The new ways to wear party jewellery
If there’s ever a time of year when you can whip out the sparkle, it’s now. “Putting on the party jewels is all part of the amazing ritual of getting ready, especially at this time of year,” says the jeweller Lucy Delius. “For me getting ready for a special event, the clothes are always the foundation, but the jewels really make you shine.”
There’s an added advantage to wearing sparkling earrings, for example, the jeweller Sophie Lis adds: “It really brightens up the face because it draws the light into the face like a little mirror and draws people’s eyes.” Plus, the right piece can be a party conversation starter: I always get comments on a beautiful amulet I created, made with my family’s birthstones (£175; Rachel Jackson).
Delius agrees some of her favourite personal pieces of jewellery are ones that have the most meaning – and that lead to good stories. “My husband got me the most beautiful pair of Art Deco earrings for our wedding day from Susannah Lovis in Burlington Arcade [in London]. They are a target drop on a hinged hoop and I love them so much, and always get compliments. I feel so glamorous when I wear them, even if I’m just in jeans.” She used them as an inspiration for her antique finish smartie earrings (£5,000; Lucy Delius). The jeweller Rachel Boston agrees that even jeans and a nice top are lifted by some stunning jewellery. “Nothing elevates a casual, cosy winter outfit like statement earrings,” she says.
More is more
Christmas is a time for excess – which includes piling on the jewels. “I’ve always thought the idea of taking one item off before you leave the house utter tosh,” Delius adds. “In my case I always add more.” Sophie Howard, founder of By Pariah, agrees: “More is more. But to keep things tasteful, focus on balance – pair statement earrings with delicate necklaces or mix rings and bracelets with varied widths and shapes. Stick to a cohesive theme, like warm golds or a subtle pop of colour, to ensure harmony.” For an easy formula, try By Pariah’s stone trilogy stack (£525, By Pariah).
Lis says that ear stacking is still hugely popular – and that you can mix and match, even adding in dangling jewels from huggies higher up the ear to add more sparkle. For those who want the look without piercing, she says her luminary double diamond hoops (£1,225; Sophie Lis) are best-sellers at the moment, especially amongst older clients. “They get the double earring effect without the pain,” she says.
I’m a fan of her comet design – her diamond earring climber – which snakes up the ear (£495; Sophie Lis), along with Carrie Elizabeth’s smaller version with cubic zirconia (90; Carrie Elizabeth). while Missoma’s pavé ear cuff adds bonus sparkle (£69; Missoma).
In a flip-reverse of high-low dressing, Lauren Stevenson, co-founder of the PR agency Aisle 8, recently went to a charity black tie ball wearing a £600 designer dress and £22.99 high-street earrings from Mango (Mango). “High-street brands are always my go-to for statement earrings for evening and red-carpet events,” she says. “You can have fun with high-street jewellery, and they often tend to be lighter metals and crystals, so they’re not as heavy on the lobes.” Jigsaw has some excellent high-impact pieces, including its sparkle cord necklace (£110; Jigsaw).
Try different combinations
Boston says she uses the festive period as an excuse to mix up her usual jewellery combinations. “I can for example imagine wearing our chunky knife-edge necklace layered with our multi-droplet necklace as well as a couple of more delicate gemstone charms. Or, if you’re not the person cooking this year, go bold with rings! I personally would choose a statement diamond eternity band, like the Cecil or Jarvis rings from our new antique diamond collection, and pair them with a mix of more graphic, heavy gold signet rings and more delicate diamond bands. A little bit androgynous and so chic.”
Kamili necklace, £79; Umutoni
It can also be the time to try layering: a long pendant, such as the Kamili necklace (£79; Umutoni), makes a great start for the statement piece, then add in shorter chains above, like Annie Lu’s ball necklace (£130; Anni Lu) and a fine box chain, such as Rachel Jackson’s adjustable design (£35; Rachel Jackson).
Don’t forget hair jewellery
A quick way to add some glitz is with a hair pin. “Our hair often gets neglected when it comes to accessorising,” Eliza Walter, founder and creative director of Lylie, says. She designed the Oola hair slide (£150; Lylies) as a “luxurious alternative to the hair-tie (of which over five billion end up in landfill annually) which acts like a piece of jewellery for the hair.”
It’s a mini trend: Danish brand Lié Studio has its Thea hair tie, (£135, Lié Studio), the celebrity-favourite jeweller Completed Works has its gold plated hair barrette (£395, Completed Works) and luxury jewellery Alighieri has its “the over-thinker” hair tie – a a 24-carat-gold-plated bronze design secured to a strong hair tie (£350; Alighieri). Then again, I often raid my daughters’ hair box for blinging hair jewels: Meri Meri often has a good selection (£12.50; Meri Meri).
Thea hair tie, £135, Lié Studio
Gold plated hair barrette, £395, Completed Works
Minimal style
If you’re a minimalist, you might shy away from the big rocks. But Christie Wollenberg, co-founder of the jewellery brand Otiumberg, suggests opting for “dainty diamond jewellery, whether that’s a diamond initial or a tag that flickers softly in the light or some diamond huggies to stack up your ear with your hair scraped back”. Try its diamond edge rectangle hoop, made from 9-carat solid gold (on offer at £595; Otiumberg). Pearls are good for a minimalist: sleek and sophisticated. I’m a fan of Astley Clarke’s Yves pearl ring (£128; Astley Clarke), along with Danish brand Ragbag’s pearl earrings (£195; Rag Bag Studio).
Nishita Assomull, founder of the demi-fine jewellery brand L’Atelier 73, agrees. “You don’t need to go for big bling. A single beautiful necklace or pair of earrings paired with a red lip are super chic and always make me feel put together and dressed up.” She says her current favourites from her range are the diamond toggle necklace (£175; L’atelier 73) and disco ball earrings (£70; L’atelier 73). “I’ll be wearing them with a low-cut black dress and some Mary Janes – and then just waiting under the mistletoe.”
Not just for Christmas
The final piece of advice is that while you might have some jewels on your Christmas wish list, Delius advises against keeping anything reserved just for the season. “My advice to anyone buying fine jewellery is to wear something that you love so much that you want to wear it all day and every day. I only have a handful of pieces that genuinely would feel out of place during the day and even those can easily be dressed down with a pair of jeans and a T-shirt.” Boston agrees: “I don’t really believe in keeping more extravagant pieces tucked away for special occasions,” she says. So, get your bling out now – then keep it out.
