Accessories to lift our mood

Now more than ever, jewelry has become an elevating experience.  Just look at those Zoom screens and see how statement earrings easily upgrade a quarantine look. They do wonders for the simplest of wardrobes, making them indispensable for these times when comfortable clothes are the norm.

Since working from home has resulted in lazy, waist-up dressing, jewelry sparks creativity in crafting a look, instantly improving our appearance and lifting our mood. Designers have come up with statement pieces in abstract and figurative designs and bold colors for maximum impact. Mismatching and layering give you free rein to play, experiment, and put your best look forward, whether you're on or off-screen.

LAYERING

The more the merrier when it comes to layering à la Chanel or Schiaparelli, but the minimalist can always go subtle with thin chain necklaces and charms, or pendants like Dior’s, or thin, beaded colliers like Etro’s and Jason Wu’s.

FIGURATIVE

Figurative details make jewelry more interesting and great conversation pieces. Sea references abound with fish ring dangles at Marine Serre and starfish brooches and earrings at Versace. At Schiaparelli, it goes surreal with gold nose-dangling earrings and manicured finger extensions.

CHAINS

Chains will go a long way, as seen in chunky necklaces at Givenchy, Louis Vuitton and Tod’s or bold bracelets at Hermès.  At Dolce & Gabbana, they’re encrusted with colored stones and crystals and at Vivienne Westwood they take on a medieval patina.

PEARLS

Pearls are a big story, with Simone Rocha’s chandelier statement pieces and Emilia Wickstead’s ladylike collars. Tibi’s and Jason Wu’s earrings are more demure drops and dangles, while Adeam goes artsier.

WELL-ROUNDED

Spheres and round shapes will catch a lot of attention this coming season.  JW Anderson has big gold metal orbs in colliers, while Balenciaga has huge silver clip-on earrings and Sportmax has a double ball silver armband.

VIVID COLORS

Nothing is as stunning and mood-enhancing as a jolt of color on the neck or dangling from your ears, whether in the form of vibrant gemstones, neon beads, bright enameled rings or brilliant plumage.  Etro’s beaded collars had an island vibe, while JW Anderson’s feather earrings had elegant Murano baubles. Versace’s neon colliers and earrings were accented by charms.

ICONS

With all the screen exposure time, design houses have capitalized on their signature icons, if not their logos themselves.  Get ready to wear the Chanel 2.55 bag or the Margiela Tabi boot on your neck as pendants and Prada triangles dangle from your ears.

EXTRA-LONG

When wearing a single pendant necklace, make it super-long and chic, the way Dior paired them with cocktail dresses, or casual over a T-shirt and wrap at Jil Sander, even with cropped tops or swimsuits at Zimmermann.

BLING-BLING

Nothing is as uplifting as bling, whether in sparkling crystals or encrusted semiprecious stones. Balenciaga’s crystal pavé necklace and earring set, Osman’s bib and chandeliers set, and Vivienne Westwood’s humongous turquoise pendants are all stunners that will make grand entrances and dominate computer screens.

STATEMENT EARRINGS

There’s a wealth of statement earrings on offer but if wearing a pair is too much, wear a single one or mismatch one statement piece with a more subdued one.  Preen has single ones in blue and white porcelain shards, while Ulla Johnson’s chandeliers can be worn singly or paired with a more modest sputnik.

HARDWARE

Gearing up for tough times, jewelry uses hardware with rainbow safety belt collars at Balenciaga, belts with lock dangles at Givenchy, layered safety gear necklaces at Marine Serre, and dog collars and key dangling earrings at Rokh.

ABSTRACT AND GEOMETRIC

Geometric and abstract forms have a streamlined look but are nevertheless head-turning, like Jacquemus’ elliptical earrings, Acne Studios’ beaten silver wonders, and Y Project’s swirling pearls. Miu Miu’s Perspex pieces have a modernist slant.

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