Is there anything more classic than a short, single-strand pearl necklace? We’re talking about the kind that reminds us of Coco Chanel and Jackie O. The necklace that Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy favored, and our mothers wore everywhere in the ’80s and ’90s. Whether you’ve inherited one or recently bought the accessory for yourself, the pearl necklace has always been associated with an elegant look.
And while that’s still true, we were surprised to see a reinvention of sorts popping up in street style and among other fashion insiders. Every generation likes to have their own take on a look, and jewelry trends are no different.
In years past the pearl necklace has been worn as the only accessory for a minimalist dress with a wide neckline or stacked with other jewelry for a maximalist, more-is-more look. Now the way to style a pearl necklace seems to fall a little in the middle: simple and elegant, with a casual twist. It proves that a small adjustment can give even the stuffiest item in your jewelry box a new life.
This fall and winter, stylists and street style stars have been taking a half-in, half-out approach to their pearl necklaces, artfully styling the accessory so that it drapes just so with the collar or neckline of whatever top they’re wearing.
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The stylists at Mango get it, if these recent look book images are anything to go by:
Courtesy of Mango
Courtesy of Mango
We’ve also seen this approach on the streets of Paris, New York City, and Copenhagen as well as on the Miu Miu runway.
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