Is jewelry dated? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Is jewelry dated?

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Something Angie said has got me thinking about jewelry. In my outfit post with my orange skirt and purple jacket (http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ge-oxfords) Angie had suggested leaving off the necklace would be more modern. I had waffled about wearing the necklace and did feel the outfit had a cleaner vibe without it and very much agreed with Angie.

So this has me wondering - is wearing a necklace a dated style? On the other hand of course, the bubble necklace fad seems to have taken off and they are everywhere.

Would love to hear your thoughts on this.

Dressing

25 replies

Latest reply was from

Kristin L

Veteran

Oh goodness. I hope wearing jewelry isn't dated! I feel awkward if I'm not wearing a necklace when I walk out the door. I have a thing for necklaces.

I think it really depends on the outfit. I can see how leaving off the necklace with your outfit looks great. Your outfit had a lot going on (in a great way, naturally). In some outfits, like my blue one yesterday, I feel like if I had left the necklace off, it would have felt off. I would not have had the same feel. Does that make sense?

Mo

(website)

Veteran

No! Cuff bracelets, and arm candy in general is big. Trends just shift. We had the statement necklace for several seasons. I do see bib style metallic necklaces still with casual tees and tanks at sites like Karmaloop. http://www.karmaloop.com/produ.....ite/247464

JAileen

Veteran

I wonder if she meant That necklace for That outfit, not necklaces in general. I have found it hard not wearing a necklace with matching earrings. That necklace is pretty, but dainty. A bigger necklace making a powerful statement might have caused a different reaction.

Atlantia

Veteran

I agree with JAileen, I think Angie meant that particular outfit looked more modern without the necklace.

shiny

Veteran

I'm so glad you asked this! I have been wondering. Personally, I have been getting a bit tired of statement necklaces, though I still love my long strand of pearls when I need a pop of white. I thought it was just me... I started wearing less and less jewelry (this was before coming back to YLF). Then I I noticed that fashion mags were all talking about arm candy. I can't do arm candy. The petite factor. I look goofy in watches. Cuffs fall right off me. Etc, etc, insert my usual whine here. Then I came back to YLF and I have noticed Angie's very same comments. Which is cool, because it has given me permission to skip the jewelry entirely. And instead.......... I have been adding interesting belts and yes tucking. Because outfits still seem to need that extra something. So instead of necklace, or bracelets, for me, I'm going for belts.

And of course shoes... if shoes have a pattern and so does your bag (like your outfit) then you are all set. You're blinged enough?

Echo

Veteran

Different jewelry styles can become dated, but jewelry itself is not. Personally, while I definitely agree that there are outfits that are best-suited to no necklace, I am so tired of the overly bare celeb look we tend to see on the red carpet. It was new and different at first to wear nothing at the neck or to be entirely bare of jewelry, but the trend has run its course, IMO, and I'd like to see a little more individuality. But overall, it is easier to carry off large earrings or bangles than it is a necklace that tends to be front-and-center and often competes with the rest of an outfit, so I can see why one might leave it off of an everyday outfit. But with strapless red carpet styles? I like a piece of jewelry at the neck.

Anonymous

You know, I actually wear a small silver and cubic zirconia station necklace A LOT! Sometimes I don't take it off for days. Good question!

Scarlet

Veteran

I think that outfit in particular just had such great clean lines that one can enjoy the clean boldness better without the interruption of the necklace. I hadn't caught it the first time around--really striking.

Deborah

Veteran

I think it was just in terms of that outfit looking cleaner or more streamlined without the necklace. I think the more trendy type jewellery items do date. Statement necklaces, costume jewellery in styles everyone is wearing but generally your classic pieces don't date IMHO.

Anonymous

I don't see how classic vintage pieces from loved ones could ever be out of style, & if that ever happens, I think we should ignore the trend until it passes! I'm working on thinking about when to wear jewelry & when to leave it off, though, so thanks for posting, Shannon!

Megan

rachylou

Veteran

Hmm. I feel there IS something old fashioned about *jewelry* v. *accessories*, if u kno what I mean.

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

I personally have a love of vintage jewelry. I really think for this outfit, it just wasn't at all necessary.. the other pieces were strong and didn't need the competition.

moira

Veteran

I love jewelry. I always have. I always will.
I do agree that some tiny little thing on a chain can look dated and really does not add much to an outfit. It reminds me of what a child would wear.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

Perhaps it is more a matter that we are moving towards a more open attitude about jewellery similar to skirt lengths and fit. The statement piece was "in" for a while and now perhaps it is more of an anything goes and fashion trends aren't dictating the type or style of jewellery that one should wear. We have the freedom to choose whether to wear or not wear jewellery for the outfit or our bodies.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

This is a very good question, Shannon. There is a LOT of dated jewelry out there. I am vigorous when I clear out the jewelry boxes of my clients.

There is also a LOT of timeless jewelry. I have clients who wear the same fine jewelry pieces day in and day out and they are hip and modern. For example, client and good friend Phoebe wears a classic tennis bracelet every day. It's part of her style and matches her wedding ring. It never comes off because she loves bling. Client Bei-Jing wears huge diamond stud earrings that never come off either. She also loves bling

Client Meredith wears arty "conversational" necklaces every day - like a "teapot" pendant because she loves tea. Also part of her look. Not dated.

I have clients in their 60's and 70's who wear the best vintage costume jewelry I have ever seen. Not dated.

My late Mum and Granny only wore "bulky yet refined" real jewelry. Lots of gold and gems like emeralds, rubies, garnets and pearls. I have pieces of theirs from the '50s, '60's, 70's, 80's, and 90's. None of it looks dated to my eye. I wear it very occasionally.

Simple pearl and diamond pieces - never look dated.

As for *wearing* jewelry, I personally do not wear it 95% of the time because I have a minimal modern style. I want my hair, specs and clothes to make the statement, and not the jewelry. But it is not at all dated to wear jewelry that is either timeless or on trend.

Speaking of on trend, arm candy and rings are definitely more on trend than necklaces at the moment.

I hope that makes sense!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

So I'm curious, Angie, what jewelry styles *are* dated now? For example, strands of beads for necklaces seem passé at the moment, but I have been hanging onto such things in preparation for the time when they come back around. I kind of wish I could have you here with me to cull my jewelry collection, because it's something I have a hard time parting with.

I have a lot of jewelry, most of it either costume or artisan statement pieces. My daintier stuff has gone unworn for a long time, but some of it has sentimental value, so I keep it stored separately from the pieces I wear.

I have moved away from large earrings for the most part and wear diamond studs (gift from husband) almost every day. I do like a statement necklace when the neckline of an outfit needs a little something, and I think I will *always* enjoy my statement rings. Bracelets depend on my mood and activities for the day -- I'm really picky about them because my wrists are small and they often don't fit well -- but I do like leather cuffs these days for a little change of pace and to toughen up an outfit.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Janet, I have never seen you wear a piece of dated jewelry (to my eye) so your instincts are spot on. It would be fun to go through your jewelry box though

I still keep all my pearl and vintage necklaces, that I used to wear daily, hung up in my closet because they are sentimental to me. I like looking at them!

It's also very important to understand that what looks dated on one person does not look dated on another. My friend Laurel wears gorgeous delicate artisan earrings daily. They work with her long curly hair and arty style. Not dated. But pop them onto client and friend Antje, and things look dated.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I'm loving all your thoughts ladies and it's clear that wearing jewelry is a completely personal thing. Angie, your thoughts made perfect sense.

I love to wear bracelets or watches, especially vintage and I certainly have no intention of getting rid of any of my jewelry since I'm sure I'll fall in love with my necklaces again.

I guess it boils down to HOW you wear your pieces.

MNsara

Veteran

Great question, Shannon, and great input from everyone! I agree on how it's a personal thing. There's usually a trend (or two) in jewelry: arm candy, statement necklaces, whatever. But there's always the personal style of what you wear and how you wear it that transcends the trends.

I've found myself migrating through different jewelry styles over the past years. After many years of wearing silver bracelets and earrings (but no watch), YLF convinced me to try necklace and watch with no earrings. Lately, it's been watch and bracelets, but no necklace.

I *wish* I had a signature jewelry look! It would help clear out my jewelry case. I guess I cull when I've lost the 'love' for something.

moira

Veteran

I recently bought a turquoise (colored) necklace with some big balls interspersed with glass and silver beads. It was made by someone that I know and frankly I have no idea whether is is considered dated or not.
What I do know is that when I wore it with a crisp white blouse and jeans, Himself declared it to be "chic". I don't think he ever used this term to describe me before.
Yup, that was a keeper.

Ariadne

Veteran

Great question and a great thread. I've been wondering this myself. I haven't been able to wear jewelry aside from "arm candy" and stud earrings for the past few months due to my grabby-handed sweet baby and now every time I try to put it on I feel like it ages me somehow, or looks dated. It's like my eye has moved on from jewelry (or maybe I'm just sick of what I have!).

krishnidoux

Veteran

Shannon, this is an excellent question!

Angie, visuals would be so helpful. I now wonder which of my jewels in my jewellery box you would cast away.

The other day I was trying on my bud earrings but with my short hair and age, I thought it aged me more than anything else. It saddens me because I love to wear earrings.

MsMary

Veteran

I have worn my watch, wedding rings, and earrings every day since before the earth was cool, and you will have to pry the earrings out of my cold, dead ears! I think "different earrings every day" is definitely part of my signature jewelry look.

Other than that, at the moment I am digging bracelets and pendant necklaces. Other necklaces, notsomuch. I have a lot of dainty necklaces on dainty short chains and I NEVER wear them because they do seem dated and also too young for me.

krishnidoux

Veteran

MaryK you crack me up.

Anonymous

I think that in the same way that there are classic clothes that stand the test of time, there's also classic jewelry. The jewelry that looks dated was probably designed to be worn with certain clothing styles. I have a few pieces of quality jewelry that I've owned for decades and that seem to work with a variety of outfits. I have other pieces of jewelry that I wear with certain outfits, that are not what I'd describe as classic, and that will probably look dated after a few years. There are also times, like today, when I don't wear a necklace because the outfit I'm wearing doesn't need it. My wedding ring set and my wristwatch are part of my attire no matter what, though! In the end, I think it's important to wear the pieces of jewelry that look best with what you're wearing. In some cases, no jewelry is necessary. Use good judgement. If you're not sure, ask Angie.