Does anyone on the forum NOT wear pearls? - YouLookFab Forum

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Does anyone on the forum NOT wear pearls?

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Angie is such a pearl wearing role model and pearls often feature in WIW posts on the forum so I'm asking do you wear pearls? How frequently? Do you wear them casually or formally?

Maya I know you have issues with your pearls, have you remedied that?

I have three pearl necklaces, one is a classic cream two strand necklace which I usually attach to handbags or my belt loops on trousers, the second is a very long grey seed pearl necklace with a ceramic flower pendant and I also have a cream multi strand necklace which is worn mostly smart casually. I wear pearls about twice a week.

Over to you.

General

48 replies

Latest reply was from MsMary

April

Veteran

I prefer pearls as part of a piece of jewelry to strands of pearls alone. I do have a long single strand and a shorter, vintage one with a nifty jeweled clasp, but they're not modern, chunky pearls and so I fear they don't work with most of my clothes. By that I mean my clothes are more classic, and adding classic pearls makes things start to look dull. I'm usually looking to accessories to edge things up a little.

I have one modern, chunkier double-strand with a blue enamel flower clasp that I wear, but probably no more than once a month. I do wear small pearl studs every day that I'm not wearing "statement" earrings because I don't like the look of empty piercing holes -- does that count as "wearing pearls"?

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Absolutely, pearl studs count April!

tina

I've never owned any pearls. They seem too formal for my lifestyle.

BlondeAmbition

Do you mean real pearls or faux? I have a simple pearl necklace that I wore on my wedding day that I absolutely love. I have tried wearing it again but alas I can't seem to get the clasp open or closed, I hate clasps! What I really need to do is take it to a jeweler and change the clasp to a simple one. Maybe I'll do that this week!

I wonder if Angie's around and can tell us if she feels comfortable enough to wear real pearls on a daily basis. If Angie does it then I'll do it too

Theresa

(website)

Veteran

I've only worn pearls occasionally as part of a special occasion ensemble... but now that my hair is a pixie like Angie's, I may just start to copy her even more LOL

Although that requires obtaining more pearls and that can't happen on the SYC challenge!

JewelryGirl

Pearls - Oh my goodness YES!!! All kinds, formal structured, more casual freshwater, thrifted vintage. They are set in silver, gold, simply strung, you name it. White, cream, gray freshwater, champagne freshwater, etc. I've also started a collection of vintage pearl brooches. That has been extremely fun!! I have one vintage jewelry box devoted to my pearl necklaces. LUV them!! I think it's the simplicity of beign able to dress up or down & having them change the look of something. There's also the simple sophistication that just the right necklace can bring!

I think some people think of your conservative strand & have a picture in their head. For me, it's like anything else - finding the right set that fits your style!

Maya

Veteran

Can't be bothered. I have so many other necklaces that are better for my style and lifestyle that I just don't think about my pearls anymore. They are quite chunky but that doesn't change the fact that I feel like a dowager in them. I liked an idea that Annagybe posted a while back but I haven't gotten around to it. They are orphans for now. I guess I am just not a Chanel girl. At all.

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

I own several strands of pearls, but I more often reach for my long metal necklaces as my accessory. I like the look of the multi-strands of pearls on other people -- Angie of course wears it particularly well -- but on me it often feels like a little girl playing dress-up.

As that is about the LAST style I would ever ascribe to myself, you can imagine it's not one that works for me.

Dawn

(website)

I own one faux pearl, beads and ribbon necklace but rarely ever wear it. I hope to rectify this over the SYC challenge, but I also mostly go straight for other bead necklaces or for metal necklaces.

Queen Mum

Veteran

I always thought them too formal and stuffy until I started seeing everyone here sporting them. I picked up 2 long strands to accessorize for a wedding and I've had so much fun pairing them with casual outfits. I'm a convert now

bj1111

Veteran

i have a choker strand and pair of pearls that my husband gave to me when he was still trying to impress. rarely worn because they were a touch "delicate" for me.

i have two baroque black pearl necklaces, one strung on leather cording and another more accurately described as a bib with mother of pearl pieces. i've had the simpler one for more than 10 years, the second more than 7. i used to wear both more before the trend for statement necklaces blew up.

now, i _love_ my chunky dome shaped ring made entirely of clear glass. i heart it.

Dashrashi

Veteran

In my daily life (i.e. when it's not a special occasion that has me wearing my white-pearl-and-jade heirloom earrings for sentimental reasons), I do not wear white pearls. They just look a little too old on/to me. I will wear black pearls or a chunky bib with silver beads and champagne/pink pearls, but white pearls and I do not mix. All faux, obviously. I don't like pearls enough to shell out for the real thing when the faux get the job done so nicely.

MNsara

Veteran

I have accumulated a few different types of pearls, but I know what Maya means about not being a Chanel girl. . . I usually feel too classic in pearls and opt for something more boho.

Pearls can make quite the statement, too, and I keep trying to conquer my primal fear of statement jewelry

In fact, when I posted yesterday's denim on denim pic, I actually thought it would benefit from my oversized pearl choker. . . that's progress!

Barbara

Veteran

LOL, Maya about not being a Chanel girl. That's me, too. My strand of graduated cultured pearls was a high school graduation gift from my mom. I rarely wear them because they simply do not fit into my fashion lifestyle. I prefer ambers, fossils and chunky agate, jasper or quartz beads paired with sterling silver. My rather funky natural style is reflected in the jewelry I design, create and wear.

Jonesy

Veteran

I have two strands, both fake and my mom's. They only get "special occasion" wear, though I did wear them a lot in the '80s when I was having my Madonna moment.

Maya

Veteran

I'm glad I'm in good company. I like pearls on others but feel sort of ridiculous in them myself and probably will for at least another 15 years.

I like pearls when integrated into a design without being the focus. If you would describe it as "a pearl necklace," it probably won't be to my taste. But if you describe it as "a necklace with pearls," I might be intrigued.

As far as jewelry goes, I am less selective about the material and more interested in the piece itself. I tend to prefer minimalist statements, if that makes sense. Like my Alexis Bittar necklace, or my gunmetal hammered pendant. They are simple, with clean lines and subtle textures, but with a definite eye-catching focal point.

I also like playful, whimsical pieces like my owl necklace or my white plastic beads, which make a nice mockery of serious and uptight pearls and suit my sarcastic side nicely

Joy

Veteran

I own all sorts of pearls in different colors and shapes and often combine them with other beads. Since finding YLF I've started to wear them more casually. For everyday wear the obviously fake big pearls are fun. The most worn is a long strand of black freshwater pearls that adds texture to an outfit rather than a pop of anything.

Barbara

Veteran

Maya, YOU, SARCASTIC????? naw.....

Dusty

(website)

I've got some pearls - a short, ivory faux strand and drop earrings that I wore for my wedding (oh, and a bracelet, too - the bracelet and necklace had been my grandma's and were restrung for my necklaces), a short, real ivory set that I bought in Mexico on our honeymoon, a short, faux black strand that I got when I was in 8th grade or so and a long, graduated, faux strand that I usually wrap to make a multi-strand look. I don't wear any of them very often, though. I usually reach for my funkier necklaces first, because they usually fit my style better, but sometimes a vintage look just screams for pearls.

Misia

Veteran

I'm with Kristen on the topic about pearls, they are just not my style! But I'm really OK with it, there is so much other stuff out there that seem to work so much better for me
edit, and Maya!

Mae

The only reason I'm not wearing pearls is that I don't have any. April, feel free to send that necklace you're not wearing this way. Why not edge it up by reversing your pattern (i.e., edgy outfit + classic pearls instead of classic outfit + edgy necklace)?

Vani

Veteran

I have one short string on gumball pearls. I don't wear it often but when I do I use it to add a bright pop of colour like with my black shirtdress. I also prefer to wear it with a collared shirt so that it just peeks out enough for others to know it's there while not looking statement-ey. I have a nice collection of metal and other kinds of necklaces and enjoy the variety. I guess I haven't made a serious effort to find any long pearl strands because I feel like Maya and Kristen do.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I just wear pearl rings. I have two of them. One is a more fancy, costume cocktail ring and the other is gold and has a gold pearl; it's more casual. I wear them casually, smart casually or with cocktail outfits, too.

I haven't quite found the right pearl necklace to wear. I tend to wear no earrings, daintier necklaces, big cuff bracelets and big rings.

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

I prefer pearls with gold. I have several strands of pearls, and they just don't seem like me at all.
But I have a big gold/pearl ring and a chunky gold chain/pearl bracelet that I adore.

Anonymous

I love how Angie wears pearls, but I don't wear them.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I have 3 long strands of freshwaterpearls in cream, grey and cream&pink. I also have these faux chunky pearls i bought this summer becuase you guys told me they are fab!:-)
I also prefer to wear pearls in "edgy"way as otherwise they can seem too dressy for everyday wear. I find that freshwater pearls have more casual vibe to them due to their non-uniformity. I also prefer multi-strands to a single string (unless this single string is pretty chunky). In addition I do "Angie "twist" on them and it adds some edge too IMO.
I am wearing pearls for the secon time this week: yesterday I had on cream/pink freshwater in 3 twisted loops with my orange dress and blue cropped jacket. Today it is chunky cream faux 3-strand necklace with mey red shirt/purple cardigan.
i am trying to bring pearls into my daily wear more and frequently review Angie's outfit blog posts for inspiration.

Dianne

I don't wear pearls.

I did when I was younger, a simple 18 inch strand daily with my suits. But they were really too conservative for me and as I got more confident in my job I used artier, funkier jewelry to express myself.

Its been 23 years since I graduated law school and began working. I still have to wear suits. Now I wear a diamond solitaire most days and in summer nothing around my neck at all....too hot.

My pearls, given to me by my grandparents when I graduated high school, sit in my jewelry drawer, neglected. Maybe I'll wear them again someday. The last time I did wear them it was at my wedding in 1993.

Carole

Veteran

I love pearls, they go with everything, and can look dressy or not depending on what you have on around them. I love classic dressing, so maybe that's why they appeal to me. I have several strands, and want another long strand like Angie's, so versatile. I love the messy way she wears it.

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

I've always been a classic dresser, but for some reason I'd never worn pearls before finding YLF. Now my chunky gumball strand comes out to play at least three times a week (it's around my neck right this minute, actually). I also have two other faux-pearl necklaces -- a long strand of cream pearls and a tripple strand of champagne ones with silver bits throughout. Rumour has it I'm going to have a grey strand some day too.
Pearls have become my go-to necklace and people have started associating them with me!

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