My friends Pam and Joani and I are a study in body scale –Pam’s scale being much more grand and imposing, Joani’s scale  much more delicate and diminutive, mine somewhere in the middle. 

(By the way, I was so displeased with both of these photos of myself that I've taken off 15 pounds since then.  If you need to do the same I'll be happy to share what worked for me Just shoot me an email NancyNRice@hotmail.com.  No sales pitch involved.)

But back to body scale.  With or without that 15 pounds, I’d look silly in Pam’s bold accessories or Joani’s smaller ones … and either of them would look equally out of proportion wearing mine.

The idea is to keep all your accessory choices and style details about as substantial or delicate as your own body build.  If you are unsure of your own body scale, your panty hose size is a good clue.  Check the height/weight size chart on the back of the package.  If you are an “A” or even smaller, your scale is in the Petite range,  if you’re a “B” or “C” your scale is more Average, if you’re a “D” or “Q” your scale is more Grand.

But wait a minute … physical dimensions aren’t the only determinant of scale. 

• Soft coloring gives a more delicate look and can invite a woman to “scale down” to smaller fashion details than her body size would indicate.  And high-contrast coloring (pale skin, dark hair) could cause another woman to “scale up” slightly.
• Delicate bone structure – even on a taller gal – might call for scaling down; a sturdy, athletic build might cause even a smaller woman to scale up.
• A quite personality? Scale down.  Bold and outspoken?  Scale up.

Joani is a career woman, so her need for visual presence compels her to just slightly upscale her accessories from the tiny sizes that her physical dimensions suggest.

My high-contrast coloring would allow me to scale up a bit too, but my conservative, classic taste counterbalances that, so my scale stays solidly Average.

Pam's mid-range coloring doesn't impact her scale, but her personality is definitely bold and outspoken, so she typically chooses accessories that are even a bit larger than her proportions alone would indicate. 

The 3 purple necklaces below represent appropriate scale for Joani (left), for me (center) and for Pam (right).

Sneaky Trick:  If you own jewelry pieces that are too insignificant for your body scale, try layering two or three together for a more balanced statement, like we did with the pearl necklaces below:

Your personal taste may also be more conservative or more bold. The same necklace that makes a conservative statement on Pam would look bold on me and overwhelming on Joni.  Use your physiology, coloring and personality to determine the right scale for you. 

Body scale isn't just about jewelry.  Stick close to your own scale level to choose the size and visual weight of your handbags, shoes, lapels, pockets, print motifs and other accessories and style details. The shoes below (courtesy of Zappos.com) further illustrate good scale for Joani, me and Pam: