Vintage Jewelry Trends That Never Go Out of Style
Some styles in jewelry are here to stay, even as the rest of the trends come and go. You’ll see people drawn to vintage for that very reason, time and again. The finest vintage has a way about it; it’s not put there by some passing seasonal fad but by a kind of elegance and character that holds up.
There is a certain heft to older pieces, a level of detail you don’t always find in what’s being made today. Put on a pair of gold hoops or pin an old brooch to your lapel, and you’ve given an outfit some personality without any effort.
Why Vintage Jewelry Trends Hold Up
You can put a finger on why these things make a comeback. A lot of it is down to the fact that they were built with better materials and more care than your average mass-produced trinket.
And then there’s the intangible: good jewelry should be in service of your style, not the other way around. A plain gold chain or some pearl studs will fit in with what you’re wearing now just as well as they did thirty years ago.
Pearls
They are one of the most obvious vintage staples, and for good reason. Pearls have a way of being elegant but not stuffy. They go with a dress or a pair of jeans and a sweater with equal ease.
Popular Pearl Pieces
What you’ll see:
- Pearl necklaces
- Studs
- A few strands layered
- Bracelets
These days, they’re worn in a much more relaxed way.
Gold
Gold has been in vogue through every era. It’s no accident. The best of it is unassuming and doesn’t look like it belongs in a museum.
Timeless Gold Jewelry
- Hoops
- A signet ring
- A bangle
- A simple chain
These are the ones you can live in. There is often a bit more substance to an older piece of gold than what you might pick up off the rack.
Rings
A statement ring has always had its moment. The ones from back in the day tend to have a story to tell, with some bold stone or interesting metalwork.
You can let a couple of vintage rings do the talking and keep the rest of your accessories to a minimum. It’s all in the balance.
Brooches
They were written off as old hat for a while, but you’ll see them making a quiet return.
There’s nothing like a brooch to put a spin on a blazer or a coat. It’s not over the top, it just adds a little something.
Where to Put a Brooch
- On a wool coat or blazer
- Pinned to a scarf or handbag
- Over a knit sweater
Older brooches have a bit more artistry to them.
Costume Jewelry
It isn’t all understated. In the mid-century, for instance, you had some very chunky, in-your-face pieces. Big earrings, vivid stones, necklaces with presence.
If you put one of those dramatic finds with some neutral, simple clothes, it works. It becomes the point of the outfit without being too much.
Lockets and the Like
.A locket, a charm bracelet, an engraved piece—these have a value beyond how they look. Trends may drive some of what we buy, but a piece with some history behind it, whether it’s from the family or an antique store, only gets better with time.
Wearing It Today
Don’t overdo it. You don’t have to match every piece to a bygone era.
In my experience, a vintage chain with a white tee or some pearls with some denim is far more natural than going for a full retro look. You want to add a bit of flair to your day-to-day, not put on a costume.
Why Vintage Jewelry Never Goes Out of Style
In the end, the best vintage pieces were never trying to be anything they weren’t. They are tied to how they were made and who is wearing them, not to what’s in the magazines this month. That is why they outlast the rest.