Jewelry Wardrobe Essentials

[Viola]

I cannot find Miss Manners' list online, but I know I've seen it before. I know there's older lists as well and I would dearly love to see any if someone has one.

Basically, this is NOT a list of every cool vintage piece of jewelry you might want. And you don't have to wear all of these every day. It's just a list of what you consider a well-rounded wishlist of jewelry pieces. Can be as high-end or as zirconia as necessary, just talking about the look.

here's someone else's list but I'm not sure I agree with it entirely.

My sister (a vintage person too) and I have two different lists, though both are open to revision.

My list is:

1) Engagement band or wedding ring, if applicable. (it is for me).
2) A pearl necklace. I lean towards favouring a single strand but that's not an actual rule. I don't actually think a fun colour set is a wardrobe basic at all. And I don't care where they're from, though its nice if they're not glass. (But I won't tell.)
3) I'd say a set of solitare earrings and a set of drop earrings, but I think pearls work as well as diamonds or one of each.
4) A cocktail ring.
5) I think probably a metal chain with swappable pendants.

Sister's list:
1) Engagement band or wedding ring if applicable. (its not for her)
2) A tennis bracelet. In fact, she's horrified I don't have any bracelets on my list.
3) A vintage-style locket. This is a classic and leaving it off shows I have no romance in my soul.
4) A cameo or other similar nice-jewelry pin/brooch
5) A chain for a series of swappable pendants. And pendants for swapping, of course. lol
6) Metal bracelet.
7) Hoop earrings, not too large.
8) Emerald-cut or knot-style earrings that DON'T dangle.
9) A nice watch
10) A cocktail ring

What's yours? Did we both forget something? What do you think says Golden Era especially loudly? Or, alternately, just make fun of us, but I promise, we never wear all these things at once and walk about jingling like a vintage Mr. T. We don't even have all of these things, or some are costume jewelry.

I think I feel like pins/brooches (is there a difference) are probably the one that seems most vintage to me. But I'm not sure they're a basic as they seem to be really outfit particular.

 

[lolly_loisides]

I'd count a dress watch as a piece of jewelry. I'm also fond of dress clips (especially the ones that can be hooked together & worn as a brooch).

 

[Viola]

What are dress clips? Is it like a decorative pin, but designed not to put holes in fabric? Like the ones they have that are magnets? Or am I going down the wrong track entirely?

 

[lolly_loisides]

Here's a good example of them, 2 clips that you can wear at your neckline on a dress or coat & then they can be joined up & used as a brooch.

 

[Viola]

Those look pretty, Lolly. Still would be interested to see someone wearing them, to make sure the look I'm picturing is right. Are those yours, or internet inspiration? Lovely either way.

It seems like charm bracelets have come back. I wish I could wear them, but they just don't look right on me. I have uncooperative wrists, or thats what I blame, anyway.

 

[Tatum]

Don't forget sweater clips! Cute and functional.

 

[Miss sofia]

ooh i love a sweater clip! Actually anything with the word 'clip' attached to it!

 

[LizzieMaine]

A *good* watch -- not some cheap disposable thing -- is number one on my list. I don't trust anyone who doesn't know what time it is. Pearls are another essential -- they can be worn with just about anything without looking out of place.

I can't wear bracelets -- I don't know why, but I've never been able to deal with them -- I always feel like they're in the way.

Decorative novelty pins were a very big deal in the Era, especially the late thirties/early forties. Wear one of these on the front of your dress or the lapel of your jacket, and it can be a focal point of the whole outfit.

 

[Miss sofia]

I agree a good watch is a must.

A simple string of pearls is also a must too, for day or evening. I also think a pair of pearl studs are a pretty good option too.

I personally agree with Lizzie too on the brooch thing, most days i wear a brooch as i find it really can liven up adull outfit, a sparkly one for evening, worn with minimal other jewellery, such as the good watch can be very glamorous.

Although a statement rhinestone, deco-style bracelet and a dangly pair of earrings in the same style is good for evening, i tend to wear one of those three options, but not together, (diamonds if Daddy Warbucks is paying of course)! I also think dress clips as mention before are a great option, as you can clip them on bags, shoes, hair as well as wearing them the usual way.

I also like lots of bakelite bangles too, i wear them most days in different colours according to the outfit.

 

[sheeplady]

Well, the obvious answer is that you don't have enough until you can fill several trunks full. Up to the top. With specific pieces to go with each outfit.

I would say this- all of which can be costume:
-Bracelets: one gold colored and one silver colored
-Necklaces: one set of pearls, one gold choker, one silver choker
-Earrings: stud and hoops/ dangles in both silver and gold
-Pins/ Brooches: 2-3, silver and gold.
-Watch
-Rings: silver and gold

A set of earrings, pin, bracelet, and necklace for evening. With rhinestones, of course. I've actually started wearing some of my down-stated rhinestone pieces to work, such as pins, because otherwise I have limited chances to show them off. I am pretty sure that I am violating every etiquette rule in the book, but I figure at least I'm not wearing flip flops in the middle of winter.

I've actually been trying to complete a set of jewerly in each color: blue, purple, red, pink, green, brown, orange, etc. I bead, so I have been mainly collecting necklaces and bracelets and creating earrings that coordinate (I can't wear clip ons).

Oh, and everybody needs a scotty dog pin. It is required. I got mine when I was a little girl, and I still wear it.

 

[Viola]

Great list, ladies. It really does help me.

For the watch people, how do you feel about leather bands vs. metal? Silver-tone vs. gold tone? Pearl/diamond accents? Inquiring minds want to know.

I loved pins at my last job because I felt like they took so much attention OFF the plain button down blouses or plain black tees (yes, I know, but I was considered rather formally dressed by the office) that they and some scarves and cardigans made my wardrobe look way more expansive than it really was.

I've been looking at these Art Deco-inspired pieces, some of them are really cute

 

[Sharpsburg]

I am trying to put together a basic "everyday" wardrobe for my WWII civilian reenactments. I typically portray a 30-40s lower middle class woman (worker). Can anyone suggest the kind of earrings such a woman might wear. Even my 1942 sears catalog provided few suggestions. They sold more engaement rings. I now wear screw type fake pearls that my mom wore in those years, but i'd love some other options!

Thanks!

 

[Viola]

My grandmother, who was working class to lower middle class, wore earrings like these and other styles that did not dangle but weren't just pearls or "diamond" solitares. A lot of them were costume jewelry.

Big, not dangly. Not quiet little styles, in my grandmother's case anyway.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Exactly -- big and colorful button types, often made from plastic or bakelite or such materials, were very popular among the earring-wearing women of the time. Dangly styles were for evening wear, and they generally weren't as big and gaudy as you see today.

 

[LinaSofia]

Oh, and everybody needs a scotty dog pin. It is required. I got mine when I was a little girl, and I still wear it.

I agree!! A scotty dog pin is invaluable! They add a touch of fun to any outfit.

My list of essential jewellery would definitely include:

a fun, quirky brooch for daytime wear - a scotty dog one is ideal!
And a fancier brooch for evening wear - could be in a precious metal or just costume with rhinestones. Anything that dresses up an outfit.
A pair of formal stud earrings, pearls, "diamond" studs or silver and marcasite ones are ideal and go with anything and can be worn in the daytime or evening.
A pair of fun informal earrings - brightly-coloured bakelite hoops for example.
A classic string of pearls.
A silver chain and assorted pendants. And if you like, a gold equivalent.
I don't think a bracelet/bangle is essential, but it's nice to add an extra touch - a rhinestone one for evening and a colourful bakelite for daytime, perhaps.

I think it's essential to have a selection of a). classic, inobtrusive, tasteful jewellery and b). costume jewellery (or otherwise) with impact, fun and glamour! And hopefully know when one is appropriate and not the other!!

 

[Wire9Vintage]

Just another vote for the classic pearls. Single strand, with some pearl studs, for so many women was/is the only jewelry ever needed. Pearls with an evening gown or pearls with a sweater set... it's all good.

I would add some simple gold hoops in about a half-inch size. My great grandmother had these, my grandmother had these, my mother had these and bought me some when I was a teenager. These were/are the real everyday jewelry among the women in my family...and about the only gold jewelry other than wedding rings any of us have/had.

 

[Tatum]

Yep, pearls, definitely.

Another thing I have found helpful (maybe just me) is having a black necklace. Onyx, glass, whatever, but it allows a black belt and black shoes when I don't have shoes or a belt that are perfectly "matchy matchy" for the outfit in question

 

[kymeratale]

While we are on about pearls (which I agree with BTW) I have a question. I have 2 sets of double strand (one from each Grandmother) that I hardly ever wear becasue they twist around each other and look dumb. The both have clasps like this one, with the little prongs that fit in the little box. Any tips for why they are doing this and how to stop it?

 

[Miss Sis]

Diamonds go with everything, darling....

 

[Land-O-LakesGal]

For me a list includes
1. Sweater Guards (or clips as many now call them)
2. Bakelite or fakelite- earings, bracelets, brooches
3. Rhinestones- necklace, earings, brooches
4. Pearls- earings, necklace
5. Brooches-many

I don't do rings and watches as I work with my hands too much