Casual pearls? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Casual pearls?

marianne

I haven't been reading very carefully through any pearls discussions, because they always seemed too dressy for my lifestyle. I have a long faux strand that I wear to dressier occasions, but that's it. Today I came across a short chunky strand at Macy's and I thought it might have more options. Do you think it can be worn in a casual - or at least smart casual way? What would I pair it with? What about things like converse? Visuals would be very helpful - I am sure I've seen posts in the past, but didn't register

P.S. - the only photo I remember is Julie wearing pearls with a black graphic tee.

Dressing

22 replies

Latest reply was from marianne

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Wooohooo! I’m like a bee to honey when I see the word pearl.

Good question, Marianne. Pearls can absolutely be worn in a more casual way. It really depends on the pearl necklace itself, AND what you wear the pearls with. I have many pearl necklaces, but they are not all just several pearls strung on a stand. My pearl necklaces take several different forms. I have necklaces with a single pearl in them, while the rest of the beads on the necklace are casual plastic and wooden. Mother of pearl is another very casual option.

As far as the short chunky pearl necklace goes, the look I wear a lot, that can be smart casual for sure. (Marianna recently did the smart casual look to perfection with a lariat style pearl necklace on the recent casual outfit MOTG thread). Sandy has a photo floating round with her pearl necklace and check pants. My short chunky pearl necklace can also be interpreted casually - I’ll pop them over a graphic T, boyfriend blazer with jeans and Converse. Viola! But I am a little dressier than most here in the US :0)

Also, grey, pink and brown pearls are more casual looking to me. Tanya uses her grey pearls perfectly casually and looks divine. Do you remember those outfits? I’m personally all about white pearls because they are my passion, but they do tend to look dressier.

Multi strand pearl necklaces look a lot smarter. I have several necklaces like that too and they really only come out on fancier occasions.

I feel like I’ve blurted out all this information like a chicken without a head. Does it make any sense?

Becky

Veteran

I'd like to know more about wearing the classic single-strand pearl necklace. I inherited some from my grandmother and don't want them to just sit in the box. I know they're not your first choice, Angie, but surely there's some way to wear them and still look fab?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Lets see them on, Becky.

shana

Veteran

Marianne, I see lots of pearls worn in a more casual way in the J Crew catalog - often with graphic tees + jeans. I think a pearl/mixed metal multi-chain necklace would be a pretty cool addition to a smart casual look. Check out F21 for some cheap inexpensive options to experiment with before you commit.

marianne

Angie, thanks for the detailed response, it makes total sense. What attracts me about pearls is adding white next to my face to brighten things a bit. I don't see many white or cream necklaces while pearls seem to be in abundance - although I understand the point about white pearls being dressier.
Anyway, I was getting some kitchen stuff at Macy's and I had one of those 20% off all day coupons, so I figured I'd try the necklace :). It's white and short and the beads are 14mm, so it's not quite oversized but fairly big. So I am not sure I can integrate it into my casual wear - I feel like I need very specific elements to balance off the pearls. I do remember Tanya's pearls, but not the details (Tanya, if you see this and could point me to the pictures, that would be awesome). And thanks for reminding me about Sandy's picture - I could try something like that with my long strand.
Shana, yes, I've seen it a lot at J Crew, but their jewelry is a little too rococo for me - I need to master the basics first before I venture there

Maya

Veteran

I would be interested in seeing everyone's casual pearl outfits. I rarely wear my AT pearls because no matter what I do, I just feel like they look wrong. If I wear them with a dressier outfit, they feel frumpy and old-ladyish. If I wear them with a more casual outfit, they feel incongruous. If I wear them with something in between, they make it feel overdressed. I always put them on and then I always take them off before leaving the house because I just don't feel right in them. It's unfortunate because I really like them and I was very excited when I first got them, but they just don't feel like me. I have been thinking of putting them up for swap but I want to give them another chance.

Anonymous

Pearls are also a favorite for me and I have several styles and colors and some waiting to be strung. I wear them all casually but started with colored freeshwater pearls, often in organic shapes because they seem more casual. However, I now find the chunky round white pearls lots of fun with tee shirts and such and a flattering color, thanks to YFL and Angie. Mine from NAS are big enough that no one is going to think I'm wearing something expensive and dressy. I almost think of them as pearly colored beads. I don't wear my more expensive white pearls casually, at least not yet.

agrace

Maya, I echo what you said. The large chunky size never feels right to me...but I do have a marble size that is attached to a ribbon in a very dusty pale nude/ pink that I feel very comfortable in. The big, chunky ones just don't feel like me but I too would love to see more pictures to see how people are styling them!

Maya

Veteran

The size of the pearls doesn't bother me. I like chunky jewelry. I just feel like when I wear them, they make SUCH a statement. Few people wear pearls today so my whole outfit becomes "LOOK AT THOSE PEARLS"...even more so in a casual outfit.

marianna

Veteran

Interesting... I've just recently incorporated pearls into my very casual wardrobe and I never thought about them being too dressy... but I see what you mean. I've been seeing pearls on a lot more people (I wonder if Michelle Obama has influenced pearls in mainstream fashion?) Anyway... I've been wearing my long pearls with anything and everything. I feel they can totally work with a casual look. It's sort of a fun contrast... and I think it makes a statement. Almost like incorporating menswear inspired pieces with feminine pieces, I see pearls and casual outfits similarly.

cciele

Veteran

I have the same issue as you, Maya! I have a bunch of pearls (white, freshwater, gray) but every time I wear them I feel overdressed, or not myself. Perhaps pearls do not fit my boho vibe? Or maybe I just need to mix them with other types of necklaces, a la J Crew.

Anyhow, I love seeing everyone's casual-pearl outfits, and how casual they can be definitely depends on the outfit, the pearls, and your general style vibe.

marianne

Hmm, Marianna and Maya, I might be wrong about this, but I feel like it's easier to pull off such an eclectic look when you're are in your 20s... and I need to look like I know what I am doing
Marianna, could you post the link to the outfit that Angie mentioned? Thanks!

marianna

Veteran

Marianne (great name, by the way!) - I think this is the picture Angie is referring to:

http://i985.photobucket.com/al.....G_1811.jpg

Here's another causal outfit with pearls:
http://i985.photobucket.com/al.....G_1700.jpg

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I'm so happy you remembered my pearls Marianne, I wore them last week over the uniqlo dress, with oxford style shoes and a denim jacket. I don't get to wear mine as often as I would like because Teah loves to play with them.

On the whole I wear the pearl necklace when I want to add impact to a more casual item, plus I'm a total sucker for cream pearls against anything black.

I love Marianna link.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Cathy, I can see pearls battling to work into your style. It’s just not really your look.

Maya, I think you might be over thinking the whole thing! There is such room in your style to have fun with pearls in an arty way. Add them to a funky outfit and be retro about it. So fab. You could even get creative and redesign your strand. Add bits of tulle in-between the beads for a more casual look.

Julie, I can see pearls working in your style 100%. And I’m a sucker just like you. A HUGE sucker for that look!

Marianne, I love the idea of white pearls adding colour to your dark tops! (In fact I’m blogging about that later this week). Let’s see the strand you bought and figure out the looks.

Thanks for posting your inspirational outfit Marianna :0)

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

It's funny that many people see pearls as being "dressy" today. In the past, fashion rules dictated pearls for daytime use (or the old "When in doubt, wear pearls"). I have always loved pearls, and I can't wait to expand my collection. I want to find a bunch of different lengths to wear together in a waterfall effect.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Bless you, Khris. The queen of casual wear has spoken!

marianne

Thank you for all the input, this is very helpful. I'll take some pictures and see what you think.
Khris, those rules go back to the time when people wore dressier clothes, so there was no clashing
Marianna, thanks for the links!

Chris

Chiming in late because I love pearls. If you want a trendier look, combine with metal necklace or look for a pearl necklace strung on a metal chain with metal showing.
I have a strand of classic "smaller" pearls and will wear with a simple round necline but then throw on a dramatic jacket or some other very modern element to keep things balanced. Not old fashioned unless the whole look is that way in my book.
Does that seem right Angie?

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Marianne, I hope you don't mind if I throw in another example picture of a casual outfit worn with pearls... When I dug up the thread to find the pic, I spotted a comment from you where you actually praised the pearls specifically. My only pearl necklace is a short, chunky strand and I wear it all the time now... I hope you can find a way to incorporate your pieces in a way that makes you comfortable.
http://s709.photobucket.com/al.....8;newest=1

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Good one, Chris. That's thinking outside the box.

Michelle, great example! I love your attention to detail.

marianne

Oh thank you, Michelle, that is a great photo. The strand I am talking about is very similar. I like how it frames your face.
I have a few ideas, and pictures will be coming in the next few days, things are quite busy at the moment.
I am looking forward to the post about brightening dark tops, too!