Wearing Pearl Jewelry with Fall and Winter Fashion Trends

If you're a self-proclaimed fashionista, then you likely look forward to checking out the runway shows, following the top fashion influencers, and reading what all the top fashion magazines have to say about up-and-coming trends. In fact, you're probably in the process of stocking your closet with all the best things to wear for fall and winter, based on your careful study of the must-have pieces.

At the same time, adding new pieces to your wardrobe in order to keep up with trends can be exhausting and expensive, and it's nice to have a few timeless pieces that will never go out of style. For example, a cultured pearl necklace or Akoya pearl necklace will always be fashionable, no matter what the trend forecast.

That's not to say that pearls aren't also trendy. In fact, just by owning a few key pearl jewelry pieces, you're already ahead of the style curve, since pearls made numerous appearances on the fall/winter 2019 runways. In the Christan Dior show, models wore whimsical pearl chokers, in the Prabal Gurung show, models sported impossibly lengthy pearl earrings, in the Alessandra Rich show, models rocked edgy chokers with pearl drops, and in the Peter Pilotto show, models wore sculptural pearl hoop earrings and choker necklaces. Each one of these designers has such a unique and distinctive style, and each style works well with pearls.

In this blog post, we walk you through some of our favorite fall/winter fashion trends and then explain how you can pair pearl jewelry with each one.

Cozy Sweater Dresses

If you live in a part of the country where winter temperatures drop below freezing, then you'll be grateful to learn that cozy and warm sweater dresses are now trending. Not only are they great for work, but they can also be appropriate for date night or another special occasion, depending on your accessories.

Sweater dresses tend to have many different types of necklines, from turtleneck and scoop neck to v-neck. If you choose to wear a turtleneck sweater dress, then you may want to try a longer strand of pearls, which will make a more dramatic statement that contrasts the buttoned-up look. However, if you choose a scoop or v-neck sweater dress, then a more demure and delicate strand of pearls will complement your slightly more revealing look.

Animal Prints

Doesn't it seem like animal prints are a top trend every year? Well, they're back this fall, and you need to add them to your wardrobe. These days, the animal print trend is even more exciting than ever. According to an article from fashion blog Who What Wear, "the trend has gone beyond what it was before to encompass everything from snake and croc to zebra and giraffe-inspired prints, with all kinds of styling from simple to statement-making in the mix."

When choosing accessories for your animal print clothing, remember to stay neutral. Since pearl jewelry is so versatile, it complements everything from cheetah to leopard perfectly, and it serves as a conservative counterpoint to the sometimes wild and funky animal prints.

Suiting

Not just for the high-powered business lunch or the job interview of your dreams, suiting is making a big comeback this fall, both for work and for play. However, the most stylish suits are not limited to just black and pinstripe. In fact, we've been seeing suits made of velvet, metallic jacquard fabric, and wool crepe. They come in colors like mustard yellow, fuchsia, and even white (yes, white after Labor Day!). But if you're not daring enough to wear those bold colors, black and navy are trending too.

Regardless of the suit you choose, you'll be pleased to know that pearls and suiting are as natural of a pairing as peanut butter and jelly. Wear a short strand of pearls with any suit or forgo the necklace completely and try a simple pair of pearl studs.

Neon

Like it or not, neon is trending this fall, especially in the form of bright and chunky sweaters. On the fall 2019 runways, neon yellows popped up in collections from Versace, Nina Ricci, and many more. If you simply can't bear the thought of wearing such a bright and vibrant color, consider using neon as an accent, like a neon camisole under a neutral cardigan or a neon scarf to brighten up your mood on a cold and dreary winter day.

You may be surprised to discover that your pearl jewelry actually pairs very well with neon clothing, since each pearl has a luster that reflects light almost as well as the brightest of neon fabrics. You can have lots of fun with pearls and neons, especially if you stick to solid neon colors.

Plaid

When you think of plaid, do you imagine old flannel shirts or picnic tablecloths? Banish that image from your mind because plaid is fashionable and here to stay. The best part about plaid is that it comes in many varieties, from tartan to gingham and Houndstooth and more.

Each variety of plaid has its own distinct look and feel. A tartan or gingham plaid may evoke a retro 1950s housewife, which pairs perfectly with a simple strand of pearls. On the other hand, a black-and-white Houndstooth pattern is very luxurious, especially in the form of a wool coat. Highlight the white in the Houndstooth with a striking pearl necklace, and you have a perfectly smart and stylish outfit.

Asymmetrical necklines

Forget the scoop neck, v-neck, turtleneck, or boatneck. Asymmetrical necklines, especially on dresses, are all the rage for fall and winter. An article from PopSugar says, "With a neckline that doesn't feel overly stuffy, but also retains its after-hours elegance, this dress trend for the coming season was born on the runways of Carolina Herrera, Self-Portrait, Cushnie et Ochs, and more." An asymmetrical neckline reveals just the right amount of skin to keep them guessing.

Because the asymmetrical neckline is so dramatic, you may want to shy away from wearing any necklaces, let alone a pearl necklace. However, you can definitely dress up this look with a pair of pearl stud earrings, which are understated yet classic.

Period pieces

If you frequently wish you could travel back in time to experience fashion from other eras, then you'll be pleased to know that period pieces are trending for fall and winter. One article from Who What Wear says, "In the F/W 19 shows, the clothing proved to be taking inspiration from a period long, long ago. We saw exposed boning on dresses and bustiers, pretty puffy sleeves on ball gowns, capes, and Victorian neck ruffles...".

You may not be thrilled about looking like you walked off the set of the movie Jane Eyre or the television series Bleak House, but you can still incorporate elements of dramatic period dressing into your everyday wardrobe. For example, you can try a feminine blouse with front hook and eye closures and full sleeves or wear a lengthy cape as outerwear. Regardless of how you adapt this trend to suit your own style, you can definitely wear pearl jewelry with it. During the Victorian Era, pearls were extremely popular, and Queen Victoria herself was a lover of pearl jewelry.

Lace

Prepare to look ultra-ladylike this fall by wearing some of the most beautiful lace clothing items, including puff-sleeve lace tops, slip dresses, lace-embellished skirts, and more. If you already tend to embrace feminine style, then lace will be a natural look for you. The best part: since lace is typically white, it complements pearls beautifully. Our only recommendation is to stick with simple and delicate pearl necklaces when wearing lace, since you won't want your pearls to compete with the lacy pattern.

Satin

Can you think of anything more luxurious than the feeling of a smooth satin blouse against your skin? We won't judge you if you simply live in satin throughout fall and winter. According to an article from Elle, "Break out your steamer, because satin is back in a big way...The silky look makes sense for formal events, but make it work for an average day at the office with a button-down shirt." If you’re going for a monochrome look, try pairing a pearl necklace with a white satin top.

Now that you know about some of the top fashion trends for fall and winter, you're probably already making plans for how you can fill the gaps in your wardrobe. Which of these trends is your favorite? Will you be daring by sporting neon colors? Will you be more demure by wearing lace? Or will you fully tap into your feminine power by stepping into some suiting?

Regardless of what you buy, a cultured pearl necklace or Akoya pearl necklace should always be among your staple accessories. Knowing that you can complete any outfit with a piece of pearl jewelry means you have one less thing to plan in the morning before work or in the evening for date night or a girl's night out.