Look du jour: casual with pearls
Pearls don’t have to be fussy or formal…here’s one way to add them to a casual outfit…
Even though we’re well into May, our weather’s been quite chilly and breezy the last few days. I haven’t packed away my sweaters yet and probably won’t for another few weeks.
earrings (similar) | scarf | sweater | bracelet | jeans (similar) | shoes
We just finished watching season 2 of “A Very British Scandal,” a dramatization of the marriage and messy divorce of the Duke & Duchess of Argyll in the ’50’s to early 60’s. Spoiler: horrible people behaving horribly, to varying degrees, and no small amount of misogyny. BUT, the costuming was fabulous, and I was entranced by the triple strand of pearls that the Duchess (played by Claire Foy) wears through much of the series. (Those signature pearls became an infamous detail during the divorce proceedings.)
Naughty or not, a classic triple pearl necklace feels a bit too…dadame for my casual style, but a triple stand pearl bracelet with a vintage French medallion is just right with a casual outfit.
I’ve had this one for a few years, and it’s perfect when I want to wear just a single, high-impact piece.
Do you have pearl jewelry that you wear regularly with your casual outfits?
More casual pearl jewelry
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I love pearls and wear some sort in earrings or a necklace everyday. For me an outfit isn’t complete without them. I have long strands that can be doubled up, short and triple. Big and small. Stud earrings, door knocker and hoops with pearls. My collection is fairly extensive.
Watched A very British scandal some time ago. Also loved the clothes
Pearl studs every day. They just brighten up my face more than gold earrings. I am surprised that I barely see any gray in your hair (except a little in the close up), even though I know you’ve been growing it out for some time. Are you using a shampoo that gives the gray some tint? It looks great!
Thanks! There’s just a bit of the warm blonde color left on the ends, but overall there isn’t a lot of contrast between the dyed and natural hair. I think my grey hair has a little bit of warmth to it as well.
Wonderful eyeglasses! Who’s the designer?
Thanks! They are from SEE Eyewear.
SUsan, are you wearing a smaller pair in the jeans? I tried a pair and they were huge. And do you have a tint in your lenses? Thanks.
Hi Arlene, in these jeans I size down to a 27. They do run large. I have Transitions lenses in most of my prescription glasses, which darken when I’m outdoors.
That bracelet is so perfect for you — love!
I look strange in necklaces, so I’m excited to try bracelets. Kind of a light-bulb moment here, thank you!
Thanks, Bette!
The marigold color looks great on you. You seem to wear cashmere sweaters a lot, do you hand wash them?
You can easily handwash cashmere sweaters. Cold water and a little gentle soap. Shape and dry flat. In the end, it’s just a wool sweater. Don’t be intimidated. It’s better for the sweater than dry cleaning.
One tip — when you finish washing it, lay it on a towel, roll it up, and walk on it to get the extra water out. This also works when travelling to help wool socks to dry overnight after washing them in the sink.
Hi Kathy, I wash mine in the machine, in a lingerie bag and on the gentlest cycle. I use the Laundress cashmere wash. Then I dry them flat.
My husband gave me a 3 strand pearl necklace decades ago for one of our anniversaries, but I’ve hardly worn it. It seems too dressed up for my causal lifestyle, but I am seriously considering wearing it to my son’s wedding later this year. My only fear is traveling with it! If I don’t wear it that’ll be why …not wanting to travel with it. I wear my pearl bracelet another gift from my husband and pearl stud earrings quite regularly though.
I love that color orange on you! I’m pretty close to your color I’m going to be looking for that color and see how it looks on me.
What brand and style is your watch? I’m on the hunt for a new watch. Sunglasses and watches are my weaknesses.
Thanks, Deborah. My watch is an older Cartier Tank Française, which I purchased second-hand several years ago.
Ah, my dream watch!! I’m looking for a good dupe. Michele has one on my short list. I knew I liked your watch!
Deborah,
I sincerely hope you consider wearing your pearl necklace often, especially at your son’s wedding. Your feelings about it being dressy are understandable, but if you make it a signature piece – wear it with jeans or whatever you wear on a daily basis – it may seem less dressy and more a treasured piece you wear for most occasions. It does no good sitting in a drawer. Wear it and own it!
Thanks, Elizabeth! I’m just a little hesitant to travel to the wedding with it as they’re having a destination wedding.
I never thought about splitting it up into a single and double double strand before! I’ll have to look into that and see what that would cost to have done.
LOVE the bracelet! I just finished reading The Josephine Bonaparte trilogy, and this jewelry puts me in that realm. The scarf is a lovely touch.
Thanks, Marcia! I’ll have to add those books to my list.
I’m really loving how you’ve incorporated your color pallet into your wardrobe! You look so bright and happy. So complementary! And pearls are my favorite!
Thanks so much, Cheryl!
I just finished A Very British Scandal last night and I agree, it’s actually not that fun to watch because they’re all pretty much awful people. Very stylish, though!
I have an unrelated question: I see you’re wearing mules and I want to know, is there some sort of trick to wearing them? Mules and slides are SO popular and I CANNOT walk in them! I always feel as though I am going to pitch forward onto my face and walking down stairs is a white knuckle experience. How do people do it???
Hi Mary Alice, I find that a slight heel and higher vamp can make mules easier to walk in. But they aren’t generally shoes that I’d walk long distances in.
Yes I have but I have so much jewellery that it is hard to give them all the attention and display they deserve. (Talking about 1st world problems here..tsss.)
PS love your outfit. So my outfit too.
Greetje
Thanks!!
I received what I thought was a meh gift of matching black pearl stud earrings (I thought too little to show up) and a fancy choker style necklace that had the addition of clear crystal and gold many years ago from a husband and never wore any of it until Covid hit. Those earrings became a favorite as they didn’t get tangled in mask straps and now I wear them almost daily. They have a glow and it’s hard to tell whether they are black, charcoal or navy. Still haven’t found a way to wear the necklace – I don’t look good in short necklaces. Maybe I’ll try wrapping them as a bracelet!
Those pearls sound lovely! You might also consider having them restrung on a longer chain as a station necklace.
I don’t wear pearls but I would love a black pearl Tin Cup style necklace with large pearls. It’s much more casual than a string of pearls and could be worn every day.
About 10 years I bought from Etsy a three-strand necklace of freshwater pearls knotted onto brown leather, and it’s one of my favourite ways to wear pearls now, especially in the summer.
And I agree, Mary — with masks now, I have rediscovered my studs!
I have a choker necklace with white pearls strung on fishing line so they look like they’re floating, slightly larger pearl stud earrings. I don’t wear it often because the pearls are moving around the line.
I live in the South and we wear pearls; I have many strands: double, triple, long, pink, gray, onyx and white combo, multi-colored. I wear them full-on or barely showing under a collar. Earrings. Bracelets. I will buy more when I find different ones!
For those who own real pearls. you should wear them! Your natural skin oils moisturize the pearls and make them more beautiful over time. Sometimes I’ll wear a strand while sitting around in my robe, reading. “I’m beautifying my pearls.”
I’ve heard that before and that thought does cross my mind when I’m in the safe looking for a piece of jewelry. I always pull out my triple stand and look at them and admire them, but I haven’t worn them in years! I think I should take a page from your playbook and wear them to read blogs!
I’ve been yearning for a pair of pearl drop earrings lately. Just haven’t found the right ones yet.
I hope you find your dream pair! I finally found a pair that are close to what I had in my mind’s eye so I bought those. I just wish they were Eurowires instead of posts, but, they’re lovely and just right to wear everyday or dressed up. I’m wearing those to my son’s wedding later this year.