Browsing through the August issue of Vogue, I noticed one trend that was prominent on not only the feature pages, but also on the advertisements: pearls. No longer a “Stepford Wife” stereotypical accessory, pearls are now found on dresses, clutches and ballet flats. With New York Fashion Week this month, we’re bound to see those white jewels on the runway. 

A little history on pearls. We know they come from the soft tissue of the oyster, and because they are pretty much the only gem produced far below the sea surface, they were considered very valuable and a sign of the rich and the powerful. They symbolize wealth, elegance and love, and therefore have been worn by various iconic women such as Audrey Hepburn and Jackie Kennedy. Then, as time progressed, pearls became attributed to older, more conservative women and this particular jewel pretty much disappeared from the everyday lives of the younger generations. Until now, that is.

I was mesmerized by Alexander McQueen’s pearl-embellished dress featured on Daft Punk’s spread in Vogue. The great thing about wearing pearls is that you can dress them up or down. Placed on a cotton shirt, pearls will enhance the simple fabric to an evening shirt. Pairing that shirt with a pair of denim shorts will dress the pearls back down again. It’s an endless cycle, which is why I think they are so great. You can mix and match them with everything and recycle pearled outfits for every occasion.

I’m not telling you to go buy real pearls and wear them with every outfit. If your budget is a bit more modest and you like being creative, consider this a DIY project. Buying plastic beads at a craft store and bedazzling a simple white shirt is great. The website LoveMaegan.com posted a great article on how to embellish a plain white tee. I’ve also seen adorable dresses on www.shopstyle.com that are completely affordable although they have a more expensive appearance due to the gem. However, stay away from pearled chokers: although Kylie Jenner might’ve suggested that “chokers are so in right now” on Keeping Up With The Kardashians, pearled chokers are not. If you really want to wear a pearl necklace, go for the loose kind. The size of the individual pearl is in the eye of the spectator and up to your personal preference, of course.

Encrusted collars, bejeweled t-shirts, or pearl-studded sandals are some of the things I’ve seen celebrities wear. Here are some cute pearled outfit ideas with links to the shopping websites.

 

Reach Fashion Writer Beatrice Verhoeven here. Follow her on Twitter @bverhoev