Just glance through todays hottest fashion magazines and catalogs, and youll see that costume jewelry has taken center stage, becoming not just an accent but a major part of a womans wardrobe. One, two, or three necklaces, fashioned from a mixture of wooden, ceramic, and silver and gold beads, combine to make a dramatic statement, perfectly setting off the neckline and contours of a superbly matched dress or shirt. Watches, once subtle, practical accessories finely crafted of gold or silver, have become bold jewelry; the watch faces themselves have grown in size and are adorned with semiprecious gems, fired clay tiles carved with a variety of folk symbols, and leather, ribbon or metal, while bracelets are also bigger, bolder, and more dramatic.

Almost anything goes these days, but not everything is going to make a successful statement. Theres a fine line between dramatic and over the top. Before you decide to buy some of the more creative necklaces, bracelets, and other jewelry items out there, take a look at your wardrobe. Are your outfits classic, sporty casual, ethnic, funky?

If youre like most people, you probably have a mix of styles and a range of colors. Think about the clothes combinations you wear most often, and ask yourself what would accentuate these outfits. Tear pictures of jewelry items you admire out of your favorite magazines and look at them beside your favorite clothes. Do they fit? Would the combination be jarring?

Think also in terms of coordination versus contrast. An outfit in monochromatic tones of beige and brown might call for something in lighter or deeper tones of the same colors, with some black and / or white added. A basic black outfit, on the other hand, could be dramatically accented with silver and turquoise or green hues, or with golds and reds.

Dont forget proportion. A necklace that wonderfully accents the bodice of a six-foot model might end up hanging to your waist if youre five-feet-five, and look ridiculous. If you like the necklace but its too long for you, find something similar in a smaller size, buy it and alter it, or make your own.

Finally, take your own personality into account. If your friends see you as a gypsy woman or free spirit, you could probably wear your jewelry by the pound and get away with it. If, on the other hand, youre fairly shy or reserved, choose a few pieces that will add refinement and a bit of drama without going overboard. Too much jewelry could make you feel self-conscious, and would probably work against you.

Jewelry has become a wearable art form and a mode of self-expression both for the creator and the wearer; with a little thought and some self-examination you should be able to find or make jewelry accessories that make a really great statement about who you are.