065. STYLE SUBCULTURES: Jewelry Moodboards
Taking You Through It Step By Step.
I came to appreciate jewelry late in life. Apparently, having my entire family work as jewellers for many generations was not enough to make me care. Only my love for styling put it on my radar, and until recently, I still considered jewelry merely a means to elevate an outfit.
My current collection is small. The two pieces that never leave me are my engagement ring - an emerald cluster art-deco design I found at an antique jeweller in London’s Burlington Arcade - and a chain with a small lab-grown diamond that sits between my collarbones. My uncle gifted it to me for Christmas last year. I also wear my Dorsey pieces and skinny beaded necklaces - this multi-coloured Anni Lu is a favourite - very often. I’m slowly learning what feels right; Bracelets aren’t my thing. For earrings and rings, I gravitate towards daintier pieces over statement ones. I’ll be more likely to invest in fine pieces in the future - I fantasise about the creations of By Pariah and J.Hannah. Whereas necklaces are a mix, I like having one that I never take off, but I also want to have fun with it. I like Lizzie Fortunato's big, bold, beaded pieces. This heart-shaped necklace is next up on my wishlist.
Shopping for jewelry begs the question, ‘How do you know when to invest?’ more than any other area of your wardrobe. The difference between a fashion jewelry purchase and a fine jewelry purchase can be the cost of a few months’ rent. I don’t know enough to even consider investing. What’s good value when it comes to jewelry? What’s worth it? What’s just branding? I’m interviewing my close friend Bec Mapes for the newsletter later this month. She has been a jewelry maker and an entrepreneur for nearly two decades, and I plan to ask her all these questions for us.
In the meantime, I have been exploring my taste for jewelry; by saving brands I liked the look of, paying attention to how I feel when I wear jewelry, and creating visual inspiration through moodboards. Below, I share six moodboard edits I started creating while I was experimenting. Each of them is curated to suit a different aesthetic. I share some practical tips that have helped me and three examples of I used them to solve three of my personal jewelry styling situations.
Moodboard Edit #1 Style Keywords: romantic, whimsical, nature-inspired, edgy, Victorian, mystical, ethereal, dramatic, avant-garde, goth-inspired, silver, choker, pearl, rose-shaped.
It may be the way my brain is wired, but I like to begin with a street-style look and ask how I would use jewelry to complement a look. Whether I’m styling myself or someone else, I want to select jewelry based on an aesthetic, and I believe that different materials, shapes, and designs tell a different story.
If you’re unsure where to start, the style keywords I’ve shared throughout will help you. But inspiration can come from anywhere; If you have an artist, a designer, or even a