Off-the-shoulder wedding dresses have become an increasingly popular trend, especially over the last five years or so. With tons of options for off-the-shoulder wedding gowns, it’s likely there’s one that will look great on you! Maybe you’ve already found that perfect off-the-shoulder wedding dress and just want some bridal jewelry to match. No matter how deep into your dress search you are, we’ve got some recommendations for the best jewelry to pair with it!
The beauty of an off-the-shoulder dress is how it highlights your collarbone and frames your face, creating an elegant silhouette that feels simultaneously classic and modern. This distinctive neckline draws attention upward, making it a perfect canvas for stunning bridal jewelry. When choosing pieces to wear with this dress style, consider how they’ll complement your exposed shoulders and enhance your overall bridal aesthetic. Here are some tips.
How to Choose Jewelry for a Dress
Before we tell you what jewelry you want with your off-the-shoulder dress, why don’t we go over the basics of pairing jewelry with wedding dresses? You may already know this and, if so, you can absolutely skip on over. However, if you don’t, you might learn something new and fun! What if you change your mind about an off-the-shoulder dress and want something in a one-shoulder or with a high neckline? Maybe you change your mind entirely on your bridal look. It’s been known to happen! Plus, off-the-shoulder dresses aren’t all the same anyway. You can have a higher neckline, a sweetheart neckline and any number of small differences that require specific jewelry choices.
As you’re getting ready for the big day, you’re probably rotating through plenty of options for bridal accessories and jewelry pieces. So, when you’re deciding, here are a couple of things to keep in mind.
Take Up the Available Space
If you take one thing from this article, let it be this: You want your jewelry to complement the amount of exposed skin. For example, if you have a halter wedding dress with a plunging neckline, you’ll need a longer necklace to take up that available space. Something like a choker is just going to look out of place. A long pendant necklace will do well there. The opposite can be said for high-neck wedding dresses. You probably don’t want a big statement necklace there. Instead, you’ll want to go for tasteful earrings to create a classic look that complements the small amount of available space.
Consider Your Collarbone
Brides often find that their collarbone appears more pronounced in photos when wearing an off-the-shoulder dress. This creates a naturally sculpted look that photographers love capturing. Your jewelry choices can enhance this effect or soften it, depending on your preference.
Stick to One Statement Piece
Anything beyond one statement piece is just going to cause chaos, and we don’t want that on your wedding day. If you have a bold pendant necklace, keep everything else simple and go with minimalist stud earrings and a subdued bangle, for example. Small hoop earrings would work here, as well. If your bridal gown has a higher neckline, you can go simpler on a necklace and maybe do drop earrings or a more ornate bracelet as your statement piece. Of course, you can also go simple on everything except the ring if you’ve got a standout piece of jewelry in the form of a stunning engagement ring on your finger already.
Jewelry Pieces for Off-the-Shoulder Wedding Dresses
Statement Earrings
If you’re going off the shoulder, you can get really creative with your earrings. This is especially true if you’re going for a simpler, more traditional style of dress. While any statement earrings will look great, longer ones that will dangle tend to look the best. Plus, they’re just a ton of fun, so who could say no to that? If you choose to wear statement earrings, make sure you opt for an updo bridal hairstyle to show off your sparkle!
When selecting statement earrings, consider your hair length and face shape. Round faces often benefit from longer, angular earrings, while teardrop styles complement heart-shaped faces. Drop earrings are especially stunning with off-the-shoulder dresses. Their gentle movement catches the light as you walk down the aisle, dance at your reception and greet your guests. Plus, they add visual interest to photos and videos. Many brides accessorize with clear crystal or pearl earrings, but don’t be afraid to experiment with colored gemstones that complement your wedding palette.
Browse Our Collection of Bridal Earrings HerePearl Necklace
Pearls offer a subtle glam look that is great in any traditional or neo-classic wedding style, but especially with an off-the-shoulder dress. If you want to wear a pearl necklace and matching earrings, make sure to wear studs. You can wear them both together, but you’ll want to be careful not to have two competing statement pieces. Keep the principles of wedding dress accessorizing in mind. Let one run the show and the other be complementary.
When shopping for pearls, pay close attention to how different sizes and shapes create different effects. For example, small, delicate pearls create a minimalist look that works well with heavily detailed gowns with intricate designs. On the other hand, larger statement pearls make a bold impression when paired with simpler dress styles.
Choker
Pearls not really your thing? No worries! Chokers are simple but pair well with multiple wedding dress necklines. If you want to go simple but not necessarily too far into the traditional look of wedding dresses, a choker can be a good middle ground. Now, that being said, you can absolutely go all-out here, too.
Delicate, slender chokers pair beautifully with dresses featuring intricate beading or lace, while wider chokers make a stronger statement when worn with a less elaborate dress. Keep in mind, too, that the material a choker is made from can impact your overall look. A velvet choker adds a touch of vintage romance, while metal chokers in silver or gold create a more modern look. If you’re looking to add a pop of color to your wedding ensemble, consider a choker necklace featuring colored gems.
Ear Cuff
Now, we admit this might not be a look everyone digs. However, on the right person, ear cuffs can look phenomenal. In the same vein, climber earrings can also work if you want to shake things up a bit with your wedding jewelry. If you’re going for a more boho off-the-shoulder bridal look, ear cuffs are definitely the move. And unlike most bridal earrings, ear cuffs don’t require pierced ears, making them accessible to all brides. Wear them alone for a subtle effect, or pair them with traditional studs for a layered look. Some ear cuffs feature delicate chains that connect the cuff to a stud earring, creating eye-catching movement and dimension.
Drop Pendant
A pendant necklace creates a beautiful vertical line that complements off-the-shoulder gowns. This is especially a good choice if you’re shopping for jewelry for v-neck wedding dresses. If your off-the-shoulder dress features even the slightest v-neck, you want to accessorize with jewelry that follows the neckline. If you don’t, your accessories will just look out of place. A dainty yet elegant drop pendant will follow the neckline perfectly and look like a natural addition to the outfit.
Shop All Bridal NecklacesLayered Choker
Another one especially for the v-neck-off-the-shoulder option, layered chokers are a great alternative if the drop pendant isn’t really your thing. You have plenty of stylistic possibilities here, but layered chokers tend to be on the thinner side. If you have a decent amount of exposed skin with your dress, a beautiful gold or rose gold layered choker helps take up that open space naturally in a way a pendant or set of pearls may not be able to.
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Layered Chain Necklace
If you aren’t into the choker or aren’t wearing a v-neck dress, a layered chain necklace may be a better option for your outfit. You get the same level of stylistic depth, but you can go for a different size and shape here. If you don’t want something that stays as close to the neck, go for a layered chain necklace over a layered choker.
Gemstone Bracelet
This, or any other simple bracelet, would look great with almost any dress. If you’re going for short sleeves or sleeveless with your off-the-shoulder dress, adding a bracelet is going to add a bit more depth and creatively take up some of the empty space you’ll have.
Discover Our Collection of Bridal BraceletsOff-the-shoulder dresses are really a stylistic blank canvas. Whatever your personal style, it’s easy to accessorize here!