The Queen - Pearls! - YouLookFab Forum

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The Queen - Pearls!

christieanne

Veteran

I watched The Queen last night (finally) and one of the fashion notes that stood out was the Queen's pearls. She seems to sport them as daily wear - one strand in the country, three for city and TV speech.
Her pearls are such a part of her appearance that I would bet she is uncomfortable without them. If I remember my historic lore, Elizabeth I made pearls her personal trademark - maybe it's Elizabeth II continuing the tradition? Was this just a movie thing or does she wear often in reality?

My only jewelry that I miss when I don't wear it are my wedding rings and a watch. I do love my pearls (I know Angie is devoted to hers and sports them so much more stylishly than the Queen) but it's been a long time since i wore them .

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14 replies

Latest reply was from JennyAnne

jen

I watched the Iron Lady (Maggie Thatcher) Movie and her husband bought her a two strand set (representing her two children), that she wore everyday!

Lyrebirdgully

Yes, the 3-strand pearls were given to her as a teenager by her grandfather; and she does indeed wear them for virtually every daytime appearance. She also has a pair of singe pearl stud/clip earrings that she wears often in the daytime. The single strand pearl necklaces were royal heirlooms that were given to her by her father as a wedding gift.
If you browse "British/ royal jewels/ Queen Elizabeth II" you will find lots of fascinating photos and information. For example, this blog below does a post each week on a different one of the Queen's brooches; she has a vast jewellery collection, as you can well imagine.
http://orderofsplendor.blogspot.com.au/

Meredith1953

Veteran

I love the look of pearls on other people but they just don't seem to be "me".

christieanne

Veteran

Thanks for the link - I have looked at the crown jewels and House of Windsor websites before and they have a lot of history also.

Meredith- I love the way Angie wears pearls but hers are usually larger and with her style, there's no possible way they could be frumpy or old fashioned.
I have a strand of small matched cultured from high school graduation gift but rarely pull them out because I do think they can look old fashioned (I would not want to wear with a sweater set for example a la The Queen).

Here's some of the ways I wear pearls that are a totally different vibe than The Queen look.

1. large size freshwaters. I have two mini gumballs in white and grey that I don't wear often but Angie wears her gumball pearls so well - I just love when she adds them in.
2. multi strand freshwater with crystals. This lightens up any outfit and I always get remarks about it. Purchased at Ann Taylor on clearance years ago.
3. retro costume shaped "pearl" with crystals
4. retro gray - I learned how to bead to restring this one but have not tackled it yet. the top strand is too tight for comfort.
5. long pearl cascade on a chain from jcrew (via consignment)

I am curious what pearls other YLF members sport now.

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Jem

Veteran

I love pearls and buy them whenever I see an interesting set of them. I'd love to have some like Angies, though.

bj1111

Veteran

If ihad your gum balls christieanne, I would wear then all the time.

Inge

(website)

I've seen many photos over the years of the queen wearing pearls for public occasions (necklaces and her pearl earrings), and I'd like to think that in reality she loves to sport them in her free time too:-)
(the movie seems to indicate that, and I think they must have done their research:-)

I love pearls, and I'm all for wearing them every day. Angie's outfit posts are a huge inspiration there, and I also like how J.Crew has been using pearls in casual and playful ways over the years as well.

I'm currently in a bit of an "almost no jewellery" phase, but do still reach for my pearl pendant occasionally (a single large pearl on a long chain).

You have some lovely pearl strands christieanne, hope we get to see them in an outfit post soon.

Jjsloane

Veteran

I love pearls, but agree they must be worn without aging oneself. They are classic IMO. I have several styles (mostly fakes) and love to incorporate them as much as I can, but I'm ok that they are not for everyone. I am a preppy at heart and they speak to that. I am a big fan of classic and they speak to that. I just connect with pearls of all shapes sizes and colors. Maybe because I love the ocean? No idea.

christieanne

Veteran

Now I want a pearl pendant! That is missing from my jewelry stash (which keeps enlarging despite my efforts to pare down.)

Inge - I am frustrated by my current camera situation but promise to do more WIW this week which will also help me be not boring (and maybe wear some of the jewelry).

Anonymous

Mine are all fakes, but I love them:

Single strand of small gray
Big fat chunky cream ones(someone at work said those are very Jackie O, I loved the compliment)
Brown ones on clear wire at all different intervals
Multiple strand cream, wired all different sizes, in various intervals

Anonymous

I recently gave my 18" strand of small pearls to my DD (15.5) because I read that these are "debutante" (beginner) pearls. I have an opera length strand that is just long enough to double of meidum (8mm?), fairly round baroque pearls that I LOVE but can't figure out how to wear without looking *older*. Every outfit seems to look better without them. I wish I could figure out how to wear them because they are very sentimental (and real).

I've had better luck lately with a junky statement necklace that contains some pearls. I'm a purist at heart though and prefer the classic plain white pearls. It's funny, but I feel like my watch and wedding rings are *part* of me but I wish I could do the same with my pearls. Somehow they seem so flashy even though my ring is much more sparkley.

christieanne

Veteran

Claire - try your pearls with an outfit that isn't as dressed up - like a chambray shirt or something "tougher" like your zebra print. Maybe that will take the "older lady" feeling away?

I wore my 4 strand gray retro pearls with a black cashmere sweater, bright pink blazer and skinny jeans this weekend and it was fun - I usually don't do pearls for casual wear either.

Isabel

Veteran

Christieanne, that is very interesting. I didn't even notice that !!! But yes ! It kind of reminds me of Barbara Bush who wore here pearls all the time it seemed, no matter what the occasion.

JennyAnne

(website)

Veteran

I love my pearls. I only wear them to church occasionally or for a special night out. I have got to figure out how to wear them "everyday" without looking silly.