Happy Easter, ladies! I hope you had a wonderful weekend and get the opportunity to spend the time with the ones you love. For today's post, I'm updating a classic post: 5 pieces of essential classic jewelry.
Jewelry will last you a lifetime if chosen wisely. And fine jewelry is an investment that can be full of intrinsic memories. Many of my most treasured pieces were gifted by my parents or Mr. style.
Now it’s up to me to continue to update my jewelry collection and share my favorites with my daughter-in-law, Kelly, and future DILs.
Whether it’s costume jewelry or the real deal, there are five essential classic pieces of jewelry every woman should own. Today, I’m sharing my must-have list.
The Summary
I'm featuring 5 essential classic jewelry every woman should own
For each jewelry type, I've put together a shoppable widget featuring that jewelry at different price points
I've modeled each jewelry type and put together a similar, shoppable outfit
My top 10 pieces of jewelry for 2022 are at the end of the post, so don't miss them!
Essential Classic Jewelry
1. Pearl Necklace
This timeless classic necklace is the perfect gift for a cherished family member. Every time I pull out my string of pearls, I think of my parents who gifted me my first pearl necklace.
Pearls go perfectly with a little black dress as their white iridescent luster bounces off the black for a simple, elegant look.
Don’t be afraid to add faux pearls to your collection per Jackie Kennedy. Long strands of faux pearls look fantastic layered a la Coco Chanel.
Shop pearl necklaces
Similar outfit
Shop the Board
2. Diamond Tennis or Gold Bracelet
We have Chris Evert to thank for the name of this iconic bracelet. Can you believe she lost her diamond bracelet during a match at the US Open? Play was halted until Chrissy found her precious gems. Afterward, we all rushed out to buy a replica, and the must-have tennis bracelet was born.
The simple design is what makes it a classic, with its symmetrical line of diamonds sitting neatly in a row. There are many different sizes when it comes to a tennis bracelet, so there’s definitely one that’s in your budget.
I like to keep one real diamond bracelet and one faux in my lineup. As a matter of fact, I always travel with costume jewelry for a hassle-free trip.
There’s never a worry if I lose a bracelet or earrings, or in the rare case, it’s stolen.
A gold bracelet is an easy-to-wear classic that looks chic paired with jeans or a dress. Stack them to your heart’s content or wear them one at a time. Choose a bangle or link bracelet for a go-anywhere classic.
Shop Diamond Tennis and Gold Bracelets
Shop the outfit
3. Classic Watch
There are many beautiful timepieces that could be added to your jewelry box. But the granddaddy of them all is the classic tank watch from Cartier. It’s always been on my must-have list.
Mr. Style was a watch aficionado and could rattle off random facts about any and every watch known to mankind. As a matter of fact, all of my classic timepieces (and many of my handbags) were gifted by him. In his eyes, a watch was the ultimate everyday accessory.
Round dials are universally flattering, but I love squares and rectangles too.
I know, I know many of us keep time these days with our phones, but a classic watch is a finishing touch that completes your outfit.
These days technology has been integrated into timepieces. I have to admit I love my Apple watch with interchangeable straps that complement any ensemble.
Shop watches
Similar Outfit
Shop the outfit
4. Gold Necklace
When it comes to gold chain necklaces, there’s something to suit every style and budget.
Delicate gold chains have been trending for the past few years. Layer two or three over your white tee.
But I love a chunky statement necklace that grabs all the attention. When paired with the right outfit a statement necklace is guaranteed to turn heads.
Shop gold necklaces
Similar Outfit
Shop the outfit
5. Pearl or Diamond Studs
Pearl studs are the perfect earrings to wear no matter if you are sixteen or sixty. What I love most about pearl studs is that they can go to school, work, or an evening out and still look fabulous.
Pearls are gemstones that can be dressed up or down with ease. In my humble opinion, pearl studs are the go with anything go everywhere earring.
Not everyone is as ga-ga over pearls as I am. But we all know diamonds are a girl’s best friend.
Honestly, who doesn’t love diamonds? Especially diamond studs that are simple and chic. If you love an understated yet elegant look, the sparkle from a pair of diamond studs is a perfect choice.
Shop pearl and diamond studs
Shop the outfit
The Jewelry
1.
Fluted Pearl Stud Earrings
(LAGOS)
2.
Multistrand Pearl Necklace
(J.Crew Factory)
3.
Mixed-Cut Cubic Zirconia Tennis Bracelet
(Fantasia by DeSerio)
4.
Smart Caviar 38mm Apple Watch Bracelet
(LAGOS)
5.
Oval-Link Chain Necklace
(Ben-Amun)
6.
Asscher-Cut Cubic Zirconia Stud Earrings
(Fantasia by DeSerio)
7.
Baroque Pearl Necklace
(Lulu Frost)
8.
Cassis Statement Hinge Bangle
(Julie Voss)
9.
Deco Sport Two-Tone Watch
(MICHELE)
10.
Fleur-de-Lis Solitaire Necklace
(Julie Vos)
In Case You Missed It
That's a wrap on my essential classic jewelry picks. Yesterday, Kelly put together her favorite brunch recipes. Click the title or image below to read the article.
Our first entry into our Essential Series this month is 5 timeless fashion essentials you need in your closet, including the essential Spring raincoat (’cause it’s almost that time of year). They are:
- trench coat;
- classic satchel;
- gold hoops;
- tweed blazer; and
- cap-toe pump.
This post continues the Essential Series we began in January:
- essential tops;
- essential bottoms; and
- essential jackets;
- essential accessories that every woman should have in their closet.
One of the goals of this series is to help you build a classic and timeless wardrobe that you can “shop” for years to come. So for each essential item today, I put together a widget of shoppable items. I’ve also gone back into the archives and found different ways you can style each item.
5 timeless fashion essentials
The trench coat has made many appearances on the blog over the years. To my mind, it is the essential Spring & Fall raincoat. Did you know that during WWI British Officers wore trench coats that had been modified with shoulder straps and D-rings? the ring was included so that map cases, swords, or other equipment could easily attach to the belt. (After all, necessity is the mother of invention.)
Burberry reigns supreme when it comes to a khaki trench, but other retailers like J.Crew have them at lower price points. I’ve put together a shopping widget below for a variety of different options.
Essential Spring raincoats: Trench Coat
Style tip: If you already have a khaki trench, but want to add another, consider something more exotic like animal print.
Shop trench coats (widget below)
Shop trench coats (widget below)
Satchel Handbag
We ran a list of essential accessories back in January. Handbags were featured there heavily. If I had to pick one and only one handbag I would carry with me, it would be the satchel handbag. Yup, even above a crossbody or clutch. What I love most about the satchel is its versatility. Style them up, or style them down—satchels can work for you in just about any situation.
Style tip: Pick one time in your outfit to match your bag to create a perfect synergy between your accessories and that outfit.
Shop handbags (widget below)
Shop handbags (widget below)
Gold Hoops
Jewelry is the most personal part of any woman’s closet. From heirloom pieces to costume jewelry, choices reflect highly specific and often memorable points in our life. It truly is difficult to recommend jewelry for other women to buy.
But if you backed me into a corner, I would say that every woman should own a pair of gold hoops. If you were to scroll through my past posts, I’m willing to bet that I’ve featured gold hoops more than any other piece of jewelry. I get that much use out of mine.
Style tip: Pair gold hoops with gold bangles to create a subtle, easily reinforceable theme for your outfit.
Shop gold hoops (widget below)
Shop gold hoops (widget below)
Tweed Blazer
Just like trench coats, blazers are a regular fixture over here at Style at a Certain Age. Tweed blazers are such easy transition pieces from Winter-to-Spring or Fall-To-Winter, they can be reused often. And given that they can be dressed up or down, you’ll have no trouble finding new ways to wear them.
Style tip: Pair a tweed blazer with denim, because it works every time.
Shop tweed jacket (widget below)
Shop tweed jacket (widget below)
Cap-Toe Slingback
The cap-toe slingback might not need any introduction due to its iconic status. Coco Chanel introduced this beauty in 1957 and nicknamed it “the height of elegance.” This shoe ticks all the classic boxes and is a cult favorite due to its neutral color scheme – black toe and nude body. The heel is not too high nor too low and looks fantastic with skirts, dresses, pants or blue jeans.
Today, we’re introducing “Real vs. Steal.” Who doesn’t love a bargain?
Walmart carries the Easy Spirit cap-toe pump that’s easy on your budget. Hands down the best dupe are the Exclusive Baton Heel available at TuckerNuck that looks almost identical to the Chanel slingback. Karen White pointy toe slingback is elegant and sophisticated thanks to a v-shape opening. And the Vaneli Aliz slingback is a perennial favorite available at Nordstrom.
Style tip: this shoe is as practical as it is beautiful because the nude color lengthens the leg while the black toe shortens the foot.
Shop cap-toe slingbacks (widget below)
Daily Looks
We just posted a new DAILY LOOK, so make sure to check it out. Daily Looks is a really simple feature: a dedicated photo feed of my daily outfits. And you can shop those outfits easily through the shop the widget below the picture.
In case you missed it
Winter is still here for a little while, but here’s a comfy sweater to beat the cold.
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