Dianne For women who love classic style and timeless beauty, this is “the list” of classic jewelry every woman needs! I share the 9 must-have jewelry essentials for women over 40, women over 50, women over 60 and beyond. This is the complete list of Essential Jewelry: The Jewelry Collection Every Elegant Women Needs.
Pieces include every category of gold jewelry & sterling silver jewelry to achieve that classic look with minimal style jewelry.
This blog post is all about the Essential Jewelry: The Jewelry Collection Every Elegant Women Needs.
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The Secret to Effortless Style
Every elegantly dressed woman knows that the secret to effortless dressing comes down to the small collection of clothing that makes up her capsule wardrobe. These pieces are beautiful, high quality, timeless, pieces she can reach for everyday to build stylish outfits. Wearing these go to pieces, she looks just as classic in jeans and a t-shirt as she does when she dresses for a night on the town.
That same woman relies on another collection of timeless pieces, her essential jewelry collection to accent her outfits perfectly with just the right amount of shine, texture and interest. In this blog post, you will find the 9 essential jewelry pieces every woman needs in her jewelry collection, so she has the right pieces to wear for any occasion. I’ll step you through this collection, tell you why I love these pieces and reach them all the time.
I also include some of some tips and tricks I follow, so my essential jewelry is always ready to wear and looks great.
Essential Jewelry for Any Occasion
1. Stud Earrings
Classic stud earrings are perfect for creating that polished look you crave every day. Although gold or silver studs are probably the most common, pearl studs are my favorite. Diamond or rhinestone stud earrings are a close second.
Pearl stud earrings look great with any outfit, whether dressy or casual. Understated and elegant, they reflect light on our faces and give off the most beautiful, natural sheen.
I love wearing a more substantial 10mm size because I am tall (5’9″), and smaller jewelry can get lost. For many years, cultured white freshwater pearl stud earrings have been my faithful, go-to. I find they are very durable, versatile, classic, and elevate any outfit I wear.
Since I wear pearl earrings almost every day, I purchased several of the same pair, so if I misplace one, I can quickly substitute one for another one without missing a beat. This strategy has been a good one and has served me well.
So many options to choose from. Having a beautiful classic pair of stud earrings is one of those little things in life that matter a lot to provide that perfect element of polish to your outfits. I am also a fan of some timeless styles, such as these silver love knot earrings or these gold flower earrings.
Style Tip:
Sometimes heavier pierced earrings flop over and do not hang well on my earlobes. To remedy this problem, I keep a supply of extra earring backs with a plastic disk, on hand. The plastic disk fits snuggly behind the ears and helps to position earrings correctly to hang beautifully.
Having extra earring backs on hand is also handy if you lose an earring back, too. Instead of stealing from another pair, having a ready supply of extras is ideal for keeping your day running smoothly and minimizing frustration.
2. Hoop earrings
Another classic piece of jewelry is the hoop. Like the stud, it is one of the most basic type of earrings, but is an important, slightly elevated piece that has a way of pulling an outfit together beautifully.
Of course, there are many options to choose from, which allow us to inject our own style and personality into our outfits. Hoop earrings can be chunky or fine, smooth or diamond-cut, large or small.
Unless you choose a large statement-making design, hoop earrings are an understated piece of jewelry that brings a feminine vibe to your outfit. They are ideal for an everyday casual, smart casual or professional setting.
Frequently, I reach for small/medium chunky style hoop earrings. Chunky gold earrings or chunky silver hoop earrings are the style I typically gravitate to for daytime.
For evening, I love to switch it up and wear something different like these larger gold diamond cut hoop earrings. Like a good pair of shoes, the right pair of gold hoop earrings with a touch of bling add an element of texture and interest to the most basic outfit.
3. Pearl Necklace
Pearls are a must for creating a classic style look. My go-to favorite is an 18″ strand of cultured freshwater pearls. Wearing a larger 10mm diameter pearl size is what I prefer, as they look more substantial. For women with a more petite frame, a smaller, daintier size pearl may be your preference.
Whenever I think of a beautiful classic woman who worn pearls, I think of Barbara Bush. She was a picture of grace and timeless elegance.
Some of the most classic fashion icons of our past wore pearl jewelry
- Coco Chanel
- Audrey Hepburn
- Jacqueline Kennedy
Pearl jewelry is certainly a statement of timeless, classic beauty. It’s amazing how a beautiful strand of pearls can make even a basic graphic tee outfit look special.
4. Simple Necklace
A simple gold necklace is like your best friend. They are there when you need them and they always make you look good. For me, this necklace is a 14k gold omega necklace. It is 6mm thick and a piece that’s been in my jewelry collection for over 20 years. It is classic, timeless and provides the perfect amount of sparkle to any outfit, casual or dress.
Very similar to my gold omega necklace is this reversible omega necklace, which is the perfect two-in-one necklace, ideal for every day. Whether you’re wearing gold or silver, this necklace has you covered.
A New Favorite
A new favorite is a gold paperclip necklace. While it’s great worn by itself, it also pairs beautifully with another simple necklace or statement necklace.
A simple necklace is ideal for adding some understated shine and texture to your outfits and many times provides just the amount of texture and sparkle to make any outfit look special.
As an alternative to 14k or 18k gold jewelry, gold vermeil is a great budget friendly option to consider if you love a gold paperclip necklace (budget friendly option).
Another of my go-to necklaces is my silver omega-inspired necklace. Another classic piece, this sterling silver necklace, has been in my collection for many years. I purchased in when I was in Mexico on vacation, and because of its timeless nature, I have never stopped wearing it.
5. Statement necklace
Typically, a statement necklace is a piece of jewelry that is substantial enough to stand on its own when you wear it and may be the focal point of your outfit. However, statement necklaces need not be this large.
This larger statement gold necklace is a beautiful, modern-looking statement necklace that offers tons of interest in an otherwise very basic outfit.
If a smaller option is more your style, consider a pendant necklace. A much more subtle option, there are many gold or silver pendant necklace options to align with your style and personality.
One of my favorite statement necklaces is a sentimental pendant necklace my husband gave me the first Christmas we were together. It is a sterling silver heart pendant with a diamond marking the exact place we met on a small engraved map. On the reverse side of the pendant, he engraved the date we met and a short love note.
While my silver heart necklace is a sentimental piece of jewelry, there are other beautiful pieces that create a similar statement while being just something you love. If I am wearing gold, I enjoy this inexpensive gold pendant necklace I picked up from Amazon. It does a good job of adding some charm and interest to my outfits and does not require a significant financial commitment.
Style Tip:
To keep my sterling silver looking its best, I keep a silver polishing cloth nearby to brighten up my sterling silver jewelry before I put it on. This is a simple and easy step to looking a bit more polished and does not take much time.
6. Simple Bracelet
Wearing a simple silver or gold bracelet, like this gold omega bracelet, is one of the easiest ways to add shine and texture to the most basic outfit while creating an effortless look.
Choosing a bracelet that is comfortable and hugs your wrist without being clunky or bulky is fabulous so every day, and ideal for the office. It also adds the perfect bit of sparkle and feminine to one of the smallest parts of your body.
Recently, I picked up a paperclip bracelet I am really enjoying. I love to pair it with my gold omega bracelet for interest. There are also many budget friendly gold Paperclip bracelets, if you love this simple gold bracelet but you don’t want to take the financial plunge.
7. Statement Bracelet
A statement bracelet is one that stands on its own and is the focal point of your outfit. While everyone’s statement bracelet will be different, it should speak to you, reflect your style and be a timeless piece that you love to wear.
My favorite statement bracelet is my Tiffany mesh bracelet, which I purchased for myself many years ago. Tiffany does not sell this bracelet anymore, but I have seen it available second-hand. Another way to get this look is with a silver statement bracelet.
This Tiffany bracelet was an investment piece when I purchased it years ago. It has been a fabulous piece to have in my collection and is one of my favorite pieces of jewelry. Its substantial size, beautiful texture and timelessness nature speaks to me.
As an alternative, a gold mesh bracelet is equally beautiful and timeless.
8. Statement Watch
A statement of elegance, wearing a beautiful statement time piece such as this Michele Caber Diamond Bracelet Watch, adds the perfect polish to any professional, smart casual or casual outfit.
While a watch is an ideal piece of jewelry to invest in, it’s not a must. A Michele watch looks elegant, is a lovely piece but much more budget friendly than some high-end time pieces on the market such as Omega, Rolex or TAG Heuer.
However, if you can invest in a nice watch, they not only feel great to wear, but they are perfect for handing down through generations.
I previously owned a Rolex oyster perpetual watch, which I enjoyed, but a few years ago I gave it to my daughter to enjoy. Now I now have a Tag Heuer Carrera Diamond Mother of Pearl Dial Ladies Watch which my husband gave me for my birthday. It’s a beautiful time piece which I love because it was gifted with love.
If you are considering an investment watch, I recommend getting a perpetual watch. If you’re not familiar, perpetual watches are self-winding, therefore, do not require a battery. They are a bit more expensive, but they last forever.
9. Statement Ring
Whether referred to as a right hand ring or statement ring, wearing a beautiful ring can quickly become a signature piece in your wardrobe. A statement ring is a piece of jewelry that is beautiful for everyday or just on special occasions.
I have a couple of favorites. One is a gold ring my husband had commissioned by a local jeweler that says “I love us.” The other is a beautiful, blue stone statement ring that we bought while on fabulous tropical vacation in paradise that my husband and I went on a few years ago.
A timeless, classic statement ring you may wish to consider is an engraved signet ring. The key is to choose the right piece for you that reflects your style and personality.
If you’re the creative type, you may wish to consider a modern ring like this Silpada gold statement ring. Simple and elegant, another stylish statement-making piece to enhance the look of a simple outfit.
More Classic Style Inspiration
If this list of classic style essential jewelry that every woman needs inspired you, you will love these posts:
- How to Look Polished in Shorts Outfits this Summer
- Casual Summer Outfits & Fashion Lookbook | Women over 50
- 5 Secrets to Styling a Neutral Color Palette | Beige Pant Outfits
