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Good costume jewelry?

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I've not been a big jewelry person in recent years; I usually just wear my watch and my wedding ring and maybe a simple necklace or earrings if my hair is up. I've been thinking about where I want my style to go and was watching an hgtv show recently where the female designer wore a lot of chunky necklaces - statement jewelry I guess, not overwhelming but just interesting.

First off, where does one get such things, preferably at a reasonable quality level, not cheap Claire's stuff? And secondly, for those of you that know my style a little, do you think this is a good direction for me to consider?

Shopping

27 replies

Latest reply was from Diana

Aida

Veteran

I think this is certainly something that you could work into your style Laura. What necklines do you wear most? That will affect the types of necklaces you'd be after.

LOFT and Ann Taylor often have decent quality low-mid range costume jewelry (and the occasional really nice piece). I also like Francesca's for lower-end costume jewelry, but less useful if you wear silver as most of their stuff is gold; again, there are some gems but it's usually useful to be able to see them in person. I've had decent luck with some mid-range pieces from ASOS and also from BP at Nordstrom.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

What about Anthropologie? I love their accessories, especially on sale - their $70 to $250 stuff is usually pretty nice and you can pick it up for under $30 to 70 on sale!

Aida

Veteran

Oh yes Anthro has good stuff too!

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Not cheap but I've found amazing pieces at Barneys. Also troll the sample sales sites.

Laura

Chunky jewellery is cool in that they are very visible and make good statement pieces. Do you prefer gold or silver jewellery?

Some jewellery stores that carry chunky pieces include Pletzsch, Schmuck Moseler und Reichert, Helmut Gutlich and many department stores in major malls carry such jewellery as well.

Staysfit

Veteran

I sometimes find great pieces on sale at J Crew. More expensive but very nice is Lulu Frost. Charm and Chain has a wide variety and often not costly,

carter

Veteran

Banana Republic and Chico's (believe it or not). I also find bracelets and sometimes earrings at NR.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I should have said, I wear silver almost all the time and don't like most gold pieces. And I usually go for open necklines - Vs or lower scoops - so I suppose I'd be looking for bib necklaces to fill the empty space?

Aida, now that you say that I have seen some interesting pieces at AT and Loft (they're always by the registers so you can browse if there's a line). Lyn, thanks for the anthro rec - I literally never go there because the clothes don't fit me, but on the website they do have some really cute jewelry. Annagybe, do you have any sample sites to recommend? Again, I'm over the size for most designer wear so I am not that familiar. Carter, good reminder - Chico's jewelry is sometimes more boho than I have in mind but it can vary. What is NR?

carter

Veteran

Nordstrom Rack. Chico's can do some Boho stuff, but I'm not at all boho, and i usually find plenty of options that are classic. They also generally have quite a bit of silver jewelry. Very often, it is buy 1, get 1 25%-50% off.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Aha. I've never spent much time at the Rack jewelry section before; good suggestion.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I've gotten good pieces off of Gilt. Name brands.

SW Ann

Veteran

I'm with Carter--I only occasionally see anything clothing wise I like at Chicos, but always peruse their jewelry....Also, worth it to look at Charming Charlie (( think an off shoot of Forever 21??) One of my fave sales associates always wears interesting jewelry and often she gets it (when I ask) at F21 or CC...

misapb

Kendra Scott
J Crew
Bloomingdale's

thimblelina

(website)

Veteran

Shopbop! Find a few designers you like & start to follow their work. Sometimes there are flash sales. I'm a Heather Hawkins groupie. Lovely stuff. Sundance has gorgeous artisan made pieces but I feel like they have a horrendous mark up. I would rather see more of that go to the artist. So Etsy is great for that.

Joanna

Kendra Scott
Stella and Dot
Nordstrom

Cerinda

Veteran

For a variation on the theme, try vintage, thrift, and junk shops. For example, in your deep V-neck you could layer three different length strands of real amber ($450), of Victorian glass beads and cut-back glass beads ($100), or golden aurora borealis crystal from the 60s ($60). Our local hipster resale shops have a lot of 60s-70s chain necklaces lately ($5-15 each); they would layer well, too.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I'm not sure if these are your style, but some of my favorite pieces are by Marjorie Baer. I've bought them at Nordstrom, but a long time ago--haven't seen them there recently--and at a local boutique, as well as one pair of earrings online. I've also bought similar looking pieces for less at Lucky, especially when they have sales (which is pretty much all the time).

Anonymous

I love Etsy for stuff like that! But be warned: it can get pretty addicting.

jennifer

Veteran

Second Charming Charlie's. Another venue that might be worth checking is Lane Bryant they usually have some nice pieces and usually have a buy one get one half off deal going on and online coupons for 25 of 75 . I bought a necklace there that I saw at Belks for 50 ( no coupons or discounts),that LB had for $40 ( with above mentioned deals). Clearance jewelry can be on special for $5 if you catch the right day. Then bonanza!
Lately I've got my eye on a dark copper/ bronze color choker necklace , waiting for it to hit a sale.

Thistle

Veteran

You could always check Etsy as well.

Zibbets

Veteran

I like Lucky, Ralph Lauren and Silpada for good costume jewelry.

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

I have been on a monster EBay trolling session for costume jewelry from the 50s lately. Like you I am interested in a layered look, kind of like with pearls only in my colors. So far the most I've spent is about $15 including shipping. Cerinda's plan could be easily achieved for less than $75, if you like the vintage stuff.

Blew $16 on my latest splurge: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/174162710565251427/

BethL

(website)

Veteran

Just want to echo everyone else, Laura. I think some chunky or layered jewelry would work really well with your style. I have costume jewelry from many of the places mentioned, some higher end, some definitely not so. I have a bunch of Chiico's stuff, too, even though I hardly ever buy clothes there anymore either. I have to say that most of my Chico's jewelry has held up well. Other places I've found some special pieces is at local boutiques. It's especially nice when they're having a sale! Have fun!

BethL

(website)

Veteran

Ann, that necklace is gorgeous! What a find!

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

Thanks BethL I can't wait for it to get here! I'm seeing it under a denim or flannel shirt. The flannel shirt I want is proving far more elusive than the baubles.

BethL

(website)

Veteran

Sorry to hog the thread, Laura, but I've seen lots of mentions of Bauble Bar online. I've never bought anything, but it's fun to browse through. http://www.baublebar.com

Diana

Veteran

Etsy, but it's a huge time suck and you can't see things in person.

For more mass market I like Ann Taylor for costume jewelry. I've also surprisingly found lots of good stuff on huge sale from Macy's (surprising because I hardly ever shop there otherwise).