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Half of All “Classic Must-Have Accessories” Are Jewelry | May 03, 2017 (0 comments)
New York, NY—Fashion editors love making lists. Every season presents a new opportunity to create a list of ‘must buy’ items for fashionistas to retain their status as style barometers. Even if it isn't a new season, fashion editors will find a reason to create a list, such as the perennial lists of the Top 10 (or 20, 30, 50, etc.) wardrobe items every woman should own. Jeans, a white shirt, a black blazer, a pencil skirt and the like are what usually top those lists.
About.com’s latest list is Ten Classic Accessories That Will Never Go Out Of Style. (All About.com images, Getty Images). Gratifyingly, half the items on the list are jewelry: pearls (left, from About.com), diamond studs, a classic watch, hoop earrings, and a gold or silver station necklace. (The remainder, FYI, are nude pumps, silk scarf, beret, leather gloves, and satchel handbag. IMO, the bag, scarf, and shoes are keepers but the beret is debatable and the leather gloves climate-dependent.)
8-9 mm multicolored Tahitian pearls and 18kt white gold links encrusted with 3.76 ctw white diamonds. White South Sea pearls with 18k yellow gold. Both, Mastoloni.
A classic strand of pearls doesn’t necessarily have to be the standard white preppy fare. While those are, of course, classic for a reason, there are other options that also stand the test of time and always look elegant. A mix of gold and pearl or a multicolored strand like these from Mastoloni modernizes the preppy classic or, below, a single pearl on a pendant, like this one from Tara, is a good option for a younger woman, a casual style, or a limited budget.
Tara’s 8-9 mm white South Sea pearl pendant necklace in 14k gold adjusts from 15 to 18 inches; $ 537.
Diamond studs can be classic round whites, or not so much. They can be a fancy yellow pair, smalls sprinkled throughout yellow gold studs or, for the subversive goth gal, oxidized gold or silver with white or black diamonds. Below, from left: studs from Norman Silverman, Harry Kotlar, and two from Arman Sarkisyan.
Hoop earrings have been in style since Cleopatra wore them. For a twist, turn the hoop around to face front.
About.com image: Getty
Lisse triple diamond pavé (0.16 ctw) hoop earrings with simple diamond accents are 18k yellow gold with signature brushed finish; from Jude Frances and Crivelli medium hoop diamond earrings are blackened sterling silver and 18k yellow gold; 35mm across. Total diamond weight, 0.192 ct. $1,645. From the Old World Collection by Armenta. Front-facing gold hoops with 0.04 ctw diamond accents; $670. Meira T Designs.
The station necklace has reappeared in its various guises for decades ("Diamonds By The Yard;" the "Tin Cup," necklace, and so on).
About.com image: Getty
18-inch station necklace in 24k gold featuring 10 rose-cut amorphous Feldspa stones, on 22k chain with 18k lobster clasp. One-of-a kind; $4,950. From the Elements Collection by Gurhan.
Sterling silver mesh and black onyx 40” station necklace, rhodium finish. From the Jolie collection. Retail, $395. Charles Garnier.
Lika Behar’s oxidized sterling silver "Amanda" multi-chain station necklace has sterling silver “almonds” with a toggle clasp. Length, 33 to 37 inches.
Classic watches come in many shapes, metals and, of course, prices.
Women’s square Cass from Shinola is 28mm and comes in a variety of case colors and faces, or gets updated with a double-wrap strap. $650-$700.
Michele’s Sport Sail 18-diamond and stainless steel chronograph watch is 42 mm and water resistant to 5 ATM. $995.
26mm women’s Rolex Datejust 69000, two tone with black face and diamonds.