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L&M Bling / Styling & Shopping Guide
Real Questions. Expert Jewelry Advice.
Consider this a personal styling conversation—not a jewelry encyclopedia. You’re sitting down with an experienced pageant mom and jewelry store owner who wants to help you find exactly the look you envision and the advice you need.
I founded L&M Bling in 2015 after my own experience as a pageant mom. Over the years, I’ve helped contestants, families, coaches, and pageant directors think through the little details that help an outfit come together. Here are the practical answers I wish every shopper had before their big day.
“Expert advice isn't always about convincing someone to choose what you would choose. Sometimes it's about helping them make THEIR choice and THEIR vision come together beautifully.”
Start with the outfit—and with your vision. What color or feature do you love most? Do you picture something elegant and understated, or do you want to be seen from across the room? There is no universal “right” earring length or amount of sparkle. One woman loves oversized chandeliers; another would never choose anything longer than a petite drop. Both can look wonderful when the jewelry suits the outfit and the wearer.
Not always. The same shade may be called lilac, amethyst, or violet by different designers, and tiny online color swatches can be misleading. A picture of the actual dress—ideally while it is being worn—often gives us a better starting point. You can select one color from a multicolored gown, coordinate with its crystal accents, or choose a complementary contrast. The goal is a cohesive look, not a perfect laboratory color match.
When a gown has several colors of rhinestones, custom-made earrings may combine those shades beautifully because they are designed specifically for the outfit. But custom jewelry is not necessary. If you cannot find a combination that matches closely, choose one color you love from the dress. If the gown is hot pink with blue and clear accents and you adore the hot pink, let’s start there!
Dark-colored earrings can disappear against dark hair worn down. If you love black, navy, deep purple, or another dark crystal color, think about whether your hair will be up or down. An updo can reveal those same earrings beautifully; hair worn down may call for more contrast, a different shape, or larger visual presence. This applies to pageants, prom, and formal occasions alike.
Measurements and styling guides can be helpful starting points, but they should not dictate your personal taste. I’ve met petite women who love huge earrings and grown women who don’t want anything over about 1½ inches. Instead of putting shoppers into boxes, I ask what they enjoy wearing and show them a range of lengths and shapes. If you’re unsure, measure a pair you already own, then compare it with the earring measurements on the product page.
Explore our Earring Size Guide ↗
A heavily embellished gown may look its best with earrings that echo one accent color and a simpler overall jewelry look. If the dress is busy, the jewelry shouldn’t be! That does not mean plain outfits are the only ones that can handle statement jewelry—it means the pieces should work together rather than compete.
Silver shoes with silver-backed jewelry and gold shoes with gold-backed jewelry are helpful ways to create a coordinated look, but they are not rigid rules. First consider whether your gown has visible silver or gold elements. If it does, that can guide you. If it doesn’t, the shoes may help—especially if they are visible. If neither gives you a clear answer, the choice is yours.
AB stands for Aurora Borealis, a special crystal finish that reflects different colors as the light changes. Under stage lighting, AB crystals can pick up colors from gowns and surroundings, creating an eye-catching, multidimensional sparkle.
Some gowns are embellished with AB crystals rather than clear crystals, making AB earrings a beautiful coordinating choice.
When selecting your earrings, consider the metal accents in your gown. If the gown features gold, consider gold-backed earrings; if it features silver, consider silver-backed earrings. If neither is present, you might coordinate with your shoes. And if the shoes won't be visible, it's simply a matter of personal preference!
Pageants are not all alike. A local pageant’s categories, age divisions, and presentation style can differ dramatically from those of a state or national competition. Before buying an outfit and jewelry, read the rules, ask your director, and look at recent examples from the particular pageant you are entering. A category name alone does not tell the whole story.
At many State and National pageants, Arrival is practically an event of its own! Although it's not an official competition category, experienced contestants know just how important that first impression can be.
Arrival is when you check in, meet other contestants, greet pageant staff, and begin making your presence known. And let's face it, everyone is checking out the competition! You never know who might be watching, whether it's another contestant, a pageant director, or even a judge.
Pageant Arrival is your moment to make an entrance!
Arrival outfits, particularly in the teen, Miss, and Ms. divisions, are often fashionable, stylish, and full of personality. Think night on the town chic rather than Evening Gown or elaborate stage outfits.
And the jewelry? This is where you can really have fun! Sparkling statement earrings, beautiful necklace sets, colorful fashion jewelry, or something bold and unexpected can all work beautifully. Your jewelry should complement your outfit and help create the first impression YOU want to make.
Start with her age, the competition category, and whether she needs pierced or clip-on earrings. For little girls, look for earrings that provide beautiful, age-appropriate sparkle without overwhelming their faces.
For Beauty Walk, sparkling dangle earrings up to approximately 1.25 inches are often a wonderful choice, but that’s not a hard-and-fast rule. For Pageant Interview, small crystal studs or very short, delicate drops generally work best, keeping the attention on her smile and personality.
Shop Little Girls Pageant Earrings ↗
Yes, because it is part of the contestant’s entire presentation. Each judge has individual preferences, but the jewelry should be appropriate for both the contestant’s age and the competition category. Personal preference matters, but appropriateness for the competition category matters just as much. Judges should notice the contestant—her smile, confidence, personality, and answers—not spend the Interview distracted by enormous swinging earrings.
Traditionally, Interview calls for polished, understated jewelry: crystal studs, petite drops, or another refined style that doesn’t distract from the contestant. A narrow, minimalist bracelet can work for some older contestants; I would generally leave the huge, wide statement bracelets for another area of competition. The same basic goal applies at any age: keep the focus on the person speaking.
Pageant Interview clothing has evolved considerably, particularly in Miss and Ms. divisions. Alongside conservative dresses and tailored suits, today you may see bold colors, architectural shapes, dramatic sleeves, and more fashion-forward looks. Statement earrings are not automatically out of the question with those outfits; the question is whether they complete the look or compete with the contestant. A pageant Interview is not always styled like the traditional job interview it once resembled.
In traditional Evening Gown competition, the gown and the contestant are the stars, with beautiful crystal earrings often providing the finishing sparkle. Many contestants skip the necklace and bracelet, allowing their gown and earrings to beautifully complement their overall presentation. Depending on her age, gown, hairstyle, and preferred look, statement earrings can be the perfect choice.
Explore Large Statement Earrings ↗
Crystal earrings are a beautiful choice for pageants because they’re designed to catch the light and sparkle! Larger earrings covered in crystals generally stand out more from a distance, but smaller earrings with plenty of sparkling stones can look beautiful on stage, too.
Choose a size that suits the contestant, her outfit, and her comfort level. Whether she prefers delicate sparkle or dramatic bling, there’s no need to sacrifice comfort to shine!
First, find out what those words mean for YOUR pageant. In some pageants, Fun Fashion means a cute, personality-filled look—think of a fashionable outfit you could wear strolling around New York City taking selfies. In other systems, it can mean sequined jumpsuits, short dresses with dramatic capes, and a much more theatrical presentation. The jewelry should suit the actual outfit, not just the category name.
L&M Bling’s Fun Fashion collection is intentionally different from our traditional crystal pageant jewelry. It includes whimsical, playful, colorful, novelty-inspired, and fashion-forward styles that are not necessarily all bling. Those pieces can be perfect for the right outfit, but the collection label alone does not make them suitable for every competition called Fun Fashion.
Classic hoop earrings are a popular choice for pageant Swimsuit competition. You can choose simple metal hoops, sparkling crystal hoops, or even a pretty crystal dangle. All can look beautiful, whether your swimsuit is plain or embellished with crystals!
Just keep movement in mind. The Swimsuit competition walk is often a faster pace. You don't want long earrings swinging all over the place as you walk. Choose a style that complements your swimsuit, feels comfortable, and lets you move confidently.
Headshots are an opportunity to create a polished look that photographs well. Choose earrings to complement the top the contestant is wearing and keep the face as the center of attention. Younger contestants may wear earrings with slightly more sparkle or presence than usual, as long as the style remains age-appropriate. Older contestants can experiment with statement earrings or hoops, depending on the photographer’s styling concept.
For older contestants, a matching bracelet can also be useful: photographers sometimes pose hands and arms near the face. Traditional headshots often skip necklaces, although a deliberately fashion-forward photo session may call for a different approach. The photographer, outfit, and intended final image should guide the styling.
Absolutely! Clip-on earrings are perfectly acceptable for pageants and allow contestants without pierced ears to enjoy beautiful, sparkling earrings.
Purchase them well before the pageant so there's time to check the fit and practice wearing them. Clip-ons should feel secure without pinching or causing discomfort. Since everyone's earlobes are different, have the contestant try them on ahead of time to make sure they're comfortable.
Prom shopping is often a girl’s first experience choosing jewelry for a special event. You don’t need to know every jewelry term or already have a favorite earring size. Start with a dress photo, the colors you love, and the feeling you want your finished look to have.
I like to show shoppers a variety of earring lengths, shapes, colors, and metal finishes rather than make the decision for them. For many first-time prom shoppers, we may start with earrings around 2.5–3 inches long. Of course, if your heart is set on larger statement earrings, that's perfectly fine, too!
Not sure how long an earring will look when worn? Measure a pair you already own and use that as a reference. Your dress, personal style, and comfort level should guide your choice.
No! A gown might contain several shades, bead colors, or crystal accents. Rather than trying to match every color, choose the one you want to emphasize. If your dress is covered in multicolored stones, find one color in the chaos and build from there.
Clear crystal or AB (Aurora Borealis) earrings, which reflect beautiful rainbow-like colors, are also wonderfully versatile options for many formal looks.
Not every prom dress needs a necklace, but the right one can beautifully complete your look! Start by looking at the neckline of your dress.
Not sure what type of neckline you have? Take a look at our illustrated Common Dress Necklines guide below, then find your neckline for jewelry suggestions.
Sweetheart Necklines: With their beautiful double-curved shape resembling the top of a heart, sweetheart necklines look lovely with a sparkling center-drop necklace or pendant. A crystal choker or shorter necklace can also look beautiful, especially when the dress has minimal embellishments.
Strapless Necklines: With no shoulder straps, these dresses leave plenty of open space around the neck and shoulders. A sparkling crystal choker, elegant necklace set, or delicate pendant can all look beautiful. For a simpler dress, a more dramatic necklace can also be a stunning choice!
Off-the-Shoulder Necklines: These dresses have straps or sleeves that sit below the shoulders, leaving the shoulders and collarbone exposed. A sparkling choker or shorter crystal necklace can beautifully highlight that open area. A more elaborate necklace may also work wonderfully with a simpler gown.
V-Necklines: These necklines form a V shape at the front of the dress. A necklace with a center drop or pendant can follow that shape beautifully. A crystal choker may also work if you prefer your jewelry to sit higher on your neck, leaving the V-shaped opening visible.
Scoop Necklines: A scoop neckline has a rounded, U-shaped opening. This creates a lovely area for a sparkling necklace set, delicate pendant, or crystal choker. Choose a necklace that sits comfortably within the open area without getting lost against the dress.
Square Necklines: These necklines have a straight edge across the chest with corners that create a square or rectangular opening. A shorter crystal necklace or a simple choker can complement the structured shape. Pay attention to where the necklace rests so it doesn't compete with the straight neckline.
Halter Necklines: Halter dresses typically have straps that wrap around or connect behind the neck, leaving the shoulders exposed. Many halter styles already have decorative details around the neck, making a necklace unnecessary. However, some halters have a lower, open front that can look beautiful with a delicate pendant. Let the actual design of the dress guide your choice.
One-Shoulder or Asymmetrical Necklines: These dresses have one shoulder covered while the other remains bare, creating an eye-catching, uneven neckline. Because of that asymmetry, finding a necklace that looks balanced can be tricky. Beautiful statement earrings and a coordinating bracelet are often excellent alternatives.
High Necklines: Don't automatically rule out a necklace! A simple satin or otherwise unembellished high neckline can look gorgeous with a necklace resting over the fabric. But if the neckline is heavily embroidered or covered in crystals, you might prefer sparkling earrings and a bracelet instead.
Shop All Necklaces ↗ | Shop Prom Necklaces & Jewelry Sets ↗
If your prom dress is covered in crystals, sequins, or elaborate embellishments, you may want to keep your jewelry a little simpler.
For a dress with several different crystal colors, try choosing one color to highlight with your jewelry. You don't need to match every stone!
Sometimes sparkling earrings and a bracelet are all you need. The goal is to complement your beautiful dress without having your jewelry compete with it.
Not at all! A beautiful matching necklace-and-earring set can be a wonderful choice for prom. Most prom necklace sets have a lower-profile design than the large statement necklaces you might choose for a gala or other formal event. They can provide plenty of sparkle without overpowering the dress or the girl wearing it!
The key is finding a set that complements your dress and your personal style. After all, you're the one who should be getting all the attention!
I'd love to help! Send me a picture of your prom dress, and I'll personally help you explore earrings, necklaces, and coordinating jewelry that complement your dress and bring YOUR vision to life.
This is where you often have more freedom to have fun with jewelry. A simple black gown, for instance, can become the canvas for a spectacular statement necklace, dramatic earrings, or an elegant coordinated set. Black and clear crystals can echo details in the dress; a red jewelry set can play off a surprise pop of red in the shoes. If the bodice is heavily embellished, you may prefer to let it stand alone, adding just earrings and a bracelet. There is no requirement to go big—but if you love drama, this may be your moment!
Absolutely! Formal events and special occasions are wonderful opportunities to bring out the bling! Whether you prefer delicate crystal sparkle or bold, dramatic statement jewelry, the right pieces can beautifully complete your look.
But sparkle isn't your only option. Depending on the event, colorful, whimsical, or elegant designs without crystals can be just as beautiful. It's all about the occasion, your outfit, and your personal style!
PLEASE read this before the event
Inspect ALL your jewelry as soon as it arrives. Do not leave it sealed until the night before the event. Look for stones that have fallen out, test the clasps and earring backs, try on the pieces, and make sure any clip-ons fit securely and comfortably. This also gives you time to deal with a problem rather than discover it as you are getting dressed.
Keep a few spare earring backs in your bag or jewelry organizer. Those tiny things have a way of disappearing at exactly the wrong moment! If you travel to pageants often, create a dedicated organizer for each competition category so you can find what you need quickly.
Send me a picture of your dress or outfit, along with your age, and tell me which colors and styles you love, and let me know what event you are attending. If you already have an idea of the earrings you want, tell me that too. I’ll help you explore the choices and put together a look that feels right for YOU.
Your 1st Pageant: Mom shows up with Walmart bags, Ziplocs labeled “INTERVIEW,” “BEAUTY WALK,” and “EARRINGS.” She's just praying she remembered everything!
By Your 4th Pageant: She's rolling in with a fabulous jewelry organizer, individual compartments, everything neatly arranged, and probably her daughter's name bedazzled across the front! 🤣💗
AND OF COURSE IT HAS TO BE CUTE!!!
Expert Advice Disclaimer: These are L&M Bling’s styling opinions based on experience. Pageant systems and individual competitions may have different rules and expectations. Always verify the requirements of the event you are attending.
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