Minimalist jewelry-crazy idea? Opinion please - YouLookFab Forum

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Minimalist jewelry-crazy idea? Opinion please

rholmes27

I have come to see that choosing jewelry for an outifit is stressful for me. When I am packing for a trip, I put it off for as long as I can. It's not that I don't have enough or that I don't like what I have, I just don't enjoy trying to decide what will look good, etc.

So, in the spirit of my new attempt at "moderate minimalism" & inspired by Angie's jewelry stance, I have come up with a new plan. I am considering purchasing several really nice pieces & calling it good, ie nice platinum ring for my right hand & a nice gold ring for my right hand (left hand is covered w/wedding rings, etc), nice silver/white gold watch & nice gold watch, same with necklaces, & possibly earrings. The plan is to have each metal covered with one or so items & that way I like what I wear but choosing won't drive me crazy. Also, I will have several really nice pieces instead of a lot of trendy pieces.

Please be honest, it this taking things too far? Could it work? Thanks.

Dressing

14 replies

Latest reply was from rholmes27

Jewell

Veteran

I don't think this is taking things too far, but that could be because I have a similar system at least where earrings are concerned. I only wear hoops and studs so my earring collection consists of 4 pairs of studs (silver, yellow gold, diamonds, and pearls), 2 pairs of small hoops (1 each of silver and yellow gold), and 2 pairs of medium/large hoops (1 each of silver and yellow gold). I have just 2 watches (one silver tone and one goldtone). Unlike you, I have a smallish collection of fashion necklaces, but I have no intentions of adding much more to it. Pretty much the only rings I wear are my wedding bands. I think fewer options could really de-stress this part of your day-to-day dressing, so I say go for it.

christieanne

Veteran

I like costume necklaces but with earrings and watches I keep it simple. My wedding set (which won't fit over my still swollen from a sprain knuckles) is platinum/white so I mostly wear silver tone watches and earrings. White gold hoops or diamond studs.
I have one pair of hoops that is mixed yellow and white gold and a watch that is rose gold but rarely wear.
Keep it simple for a while and see how it goes. Really, there should be no pressure when it comes to jewelry - just please yourself.

bj1111

Veteran

why not go jewelry-less for a while. see which outfits need finishing. one does not need to wear the whole set in one go...or you may pick rings or necklaces or earrings are your signature pieces and weat with everything. at the price point o assume you are working with, i would take lots and lots of time.

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

I love accessories, so maybe I should recuse myself....

I like others here keep the earrings simple and mostly wear gold or silver hoops. I like fashion jewelry and would never go minimalist. Having said that, I think if you do so perhaps you should consider making sure that you have different lengths represented in each metal. For example shorter necklace for open necklines and longer maybe tassel necklace to break up a more solid plain top and create a long lean visual line. If you do so in each of the metals it would allow for more versatility and hopefully take away the stress you are currently experiencing.

I highly recommend doing whatever works to de- stress this as putting together looks for yourself should be fun! Good Luck!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

It doesn't sound crazy to me, but I like BJ's idea of going without for a while and then deciding what you feel is missing.

I have almost no jewellery --- or almost none that I wear on a regular basis, at least. I do have quite a collection of earrings but find I only wear about 4 pair except for special occasions when I will choose something different. It definitely simplifies life!

I should also admit that in winter I tend to use scarves as my "jewellery."

krishnidoux

Veteran

I think that you are in need of a good jewellery box revamping. We change with time, our style changes too, our tastes, it's normal to want to change something like this, and your plan sounds good. My input: go slow. Don't buy all pieces at once.
Have fun!

Jules

Veteran

I think a lot of people do this really, they have their gold pieces that they wear with everything. It becomes more part of the wearer like glasses then part of the outfit. Having a rotation of nice simple pieces sounds even better. I like costume jewelry but sometimes wish I could invest in some "real" jewellery that would be simple but strong and go with everything.

Anonymous

I don't think that's taking it too far at all. That's what was encouraged in decades past, to buy a few real pieces and make them signature pieces. You could even pick some two-tone items (like a watch) so that you can get by with one. If it's not fun to look at your jewelry collection and choose pieces to wear, then you need a new approach. It sounds good to me!

dizzys

I am a silversmith artist and work in fine jewelry on Etsy and kind of subscribe to this formula. I have a few very nice pieces that I rotate. It has become part of my uniform so to speak. I rotate between my own work, a tiffany piece and a anniversary necklace. All very simple small and understated.

That being said, I am trying hard to infuse more bulk and color into my jewelry by adding more fashion pieces but find I don't like a lot of it nor can I decide when to wear it....

Keix

Veteran

I have a lot of jewelry that I genuinely enjoy, but I rarely wear most of it. I also have quite sensitive, unpredictable skin that reacts to base metals, including copper--so I can't, or at least shouldn't, wear the majority of colorful costume pieces unless the metal findings are pure brass or stainless steel.

My approach to not looking under-accessorized has been to keep my Trollbeads charm bracelet in the same place as my watch (a simple, slimline Citizen in stainless and diamond) and glasses, which I wear every day by necessity. In the winter I often wear scarves, so that covers neckwear. Now if I could only get into the habit of remembering to wear earrings.

Isabel

Veteran

No, not taking it too far at all. I If it is stressful, you should just not do it or simplify it. There are many woman that have one really nice piece and it is their signature piece. Other women don't like jewelry at all ( I don't get these women , LOL ).

I read something recently that really resonated with me : you can let something go simply because it is too heavy for you.

Let it go and enjoy your simplified jewelry wardrobe !

cheryl

Veteran

It sounds like a great plan since you are feeling stressed. I wouldn't get rid of all of my current jewelry but I would try adding a nice new piece or two and focus on that and see how it feels to you. I have a hard time letting things go though, lol.

Anonymous

You may want to look for special pieces while on your travels. I also use scarves as jewelry when traveling. I easily lose or misplace small things.

rholmes27

Thanks everyone for the great advice & thoughts. I definitely think the slow approach will be the way to go. It takes me a long time to pick out more pricey pieces anyway. And I do like the idea of going without for a while to see how it feels or what types/styles/metals, etc i want to invest in.

Thanks again!