Every woman’s wardrobe of travel jewelry needs some good fakes like faux pearls, CZs, and other modern classics. Costume jewelry is perfect for trips because, though it’s not inexpensive, it’s cheap compared to the real deal.
Before packing one’s jewelry (genuine or rhinestone), a gal should call her agent and ask if it’s safe to wear her goodies in that part of the world.
Classic Outfits
Jewelry of all kinds can be sorted into three types:
- Classic Preppy: Choose orderly symmetrical styles to tart up tailored suits or embellish traditional sporty costumes like nautical cruise wear, horsey English riding, and tennis whites.
- Boho: Bohemian jewelry should have a handmade appearance and is truly perfect if it is a heavy focus piece with an organic, one-of-a-kind, sensuous appeal.
- Evening: Dressy nights need high-impact showstoppers that are meant to brighten up dark rooms.
Of course, there is a lot of crossover, and most women don’t really sort accessories into categories, but ladies can use these groupings to help them pack.
Cheap Pearls
It’s perfectly acceptable, for women over 40, to mix fakes with real jewelry. There has been nothing wrong with costume jewelry ever since Coco Chanel brought faux pearls into everyday mainstream activities.
Real pearls are addictive and it’s easy to see the difference when up close, but even Barbara Bush wore Kenneth Jay Lane fakes. So, look into synthetic pearls.
Majorica
Majorica (muh-HOR-eh-kuh) pearls are manmade, but well made.
When buying faux stones or pearls, the most important thing is taste. A woman with an expensive piece of jewelry will look like a fool compared to a woman with better taste.
Nordstrom.com:
White Faux Pearl Necklace, 16” 8mm. The 8mm is a perfect timeless size and the round “pearl” is as classic as a gal can get. Over time a woman should have this traditional pearl in several different lengths to have the right length for different outfits or to layer.
NeimanMarcus.com:
Pearl-Drop Necklace, White, 16-18”. This is cruise-cruise-cruise perfect. The knot is boaty and nautical to the core, the 12mm size is not alarmingly fake and it can be worn layered with longer strands for nighttime dancing under the stars. Wear it with the simple NM Pearl Stud Earrings.
Big round freshwater pearls are another option. Google around for freshwater deals. Bigger is usually better, girlfriends, especially when talking about true pearls.
Rings:
Pearl rings are usually worn at night because it’s too easy to smack them into things at work, though Saks has an elegant Majorica Ribbon Round Pearl Ring or a hip Baroque style. Don’t get into matching everything too much, as that’s way too uptight and possessed by perfection. Always consider pulling something unusual into the mix, even for a classic or sporty look.
Other brands that are said to have good faux pearls: Swarovksi, Trifari, Napier (especially vintage) and anything from Nordstrom’s is usually good.
Mabe Earrings
Gals with round faces will like Mabe (mah-bay) earrings. The best ones are simple and can be worn day and night, but don’t wear anything ditzy small. Real mabe earrings are absolutely worth the money but, until then, look at the Nordstrom Mabes or the 20mm Mabe Grey Glass Pearl Clip Earrings at LandauJewelry.com. (Author wears real or Landau.)
The beauty of pearl earrings is that they give brightness to the face and a gal gets a lot more sexy, classy bling with pearls compared to teensy diamond / CZ studs.
Gold Vermeil
This is a nice classic slip-on bangle at Ross Simons: Twisted Bangle Bracelet in Vermeil. (Don’t layer bangles for work, they jingle.) Another good style is their Cultured Pearl Stretch Bracelet in Vermeil.
- Macys.com: The perfect classic necklace with Xs and Os (Length not good for big necks)
- Nordstrom.com: Short Strand Illusion Glass Pearl Necklace
- SmartBargains.com: Modital Bijoux Vermeil Pearl Layering Necklace
- For a traditional sparkly earring look, check out Audrina’s Gold Pave CZ Huggy Earrings at fantasyJewelryBox.com.
The best earrings for business settings are pearls (studs or mabe) or CZ studs in a reasonable size. This is probably true for most daytime cruise looks.
There is no way to say that size "X" is right for CZ studs. Tiny women with thin necks wear smaller studs. Larger women can wear larger CZ or pearl studs. It's trial and error. Find a fake in a size that would be affordable, if it were real, to fit one's lifestyle. (This doesn't apply to evening wear.)
- Ross-Simons.com: For a realistic look, check out the 2.40 Cubic Zirconia and Yellow Gold Eternity Band.
- Ross-Simons.com: 1.00 Carat CZ Necklace In 14kt Yellow Gold. 20"
After getting some traditional wear-anywhere styles, add some kicky versions.
Silver Jewelry
Check these out for alternatives in silver.
- Macy’s.com: Sterling Silver Freshwater Pearl Tin Cup Necklace (Some gals would need to double up or find larger pearls.)
- Nordstrom.com: Lois Hill Small Cutout Necklace.
Sometimes it’s worth it to save up for real gold or pearls but remember that, even then, most women will layer real with fake to get the look that's just right. And for travel, faux is a go.
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Christina Gregoire - Christina Gregoire writes about divorce, fashion, and baby boomers. Her forte is explaining complex ideas in simple language.
