You probably know that every couple of months, there’s some sort of must-have fashion accessory, like do you remember that Owl necklace trend from 2011? Do you remember 2010 and the mustaches and nerdy glasses pendants? How about those bib necklaces in 2016, and those giant, thick chains in 2020? That was just a ten-year example, and a lot of trends annually, right? That’s just for necklaces, so imagine accessories as a whole and the sheer amount of trends!
Sure, it’s fun at first, of course, to keep up with trends, because it’s affordable, it lets someone try different styles, and it’s easy to grab a few trendy pieces without thinking too hard about it. But as you know, trends just fade. Even though diamonds are forever, trends with diamonds, well, most of the time, tend to fade. So instead of costume jewelry, it might be better to just make a transition to higher-end jewelry (not designer, but real silver, real gold, a few gems). So, where do you start?
Pay Attention to What Already Gets Worn
Alright, so the easiest way to start upgrading jewelry is to look at what already gets used the most. There’s usually a pattern there. You might already be able to pick on it, like maybe gold gets worn more than silver, maybe bracelets feel easier than rings, or you prefer bolder pieces. But when it comes to this, though, that matters because upgrading doesn’t mean buying what someone else says is timeless. It means choosing better versions of what already fits the person’s style.
Don’t Replace Everything at Once
Unless you can actually afford to do that, just don’t even bother trying to replace everything at once. Honestly, there’s no reason to. When it comes to transitions in your home and what you own, it’s a lot easier to try and do everything just one at a time instead. So, a good place to start is with one category that gets worn often. For some people, that’s earrings, but it’s really up to you and what you’re wearing every single day. So then, just start replacing slowly.
So, if you have some chunky bracelets you bought from a fast fashion website, then it’s time to ditch them (ideally reselling them or donating them to a thrift store), and then instead replace them with premium designer bracelets because you want to just slowly move up to high-quality pieces.
Stop Buying for Outfits
Yep, you read that right! Basically, the problem here is that costume jewelry is very good at convincing people to buy for imaginary plans. Sure, you shouldn’t buy a piece only for one outfit you own, but it’s a lot worse for the imaginary ones.
Like a vacation outfit, a wedding guest look, and a dinner that may or may not happen, a version of life that somehow includes more events, better lighting, and fewer rushed mornings. You get the point, because that’s what people are guilty of here. The best pieces are usually the ones that don’t need much overthinking, that ideally are versatile.
