With its dramatic and skin-baring silhouette, a strapless dress is like a blank canvas, waiting for you to bring it to life with jewelry that reflects your style and personality. Follow this jewelry style guide to learn how to accessorize a strapless dress like a pro.
Necklace styles for a strapless dress
A strapless dress exposes your neck, collarbone and upper chest, providing the perfect backdrop for various necklace styles to take center stage.
Choker
A choker (typically 14 to 16 inches long) sits snugly at the base of your neck. For a classic, minimalist look, opt for a gold or silver metal chain choker. Chains can be thin and delicate (cable or box chain), smooth and sleek (herringbone or snake chain), braided and woven (rope or wheat chain) or linked (figaro or paperclip chain). Try one with gemstones, charms or small pendants for added allure. If you’re seeking something edgier, look for chunky chokers with bold shapes or colors, intricate designs and decorative embellishments. For an ultra-glam look, adorn your neck with a tennis choker featuring a continuous line of shimmering diamonds, vibrant-colored gemstones or lustrous pearls—all uniform in size and cut.
Bib necklace
Unlike a choker, a bib necklace takes up a lot of real estate on your neck, prominently draping over the collarbone area in dramatic fashion (picture Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra). Bib necklaces are highly decorative “centerpieces,” typically featuring gold or silver mesh material, oversized gemstones and larger-than-life designs.
Pendant necklace
A princess-length (17 to 19 inches long) gemstone solitaire pendant necklace is a perfect companion for a bare décolletage, adding a hint of graceful whimsy to a strapless ensemble. Try a sparkling diamond, luminous pearl or vibrant-colored gemstone. Popular cuts for solitaire pendants include round, oval, pear, princess and heart-shaped in either a prong, bezel or halo setting. If you prefer something more show-stopping, select a pendant necklace with jumbo-sized gemstones, medallions, symbols or charms.
Pearl strand necklace
Wear a single or double pearl strand (princess or matinee length) for a traditionally classic look or a low-hanging strand (opera or rope length) for added flair and drama. If you really want to jazz it up, tie a long pearl strand into a loose knot (wrap the strand around your neck and pull it through the loop like putting on a scarf) or layer multiple pearl strands of different lengths to achieve Great Gatsby level glam.
Lariat necklace
For a soft-spoken yet regal look, try pairing your strapless dress with a luxurious lariat necklace. This fashion-forward necklace style hangs low on the chest in a linear Y shape, often featuring a dangling pendant, charm, tassel or other decorative drop that loops in the front. Switch things up by wearing a lariat necklace backward with a choker-style look at the front and the long chain draping down your back.
Layered chains
Add depth, texture and visual intrigue to your strapless ensemble by layering multiple necklaces of varying lengths. To help you get started with building a stunning stack, here are a few basic guidelines: Start with a shorter chain like a choker as a base, add a middle layer as the focal point (pendant necklace or string of pearls) and finish with a longer chain to create a cascading effect. The combinations are endless!
Earring options for a strapless dress
Chandelier earrings
When it comes to picking out earrings for a strapless dress, feel free to go big or go home. Supersize the shimmer with a pair of long and ornate chandelier earrings. This earring design typically features tiered configurations of gemstones, pearls or crystals that dangle low (sometimes grazing the shoulders), resembling the silhouette of a crystal chandelier. As you tilt and turn your head, your earrings will sway and catch the light, resulting in major oooh-la-la vibes.
Teardrop gemstone earrings
Teardrop gemstone earrings add a dose of glamour to a strapless dress without being overpowering. They dazzle and delight with pear-shaped pendants, typically featuring diamonds, pearls or colorful gemstones that gently hang from the earlobe, capturing attention from all angles.
Hoops and huggies
For a little extra pizzazz, wear a pair of big, bold gold or silver hoop earrings or ones bedazzled with diamonds or other gemstones. For a more toned-down but equally stylish option, try a pair of huggies that sit closer to the ear.
Studs
If you’re aiming for refined elegance, a pair of solitaire studs should do the trick. You can’t go wrong with a pair of timeless diamonds or pearls, but there are also gemstones in various hues if you prefer a pop of color. A slight step up from traditional studs are cluster studs, which feature multiple small gemstones grouped closely together, often in eye-catching designs.
Bracelets and rings for a strapless dress
Now that you’ve mastered accessorizing the top half of your strapless dress, you can add a few finishing touches with a bracelet and/or ring.
Bangle
These sleek, ring-shaped metal bracelets slide over the hand and give off a modest charm and romantic aura, perfectly suited for a strapless dress. A gold, silver, or rose gold bangle displays enough shine on its own, but there are also styles studded with diamonds, gemstones, and intricate designs. Wear a solo bangle for a polished look, or stack it with other bangles for a more dramatic appearance.
Tennis bracelet
A tennis bracelet is the epitome of pure elegance, a classic piece that can seamlessly blend in with a strapless dress. Whether it's comprised of diamonds or brightly colored gemstones, it will glisten and shine with every slight turn of your wrist.
Statement cuff
Punctuate a strapless dress with a formidably wide or chunky cuff bracelet. It can be plain gold or silver or adorned with decorative elements, inventive shapes, diamonds or gemstones.
Cocktail ring
While your hands may not be the focal point of a strapless dress, don’t underestimate the ability of a cocktail ring to command attention. Cocktail rings are like glamorous divas—a bit domineering and bold, with just the right amount of sass. They typically feature oversized diamonds, pearls or colorful gemstones and boast whimsical designs and intricate metalwork. Cocktail rings are traditionally worn on the ring or middle finger on the right hand, but it’s really up to you.
Protect your jewelry with Jewelers Mutual
Before you head out the door in your fabulous strapless dress and favorite accessories, insure your valuable jewelry. With jewelry insurance, you can enjoy wearing your favorite pieces knowing they're protected against loss, damage and theft. Jewelers Mutual is an affordable option that provides coverage beyond the limits of a typical homeowners policy. Click the link below to check your rate.
