Fall weather brings in bulky sweaters, scarves, turtlenecks, and generally just a lot more layers. While it's probably my favourite season outfit-wise, it always comes with a certain set of challenges when it comes to accessorizing. Here are a few quick tips to help your accessory game stay strong through the colder seasons.

This season, the statement earring still reigns supreme, but the well loved style has taken on a new shape! While hoops were all the rage for spring and summer, geometric shapes and long drops are what's hot now that the temperatures are cooling. Shoulder grazing styles are an excellent way to add elegance to any look but they make a particularly bold statement when paired with a structure blazer. They’ll also take your holiday party looks to a whole new level.

Silver and Jade Shoulder Dusters are both modern and timeless. Shop the look HERE

Turtlenecks are still a strong trend this season. They’re such a flattering item but as such a large blank canvas they can sometimes seem intimidating to accessorize, short necklaces and fine chains are out of the running, but a great pair of statement making earrings can keep the focus up around your face and make sure you don’t look buried under all that fabric!

The Idra Statement Earrings are a great way to add a bit of brightness to your winter wardrobe

Pairing necklaces with knits tends to be a tricky affair, but long necklaces with heavier chains or more statement-making pendants are the perfect match for even the puffiest of sweaters. A long fine chain can also help to add a bit of delicacy to balance out your bulky knitwear and give your outfit a bit more complexity. This pairing also helps by creating an elongated line to balance out the inevitable width that sweaters can add.

The Ryder can play double duty and be worn as a Lariat or even as a Chain Belt, one of the season’s hottest new trends! Shop it HERE

Or, try something new and instead of wearing chains around your neck, drop them down around your waist and hop onto the newest trend, chain belts! This trend is sure to make an appearance at your upcoming holiday parties, its a great way to accent your waist without the hard cutting line of a belt. Not to mention, a fantastic way to dip a toe into the 70s boho trends that have been overtaking the runways.

When in doubt, the easiest winter friendly accessory is the bracelet. You never have to worry about it getting tangled up with you scarves or getting lost under all your layers but its still there to help you look polished and pulled together (even when you feel like a giant ball of yarn). Opt for heavier chains or chunky bangles so that they can still stand out and when paired with bulkier sweaters, a gemstone or large charm can go a long way.

The Reyna Bracelet is sleek and minimal and ready to slip into any outfit. Shop the look HERE

I always get asked how to style Body Chains and what to wear them with, and you know what? They're way easier to wear than you think!

There are a pretty wide variety of Body Chains in the Dolorous collection, after all, the style was one of the foundations of the brand! Many of the styles of Body Chains I sell now are actually updated versions of ones I've been designing and selling since 2010! In my 8 years in the business the number one question I've been asked by customers is, without a doubt, 'What do I wear with my new body chain?' Well, here's the summer edition of my answer

One of my favourite ways to wear my body chains in the summer is paired with sundresses, adding an unique and unexpected twist on a generally traditional look. With Choker style Body Chains or Harnesses you get the added bonus of them acting almost like a belt, and helping to add definition and emphasis to your waist, creating a super flattering silhouette, whatever your shape or size! 

The above shot from my SS18 lookbook is the perfect example, the Selia Choker Bodychain adds structure (and a little sexiness) to this super simple sundress. You could also layer the body chain underneath the dress, just peaking out at the top for a slightly more subtle look.

The Broad Collar Shoulder Necklace style of Body Chain, like the Sophia Broad Collar Bodychain shown here, looks amazing when paired with strapless dresses and tops, or your favourite spaghetti strap outfits! The draping lines are somehow laid back while also being undeniably statement making! 

For those of you who only want to dip a toe into the body chain trend you may want to try an understated anklet like the Stella Anklet shown above! Lololol, sorry for the terrible pun but seriously, this anklet is just the accent your summer cutoffs have been waiting for!

Sam and Cailli Beckerman are wearing the Sophia Broad Collar Shoulder Necklace, the Astora Lariat Necklace and Astora Silver Hoop Earrings

But even with all those great styling options, the first thing I typically suggest when I get the inevitable question about what to wear with a body chain, is a T-Shirt! There's just something so cool about pairing statement jewelry with a laid back jeans and a T look, and body chains are no exception to the rule! Just take it from Cailli Beckerman of BeckermanBlog who looks red hot wearing her Sophia Broad Collar Body Chain with an amazing vintage Simpson's T shirt, jeans, sneakers and a flannel. I could not be more into this outfit. (I'm also totally here for Sam's camo and silver statement jewelry combo with new Dolorous earrings and necklace).

Obviously you can also wear body chains with a ton of other styles, these are just a few of my favourites for this season. Want to tell me your favourite things to wear with your body chains? I'd love to hear it! Send me your thoughts and suggestions at contact@dolorousjewelry.com

For the lady on your list who loves self care, good energy and everything eco-friendly. Each of these Crystal pieces are limited run and handmade with environmentally friendly practices, helping your gift for her stay in line with her practices while giving her something as unique as she is!

Clockwise from the left: Alexa Labradorite Necklace, Orbital Aquamarine Lariat, Orbital Aquamarine Drop Earrings, Atlas Faceted Labradorite Bangle

For the woman who makes an entrance wherever she goes, never begging for attention but always the centre of it. These pieces are bold and beautiful, just like her, and go with all of these season's biggest trends. Get her something to show how special she is, and help her shine (not like she needs the help).

Clockwise from the left: Alleda Long Labradorite Lariat, Sona Large Hoop Earrings, Cleo Draped Choker Body Chain, Cea Chain Drop Earrings

For the woman who always looks effortlessly elegant. Her style motto is 'less is more' but she always manages to look super stylish with clean lines, modern cuts, and simple accessories. These accessories will make the perfect addition to any outfit in her wardrobe.

Clockwise from Left: Sloane Mixed Metal Necklace, Ri Silver Rings Larait, Ri Silver Ring Earrings, Sera Long Labradorite Necklace

For the girlboss who needs accessories that work as hard as she does! These office appropriate accessories will help take her from the boardroom to cocktails without missing a beat, while helping her add a little extra flare to her workwear! 

Clockwise from Left: Draped Bar Multi Chain Necklace, Rose Gold Layered Ring Necklace, Long Tassel Lariat, Dea Leather Cord Bracelet, Euri Tiny Spike Earrings, Layered Chain Collar

For the woman who is always on the go! Get a gift that will help this travel lover pack light and be prepared for wherever her travels take her. This woman is the reason Lariat necklaces were created. These open-style necklaces can be worn in a ton of different ways, meaning she can get 10 necklaces while only packing one! With just one lariat she can wear it as a choker one day, long an layered another, hanging open, tied up, even wrapped around her waist as a belt! Just like her, this accessory is ready for anything.

From Left to Right: Brass Oval Larait, Alleda Long Lariat, Long Tassel Lariat

If none of these feel quite right for the lady you're looking to treat, or if you're just having a hard time picking the piece, check out the Best Sellers page to see my most popular styles! 

Photo of Tienyln of thoughtfulmisfit.com wearing the Daliah Aquamarine Collar while in Tuscany

I’ve always had the travel bug. I would find every reason to go anywhere I could think of. I volunteered at a Turtle Conservatory in Costa Rica, I took a college credit abroad to spend a few weeks in Tuscany (its amazing I got any work done, it’s SO beautiful there) and, like many travel junkies, I back packed across Europe. Believe me when I say ‘Backpacked’ because that is the truth, I was gone for 6 weeks and only had what could fit in a backpack. Now, those who know me know that I’m not really the rustic outdoorsy type, and I certainly wasn’t going to travel to Paris and Italy without some outfits that would be appropriate for the dance-filled nights I was hoping for. One might ask how you can pack 6 weeks worth of clothes into a backpack and still manage to be stylish (as you should! It was pretty tricky and I’m still amazed I could manage it!), but there was one simple trick, JEWELRY! It's easy to pack and instantly steps up any outfit, the perfect solution! 

On that trip I really made my few outfits work hard for me, I’d tie scarves around my waist for belts, I’d wear beach skirts as party-ready mini dresses and I’d wear a long chain necklace in more ways than I can count! I’d tie it with a knot, wear it as a giant wrap bracelet, layer it into a choker, I’d even wear it around my waist! 

Years later when I started Dolorous I knew I wanted to make pieces of jewelry that could be that versatile. Jewelry that could be the one piece you could take away for any vacation and have you ready for wherever your travels may take you. And so, my convertible jewelry styles were born. Cut to present day: the collection now has over a dozen styles of jewelry that are designed to be able to be worn in a multitude of ways (without looking as makeshift as some of my teenage travel styles undoubtedly did). These styles make up many of my favourites because the concept holds such a special place in my heart. 

You may be wondering what brought on this bout of nostalgia. Well, today I’m packing for a two week trip to Italy and sorting through my many Dolorous styles to decide what to bring! Here are a few of my most versatile pieces that I’m considering for my trip.

Long Tassel Lariat 
This elegant, open style wrap necklace can be anything from a belt to a choker! That kind of versatility is just what I need to keep my suitcase light and my outfits on point!

sold out

Long Tassel Lariat Wrap Necklace

Sale Price:$55.00 Original Price:$78.00

Pandora Convertible Body Chain
The single most versatile Body Chain in the entire Dolorous collection, above are just a few ways you can style it! From necklace to Harness this piece effortlessly transitions from day to night!

Brass Rings Lariat
This sweet and simple lariat it ideal for everyday wear! I can pull it tight and long, wear it loose, or even have it hanging down my back for an evening look!

Brass Rings Unisex Lariat Necklace

$60.00

I'd love to hear your thoughts on which Dolorous pieces are ideal for travel, and even where you'd like to wear them! Reach out to me via email at contact@dolorousjewelry.com or post it on Instgram and tag@dolorousjewellery for the chance to have your story shared in the next newsletter!

In my years running Dolorous there’s one statement I’ve heard more than any other: “I love the look of body chains, but have no idea what I’d wear them with!” to which I typically respond “Just about anything!” 

I design my body chains to be versatile, easy to wear and flattering on a wide variety of body types. They're adjustable, comfortable, and ready to be added to any of your favourite outfits! Sure, you can pair your body chains with evening gowns (I’ve been known to use mine to spice up the same Little Black Dress that I wear to every formal occasion), but, to be honest, my preferred pairing is to wear my body chains with jeans and a T-shirt! Layered over flowy sundresses comes in as a close second.  

To illustrate my point, here are a few of my current favourites from the Dolorous Body Chain selection and descriptions of the outfits I'd wear them with!

Luna Draped Choker Body Chain

This relaxed fit silhouette is perfect for wearing over a simple white T-Shirt and your favourite jeans. Since the focal point of this piece is higher up on the body it reads a lot like a necklace at first glance, making it easy for daytime wear. If you want to step it up for the evening just throw on a heel, maybe a red lip, and you're good to go!

Kayla Harness Body Chain

When I want to add a little structure to my favourite flowy summer dress I love a harness style Body Chain like Kayla here! It creates an accent at your waistline without the harsh line of a belt and instantly makes even the most feminine florals a little bit edgy.

Silver Infinity Body Chain

If subtlety is more in tune with your style, this sweet nothing of a body chain will be your new best friend. This sweet accessory is solid sterling silver which means you can just as easily wear it to dinner or for a dive in the ocean! The shape is ultra flattering and it looks lovely with tank tops, t-shirts, dresses or even to accent your favourite swimsuit! It may look simple but this versatile body chain is anything but!

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the best ways to wear body chains! Leave a comment below or reach out and let me know what you think!
 contact@dolorousjewelry.com