The Jewellery & Watches Edit
My pick of the best earrings, necklaces, rings and more to shop now.
As I’ve written before, it took me far longer than it should have to recognise the power of jewellery. In the past couple years, I’ve gone from never bothering with rings and necklaces and bracelets to almost never leaving the house without at least three pieces on. (The ultimate goal is Lori Hirshleifer levels of bling.) This week’s send-out is entirely dedicated to this newfound passion, which I’m convinced is the secret to taking outfits from good to great, and the difference between the well-turned-out and the truly stylish. I’ve also thrown a couple of watches in, too, for good measure – although, I admit in this regard, I’m absolutely not an expert and it’s very much style first, function second.
My personal philosophy when it comes to jewellery is relatively un-snobby. I think it’s incredibly chic to mix diamonds with costume jewellery, and pearls with beads. What I don’t tend to bother with is ‘designer’ fashion jewellery because I think it’s a scam. (What do you mean £400 for a ‘gold-tone’ necklace?) I’m not a fan of ‘status’ jewellery, either – that is, the instantly recognisable stuff from big-name houses that people buy just to let everyone else know they’re rich. To me, jewellery is meant to be an expression of personal taste – even more so than clothes, you could say, because it is by definition purely ornamental.
Below I’ve curated a mish-mash of pieces that I personally love and which you could very easily wear to the office without looking flash. And note: nothing says ‘I’m way cooler than these other lawyers’ like accessorising your shirt and suit with Shaun Leane earrings, a Sydney Evan bracelet and an Elsa Peretti ring. To accommodate everyone from the intern to the CEO, I’ve included pieces ranging in price from £100 all the way up to £5,000 (bonus season is around the corner, after all). As always, let me know what you like the look of in the comments or over email.
P.S. I previously teased an Instagram page a few newsletters back but it’s now officially public. Check it out if you fancy.
Affordable and everyday
£150 and under
Top Row, L-R
Completed Works Universal Code Pearl and Gold Vermeil Earrings Contemporary yet elegant earrings from the ultimate purveyor of cool-girl pearls £125
Otiumberg 14kt Gold Vermeil Graduated Hoops I’m obsessed with these horn-like earrings from London jeweller Otiumberg – a slightly edgier, more sculptural alternative to classic hoops £110
Tilly Sveas Small Jewelled Gold T-Bar Chain Tilly Sveas is known for its T-bar pieces (always chic), including this tasteful gold-plated necklace dotted with crystals £150
Bottom Row, L-R
Tilly Sveas Silver Compass Curb-Link Bracelet I’m a sucker for anything talismanic and celestial and nomadic – stars, moons, evil eyes, compasses. Lay it on me £150
Pink Piglet Blue Cluster Pearl Earrings I discovered this fabulous British brand from a fashion editor’s Instagram – and I love that their earrings feel like something you’d find in the stash of your eccentric late great-aunt £125
Monica Vinader Riva Diamond Wishbone Stacking Ring I’m not usually inclined to shop these high-street brands (who wants the exact same jewellery as everyone else?) but I do love the shape and sparkle of this wishbone ring £150
Thoughtfully crafted
£500 and under
Top Row, L-R
Alighieri Rocky Road Hoops I love textured, craggy pieces that look like you’ve scavenged them from some ancient Roman ruins – i.e. Alighieri’s entire aesthetic. These have been on my Net-A-Porter wish list for some time £195
Eliou Eric Lapis Necklace An elevated spin on a bead necklace and a brilliant way to knock the stuffiness out of a smart outfit £167
Tissot PRX 35mm Watch I scoured far and wide and I dare you to find a better-looking watch at such a purse-friendly price point £375
Bottom Row, L-R
Lié Studio Flora Bracelet I’ve previously featured this chunky ‘knotted’ bracelet from Danish brand Lié Studio, but it’s now on sale and so I’ve decided it’s worth another shout-out £277 (originally £395)
Bleue Burnham Mini Rose Garden Signet One of the coolest British jewellers, Bleue Burnham makes pieces inspired by nature and gardens using recycled metals and lab-grown sapphires £475
Shaun Leane Large Quill Talon Earrings I’m a huge fan of Shaun Leane’s spiky, punkish jewellery aesthetic, and these talon earrings have tonnes of attitude – ideal for days when you need to look a little more intimidating £325
A little more cash to splash
£1,000 and under
Top Row, L-R
Vrai Half Tennis Bracelet I’ve never met a tennis bracelet I didn’t like, and this one from Vrai, featuring lab-grown diamonds, clocks in at under four figures £877
Tiffany Elsa Peretti Split Ring This architectural ring from Tiffany’s iconic Elsa Peretti collection (created in collaboration with one of the most fabulous women who ever lived) is one those pieces you let shine on its own, no stack neecessary £790
Wales Bonner Song Earrings I wouldn’t normally be enticed by ‘fashion jewellery’ at this price point but I absolutely love Wales Bonner’s quirky, craft-forward collection, which features glass beads made by Ghanaian artisans £640
Bottom Row, L-R
Longines Conquest 30mm Ladies Watch I’m still holding out for my Cartier Tank, Panthère or Jaeger Le-Coultre Reverso, but this by Longines is a solid choice at the £1k mark £1,000 (originally £1,300)
Suzanne Kalan Uneven Baguette Ring The US jeweller’s signature ‘scattered’ aesthetic is translated into a 14-karat gold ring with delectable coloured stones £865
Sydney Evan Evil Eye Mother-of-Pearl and Diamond Bracelet I adore the iridescent sheen of mother-of-pearl, especially when it’s offset with diamonds £555
Serious treat-yourself territory
£5,000 and under
Top Row, L-R
Cartier Tank Francaise (Pre-Owned) Every fashion girl’s dream watch, co-signed by Princess Di no less – this one is pre-owned, which I think lends it a fabulous ‘heirloom’ patina £3,295
Sydney Evan 14-Karat Gold, Topaz & Diamond Necklace Another evil-eye gem from Sydney Evan that treats diamonds and semi-precious stones with the nonchalance of beads (very cool) £4,550
Vrai Tennis Bracelet And another tennis bracelet from Vrai, but with amped-up sparkle thanks to four carats’ worth of brilliant round diamonds all over £2,887
Bottom Row, L-R
Messika Baby Move Necklace Not your average pendant, this delicate necklace from Messika features their signature ‘moving’ diamonds that slide back and forth like a fun little abacus (I regret trying it on at Selfridges because now I must have it) €3,650
Alighieri Diamond Dome Ring Another hand-carved, rough-hewn (in the best way) treasure from Alighieri, this time elevated with a touch of diamond sparkle and cast in nine-karat solid gold £1,500
Kiki McDonough Grace Amethyst Earrings These divine amethyst and diamond earrings from London’s reigning queen of coloured gems are exactly what I’d wear to the office if I had a glitzy party later that evening £1,500
And if you’ve just made partner…
What to buy if you’ve just made partner, sold your company or closed the biggest deal of your life and earned a fat chunk of commission? Personally, I’d be making my way to Jessica McCormack and picking up a pair of their Gypset Crescent Moon Earrings, at a casual £5,500. (That or their 17-Carat Button Back Necklace at the slightly more pricey £135,000.) The brand does diamonds in a very effortless, jeans-and-T-shirt way that I’m obsessed with, and their Mayfair townhouse is easily the most beautiful shop I’ve ever set foot in.
Anyways, I’d love to know your ‘I’ve made it’ jewellery or watch purchase in the comments below.
