Pearls are an elegant, timeless classic piece of jewellery. They go with a wide variety of different outfits, and they are always beautiful! You’ve probably read a lot of things telling you what to wear with pearls – but what about what not to wear with pearls? Never fear, we are here to tell you! Obviously, your look is your own personal choice, and we aren’t going to tell you that you aren’t allowed to wear something that makes you comfortable – but there are better and worse things. Let’s dive straight in!
What Not To Wear With Pearls
Pearls are such a lovely item – whether as a necklace, earrings, a choker or rings – and they are so timeless that they will never go out of style.
There are a good few different types of pearls, from freshwater to saltwater, natural or cultivated, and each has their own individual charm. Try to work out which type you like the most and which type will go the best with your clothing – every pearl is different!
Pearls are a very simple-looking piece of jewellery, and as such you need to make sure that you are not overshadowing them.
You should also take care with what activities you are doing when wearing pearls, as they can scratch easily. Stick to a dinner party rather than rock climbing!
A good rule of thumb is to wear your pearls in a way that they can be seen – if you have an updo, go for dangly pearl earrings. For long, cascading hair, small; pearl studs would be better.
If you have a low-cut top, go for a longer string of pearls, and if your top is high then a shorter string will be better.
This may sound like a no brainer, but if you are opting for a pearl necklace, then you should avoid wearing a scarf or anything else around your neck. No one will notice your beautiful pearls if you cover them up!
Clothes
Now, far be it from me to tell you what to wear – but if you are wondering what you can pair with your pearl necklace, you’re in the right place.
Pearls are having a huge comeback; they are no longer considered old fashioned and something that your granny would wear. Nowadays, especially with all the different and more affordable types of pearl, absolutely anyone can wear and enjoy them.
Because pearls are generally associated with delicate femininity and sophisticated dress, it is not advised to wear pearls with sports or athletic wear. Let’s face it, why would you want to wear your beautiful, expensive pearls to the gym anyway? There’s a time and a place, surely!
Try to keep things simple, when you are stepping out with your pearls. You don’t want to detract from the regal nature of the pearls, so try to avoid anything with loud, garish prints – these can overpower the simple beauty of a pearl, and may even make it be overlooked entirely.
Any really bright, bold colours can overshadow your poor pearls – it is generally considered best to stick to neutral colours – or the classic black or white.
Avoid anything with a really busy neckline – too much beading or complicated details will result in the timeless elegance of a pearl necklace being lost, and people not even noticing it.
Pearls can really pop against dark, muted colours such as navy, bottle green or plum – anything that is a solid colour without too many distracting patterns is great.
You would do better to avoid things like embroidery and sequins on your top if you want to showcase your pearls – too much detail can distract the eye and lead to your pearls being completely missed.
In terms of jackets and coats, there is not really anything that you can’t wear with pearls – a good leather jacket is a timeless classic that will look sophisticated and classy. Faux fur is another good one, for an added layer of opulence, and you can even pair your pearls with a denim jacket.
Now, this may sound silly, but avoid wearing swimwear with your pearls. Well, you can – but you really shouldn’t go swimming in them. Delicate pearls can be damaged by the chemicals in a swimming pool, so don’t take them to the local pool!
Jewellery
As a general rule, there are other types of jewellery that should not be worn with pearls. Of course, you can choose to break any of these rules that you see fit – but traditionally, different gemstones are chosen for their different properties, and wearing pearls with any of the following is said to cause adverse outcomes:
- Diamond
- Emerald
- Blue Sapphire
- Hessonite
- Tiger’s Eye
Even if you do not believe that gemstones have some kinds of magical power, you can probably understand that it is possible to have too much of a good thing – you really don’t need to be wearing all your most expensive jewellery all at once – this detracts from each individual piece.
It is generally considered best to stick to a theme – if you are wearing diamonds (lucky you) then stick to diamonds; and if you are wearing pearls then stick to pearls. Let’s face it, they are so beautiful on their own that you probably don’t need anything else anyway!
Avoid wearing shiny materials, if you are wearing other jewellery with your pearls. Gold and silver can mute the delicacy of the pearls, so stick to bronze, steel or titanium instead – these will actually enhance the understated prettiness of pearls.
It’s also good to have a mix of textures and colours, so a pretty bronze coloured necklace or bracelet can actually help your pearls to stand out even more.
Final Words
If you are lucky enough to own a pearl or two, you will know how timeless and beautiful they are. Hopefully you now also have some tips on how to make the very most of your gorgeous jewellery!
