The Perfect Jewelry Wardrobe

Building on last week’s post, where we talked about the value of jewelry (I loved reading everyone’s comments and emails…!! Thank you!) I wanted to write down my own thoughts on what a perfect “jewelry wardrobe” would look like, if one were aiming to keep things (slightly) more minimal.

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Everyday pendant necklace. I used to wear a simple pendant necklace all the time, and then decided I wanted to give my longer statement necklaces some air time. After having children, I’m back to these simple pendants and I believe will be for the near future. I love something simple, chic, and that will match with a variety of outfits, necklines, and colors…and which also won’t be harmed by sticky fingers, or get caught on something when I bend over (I know someone who broke their long Van Cleef necklace this way – she bent over and the necklace caught on a chair and she stood back up quickly, and it ripped. Ahh!). My favorite candidate is this topaz pendant from Pomellato. So elegant.

Simple and elegant watch. If you’re one of those people who only use their phone, you can pass on this one, but I think almost everyone could do with an elegant watch in their wardrobe. I’d pick one with a metal strap for durability, elegant enough to wear at night but not too precious that you couldn’t wear it in the day. Cartier Ballon Bleu is a great example of this. Here’s Kate Middleton with hers (she has the 28cm size, I believe). For a less expensive version, I like a lot of the Larson & Jennings designs.

You could try two tone so that it will always match with jewelry. I wore a two tone watch for many years and it was so easy.

Longer statement necklace: Van Cleef 20 motif Alhambra is what comes immediately to mind when I think of this. Still one of the best options that will always make you feel good when you wear it. The problem, of course, is the price tag. You can also check out this lariat version from Lana Jewelry for a fraction of the cost. The little discs means that it will reflect light beautifully and it’ll look great with a variety of necklines.

The long black necklace I’m wearing in the first photograph by the way, is the same as the large malachite pendant the model is wearing above – this is a great option from Van Cleef, you can wear it long for that statement look, or double up the chain to make it more of a pendant. I highly recommend this piece!

Everyday earrings: Same rules which apply to the everyday pendant necklace – easy to wear, match with everything, unobtrusive, impervious to foreign substances carried by children. I like simple and smaller diamond studs for this, although lately I’ve been eyeing the gorgeous pair from Marco Bicego, above. They reflect light beautifully.

Statement earrings: I typically don’t buy costume jewelry but for statement earrings I think costume is great place to spend your money, if only because real precious metals + diamonds can definitely add up when the earrings are bigger and bolder. I love this Oscar de la Renta pair (check out the brand in general for beautiful costume), and the impact they make is huge. Can you imagine these earrings with just a simple little black dress?

If you want to buy fine jewelry, I don’t think anyone can go wrong with a pair of pave diamond stud earrings, which can work for a ton of occasions.

Simple bracelet: Something you can wear everyday, that doesn’t get in the way and matches with a variety of outfits. The most common example I see of this is the Cartier Love, which has earned its popularity by being so incredibly versatile. Another great option are the Tiffany infinity bangles – the price at $2,200 is much more friendly than Cartier as well.

Everyday ring: An engagement ring could totally count for this one and you could be done. I like a simple easy to wear ring…I love rings in general, honestly. One of my favorites remains the Cartier Trinity, which comes in a ton of different sizes, widths and iterations and is comfortable on the fingers. I also love that it incorporates yellow, rose and white gold in one piece…makes it easy to match jewelry!

Those seven items compromise what I would consider to be an ideal, more minimalist jewelry wardrobe. Now of course, it’s always fun to have more, so if you have a few more places in your wardrobe, I’d also consider adding as nice to haves:

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Other items from the initial list above, but in other metal colors. So if you have a silver tone pair of earrings, then a pair of yellow gold ones. A rose gold pendant necklace? Then a white gold one…and so on. You could easily go on forever here.

Statement ring: Remember when I said I love rings? I really do, all sorts. I love a gorgeous statement ring – some of my favorite dream pieces are the between the fingers by Van Cleef, but I’ve also recently fallen in love with the Boucheron animal collection.

Alternate watch: If you already have a simple everyday watch with a leather band, you can get something fun. A sporty model, one with a leather strap, something a bit blingy for the evening….anything. I’m one of those people who love watches.

What would be your ideal jewelry wardrobe? Approximately how many pieces would it be?