As the world’s oldest gemstone, the pearl has a long-standing history of being a symbol of wealth, class, and luxury. While it can be traced all the way back to 420 B.C., many of our first memories of pearls are from iconic images of Coco Chanel, Grace Kelly, and Audrey Hepburn.
Perfectly polished, elegant, and for decades, the most notorious staple in the classic minimalist’s wardrobe. It wasn’t until 2013 when Alber Elbaz of French luxury house Lanvin, took a risk and reimagined the stone with ribbons, stacks, and chains, that the world began to view the gemstone in a different way. The use of imitation pearls gave designers the opportunity to play with mixing and layering different materials. No longer limited to a single strand of daintiness, pearls could now be oversized, colourful, and re-shaped. The newfound versatility of the stone made it more accessible, more appealing and for the first time, trendy.
Since then, pearls have remained at the forefront of fashion with designers continuously finding exciting ways to modernize and refresh its image.
Named (once again) as one of Harper’s Bazaar SS20’s hottest trends, these are a few of our favourite ways to add a pop (or pops) of the pearl into your wardrobe.
1. Sleek and chic
If simplicity and clean lines are your jewelry preference, opt for a pearl accessory in a classic shape. Teardrop earrings, mid-sized hoops, or initial necklaces with hints of pearl, are a subtle way of adding in the gemstone while remaining timeless.
2. Chain chain chain
Eyewear chains made their transition from a functional accessory to a fashionable one back in 2018. The widespread popularity of the trend has led to a more diverse range of styles to choose from. Many of which include the pearl. A solid full strand offers a bolder look but if you prefer something more delicate, go for one that breaks it up with a lustre chain.
3. Child’s play
Colour is everywhere for Spring/Summer 2020. The mixing of beads, pearls, and charms is reminiscent of the jewelry that you used to make at summer camp or at your kitchen table. Modern pieces may be a bit more polished and deliberate but they still very much have the playfulness of the friendship necklaces you wore as a child.
4. It’s in the Bag
If you don’t want to wear the pearl trend, you are more than welcome to carry it. Designers are using the gemstone to dress up woven totes and add an extra element of chic to hand-beaded bags. Day or night, a pearl-embellished bag has the ability to elevate any outfit.
5. Street styling
Such as any trend, the piece itself matters only as much as how you choose to style it. Like silver and gold, pearls are considered neutral, making them perfect for any styling experiment. So be adventurous and have fun with it. For an unexpected pairing try matching a traditional double strand with a tie-dye shirt, like Gigi Hadid below. Or you can try swapping out your go-to chains for an oversized, chunky layered choker and match it with a graphic T-shirt and vintage, oversized blazer. Whatever your style or budget, there is a pearl accessory out there for you.
Kristen Vizzari is a freelance writer and resident fashion and lifestyle contributor for STYLE Canada. She works as a private events coordinator and has been in the hospitality and customer service industry for more than twenty years. In her spare time, she enjoys travelling, running, wine tasting, and vintage shopping. Keep up with her new projects and daily adventures on Instagram.