I own a lot of pearls. Old ones, found ones, cheap ones, Grandma ones, short ones, long ones and broken ones. The pearl necklace specifically has long been associated with status and often even perceived as stuffy and pretentious. Images of Coco Chanel, Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s or Vermeer’s painting Girl with a Pearl Earring are classic interpretations of the pearl, burned into our memories. Whereas Madonna took pearls and demonstrated that the rules can be broken when styling with with these gems from the sea.
I am personally drawn to pearls because their versatility. They move a basic and casual outfit to feeling effortless, timeless and chic. Their clean, simple color and shape can support most patterns, fabrics or colors in your outfit. Also, you don’t have to spend a ton of money. I love how designers of all backgrounds and price points are incorporating the pearl in their designs. From accessories to shirts to shoes. You see the pearl everywhere now and I am so into it.
Here are a few tips on how to style these different lengths.
The Crossover. Weird, right? Yes, not maybe an everyday look but nothing is normal anymore so who cares, make weird everyday. This length would be considered rope. I took two inexpensive ones and literally crossed them over to create an X over my body. I love this over anything with or without a jacket or sweater over. These pearls can slide around so the trick is to safety pin them in the back where they meet. I also use these with more sturdy fabrics like denim or cotton, silk will make the pearls slip more. Here are a few places to buy this length. Pearl Oasis Etsy Etsy
Extra Credit. Try tacking these ladies to one shoulder so they diagonally hang like a sash. I added a broach to the opposite hip to lock them into place.
The Tie Up. Inspired by my old Jcrew pearls that have a ribbon sewn on the ends. I lost them years ago but I’ve dried my tears and now just take a thin grosgrain ribbon, preferably black, and tie them to one side. I like to make sure the ribbon hangs on the side vs the dead center. Here are are some non DIY ones. Mercai Postmark Poshmark Poshmark W Concept Lanvin Etsy Talbots Lele Sadoughi
The Disheveled. Yep, these are broken pearl necklaces, not sure what to tell you or how it happened but it did. They broke and I found a way to make them useable because I am a cheap M.F. and possibly a hoarder. This is a basic knot. I tied these broken ladies together in whatever way they were willing to go, I prefer this organic look. Some brands sell knotted pearls for you as I know my technique may not be for everyone. Here are some broken necklace lots and some self-knotted ones. Etsy Lot Etsy Lot Jet Couture Etsy Ebay Gilt W. Concept Lele Sadoughi
Extra Credit. Try taking your broken necklace and feeding it through the same button hole to add an interesting addition to your button down.
The Tried and True. This is the classic choker or princess length pearl necklace. Your grandmother wore it, Lady Di, Kamala. She is simple, elegant and a classy act on every level. Wear her alone or layer the same length over and over again. Wear with a t-shirt or under a collar, over a sweater or with a blazer. Whatever your pick she is sweet, sophisticated and easy. Here are two classics but from different worlds that find commonality and become friends. Bandana and pearl, a love story. Wrap the pearl necklace around the bandana before you tie it around your neck. I find it easier to then unwrap parts of the necklace that I want to hang down. Here are some classic pearls if you don’t have any already. Saks Net-a-Porter Georgian Jewelry The Pearl Girls 1st Dibs ShopBop Kiel James Patrick Pearl Lang Roxanne Assoulin
Extra Credit Yes, that is a pearl necklace around my dirty ponytail. This necklace is a scattered pearl, the thin metal gives space between each pearl so it gives the illusion that the pearls are floating. Here I used a standard hair tie and wrapped the necklace around that slowly without pulling the hair completely out. It’s silly but makes for a fun change in your pony-tail game. Here are some scattered pearl necklaces that can be used to layer with a more traditional necklace, wrap around your wrist or you can try what I did. Additionally included are some hair ties that have the pearls already attached. Shashi Hair Tie Farfetch Hair Tie Etsy Hair Tie Jane Hair Tie Kinky Cloth Etsy Etsy Eiffy Ross Simons Bloomingdales Jennifer Behr
The “Is That Supposed To Be A Belt?” Yes it is, thank you very much. These are more of those broken pearls that found their way to my hip. I know this strange contraption isn’t for everyone so here are some real belts adorned with pearls. Shopbop Lele Sadoughi Etsy Moschino Etsy Hush 1stDibs Free People Net-a-Porter Alessandra Rich Etsy Etsy Etsy Etsy TheRealReal
People are so creative! Love these additional jewels that show the pearl beautifully and in a non-traditional way.
Pearls that have successfully escaped the jewelry category and are making it big elsewhere. People are so clever.
As always send me all your Dirty Laundry to sarahsdirtylaundry@gmail.com
xSarah