Pearls are very much a symbol of elegance. In fact, there are so many different women who have adorned a pearl necklace and radiated elegance: Coco Channel, Jackie Kennedy, Princess Diana, Elizabeth Taylor, and Audrey Hepburn. They have all set pretty good examples of how to wear a pearl necklace. However, it can be quite difficult to think of a piece of antique jewellery such as the pearl necklace, in a contemporary, trendy setting. Despite this, pearls are making a comeback! First, there were Mom Jeans, now I’m here to tell you, we have Grandmother Pearls. I’m going to share this emerging trend with you, to show you that pearls are for the here and now. There are a few things to consider when considering how to wear a pearl necklace: the length, size shape, and colour of the pearl. So let’s talk through these considerations.
Pearl Length
There are actually many different lengths of this type of necklace and I would go as far as to say that there isn’t a bad length you can choose. The key is to fit it into your outfit. A choker or collar looks great with most outfits, but especially low necklines or a strappy top or dress. A princess necklace length, around 16-20 inches in length is probably the most versatile to wear. They work well with low or high necklines. A matinee pearl necklace is around 22-24 inches and is on the line between casual and formal. This is the perfect pearl necklace for work and will look good with a suit or dress.
An opera pearl necklace is typically 30 inches and is for a more dramatic look, and is definitely a deep dive into pearls. The opera pearl necklace is perfect for a fancy event. However, if you do want to wear it in a more casual setting then there is always the option to layer up to shorten the length of the necklace.
Pearl Size and Shape
Another element to consider is the size and shape of the pearl. It is, after all, another way you can alter your look with this type of necklace. A pearl necklace that incorporates graduated pearl sizes is often a thing of great beauty! Part of the appeal of a graduated pearl necklace is that the pearls have been carefully cultivated for their graduating size. How about an oversized pearl? They are perfect for complimenting a show-stopping, statement outfit. A necklace that incorporates an oversized pearl usually features one singular oversized pearl, perhaps in a drop pendant form. It is truly a stunning piece!
Something that should definitely be considered is that not all pearls are spherical. In fact, some are asymmetric, ovoid, and very much ‘natural’ in shape. It is this natural shape that really hearkens back to their creation in the sea and makes them a beautiful option as part of a pearl necklace.
Pearl Colour
When we think of pearls we often think of a creamy white colour, but actually pearls come in a variety of different colours: including black, pinks, and gold. For those of us with warmer skin tones, pearls that have yellow, champagne, and gold hue are good choices. For those of us with cooler skin tones then grey, white, metallic, and blue lustres are good choices of pearl for you.
How do we feel now? So, how do we now feel about our grandmother’s pearls? I hope you been totally convinced that the home of the pearl necklace is firmly in the present. It is because of the great diversity of the necklace that makes it such a great item of jewellery. I for one am a convert!
