K/D: jewelry edit - YouLookFab Forum

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K/D: jewelry edit

nemosmom

Veteran

I am tackling an overdue jewelry edit, and would love opinions on what I should keep out of this collection. I realize jewelry (like most accessories) are a very personal thing, but some feel dated (pooka shells and wooden beads, anyone?!), some feel similar enough that I maybe don’t need both, some I don’t really wear because I haven’t given much thought to styling them. None of them have any sentimental meaning.

I am on the fence on a couple pieces and I would love any honest feedback on the whole collection.

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24 replies

Latest reply was from The Cat

Helena

Veteran

I am not up at all on accessory styles, but I feel in general more delicate pieces are more modern than the chunky ones. Of course this could mean that delicate in on its way out and chunky is in, because I'm usually behind

When I did my clear out I got lots of great advice and decided that I would keep any jewellery that I wasn't sure I was completely over ... because styles change so quickly and sometimes a particular outfit just calls for a chunky/delicate/whatever piece ... so my only suggestion is to consider not culling too intensely unless you need the space.

Sorry that's not more useful feedback!

nemosmom

Veteran

No! Your advice is spot-on! And, thank you for identifying what these all have in common - they are chunky! A-ha! I did not even make the connection.... geez!

I have only been wearing the more delicate pieces and now I can look at these a bit differently. Thank you, TG! You are a genius!

kellygirl

Veteran

I like the long dangly one in the first photo and the close up of the renaissance-ish looking one in 2 is quite striking. I could see that with your coloring. The wood beads are boho and I could see them working in summer when it is too hot for a scarf. Jewelry takes up such little space and sometimes adds just a little something to a plain outfit. I tend to wear small delicate pieces more than anything--every once in awhile I'll put something chunkier on. It's kind of fun to have the option.

Anonymous

I have always had a big collection of jewellery and thus have to edit it every year or so . I will say this : I do regret not keeping a lot of what I’ve given away over the years . Old clothes don’t usually translate upon resurrection , but jewellery can . Cheap stuff I never mind getting rid of , but I’ve stopped buying that kind of jewelry anyways . I’d say the white pukka piece has probably seen its day , but I’d hang on to the others unless you don’t have the room for them .

Runcarla

Veteran

Prior to Covid I was seeing the return of the classic big chunky gold necklace as being the ‘next big thing.’ However, fashion is very DYOT, so delicate jewelry is popular too (think Meghan Markle and her thin rings and layered delicate necklaces.)

I suspect Covid hand washing may impact jewellery trends - especially hands (rings, bracelets, and watches). Maybe hair accessories will be the next trend. I couldn’t find any barrettes at the pharmacy, or in the pharmacy section of the grocery store the last two times I went.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I like #2 very much and also #3 and have similar (I have quite a bit of old Israeli silver). The links are very "in" right now according to what I have seen. The other two I would put on and see if they spark joy, so to speak .

slim cat

Veteran

I like #2 as more unique piece and the one that could be worn in different seasons ( less heavy in appearance than #3 ). I like jewelry that feels unusual and special but not limited to one-of-a-kind things.
Sometimes you just need some basic chain to finish the outfit.
I get rid of some jewelry more because of some discomfort - like difficult
lock or the heaviness of earrings in my ears.

Brooklyn

Veteran

I like both 2 and 3. 2 looks more unique. I also like the chain in the top right of pic 1 - a good basic layering piece.
But keep in mind that I like chunky jewellery. Some prefer dainty. Some wear both. So it depends on what your preferences are.
I don’t tend to edit out jewellery unless it’s had it (eg faded, chipped, blackened). When I tire of it I put it away in a holding zone (I have a few jewellery boxes) and I review every year or so. I will edit out something if I take a dislike to it and the dislike continues for a few years. By that time I’m pretty sure I’m not going to change my mind.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I really love 2. So beautiful and interesting!
I don’t cull my jewellery much, I guess it has built up over a lifetime and once I like something I tend to keep liking it? Some of mine was Mum’s which I still like.
What I do cull a little is my cheap earrings if they look less than pristine, or if the style looks quite dated- but having said that I wish I had kept the big 80s/90s pink and black ones! Here 30 years later they would have been right on trend. So I think it depends how much you still love it or not. If not, can let it go.

always trying

Veteran

IMO you have to judge each piece with what you are styling it with. As for necklaces, they have to be styled with the neckline of the top you are wearing. So I would keep them all and see what looks best with what before editing them, unless there are some you just do not like.

nemosmom

Veteran

Thank you so much, everyone for your input. I will try these with a few different tops and see what feels right. I appreciate you taking the time to look and reply!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Oh, honey. YOU HAVE TO KEEP THE POOKA SHELLS. '70s Fabness

Liesbeth

Veteran

I like all of them and certainly think they're different enough. Though coming from someone with a small jewelry collection that still goes unworn apart from signature studs & watch..
Only the wooden necklace seems a bit outdated to me, but if you like a natural look they could work with that...

nemosmom

Veteran

HA @Angie! Yes, the pooka shells DO indeed appeal to my disco/hippie shadow side!

I tried them all on with a tee, and a button-up shirt. I like the choker fit of the pookas, and the open loop necklace, and the wooden beads, sort of.... The others are an awkward length and bib-like, which is fine if I am sitting still or standing. The minute I bend over, the bib bops me under the chin. I don't love either enough to bother with having them adjusted. The really long coin one might work with a high turtleneck, so I may hang on to that one and re-evaluate when the turtlenecks come out again.

Thanks again, everyone!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I think jewelry is one of those things that is so individual! I like the way Angie put it one time about how something might seem dated *for a certain person's style* even if it may be just right for someone else.

I tend to keep jewelry for a long time, unless I just don't like it anymore, it's uncomfortable or destructive (yes, the pendant that snagged a silk top), or I can't envision how I would wear it in a modern way. I am kind of sentimental about jewelry.

None of those pieces strike me as dated so much as specific to certain styles. I can see them being styled in the ways you describe. If you enjoy them, keep them!

Sal

Veteran

I agree with Janet. I have a current jewelry collection and a stored one (only one box). If something is not feeling right I downgrade it to the stored box and I don't often pull it back out again - but I have done so. I do have to discard pieces through wear or loss of one earring (common).

And I agree that length is key - I have lengths that work well on me and then that awkward one that sits on my breasts and does not work, and then longer ones that do.

I like most of these and don't see them as dated.

Synne

Veteran

I have some unused costume jewelery that I plan on cleaning and spray painting. Will post photos later. Maybe that is an idea for you too?

cindysmith

Veteran

I really like #2. It feels like armor, without being overly chunky.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

I like them all, but I don't really cull my jewelry except earrings that hurt my ears.
Items become regular parts of my wardrobe years after I almost culled them.
It is very simple to extend chains. The very easiest way is with a chain extender that you can buy at Nordstrom. It is a chain and one end clips into the jump ring end and the other is a jump ring that the clasp connects to. It you need a custom length it is easy to buy a piece of chain, a ring, and a simple clasp. Another option can be to tie on a piece of ribbon or leather.
I'd happily add several of those pieces to my collection.

Helena

Veteran

Nemosmom, when you have some time, peruse the jewellery section of the Anthropologie website ... they have lots of items similar to your puka necklace, layered with other metal necklaces - it looks great and so fun for summer! Maybe even with the puka with the long necklace doubled-up (if it's long enough).

whidbeygirl

I'm a jewelry keeper too. It's amazing what will come back into style or you find some casual outfit that just needs a piece you have in the back of the drawer. Last year I took a ring that was my mother's and a style I would never, ever wear...and had the turquoise stones put into a custom-designed ring. Plus the jeweler took some gold bands that had collected in exchange for part of the cost of the new ring.

unfrumped

Veteran

I am not much help but following with interest because I will do a jewelry edit this summer also.
I do plan to go easy and consider "holding zone" since doesn't take much space if not in display/use mode, because I have had the same experience of, now, where is that (necklace, scarf) I had that would be just perfect--oh, I tossed it!

I like your analysis of your terroristic bib necklaces, and echo others to first analyze by issues like discomfort or wardrobe malfunction. I had a neat boutique-made necklace with hammered leaves on a chain but they always "turned over" and showed the wrong side and it was very annoying.

Then, even though a lot of jewelry IS cheap, I look to see if I think it LOOKS especially cheap but not in a vintage or ironic way (though that is to me, so I live with my own judgement).

I hesitate to give up some wooden or puka-like things because I love natural-type elements with summer or resort type clothing--so, ya never know....

Occasionally I can identify some things that are so similar but I wear only one of them, so can let others go. This also helps when tempted to buy something new. Will I wear this and not that?

I have trouble wearing some of the recent trending delicate pieces--you would think not--but it's because I wear mostly higher-necked tops, and what you'll notice is that those lovely delicate chains with teeny whatsits on them are usually with V- or scoopneck tops--not necessarily low, but most often on SKIN. So I need either almost choker-length or something that is just enough weighty enough and just long enough to show up on top of the actual top. A few things like a single pearl or something I can wear with button-front tops.

Good luck and share any other culling epiphanies you have!

Joy

Veteran

I have been watching long enough to see most things come back in style. Dainty and chunky come back o er and over, but you should wear what looks best on you. If you are small and dainty, wear dainty. Bigger, wear the bigger stuff. I admire how some women can look fab in chunky silver and turquoise or other stones. I can’t pull it off and think I am just too short.
Keep the puka shells. You could have them strung interspersed with pearls for a casual way to wear pearls or hang a larger shell or pendant ( maybe a silver starfish? Or piece of coral?) from a “chain” of puka shells.

The Cat

Veteran

To my eye, they all look ok, not dated. My personal favourite would be the chain necklace in the upper right corner of #1.

Dainty jewellery (apart from rings) seems to visually "disappear" on me, perhaps because I am relatively tall, have a prominent nose and wear statement glasses. So I need--and like--jewellery that is somewhat--but not extremely--chunky. It's all about proportions, harmony and balance.

As you have realized already, lengths are also important. Based on what I think looks and feels great on me, my necklaces are either short (but not tight, like chokers), or somewhat longer (but seldom longer than to my bust line and never reaching my waist). In fact, I have separated my necklaces in two "departments"--dep. 1 for necklaces that could successfully be worn under an open shirt collar, and dep. 2 for longer necklaces. Generally, my short necklaces are mostly worn in summer, as they don't interfere with the lower necklines of items like tank tops, tees and open summer blouses and dresses, while my longer necklaces are mostly worn in winter, as they are easy to wear over turtlenecks, crewnecks and highneck blouses and dresses. But I have no hard rules. However, I find it practical to have my necklaces separated by lengths, as this makes it easier to quickly find what I am looking for.

What looks and feels great on YOU, depends on your features (height, lines, colouring, features, etc.) as well as your clothing style, lifestyle and personality/taste. I wish you good luck with exploring the possibilities and identifying your preferences.