Optional body jewelry ideas

Contemporary jewelry styles are rapidly evolving, as they do for every generation of fashion seekers. Whereas many women used to be satisfied wearing mainly a wedding ring, necklace, and earrings with an occasional addition of a ring or bracelet, today so much more is available. Visit a department store or jewelry department to examine the various pieces of body decoration that you can try on.

If you want to experience a fashion adventure, experiment with a range of body jewelry that can give you a dramatic new look. Here are some things to try before you buy:

1. Consider an extra ear piercing. Instead of a single piercing on each ear lobe, check out a double, triple, or multiple piercing up through the cartilage area. These pose slightly more risk of infection than the traditional type, so check with your doctor first or make sure the person doing the piercing uses a sterile technique. You can use the same style of earrings for all openings, or mix and match for a multiple design effect.

2. Think about a facial piercing. How about a labret, which is a piercing in the fold of the chin? Or can you envision yourself with an eyebrow, nose, or tongue piercing? These exotic looks can be yours for the price of a visit to a piercing salon and a few days of discomfort or adjustment. The jewelry used for these piercing tends to be simple if ornate rather than dangling or heavy. You can remove each piece when you must attend a function for which they are not quite right. You may want to check with your employer first, as some companies discourage employees who work with the public from getting facial designs like these.

3. Bracelets. Upper arm bracelets look very Middle Eastern, as do ankle bracelets, which have been westernized for some time. These may match bracelets on the forearm or they may take on a look of their own. Usually, though, they are slender and decorous rather than gaudy or ostentatious. One style extends the bracelet to a finger ring for a unified effect.

4. Finger and toe rings. Aside from the wedding ring, people have been wearing forefinger, pinky, and even thumb rings for years. Often these take many forms and styles, as do tiny toe rings, which sometimes match the ankle bracelet.

5. How about a navel ring? Another body piercing, this is one of the few remaining rings that can be displayed publicly. Typically worn with short waist tops and hip-hugging bottoms, the navel ring often is small and simple in design.

6. Necklaces, pendants, and chokers. Long, dangling chain necklaces, stylish pendants for dress occasions; chokers for casual or elaborate outfits, and adornments in many lengths and designs are among the variable necklace styles that you can try out with a range of outfits.

Whatever your taste in jewelry, from simple to exquisite, there are many styles of decoration to choose from. Don't keep wearing the same old pieces year after year. Try something different to create a new you!