Are you a Classic?

Do you wear Classic pieces that have stood the test of time and become staples in many women’s wardrobes?  These pieces get an update every now and then and even sometimes find themselves the height of fashion on the catwalk but essentially they are timeless,   they don’t date but remain chic, smart and in many ways empowering.   Many women find themselves with a dual personality style as the Classic look works well in a corporate environment but may get ditched for something completely different at the weekend.  Don’t think for one minute though that the Classic look can’t handle days of leisure.  Those who have mastered this style look trés chic and pulled together, whatever the occasion.  

Staples items for the Classic Wardrobe include:

A well cut blazer worn as a suit or with jeans; crisp white shirt paired with an elegant skirt;  tailored trousers or jeans;  cashmere jumpers (roll necks, v necks, crew necks and cardigans!);  the Little Black Dress for a business look or sassy date night; the Breton top (made mainstream by Coco Channel in 1917, now stocked by just about every High Street brand); ballet flats (made famous by French film star Brigitte Bardot in the 1950’s and still going strong); simple black heels (from kitten heels to stilettos); trench coat and so on.

So what are the classic pieces of jewellery?

1. Diamonds (or Crystals)

They say that diamonds are a girl’s best friend but not many of us have the occasion to wear a diamond necklace; earrings however are a different thing.  A pair of diamond studs will see you through important meetings, weekend outings and even special dates.  However these are not in the budget for many and to be honest, at the risk of upsetting people, CZ these days is such good quality that I defy almost anyone to tell the difference and for a mere fraction of the price!

2. Pearls

Pearls are as iconic as diamonds and a great alternative option.  Pearl earrings can take you anywhere, whether a stud or a beautifully elongated symmetrical drop and with a little black dress you can’t go wrong with a string of pearls.  Of course you can pay a fortune for the roundest South Sea Pearls but today the standard of Freshwater Pearls, found in the lakes and rivers of China has dramatically improved making rounder, lustrous pearls available to the more modest budget;  Baroque pearls, a slightly elongated irregular shape, are widely used now in Designer jewellery due to their unique character.  You can even combine pearls with sparkle for the best of both worlds.  

3. Pendants

Sometimes subtlety is called for, a simple chain with an interesting pendant for that pared back look or something with just enough sparkle to add a bit of glamour for day to evening.   

4. A long necklace

There is always going to be an occasion when a long necklace is needed, whether something with a long chain and larger pendant or a long string of pearls/precious stones.  With jeans and a t shirt or over a cashmere jumper a long necklace can look stunning and they are perfect with high necklines or to jazz up a very simple outfit

5. Bracelets

Often overlooked but a bracelet or 2 should definitely be part of your Classic collection. In the office some bracelets are not always practical so consider this when making your choice but a bracelet can make more of an impact than you think even if it’s a simple pendant bracelet.  Choose one to be your ‘signature’ bracelet that you can wear with pretty much anything.  

6. Statement

It’s always good to have a really fabulous statement piece in your collection for that really special occasion.  Of 

So ladies, if your style is classic you have much to choose from to complete your look with timeless pieces like these.  Be inspired!

Many of us wear jewellery without thinking about it.  We perceive it as an essential part of our wardrobe; that an outfit is just incomplete without it.  You won’t be surprised to hear that I’m one of these! Others though see it as just a superficial adornment, frivolous, superfluous!  So just why should we take jewellery seriously?

Where did it start?

Let’s first explore when we first started to wear jewellery.    Its history began c 75000 years ago with the earliest pieces made from animal hide, leather or reeds decorated with things like animal teeth, bones, feathers, pebbles, shells etc. Many animals have inbuilt displays to attract the opposite sex so it may be that early jewellery was the equivalent of peacock feathers!  Over the centuries we graduated, as they were discovered, to using precious metals and gemstones.  From the Ancient Civilisations to the Royal Courts of Europe the designs became more elaborate and the workmanship more complex with ‘competitions’ to outdo each other as they displayed their symbols of wealth and status.   Jewellery also became a symbol of love and the ability to provide for the chosen recipient.

Of course religion too played a big part in the design of jewellery with strict rules governing who could wear what in the worship of the Ancient gods, leading to the very specific symbols of faith used by the religions more prevalent today.  As our ancestors became more self aware jewellery became a means of self expression and communicating identity and so here we are today still making jewellery out of almost every material known! Wherever you are in the world you will see jewellery with dramatic differences in style and appearance dependant upon the country, the culture and the materials available locally.

The power of jewellery

As well as being a status of wealth, for 1000’s of years jewellery has also been worn to gain from its energy and power – through talismans, healing crystals, amulets, chakra jewellery and so on.  Ancient beliefs that still exist today suggest jewellery can protect, bring love, energy,  luck and healing.  Religions down the ages have used jewellery to express faith, to honour certain gods and be integral to various ceremonies.  Symbols on pieces of jewellery can also project a message about the wearer to the world, a declaration of intent, love or family connection. Giving jewellery can serve as a very personal way of expressing love, affection, pride or admiration.

Major religious and other spiritual symbols

Left to right Talismans for Prosperity, Love, Positivity and Intuition 

Rachel Jackson Mantra

More than just an adornment

It has stood the test of time and shows no signs of ever going away.  As a species we are conditioned with various needs.  The basic being food, drink and shelter, followed by the need to reproduce but we also have ‘higher’ social needs which include romantic interaction, the need for social and self esteem.  Just as wearing certain types of clothes can project an image, make the wearer look and feel more confident so too can jewellery. It can take an outfit from boring to fabulous.  Designs can be delicate or bold, colourful or subdued, intricate and expensive or simple and economical.

Jewellery can be seen as a reflection of a personality, expressing who you are (or who you would like to be!).  It is personal and meaningful, a communication of style.  It can create memories, be transformative.  It is so much more than just an accessory, it is an art form and one of the most important and nowadays affordable, components of your wardrobe but don’t take my word for it.   Here’s what some other say…….

“Jewellery is the most transformative thing you can wear” …………                                       

Iris Apfel, accidental icon

“Jewellery has the power to be the one little thing that makes you feel unique”……….

Elizabeth Taylor,  actress and icon

“Jewellery is like the perfect spice – it always complements whats already there”………

Diane Von Furstenberg, Belgian American fashion designer

“Accessories are what, in my opinion, pull the whole look together and make it unique”……..

Yves St Laurent, French fashion designer

“Jewellery tells a story without even a single word – a non verbal communication of style”………

Michael, Rosey West, jewellery designer

“I see bold accessories as a woman’s armour”……..

Rachel Zoe, fashion designer

“I’ve always thought of accessories as the exclamation point of a woman’s outfit”…….

Michael Kors, fashion designer

“Clothes without accessories is like sex without orgasm!”…….

Robert Lee Morris, renowned jewellery designer and sculptor

“Jewellery is the last thing left of most civilisations”……..

Theo Fennel, British jewellery designer

Now tell me what YOU think!