Pearls, quintessentially timeless, have been coveted and cherished for centuries for their lucrative beauty from jewelry to adornments and beyond, they’re one of the trends that truly never go out of style. Adaptable and versatile, they can be worn in a number of ways from subtle and seductive to conservative and elevated to bold and expressive.
We’ve recently seen pearls take over the runway in various forms like Bottega Veneta’s colorful baroque pearls on necklaces, irregular shaped pearls by various jewelry designers like Monica Vinader, make for playful, statement earrings. Dressed up and down, we’ve seen brands like Celine put a more mod, traditional Aurdrey Hepburn-inspired take on them, while brands like Givenchy have utilized oversized pearl necklaces to give their looks an edgy energy. And celebrities everywhere are putting their own signature flair on the trend like Rihanna who was seen in New York in a bold, multi-layered necklace or pearls, and Taylor Swift who wore a pearl choker on her Eras Tour. Just this past weekend at the Oscars, Lupita Nyong’o stepped out in a stunning white Chanel gown embellished with over 22,000 pearls all over, inspired by a haute couture look from the house’s Spring/Summer 1991 collection.
HISTORY OF PEARLS
Dating back to centuries ago, pearls were a symbolism of purity and status, worn by aristocrats and socialites alike. As fashion evolved, pearls were seen representing major women of pop culture, like Madonna, who always styled hers with a bit of rebellion alongside ripped fishnets and smudged eyeliner. When we think of pearls Vivienne Westwood is the standout designer and heroine of the accessory, with her iconic pearl choker that rose to fame in the 80s is still passed around today on fashion ‘s finest – from Bella Hadid to Dua Lipa and beyond. Making its way through the 21st century, the pearl’s presence and resurgence is stronger now than ever in 2025.
HOW TO WEAR
As mentioned, the wearing of pearls is extremely versatile, that’s what makes them so great. Below we break down a few of our favorite ways to style them right now.
A timeless necklace strand of pearls makes for a classy touch to your look without drawing too much attention. Along with a classic pair of pearl studs. A purse with pearls also serves as the perfect subtly chic accessory.
Looking for something edgy? Multi-layered necklaces that vary in size and an oversized choker are designed to make a statement. If you want to take your look a step further, opt for a sheer pair of tights embellished with pearls.
