Beauty...
Be your own
kind of beautiful
Be your own
kind of beautiful
just need her to confirm how many years she’s been in the industry, left a space for it in the text! xx
FYI: A new, cool way of wearing jewelry has officially taken off. Leaving behind standalone statement pieces (chunky necklaces, chandelier earrings, et cetera), today’s It-girls are all in favor of a key micro-trend: layering. You might have spotted this on your feed — tennis bracelets climbing up both forearms, a jumble of chain-link necklaces, or rings stacked on all fingers. Across the board, layering jewelry can make for a look that’s impactful, yet versatile enough to wear on a day-to-day basis.
That said, a rather sizable jewelry lineup is required to achieve the piece-y look — and going off of the headily aesthetic pictures on Instagram, it can get dizzying. For those wondering where to begin, we’ve called on Shelley Gibbs Sanders, founder and creative director of LA-based jewelry label, The Last Line, to help create a no-fail guide.
After [TK] years in the business, Gibbs Sanders has learned a thing or two. Chief among them? “First things first: jewelry is personal,” she shares. As such, each wearer should feel confident infusing their layered look with pieces that have some deeper significance in their lives. “I love seeing [women mix] new pieces with heirloom styles they’ve received, and personalized pieces with their children’s birthstones or partner’s initials.”
Next: every woman’s jewelry box should have four types of pieces, whether a novice or lifetime collector. “We call them the Core Four,” Sanders adds. These can serve as the basis for your own layered look, lending themselves to earrings, necklaces, rings, and bracelets.
Read ahead for each of the styles, with browsable options in every category:
“Classic doesn’t mean basic!” Sanders points out. “Trust me, no one has ever regretted investing in a timeless style like a tennis bracelet or a great gold hoop for everyday.” When shopping for classics, consider going with the metal that you own the most of already, as to make styling simpler. That said, for those who aren’t afraid to mix it up: anything goes!
“I always encourage everyone to have a piece that is personal,” says Sanders. “You can engrave a pendant, add on a letter charm to hoop, or rock your zodiac sign on a tennis collar which I love.” For those who wear hoops on repeat, The Last Line’s letter charm is a fun and easy way to decorate styles in your existing collection. You can also go all-out with an entirely new piece, like Catbird’s heirloom signet ring.
“Just try it, trust me,” says Sanders. The colored gemstone trend might feel particularly youthful, but it’s just what your layered look needs to make a vibrant statement. As far as styling color-soaked bijoux: “No need to overthink it. A white t-shirt is the perfect … blank canvas to let your pieces shine. In general, I love a juxtaposition, whether it’s new and vintage, dressed-up and dressed-down,” Sanders adds.
“This can be anything — the only requirement is that you feel special when you wear it.” The “Wildcard” is an opportunity to try out a new, surprising silhouette, such as a floral ring or a serpentine bangle, which mix perfectly with the basic staple pieces. “They’re the pieces YOU love and make you smile when you [wear them],” says Sanders. “[I] lean toward the pieces that remind me of my kids, each of who I designed something for and wear almost daily. They’re all different flowers, because who doesn’t love flowers from their little loves?”
By zeroing in on these styles, you might be able to declutter your current collection of jewelry. Consider ruling out pieces that aren’t a fit for any of these categories, or don’t bring you a sense of joy when you wear them. Most importantly: “The best thing about jewelry is its ability to tell a story,” says Sanders. Make sure that your forever pieces tell a story that is authentic to you.
