I have never shared the opinion of women who reject pearls as outdated or “old”… perhaps because my first extended experience with pearls occurred when I left home to begin my four-year stint at a small, liberal arts college in Texas. There for the first time I saw pearls adorn the throats of young women in all shapes and styles: single milky strands peeking past the collars of crisp Lacoste polos, plunging thick and long over barely-there camisoles, wound around ribbons or threaded with gold chain. I saw pearls in class, at the campus coffee bar, at black-tie dances and in Sunday Mass. They were worn both casually and formally, without irony or pretension and they seemed the perfect low-maintenance, fresh-faced accessory.
It was only later that I discovered the alternate personality of pearls: sleek, Chanel-worthy, and favored by female lawyers and Secretaries of State >. But I soon reconciled myself to the duality that the very versatile gems are capable of. In fact, I have been very thankful for the no-nonsense, effortless elegance of classic pearls during rigorous job interviews and countless tense business presentations. My pearls can go from power lunches to happy hour. I layer multiple strands with a bright skirt for a gallery opening, combine them with a chunky gold cross and a little black dress for nightly salsa dancing, or wear a single pink strand to a polo match. The opportunities are endless.
Never having been a bride myself, the association of pearls with weddings was the last one that I discovered, but now it is my opinion that a wedding day—sweet or solemn—is one of the most appropriate occasions for pearls! The wildly differing varieties of pearls suit the unique styles of each bride very well. The serenity and timeless, tireless elegance of the white variety is very appropriate for women beginning a lifetime commitment. But I have seen brides of all kinds spice up their special day with different arrangements of pearls: pearls strung with seashells for destination weddings, pearls paired with crystals to match rhinestones beaded in a gown, or pearls wound with silk to match bows on shoes or in hair. I have even seen dyed pearls used to fun, color-coordinated effect among all the members of a wedding party and strands threaded among the roses of a lucky lady’s bouquet. The opportunities to incorporate pearls on the most special of occasions are limited only by your imagination.
Now that I have seen pearls incorporated into almost every sartorial situation, I’m more surprised than ever that some women consider them outdated. All I know is that I have seen them worn by people of all ages, colors and styles—from Rihanna to Michelle Obama. Try it yourself: select some outfits from your own closet, find a strand of pearls and begin to experiment with all the looks you can achieve.
See?
— Personal Pearl History by Rachel Ball
Posted under Fashion Guide, pearls
