I love me some jewelry. If I ever leave home without earrings on, I feel naked and jewelry is one of my favorite impulse purchases. (tip: I always keep a pair of classic silver hoops in my wallet just in case)
My first buying job out of college was as an assistant buyer in the jewelry department for a department store in Seattle. This was back in the day when Monet was the ‘it’ fashion brand, Swatch watches were the style statement and it was trendy to only wear one earring like Janet Jackson did. (I know I’m not the only one who wore a key as an earring:)
Times have changed and so have the styles of jewelry that are now considered basic wardrobe elements. I thought it would be fun to take a look back at a few styles that made the 80’s great and what earring styles are considered an essential wardrobe staple today.
THEN: Doorknocker Earrings were big time back then. The chunkier the better and gold was just about the only finish that you could find. And for those of you that wore these styles, you know that many of them were heavy as all get out. What we women will do for fashion!
NOW: Hoops are the foundation to any earring wardrobe.
THEN: Stud earrings in quirky shapes and motif was what everyone was wearing.
NOW: Stud styles are simple, understated and classic.
THEN: Pearls were the rhinestone of the 80’s and clip-on styles were way more popular than pierced styles.
NOW: Bling is the new thing and you’ll see stones being worn with jeans as well as formal wear.
THEN: If you didn’t own a pair of cloisonné or enamel earrings then you were considered unfashionable. These hand painted designs were considered works of art and were the statement jewelry of the 80’s.
NOW: Statement jewelry today adds sophisticated personality to an outfit.
So now it’s time to take a look at the jewelry you own and see what pieces you need to go shopping for. If you come across a great pair of earrings, buy a pair for me too.
Happy Shopping!
