If you own one statement colour in jewellery, make it green. Emerald green sits comfortably against every Indian skin tone, it reads as traditional and modern at once, and it gets along with more outfit colours than gold-on-gold ever will. Here are five ways to wear a long green haar or a green pendant set, and, since it is the question everyone asks, what to do about the earrings each time.
1. With a red or maroon lehenga: the classic
Red and green are opposite each other on the colour wheel, which is exactly why brides have paired them for centuries. A long two-strand haar like Vanya sits over the blouse and falls to the dupatta line; the green beads give the eye a second colour to rest on so the red does not swallow the whole look.
Earrings: wear the matching pair that comes with the set. This is the one occasion where matched is right.
2. With an ivory or off-white saree: the quiet luxury version
Green on ivory is the pairing that makes people ask where you got the necklace. Choose a saree with a gold or antique-gold border and let the haar be the only strong colour. A plain blouse with a slightly wider neckline gives the pendant room.
Earrings: keep them small. The set's studs, or plain gold-tone studs, so the haar leads.
3. With haldi yellow or mustard: the daytime function
Yellow and green are neighbours, so this reads fresh rather than dramatic. It is the right level for a haldi, a mehendi afternoon or a daytime pooja, where a full bridal neckline would feel heavy. A shorter piece works here: the Kiara pendant set with its single green teardrop sits on the collarbone and moves when you do.
Earrings: the kundan studs from the set, or nothing at all if you are wearing flowers in your hair.
4. With a black or navy dress: the borrowed-from-tradition look
A long green haar over a plain black dress with a high or boat neckline is the most Instagrammed way to wear Indian jewellery right now, and for good reason. The dark fabric turns the beads into the entire outfit. Wear the haar long and single, no other necklace, and keep the sleeves simple.
Earrings: skip the matching pair. A single small gold hoop or a plain stud keeps it from tipping into costume.
5. With a plain kurta: the everyday version
This is where the Kiara pendant set earns its place. A white, beige or pastel cotton kurta, the fine gold chain with its green beads at the collar, and the little studs. It works on a Tuesday, it works at the office, and it needs no thought at all.
Earrings: the set's studs, every time.
Three rules that make any of these work
- One hero. If the necklace is the statement, the earrings, bangles and rings are supporting cast. If you want the jhumkas to lead, drop the haar and wear the pendant instead.
- Match the metal, not the stone. Everything else you wear should be the same finish as the haar — antique gold with antique gold, bright gold with bright gold. Stone colours can differ; metal tones should not.
- Mind the neckline. A long haar needs a plain or high neckline to fall against; a deep V fights with it. A pendant set wants an open collar so the pendant sits on skin.
Both pieces in this post are in the necklaces collection. If you want help matching one to a specific outfit, send us a photo of the outfit on WhatsApp and we will tell you honestly what works.