Photo: Courtesy of DANNIJO

Bewildered by the big, chunky bracelets, earrings, and rings seen everywhere from Forever 21 to J.Crew? We asked the sister duo of Jodie and Danielle Snyder behind cult-favorite jewelry line, DANNIJO, how to pull off bold pieces (like their Bea necklace at left).

Their company started as a labor of love after Jodie's visit to Lwala, Kenya for an internship in 2006. She learned about the devastating rate of HIV infection among the villagers after one-third of them were tested by doctors at the nearest hospital--a four hour walk away. Determined to make a difference and build Lwala's first health facility, she co-founded a non-profit and named it after the community (L.W.A.L.A.) giving it the acronym "Live With a LIfe-long Ambition." To raise funds for the cause, Jodie and her sister designed a capsule jewelry collection--a passion they shared as children. The small line was so successful that their charity project quickly turned into big business, resulting in the creation of their attention-grabbing accessories label.



The DANNIJO guide for pulling off statement jewels:

1. Ease your way in. Start with a wide metal cuff--it makes a statement but isn't overwhelming, says Jodie and Danielle. Plus, it's easy to slip on and goes with everything. If a necklace is more your style, again, look for a neutral, all-metal design. They like versions that feature entangled chains or architectural pieces that are simple but graphic. "You'd be surprised how many 'simple pearls' women we've converted to the dark side!" they say.
   
2. Don't deck out every limb. "Though it works for some," says the duo, "You can end up looking like a hoarder gypsy." Instead, Jodie and Danielle love to wear different textures and sizes together—friendship bracelets with chain styles, studs, leather cuffs, and vintage finds—on ONE part of the body at a time. "It makes our arms look happy when we're working on the computer all day," they add.
   
3. Pair big accessories with casual clothes. When it comes to trickier pieces, like large bib-style necklaces, try their can-do-no-wrong ensemble: A t-shirt and jeans. It acts as a blank backdrop for more complicated jewelry. Too casual for your corporate office? Pair it with a plain blouse and neutral trousers instead.
   
4. Pay attention to necklines. Halters, plunging necklines, or over-the-shoulder-silhouettes compete with big necklaces. Opt for large earrings or an arm full of bracelets instead.
5. Stick to solids. While Jodie and Danielle say mixing statement pieces with patterned clothes makes for a bohemian vibe, plain shirts or dresses are more foolproof and keep the spotlight on your jewelry.
   

Check out their lower-priced line, DJ by DANNIJO, for HSN.

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