How to Incorporate Colorful Jewelry Into Your Summer Wardrobe
Ocean blues, grass greens, fiery sunset reds…there are many colors associated with summer. And when it’s time to break out the shorts, sandals and the weekend-away bag, it’s also a good opportunity to refresh your everyday jewelry assortment.
The spring 2024 women’s ready-to-wear collections offered plenty of ideas on how to incorporate color into the mix, from the sea blue chord necklaces and earrings worn with embroidered jackets and pale white satin at Giorgio Armani to the surrealist dragonfly necklaces styled with green suiting and crisp white shirting at Erdem.
More from WWD
When It Comes to Father's Day Wallets, It's Time to Head 'East-west'
EXCLUSIVE: Brilliant Earth Expands Its Roots in the Bridal Category With Signature Collections
Jewelry designers also have thoughts on how to style their bright hued pieces for summer.
“Nothing looks better than turquoise jewelry paired with your summer whites; it gives you very ‘la dolce vita’ Mediterranean vibes,” said Rosanne Karmes, founder of Sydney Evan, whose pieces have been worn by Rihanna and Jennifer Lawrence.
One of the pioneers of the beaded bracelet she knows a thing or two about the power of colorful pieces. Aside from its striking, tranquil color, turquoise is also said to bring strength, power, luck and protection to whoever wears it; and who wouldn’t want that?
“Adding a turquoise, coral or aquamarine beaded bracelet stack is an easy way to update your summer jewelry with color and layer with your existing pieces,” added Karmes.
She has a point. Summer jewelry doesn’t need to be about a total reboot but rather adding new layers that compliment what is already worn. Bright beads are a start, easy to layer up on the wrist and neck, or for more beachy novelty, think shell and anchor pendants on a chord necklace or charm bracelet.
Take advice from Jenna Blake, whose semiprecious stone necklaces can be found at Broken English as well on on the necks of Naomi Watts, Demi Moore and Sarah Paulson. Watts wore a mix of Blake pieces during her recent wedding weekend in Mexico City.
“The best way to add a pop of color to an otherwise neutral outfit is typically through a statement necklace. Colors such as turquoise, amethyst and coral are jewelry staples that can provide a lot of impact to a simple look,” said the designer, who teaches lessons in how to wear jewelry on her social media.
Jewelry is the most personal of accessories, it’s smart to pick a color that resonates and brings joy — whether it’s one piece or layers. With a white T-shirt or colorful summer suit, it should be an exercise in having fun.
Big, bold earrings have been trending in jewelry, and can also incorporate the summer color trend. But they need not be the only statement in a total look.
“I love wearing color with color,” said designer Emily P. Wheeler, whose color pop filled pieces can be found at boutiques Elyse Walker, Tiny Gods and many more.
Wheeler dresses colorfully herself, often playing her ready-to-wear and her jewelry stacks against each other for maximum effect. “For example, a long peach vintage Givenchy coat looks amazing with emerald earrings. A vintage T-shirt looks great with a pile of colorful tennis necklaces and an ombre initial pendant,” she said, suggesting more is more, when it comes to color.
Look to mother nature, the best colorist there is, she said.
“Colorful opals in shades of light blue or pink are also great for summer; they have an iridescent hue that reminds me of light glistening off the ocean or a beautiful coral reef,” Karmes said of her top choices.
Or try a mix of semi precious stones warm hues: red onyx, yellow opal, lapis, malachite and more, she suggests, for a rainbow on a summer day.
Launch Gallery: A Look at the Colorful Jewels Trend for 2024
Best of WWD
