The Cheat’s Guide To Achieving Celebrity Style

If your wardrobe is screaming out for diamonds, but your wallet isn’t, achieving red carpet celebrity style with costume jewellery is the perfect answer. With some thought and planning, it’s never been easier to achieve a glamorous star-style look without having to re-mortgage your home.

With the award season underway, a pair of sparkling chandelier-style earrings is quite possibly the savviest investment a girl can make for instant, dramatic impact. With so many styles of costume jewellery earrings available, it’s quite easy to be overwhelmed when choosing a design you can wear time and time again. Colour is possibly the most important factor: clear crystal is classic and works well with all outfits, while jet & smoky tones create a more subtle and sultry style. Or, for sheer drama, enigmatic jewel tones never fail to create an impact.

When choosing a pair of earrings, it’s wise to consider the size of the drop. It might make sense to go for shoulder-skimming earrings if you’re a party girl who loves high fashion; but if the furthest you’re going to venture is the office party or local pub, it’s probably better to opt for a more wearable size. Also take into account the style that best suits you: large, wide chandelier earrings are perfect to widen a narrow face whereas long, slim-line styles will beautifully slim and flatter a round face.

Red carpet occasions give celebrities a license to go wild with dazzling necklaces. With plunging and strapless necklines galore, such events ensure every décolleté is dripping with diamonds; and with such a wide range of costume jewellery necklaces available - from crystal and diamante to faux pearls and simulated gemstones - every celebrity style can be easily achieved.

Strapless necklines are the most versatile and can easily carry the most dramatic of necklaces. For ‘v’-necklines, a simple rule for elegant style is to follow the ‘v’ shape, so a sparkling pendant can look particularly effective. With asymmetric necklines, all necklaces are best avoided to keep lines clean and striking. Earrings and a bracelet are the best choice of costume jewellery for this style of dress.

Celebrities love to show-off toned arms with a dazzling bracelet or bangle. Layering bangles has become increasingly popular with many stars and the key to this look is to mix and match a variety of styles. When choosing a costume jewellery alternative, the most important factor to consider is wrist size. A small, delicate wrist is complimented with a slim but striking bracelet or bangle, whereas a larger wrist can carry off bold jewel adorned designs in style. With bold bracelets, adhere to the motto of less is more with just a pair of complimenting earrings. For full-on glamour, a delicate bracelet or bangle worn with a matching, yet simple necklace and earrings exudes class.

Finally, who’s to know your rocks aren’t priceless diamonds? With celebrities wearing such a variety of gemstones from vintage rocks to contemporary cuts, faux gems are becoming increasingly difficult to spot from the real thing - and that is music to a girls ears!

Andrew Regan is a freelance online journalist.