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These Two Items Are Going To Be Hot This Season | March 02, 2022 (0 comments)
Merrick, NY—One of the problems with In/Out lists is that fashion editors are so far ahead of the trends that by the time everyone else catches on, they’ve long moved on to the next big thing. Image: A bold gold link necklace and bracelet from Antonio Papini.
For example, Who What Wear’s latest spring fashion report says the shoulder baguette bag—the Sex and the City icon from Fendi that made a resurgence with the show’s reboot last fall—is already passé, even though IRL women have barely begun dusting their old ones off. Instead, they’re being replaced by hobo bags (which, as I recall, were already in anyway, so is that a fair comparison?)
Vintage Fendi Baguette bag, above. Image, 1stDibs. Below, the new version is a little more structured and comes with a second strap to convert into a crossbody. Image, Fendi.
But in an article titled “I Asked 7 Fashion Insiders What Accessories They're Over—They Said These,” Who What Wear author Eliza Huber found out what key jewelry and watch trends are on fashion folks’ minds.
Out, at least in theory, are simple chain necklaces, while layers of chunky statement necklaces are in. That’s what InStyle’s Tara González told Huber.
"I was never really into minimalism, and I feel like simple, dainty gold necklaces are very 2010 now. Instead, I much prefer a huge, chunky statement necklace with big charms, ideally layered with another chunky necklace on top. They instantly make me feel more like myself and can easily make even the most simple look feel so much more exciting," González writes.
She’s got a point: we have seen multiple forecasts highlighting heavier chains, just like Natural Diamond Council pegged last year. And there’s no doubt that a statement necklace, well, makes a statement.
But before you go full-on Cleopatra, González is talking about a much softer statement; one that can be accomplished very well with a simple pearl necklace, a paperclip necklace, or even (gasp!) an Eighties-style S chain. And there’s always a classic diamond rivière necklace, too: who would ever turn that down?
Above: Woven gold and diamond necklace, Elite Designs. Below, gold and diamond paper-clip link bracelet from Brevani.
But don’t rule out simple, more delicate necklaces, either: like skinny jeans and white shirts, they’re classics. Don’t be afraid to keep them in stock. Be more afraid not to.
Necklace from Doves' Fibonacci collection.
Meanwhile, Ana Escalante, editorial assistant at Glamour magazine, has her eye on vintage watches.
"Recently, I've been getting into vintage-looking watches. Thanks to my dad's collection, which he's been building since his first job, I've been on a watch kick over the last few months. Buying secondhand (or snooping through your parents' jewelry drawers) is always an amazing option. There's nothing more effortlessly cool than a watch that's been passed down," she told Who What Wear.
We know vintage watches are hot. We’ve been talking about them for months years. Aside from being unique, they’re also how jewelers who are locked out of certain brands can still offer them. And I can personally vouch for the value of vintage parental watches as both fashionable and meaningful to wear. It's definitely an area jewelers can use to target more female watch buyers and fashion lovers, especially if they have a watchmaker in store who can service those beloved parental watches.
Vintage Omega Seamaster De Ville in 18k gold. Image, eBay.
Finally, Laura Reilly, founder and editor of Magasin, touted a really new idea: over-boot anklets.
We addressed the return of the ankle chain in The Centurion not that long ago, as part of the Y2K Redux fashion trend. (Yes, everything 2000 is now more than 20 years old, and therefore new again.) But Reilly says adding an ankle bracelet over a tight, knee-high boot is a super-strong style statement for the customer that wants to be totally unique. She’s got a point there.
She shows a turquoise and 14k gold version and a silver mariner chain, among others. Not a big stretch for jewelers: an anklet is just two or three inches longer than a standard 7” bracelet (maybe a tad bigger for over-boot wear). Likewise, chop an 18” necklace into two; all the better if you can find a way to make it adjustable so the piece doesn’t fall into obscurity with the next in/out list.