How do I jazz up my style with costume jewellery?

The question

What kind of costume jewellery should I wear to jazz up my look while staying on trend?

The answer

This question has me wondering what sort of costume jewellery could thwart one's efforts to stay on trend. Woodblock cat pendants, maybe? Even then, there are some people who could pull that off. My chief caution when it comes to costume jewellery is to apply restraint.

Choose a hero piece – a chunky necklace or eclectic shoulder-duster earrings – and stop there. Of course, there are always exceptions; bracelets and rings have more impact when they're stacked. Just remember to vary materials in a deliberately offbeat way.

Combine woven and beaded bracelets with a metal cuff. Brand names – Dannijo, Pamela Love, Lanvin, Miu Miu, Club Monaco, J.Crew and Canada's own Maryam Keyhani – can be helpful, but only to a point. After all, a Cole Porter jazz standard may be excellent source material, but only when uniquely styled by the likes of Ella Fitzgerald or Billie Holiday does it truly soar.

Amy Verner is The Globe and Mail's Paris-based style reporter. Have a fashion question? E-mail style@globeandmail.com. Follow her on Twitter @amyverner.