Is Mixing Gold and Silver Jewelry a Fashion Faux Pas or the New Standard?
Combining gold and silver jewelry is a simple idea . You can wear your favorite gold and silver items all at once, or you can choose a single piece of jewelry that has both metals in its design . This trend is about breaking old rules and creating a style that is all your own. Fashion experts agree that mixing metals makes your overall look more interesting and gives it more depth . It’s a way to make a statement without saying a word. By learning to combine different metals, you can make your jewelry collection more flexible and create new looks with pieces you already own.
The trend is growing quickly . For example, the demi-fine jewelry brand Missoma, based in London, saw its sales for mixed metal items double in just the last year . This shows that more and more people are embracing this style . The interest is also visible online, where searches on Pinterest for “mixed metal jewelry” have doubled, and searches for “mixed metal ring stack” have tripled in the same time frame . On TikTok, the conversation is even bigger, with about 25 million posts dedicated to the topic .
How to Mix Metals
Wearing gold and silver together is easier than it seems. You don’t need to follow a strict set of rules; instead, think of it as a way to express your personal style. The key is to make it look like you did it on purpose. A good way to start is by wearing a “bridge” piece, which is a single item that already has both gold and silver in it. This could be a watch with a two-toned band or a necklace that weaves both metals together. This one piece ties everything else together, making your mixed-metal look feel complete and intentional.
Another simple method is to pay attention to balance. You don’t have to wear an equal amount of gold and silver. Sometimes, a small touch of a different metal can have a big impact. You could try wearing mostly gold with one or two silver pieces, or the other way around. You can also group metals by area. For example, wear gold earrings and necklaces, but stack silver rings and bracelets. This creates a clean, organized look while still playing with different colors. The goal is to create a look that feels right for you, whether it’s a subtle mix or a bold statement.
Stacking and Layering
The mixed metal trend is a big part of a larger fashion movement: layered jewelry . People are layering everything, from necklaces and bracelets to rings . This is often called creating a “stack” . You might see someone with a “bracelet stack” on their wrist or an “ear stack” with multiple earrings . These stacks are a perfect opportunity to mix different materials and styles .
When you layer your jewelry, you can combine gold and silver necklaces of different lengths or stack thick and thin metal bracelets together . You can also bring in other materials like pearls, colorful beads, or even diamonds . This approach often leads to a “maximalist” style, which focuses on wearing multiple, often bold, pieces at once . While some prefer to layer very thin, delicate pieces, the current trend leans toward making a bigger, more noticeable statement with your jewelry . It’s about having fun and showing off your collection in a creative way.
Finding Your Best Metals
While there are no hard rules, some people like to choose their metals based on their skin’s undertone. Your skin has either cool, warm, or neutral undertones. A quick way to check is to look at the veins on your wrist. If they look blue, you likely have cool undertones. If they appear greenish, you probably have warm undertones. If you can’t really tell, you might have neutral undertones.
- Cool Undertones: Silver, platinum, and white gold often complement skin with cool undertones. These metals can brighten the skin and create a clean look.
- Warm Undertones: Traditional yellow gold, rose gold, and copper tend to look great on skin with warm undertones. These metals bring out the warmth in the skin.
- Neutral Undertones: If you have neutral undertones, you’re in luck—both gold and silver will likely look good on you.
Even with these guidelines, the most important factor is what you like to wear. Think of this information as a starting point, not a rulebook. Mixing metals allows you to wear both, so you can pick a dominant metal that you think looks best and add touches of the other for contrast and interest. Ultimately, confidence is what makes any jewelry choice look fantastic.