In the Spotlight
There will be occasions, in many women’s lives, when they will officially be the center of attention. The various observations just made apply all the more strongly then.
One may be summoned for an appearance on television, or as the speaker at a gathering or meeting. Or one may, indeed, be in a profession that calls for frequent public performance, as on the concert stage. I do not speak of acting, or of singing in opera, for in such situations the part naturally determines the costume.
A violinist, obviously, should wear no earclips or ring or shoulder piece. A hair jewel is appropriate, and perhaps a touch of jewelry at the waist. A pianist likewise should wear no adornment on hand or arm—a bracelet, moving and gleaming as the fingers flit along the keys, would be most distracting. In this case a diamond earclip would be appropriate, or perhaps a jeweled pin in the hair on the side toward the audience. The essential, for such performers, is to avoid distracting jewels.
For a speaker at a meeting, or on television with the world watching, the general principle of suiting the adornment to the personality holds. Neither a singer nor a speaker, of course, should use pendants, which by movement with the motion of the head would attract undue attention.
With a low-cut gown, the necklace should not be a choker (which might seem to move as one speaks) but a loose band, following the line of the dress. It might be safer, indeed, to avoid the necklace. Instead, with a V-neck dress, one large clip or pin will sufficiently hold the eye. With a square-neck dress, a pair of smaller clips, one at each corner, will be unobtrusively attractive.
The cornerstone in the etiquette of jewels, whether one is the center of all eyes or one of a party, remains erect on three values: good taste, harmony, and beauty.