How to pair traditional jewellery with modern silhouettes

 Timeless and oh-so elegant, heirloom jewellery can add that much-needed grandeur to your festive look. And no, you don’t need to restrict those evergreen pieces to traditional outfits alone. Wear your grandma’s kundan choker and jhumkas or those chandbalis and kadas with modern silhouettes to make a unique statement as you flaunt your prized possessions. While you prepare to ring in the festivities at home, scan your mother’s and grandmothers’ closets and pick out a few charming pieces from their heirloom jewellery collection, which rarely see the light of day. Here’s a guide from fashion designers and stylists on how to mix and match your treasured heirlooms with contemporary dresses to create some vintage magic this festive season. Read on…

Pocket-friendly and effortlessly chic
Nothing is more satisfying than wearing a jadau choker from your bequest or a
heritage piece of jewellery that’s been part of the family heirloom for generations on Dhanteras. Such traditional pieces are not only incomparable in terms of design and quality, but are mostly one of a kind. Pairing them with a modern festive wardrobe is the best way to keep yourself effortlessly chic amid the festivities without burning a hole in your pocket. Give the precious pieces the respect they deserve by choosing one statement piece and build the look with smaller accents.
A few rules for using heirloom jewellery

1) Pick one statement piece and give it center stage
2) Layer kundan chokers with long pearl malas. Put on an easy resort wear bandhani wrap dress or a tie and dye romper jumpsuit to complete the look
3) When it comes to rings, the more the merrier
4) An heirloom silver anklet is a must in every mother’s closet. Be sure to wear it with a drape skirt and top or a dhoti jumpsuit that shows off your ankles
5) Filigree gold bangles, especially when too many, go best with a silk shirt and a Banarasi sharara. If it’s a bangle story in both hands, keeping the neck bare is a great idea. Long earrings would be best here
6)Wear your jhumkas with an asymmetric dress and tie your hair back to add another dimension to your look
7) Wear a long gold ornamental chain with a long shirt dress and team it up with a belt and high-heeled boots
8) Do not over accessorise. Avoid wearing everything at once. If it’s a statement choker, then make sure the earrings are small, more like tops. No bracelet or bangles. A couple of rings will do the magic
9) Maang tikkas are great finds and every grandmother has one. A tight bun or easy locks with a bold maang tikka is quite a head-turner anywhere. If you have a long neck, a maang tikka and choker or neckpiece with no other jewellery is a very confident look. Put on a maang tikka with a bandhani or shibori kimono jumpsuit with a statement bracelet or handcuff
— Nupur Kanoi, fashion designer

Match heritage jewellery with modern outfits cleverly
Passing on heirloom jewellery from one generation to the next is a tradition. While some of us still indulge in new designs and styles every now and then, our traditional family jewellery pieces hold a special place. Whether it’s a bunch of gold chains, a kundan neckpiece, a chandbali, or a choker – all kinds of heritage jewellery can be styled cleverly with contemporary outfits, such as dresses, gowns, or even plain solid shirts with the neckpieces peeking out from the few open buttons. A traditional bala can be used as an armband with certain dresses. Men, too, can use heirloom jewellery to make a style statement. Use a chandbali or pendant as a brooch in smart jackets or even bandh galas and be prepared for all the lovely compliments coming your way!
— Dev R Nil, designer duo

Style it right
1) Anklets are in vogue this season. Throw them on with a pair of high-heel sneakers and don’t forget to roll up your jeans
2)Team up an amazing vintage silver choker with a long, flowy dress. Or wear a traditional necklace with a fabulous white or black shirt to stand out
3)Add loads of bangles over the cuff of your shirt so they don’t get lost underneath
4) Traditional oversized gold earrings look great with an oversized T-shirt belted at the waist. Complete the look with
a pair of sexy heels
5) Traditional rings, be it in silver or gold, are your go-to accessories with modern silhouettes
— Shaleena Nathani, stylist