Another way to become a fashion authority is to suggest looks. Start to collect pictures from fashion magazines with the latest wearable looks. Keep a scrapbook for yourself and/or for your customers which shows what is hot on the runways. Then look at your jewelry and pair them with some of the outfits. Literally, take the magazine photographs and place one or two pieces of your jewelry on top of them to show a complete “look”, as if you were actually accessorizing the models behind the scenes.

When your customers come to you to buy something, show them what is in fashion – and see if you can suggest an outfit for them to wear. You don’t have to suggest they go out and spend thousands of dollars on high-fashion couture. The secret to being truly in style is not about how much money you spend. It is about how you can adapt the looks and make them work for you.

With a little research, your customers can find fabulous, trendy clothes at a fraction of the price and look like a million dollars. Find out the best places in your area, such as the neighborhood vintage clothing stores, and keep a list handy, so you can give them out to your customers. Ask them to actually bring in a couple of their own outfits to your store that they were thinking of wearing.

Suggest new ways of putting them together, if necessary; for instance a pair of wide-leg trousers (very hot right now!) with a tank top and multiple over-sized bracelets. Pair outfits up with your own jewelry.

You will eventually become a source of information and style for your customers which cannot help but result in increased sales. They will look to you for fashion inspiration and authority – again building a stronger relationship with that customer going forward.