Sales Strategy
How To Help Your Clients Build A Capsule Jewelry Wardrobe | January 19, 2022 (0 comments)
Merrick, NY—These days, just about everyone is trying to declutter. Multiple books, TV shows, and social media groups are dedicated to it, such as Marie Kondo’s renowned Japanese Kon-Mari method, where you only keep the things that spark joy in your life. The Facebook group called 40 Bags in 40 Days grew out of an annual Lenten challenge to clear out a bag of clutter a day for the period between Ash Wednesday and Easter every year.
Coupled with a steadily growing consumer concern for sustainability, it’s not surprising that people are focusing on paring down their possessions and their wardrobes to a “capsule,” or a limited collection of items that offer versatility and timeless style and can be worn over and over but still look exactly right. Besides sustainability, it also just makes getting dressed a lot easier.
There are multiple iterations of a capsule clothing wardrobe (although it’s just about guaranteed all of them will contain some kind of white shirt, dark blazer, and blue jeans), but there are, I think, fewer examples of a capsule jewelry wardrobe. Over more than three decades of tracking jewelry style trends, I can vouch that the list of jewelry wardrobe essentials hasn't changed all that much over the years. A tweak here and there--and the basic strand of white pearls is no longer on it--but the basics have stayed pretty consistent.
Popular fashion website Who What Wear just released its 2022 Jewelry Capsule Wardrobe of eight jewelry pieces women will wear every day. Being, as I said, a 36-year veteran of the jewelry trade press and a former fashion editor, my kudos to author Allyson Payer. She nailed it.
How did she nail it? With classic pieces that flatter everyone and that almost every woman will like. She found the core pieces but makes them look entirely fresh. Instead of pearl strands, there are diamond necklaces and pearl earrings. There's the just-right hoop and a classic bracelet watch. Only one of her picks is a trendy whimsical piece, but that’s ok. In fact, it’s more than ok, it’s important. Adding a whimsical piece here and there—be it clothing or jewelry or shoes--brings a classic wardrobe up to date in a flash, and distinctive design always looks right.
In addition to the basic pearl strand, a former must-have that didn't make Payer's list--for now--are button earrings. But if trends from TheRealReal's most recent consignment report hold, don't be surprised if they're back on the list next year. In clip version, even!
The eight pieces Who What Wear recommends for a jewelry capsule wardrobe are: a curb chain bracelet, sparkly studs, an initial necklace, simple hoop earrings, dangly pearl earrings, a bracelet watch, a colorful ring, and a tennis necklace. WWW offers iterations in both fine and fashion materials to suit all budgets, but here’s where a discussion of sustainability is a good sales strategy: buy it once and wear it for life. Classics are classic for a reason; they don’t go out of style. It’s worth the investment to purchase fine jewelry—better for the wearer and better for the environment.
Here are some more ideas:
Top image: Diamond tennis necklace available from 5.6 to 16.22 ctw; GN Diamond.
Diamond studs, David Weisz:
WWW author Allyson Payer likes a curb chain bracelet, but really, any classic chain style will work as long as it’s comfortable to wear all day. Tresor stretch bracelet in 18k rose gold, Hulchi Belluni:
Anastasia ring with blue topaz and abalone in 14k gold, Bellarri:
Simple gold hoops don’t have to be boring. Elite Designs:
Sidney watch with 18k gold and diamond accents, Michele:
Pearl drop earrings from Tara, left, and Mastoloni:
Diamond initial necklaces in white, yellow, or rose gold (all letters available), KC Designs:
