The run-up to this year’s festive season was packed with Kate Moss, thanks to her party collection for Zara.
Earlier this month we saw more photos of Kate than in the last five years combined: Kate straddling a chair in a rhinestone bralette; Kate in a black beaded dress, walking in and out of a Mayfair club on the night of the launch party.
You would have thought there was nothing more left to say on the subject of this fashion icon’s style but… there’s one more thing.
I couldn’t help but notice that in all of these images – in the Zara ad campaign and in the paparazzi photos – there was barely a hint of earrings. On the night of the launch, Kate wore her best party dress and a pair of small, unassuming earrings, just big enough to dazzle when the flashes caught them.
A few days later, Victoria Beckham was invited, along with her husband David, to a banquet for the Emir of Qatar at Buckingham Palace. What was she wearing? A simple black dress designed by herself, her hair tied back and no jewelry… apart from some small earrings that reflect the light.
Plain black used to be the backdrop for Christmas jewelry, especially earrings: cascading, shoulder-skimming earrings; velvet and rhinestone bows; hammered gold and pearls the size of quail eggs.
I have drawers full of dangling diamond earrings, semi-precious stone clusters, and large crystal chandeliers, all still waiting to be retrieved from their bags this holiday season, and that won’t happen on New Year’s Eve either.
There’s something about big statement earrings that now belong in an ’80s TV drama, along with taffeta skirts and pumps. Simple, eye-catching and not big is the rule of fashion in winter 2024.
Shane Watson (pictured) writes that big, statement earrings now belong in an ’80s TV drama
Less is more is a useful rule of thumb for the fifty-plus woman (note that Kate and Victoria are now in that camp). Less tight, less makeup, less hair, less cleavage, less sheer, and less flashy and ostentatious in the jewelry department. All the less.
But it’s not about hiding your light under a bushel. It’s appreciating what keeps you young and staying away from ostentation. We don’t say never, just that in general the more subtle approach looks more modern and fresh.
That doesn’t mean you’re not looking for impact, it’s just a different kind of impact: sophisticated, shine-enhancing, face-illuminating earrings. It also means you’ll wear them all year round; The problem with shiny jewelry is that you rarely get the chance to wear it.
Therefore, small 18k vermeil gold hoops with white topaz stones would be a very good place to start (£78, mejuri.com). White topaz looks like diamonds and shines with almost the same intensity. (Note: a drop swinging from a hoop gives you the flashy movement that makes all the difference.) An earring isn’t exactly the same, but feel free to wear one too, also from Mejuri (£58), or try it on. a single pearl pendant in a hoop (£50).
Monica Vinader Small Nura Keshi Pearl Drop Earrings (£95, monicavinader.com) are not innovative, but the charm of these cultured pearls is their brilliant, iridescent quality. They bring much more to the party than a normal pearl.
Or how about a real diamond pendant to dangle from your hoops (£88)? One can be fun with an earring in the other ear.
For added impact, consider Marks & Spencer’s cubic zirconia pendants (£16.99, brandsandspencer.com): four zircons in a row, increasing in size from top to bottom. You won’t get the shaky effect, but they reflect light a lot.
Or visit the Wilson jewelery website and choose from moon and star hoops (£50, wilsonjewellery.com) or crystal-encrusted hugs (£40). Stay away from colored stones: simple ones look more elegant and expensive.
Kate Moss straddling a chair wearing a rhinestone bralette as part of her collection with Zara
Jennifer Lopez completes her chic IndieWire Honors ensemble with a subtle pair of earrings
Jigsaw’s keshi pearl drop earrings are a little more eye-catching—a single shiny pearl on the end of a gold-plated cable-link chain that hangs chin-length—but they’re still a very simple design.
These are the ones to consider if you have a reasonably long neck, and they’re on sale (£38, puzzle-online.com).
Otherwise, Jigsaw’s cast bead hoop earrings (silver beads inside a thick cast gold hoop (£55)) are equally eye-catching and sparkly and you can wear them any day of the year.
If in doubt, a gold hoop is still going strong (thicker than before) and you can get a pair from John Lewis for just over a tenner (£12, johnlewis.com).
A very happy new year!