What would a 'capsule wardrobe' of jewellery be like?

[AppalachianWalzing]

I want to buy some new stud earrings and a necklace I can wear with work outfits to look more polished.

I've realised what I'd really like is the capsule wardrobe concept, applied to jewellery- at the moment, my jewellery is mostly things bought for going out/weddings, but not much by way of subtle, every day, will work in all contexts jewellery. I'd like to have a small selection I could go to in the morning and pick from, knowing something would match my outfit and make me look more together.

I'm unfortunately massively allergic to earrings that aren't gold/silver so can't just buy lots of cheapie things and see what works.

So- what are your classics? Do you have a list of types, e.g. One pair hoop earrings, one pair pearl studs? I feel this is an area I'm bad at so interested to hear other people's must-haves.

[ilovecherries]

Oh, good question! (To which I have no answer). I was thinking something similar myself, as I seem to have an eclectic range of stuff which is def NOT 'put together'. I can only wear gold/sterling silver/platinum in my ears as well, but would love to have a modern, classy range of neck adornments.

[BlairWaldorfLovesShopping]

I work in a reasonably smart office and day to day this is what I wear the most:
Gold ball studs
Diamond CZ studs of a few sizes (these - can really recommend as realistic and they're sterling silver)
Pearl studs (quite large about 10mm)
Watch
A few fine necklaces in gold, rose gold and silver tones
A few bracelets in gold, rose gold and silver tones, all different

My watch is mixed metals but I like to match the rest. I'd wear a necklace with a v-neck, bracelet with a round neck unless full length sleeves, but probably not both together. For me the pearl studs go with anything remotely "preppy" or especially feminine, like a shirt collar on show or pussy bow blouse.

[BlairWaldorfLovesShopping]

Also recommend looking at the Z for Accessorize range for necklaces and earrings (but not rings, I've found the gold rubs off too easily). Lots of things which look much more expensive than they are.

[gamerpigeon]

I was thinking of doing this as I have a weird mixture of teenage Accessorise jewellery and proper grown up stuff.

I was thinking:

Pearl earrings
Sparkly studs
Coloured studs
Hoop earrings
Dressy earrings - I have some blingy Crystal drop ones
Choker style necklace i.e one I can wear with high necklines and won’t look odd
Pendant necklace
Watch
Charm bracelet

Only problem is matching the coloured gemstones to enough of my wardrobe that I won’t clash.

[BlairWaldorfLovesShopping]

gamer I wouldn't include coloured studs in the "capsule" definition for that reason. I have some peridot and gold studs (my birthstone!) and really find I don't wear them as much because they don't "go" with as many outfits. Annoying isn't it?!

[WhooooAmI24601]

I chucked away all the costume jewellery I own in an attempt to have just a few, key things that I love and wear often. I've got a pair of diamond studs, a good-quality watch, an apple watch to wear for school, a Tiffany Key pendant and one pair of drop earrings from some designer at John Lewis. Everything else went, including the Pandora and all associated tat.

I regret chucking it all out, to be honest. And who says you need a capsule anything? Keep all the jewellery, keep the plastic Topshop rings you had for your 17th birthday, the CZ necklace given to you by your first boyfriend, keep the lot and hold onto the memories.

[AppalachianWalzing]

I really like the idea of gold ball studs and fine necklaces- any recommendations on where to buy?

I wouldn't chuck out my sentimental chocker with 'friend' written on it/amethyst giant pendant/dangly 'ethnic' earrings but I won't wear them to work either which is leaving me at an impasse :)

I had a beautiful subtle gold necklace that was a gift that was sadly lost and I haven't seen anything like it.

Interested by the diamond (or more likely 'diamond') studs, I would have thought of them as v dressy but actually can see how they're classic once they're not too huge.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

I wear a capsule of-

Diamond studs
Diamond wedding rings
3 silver bangles
A mixed metal watch

Every day without fail, don't feel dressed otherwise even if I'm slobbing at home for the day.

[DelphiniumBlue]

Mine are: small silver chain with pretty pendant, just longer than collarbone.
Fake diamond studs
Trio of fine silver bangles
Big crystal & silver drop earrings for parties etc
silver small leaf earrings ( studs)
silver hoops.
I've got other stuff but very rarely wear them, heavy or dangly stuff just annoys me.

[chloechloe]

Good thread!

I'm trying to get a few nice pieces in an effort to look more out together. The problem is I don't have anywhere dedicated to keeping my jewellery at the moment as it needs to be away from 2 small kids. So I end up hiding it in various places in the house and it never gets worn!

I'm currently planning on getting done simple chains and some iensabta from Missoma - has anyone bought from there?

Here's a link:

www.missoma.com/index/?Auth=1b1485251ed481ffcc41d3cd2878cad0

[chloechloe]

Simple chains and pendants that should have been!!!

[silkpyjamasallday]

I have to agree with @WhooooAmI24601 a capsule jewellery collection is no fun at all, jewellery is nice to keep for the sentimental memories or just picking up again after a while and remembering how much you loved it when you bought it, even if that was 5 years ago. Or when you are bored of things you've been wearing for a while you can dig into your 'archive'

Good to have a list of essentials though, and to see where the gaps are. Jewellery takes a lot less space to store than clothes or books. So just keep it all, even using it for a children's dressing up box if you know you'll never wear it. But you might just be bored and come to regret getting rid

Or ignore everything I say as I am a terrible hoarder

[SenecaFalls]

Good idea for a thread. I would add to other suggestions a wide gold bangle and a sterling silver cuff. I love bracelets.

[Viviennemary]

I don't wear much jewellery but I am interested in it.

I agree with studs pearl and diamond
Also silver bracelets are nice
Gold bangles too

I quite like some of the necklaces Teresa May wears but not sure if they'd suit everybody.

[OuchBollocks]

I was given some small diamond studs for my 30th birthday. I wear them every day, I don't feel like they're mega dressy but I do think they make me look a touch more groomed than I would otherwise (usually in jeans and casual top as on mat leave and have a uniform at work).

[Maverick66]

I cannot wear costume jewellery.
My jewellery consists of.

Choker style necklace in yellow and white gold.
Raymond Weil watch.
Diamond engagement and eternity and wedding ring.
Gold stud earrings.

[Aderyn17]

I have lots of jewellery but the things I come back to most are silver 'diamond' studs - small enough to look real, a silver chain with a silver heart and matte gold heart pendants and a silver bangle. I wear my wedding/engagement ring all the time and wear one ring on my right hand but vary this according to mood.

[BulletFox]

Can't get my head around the idea of capsule jewellery! I guess just work out which colours suit your skintone and what you'd wear on a daily basis.

I sold quite a lot of jewellery when I was broke and think just have a diamond ring in my jewellery box, pearls and gold love pins. I never look at it nowadays. I'm quite attached to the lovepins as they're pretty and I'm intrigued by the idea someone loved my great-grandmother (she was a battleaxe by all accounts!).

I think actually the thing that means the most to me is a tiny green marble heart pendant which my father gave me from a monastery. I have a leather thread which I use when I wear it but need something more substantial to put it onto in order to keep it safe

[Doobigetta]

Good thread!

I think
Diamond stud earrings
Pearl stud earrings
Medium sized silver hoops (don't actually own these)
Casual-ish dangly earrings- hearts, stars, that kind of thing to just lift a casual outfit slightly
Big cool statement silver earrings for nights out
Proper, not costume, drop earrings for serious dressing up
Silver bangle
Silver cuff
Silver pendant necklace
Silver watch covers all outfits from casual to smart and you can add different ones for evening and casual later

[evilharpy]

bulletfox what are lovepins?

I have quite a lot of jewellery but have got into the habit of wearing the same thing most days. Silver small ball-shaped studs and a silver ball-shaped pendant about 2cm in diameter, on a fine chain. I don't do dangly earrings at all, they look frumpy on me.

[SeamusMacDubh]

Ted Baker Eisley Rose Gold and Silver Glitter Enamel Mini Button Earrings https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01HTKPQM0/ref=cmswwrcppapi_n.X3zb7BY1T82

I've seen these crop up a few times recently, they seem popular/on trend but also not too out there

[missmagpie1962]

My favourite brand is Astley Clarke.

I'm also allergic to the cheaper jewellery metals so I wear these studs:

www.astleyclarke.com/uk/14ct-yellow-gold-varro-honeycomb-stud-37047ynoe

Which are perfect. They are 14ct gold and I don't react to them at all (I even sleep in them sometimes!!). They are perfect to wear in the day and at night so worth the investment :)

[0ccamsRazor]

I wear on a daily basis, diamond, mother of pearl mixed metal watch, 4 diamond rings and my wedding ring.

I have several pendant and drop earring sets to match my wardrobe. All with gem stones that match my clothes pallet.

A pearl stud and necklace set with an extra pair of studs in a different hue as the necklace is a mix of pearl colours, peach to cream.

Various stand alone earrings, studs and drop ones, diamond, amethyst, amber etc. These I can mix and match with my clothes.

Various stand alone necklaces, turquoise, amber, brown topaz etc, these can be mixed and matched with my earrings and clothes.

Several bracelets.

All jewelry is made from silver, gold or platinum.

I love the different colours of crystals/gems and most of my jewelry reflects this.

[DancingHouse]

I have a simple silver bangle that I've worn every day and night since I was 13. It's quite battered and out of shape now but fits perfectly. I only have 1 pairs of earrings a pair of diamond studs I wear for work and a large pair of silver hoops I'd wear at the weekend if I feel like it. I have 2 similar watches both have the same size face just a little different in style. 1 has a white leather strap I wear in the summer and the other a dark brown leather strap I wear in the winter. I have a pendant Victorian perfume locket necklace I wear almost everyday.

[TrollTheRespawnJeremy]

I'm allergic to the idea of 'capsule wardrobe jewellery'. Jewellery is supposed to be about personality and personal style!