How to style your pearls
One of our mottos at Kristen Diana Designs is that pearls should be worn for any occasion. That is why Kristen designed the Every Wear Pearls line. Pearls are no longer restricted to just formal events and church. Kristen thinks you can and should wear your pearls on any day and to any event, maybe with the exception of the gym. This may be fresh and exciting news to you and perhaps you are wondering how to style your pearls with everyday outfits. Here, Kristen suggests a few of her favorite ways to style pearls.
Office Wear
Pearls can add a classic touch to your professional look. So how can you wear pearls for the workplace? If you feel like a full set of pearls: a necklace, bracelet, and earrings can be a bit too glamorous for your office, try earrings and a bracelet, or just a necklace with simple studs. Pearls will add a polished look to your professional attire.
For office-appropriate earrings, Kristen recommends a pearl stud or a short dangle. Long drop earrings tend to have more of evening wear feel. Pearl stud earrings are always classic and professional. These earrings have a clean and simple look that is timeless. Kristen Diana Designs offer studs that are a bit larger than standard pearl earrings. The large studs are bold and contemporary but still have a classic look.
If bracelets or necklaces are more your style, consider our magnolia round necklace or bracelet. The Magnolia Round designs are our modern take on the classic round pearls. Their bold size and prominent clasp paired with the classic round pearl shape is a beautiful enhancement to daily office wear. We have designed our necklaces with a stylish clasp that you can show off. For a statement look, wear the clasp in the front and match your other gold or silver jewelry to it, or position the clasp in the back for a more classic and clean look.
Casual Day Out
Are you wondering how to wear your pearls on a casual day out shopping or grabbing lunch? Pearls can feel like they are too elegant and out of place in day-to-day wear. When you pick the right type of pearl, you can include them in causal outfits with confidence.
What is the right type of pearl for a casual day outfit? The more pearls you wear with one outfit and the more perfectly round they are the more formal you will feel. So for an everyday outfit, Kristen suggests a baroque or rice (oval) shaped pearl. Baroque pearls can vary in shape from asymmetrical to square to double round. Their shapes aren’t typically what comes to mind when you think of pearls which can make them feel less formal. Our designs have both baroque and rice shapes in our Lavender, Magnolia, Peony, and Iris lines.
Consider the color of pearl you wear with your outfit as well. Black pearls and white pearls are very elegant, but can often have an evening feel. For an everyday outfit, try selecting pearls that have some color to them. Kristen offers 5 different color pearls in her collection: Magnolia, a white freshwater pearl, Orchid, a black freshwater pearl, Peony, a pink freshwater pearl, Lavender, a dark pink freshwater pearl, and Iris, a gray freshwater pearls. The pink and the gray pearls pair perfectly with everyday outfits. Their colors are subtle and they can be styled in a neutral tone with some outfits.
A final detail to consider when putting together a causal day look is how many pearls you are wearing. Reserve wearing a matching full set of pearls, bracelet necklace, and earrings, for event wear. Pick out one or two pieces of your pearl jewelry to wear. Have fun with some bold earrings. The Magnolia Square Studs are some of Kristen’s most popular stud earrings. Or consider a bold hoop earring, like the Magnolia Hoop Earring. If big and bold isn’t your style any of her classic button studs are a great accent to any outfit.
Evening Wear/Bridal/ Occasion
Event wear is the most obvious choice to style with pearls. Pearls are a classic addition to a bridal gown, bridesmaid dress, guest of the wedding outfit, or any cocktail/party outfit. Picking the right set of pearls for your occasion will add a touch of elegance that will turn heads. For a truly formal event, Kristen recommends selecting a full matching set of pearls, pearl bracelet, necklace, and earrings. It will tie your look together in a classic and sophisticated way. Be sure when you are picking your pieces that all the clasps and earring wires match in color.
When choosing pearls to wear with your party dress, think about your neckline. The neckline can affect both your earring and your necklace choice. A 16 inch and 18-inch full pearl necklace can go great with a strapless straight-necked dress or a crew neckline. A longer pendant pearl necklace on a chain can pair perfectly with a v-neck or sweetheart neckline. If your top has a high collar or neckline, long drop pearl earrings will go unnoticed, or get caught up in the fabric. A simple stud or a very short dangle is the best choice for this kind of neckline.
Picking a pearl color
White, black, and gray are classic neutrals that match easily with many looks. White pearls pair strikingly with jewel tones. Black pairs well with dark rich tones. The grey pearls are a beautiful addition to pastels. Pink tones can be a bit more difficult to pair. We recommend pairing your pink pearls with botanical colors, like greens, browns, and shades of pink and red.
Stylishly yours,
The Kristen Diana Designs Team