You can think of your jewelry wardrobe as either part of your signature style or a bit of fashion fun. Whether from purchases or gifts, every woman has some of both. If you want to develop a no-fail jewelry style that works with your curves, here’s what you need to know. Here's how:

   1. Signature Style: The key here is you. Think of these as the personally significant pieces you wear daily. Without signature jewelry you feel a bit naked, like part of you is missing. Your wedding ring would make this list, so would the locket your grandmother gave you that is nearly always around your neck.

      Most curvy style icons have signature rings, earrings or bracelets. While these don’t need to be super-expensive, you want them to last.

   2. Fashion Fun: Usually these are pieces that follow a trend or are just perfect right now. Since fashion jewelry can be inexpensive (or not) you can also use it to experiment with your signature style.

      The key here is to retire trends when they’re done. Too often we forget and this jewelry becomes an unconscious signature. Most fashion jewelry has a time and a place. Look to your favorite stores and magazines to find out whether your fashion jewelry is “in” or “out.”

   3. Important Jewelry: This is the good stuff: maybe your signature style or maybe the heirloom you save for special occasions. These pieces come to us in one of two ways.
          * A cherished gift from a loved one that demonstrates something meaningful to us.
          * A substantial gift we give ourselves, an investment we know will be worn as an integral part of our look.

   4. Scale and Proportion: As with every part of your wardrobe, consider both scale and proportion when you're getting dressed. Sometimes a large statement piece on a subdued classic outfit creates a knockout combination. The idea is that your jewelry is bold in relation to your outfit.

      There is, however, no rule that says you can't wear petite, classic, refined pieces. Whenever you hear that, please remember it's nonsense. Jewelry can be larger on a larger woman, it doesn't have to be!

   5.   Require Great Fit: Here's your diva moment girls. No matter where you shop, require the jewelry you wear fits you perfectly. You have the right to be comfortable and in control of your look. If you need a different size or an extender, don't apologize, just ask.

A couple tips to help you along the way:

    * Don't be afraid to mix it up! Style is personal. Try combining the heirloom your grandmother gave you with a $2 thrift store find. There's no need to spend a fortune on style.
    * Consider your lifestyle. The best signatures are guided by a refined combination of what you love and how you live.
    * Ignore experts, they're usually selling something. The most recent warning for plus-sized women came from an "expert" who said we can't wear dinky (he meant small and tasteful) pieces. Of course he was selling mammoth necklaces for a major retailer which I imagine were designed to go around our mammoth necks. Sheesh!
    * Go slow. You don't need to to this overnight. And have fun!