Pearls - how on earth do you wear them??

[BoxAndKnife]

I've recently inherited three sets of pearls - two triple-strand sets that sit on my collarbones and one slightly longer, single strand necklace. They are all beautiful and good quality, and frankly it seems a shame not to wear them.

But...I am worried I will end up looking like a) Princess Di in the kindergarten years or b) Alistair Sim in the original St Trinian's film. My style is very much on the casual side - to me the worst fashion faux-pas is to be overdressed - and whilst I secretly harbour Jilly Cooper-esque fantasies of being the kind of woman who could wear a string of expensive pearls with a moth-eaten cashmere jumper and a pair of filthy jeans whilst getting the garden out from under her fingernails, I'm really not sure I could pull it off. Also DH would wonder if I'd had a blow to the head.

Added to this I already have completely grey, quite unruly hair and although I love it I'm not wild about adding any more years, style-wise. (I'm 47).

So, any thoughts? Is there a way for a terminal scruff-bag to wear pearls or are they destined to sit in the jewellery box forever?

I understand that you should try and regularly wear pearls against your skin as the oils from your skin keep the pearls from drying out and becoming brittle.

Like you, I'm a bit of a jeans and jumper girl but I honestly think my pearls elevate that look. They can and do look fussy if worn with a twin set but a merino polo neck and distressed jeans can work with pearls.

Floaty boho dresses also look great with formal jewellery IMO.

Would it seem disloyal to sell either of them? The single strand would be easier to style than a three strand, I’d have thought. Failing that, could you have the three strands re-strung in a more contemporary style?

Watching with interest. I have several different pearl necklaces and have never managed to make them look anything other than mumsy

Well I've been wearing mine since 1979 - with everything. Must confess I ditched the velvet headband circa 1992!

Pearls look great with pretty much everything except staid clothes. Best to go for a complete contrast like pearls and biker boots. (With clothes in between.)

Whack them on! Start small with low key days you’re not that bothered about whilst you build your confidence. The more they become a part of your look and routine the less you will feel self conscious. Go for it! Pearls are glorious 😍

I inherited a set from DH’s grandmother. I’ve never worn them - not my look at all. I’ve kept them for family reasons and will give them to DD one day although can’t see her wearing them.

Yes these are from my grandmother - although she used to wear them with a proper twinset . It just seems criminal to leave them languishing in their boxes. I don't think I'd ever sell them though.

I do have bike boots and a leather skirt. I could do black skinny jeans, bike boots and a black sweater I suppose?

I think that look would be fab. I have multi coloured freshwater pearls and I love them

They go with so much but feel nice and heavy and luxurious on.

Freshwater are not even that expensive either.

How matched are the three sets? Would you be prepared to invest in having them restrung? DH wanted to buy me pearls for our 30th (pearl) wedding anniversary and I couldn't see me wearing them with my casual style. We ended up choosing this contemporary freshwater pearl necklace which I adore and while it's not an everyday item I do wear it on any occasion that involves me bothering with makeup! Mismatched pearls could be restrung to give a similar "casual" look

Pearls are lovely. Really just wear them with anything. To me, restringing would be like knocking through old houses. I think they are a classic piece of jewellery and I would cherish them as they are

This article gives tips on layering pearl necklaces. Piling them all on together can actually create a more casual "costume jewellery" look
www.thepearlsource.com/blog/tips-layering-pearl-necklaces-bracelets-rings/

I've got a number of strands; both single and double. I wear them all the time with both structured and unstructured outfits.
They are a classic and can match most outfits ..with confidence,!

On Mumsnet, we normally just clutch them

And what’s wrong with the Alistair Sims / Margret Rutherford look?

I had a fake pearl necklace (chunky costume type) but was too embarrassed to wear it after being told pearl necklace was a sexual term.

It’s called a pearl necklace if a man was to cum on your chest/neck area.

Pearls are so flattering to the skin. Nothing beats a simple string whether you are wearing a simple white shirt and jeans, a work dress, an LBD or full evening wear.
They are one of the few anywhere, anytime pieces that I wear. I’d say that might be age related but my twenty something daughters wear them too.

This is such a good question and I am waiting for my pearls moment. I think I am still a bit young (LOL - 51 so not young in anyone's book) but I am looking forward to being able to aim for the elegant old lady look. My grandma was one such - silky scarfs with a special clasp at the neck to wear under coats, beautiful heavy crepe dresses in a 40s style and lizard brooches. And always, always a string of pearls.

Or we need a return of the Madonna 80s pearls look (not v practical for every day)

@BoxAndKnife

Yes these are from my grandmother - although she used to wear them with a proper twinset . It just seems criminal to leave them languishing in their boxes. I don't think I'd ever sell them though.

I do have bike boots and a leather skirt. I could do black skinny jeans, bike boots and a black sweater I suppose?

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Try putting them all on at once. At least the two collar-level three-stranders. Maybe twist them together. That gets over any inkling that you might just be wearing them because they're "appropriate". Maybe wrap the longer one round your wrist? If you're going to wear them, make sure you WEAR THEM! And 7 strands is an excellent way to do that!

I agree with everyone who suggests wearing them all at the same time, and with very casual or very formal clothes but not with staid clothes. I couldn't wear a single strand of classic matched cultured pearls without feeling odd, and I am retired!

But I have coloured pearls and freshwater pearls and randomly strung pearls that I wear quite a lot, because they are immensely flattering.

I wear pearls all the time. I love them and have lots of different sets and earrings. I don't care if anyone thinks they are are frumpy . I read that they are very anti-ageing and they lift your complexion and I think they do

These ideas sound great. Another option with the single strand is to do what I've done and double it up as a beautiful pearl bracelet (which might work better with other outfits which wouldn't suit a necklace).

i have cheap freshwater pearls but still love the soft glowing colour, would love more in better quality.

i honestly think just wear them with whatever you want. if you wear clothes that are odd and shoved together without any thought as how they suit your body shape, then pearls wont be the problem and wont add stereotype or cliche.

honestly, they are timeless and enjoy them eg fine hoop or detailed smaller earrings and strand of pearls.