piece:
-One, pick the colour of metal that goes best with your skin tone.
-Two, pick pieces based on your body size. If you’re petite, smallest pieces work best, like thin rings on thin fingers. If you’re broad, tall, or even big-boned, you’re lucky enough to pick slightly larger pieces (not ostentatious), like ring stacks or larger rings on broad hands.
-Then, pick the pieces that scream you. And shine on.
6. Don’t forget to focus on your comfort and durability of your office jewellery
If you’re picking office jewellery that you intend to wear on a cyclical basis, make sure you pick good quality metal, and resilient lab-diamonds.
Comfort is key. Ear cuffs may look great with your outfit, but turning your ears red and sore isn’t the best way to be productive. Same goes for chokers and other trendy jewellery pieces that aren’t comfortable everyday wear.
7. Don’t pick noisy office jewellery
The melodious chan chan of anklets may work in a movie soundtrack, or even at your local Kathak dance class, but save it for those. No one wants to hear it when you’re trying to work on an invoice, or on client calls. Same goes for the clack-clack of a loaded bangle stack.
Office-appropriate pieces from Everbrite Jewellery’s repertoire
1. Earrings
The most timeless piece of jewellery in your box should be a pair of studs, and we love Everbrite Jewellery’s 1.50 cts tw Classic Round Diamond Earring that will complement anything from black trousers-white shirt, to a classic white t-shirt/jeans combo, to a pretty dress to an easy breezy Chikankari outfit. Add to cart, yesterday.
If like Jenny from the block, you love your hoops, opt for micro-sized office-appropriate versions. We love the slightly longer Petite Marquise Inside Outside Diamond Hoop.
Gentlemen, we haven’t forgotten about you: go for the classic Princess Shine Men’s Solitaire Earring to subtly elevate your formals.
2. Pendant
Draw focus to a V-neckline with an elegant drop necklace like the eternally chic solitaire as seen in the Imperial Halo Diamond Pendant. If this is too subtle, opt for the charming Fancy Mix Diamond Station Necklace.
If you’re going desi nothing says elegant quite like a modern mangalsutra, like the Classic Round Halo Mangalsutra
3. Bracelet
Another evergreen piece, the tennis bracelet is perfect to add shine to an otherwise staid work look — we’re game for the 0.03 cts each Classic Tennis Bracelet.
If your look is more casual, go for a single bangle, or make a gentle wrist stack by pairing a couple of the Dewdrops Openable Bangles with the Round Ribbon Two Stone Bracelet.
4. Ring
Potentially the least obtrusive piece of office jewellery, (other than classic diamond studs) no matter how strict your office dress code, a simple diamond-studded ring like the Dainty Diamond Ring will be the silver lining to your boring blazer. Stack a few to up the bling quotient.
Want to (and are allowed to) go all out? Pick the cool, contemporary statement-making Kitsch Half Eternity ring.
So which one’s are you adding to cart? Let us know in the comments below.