today is all about pearls! pearls are one of the most enduring fashion accessories of all time and we can't think of a classic and elegant style without thinking of pearls. if you only associate pearls with an old-fashioned style and think of queen elizabeth II's (or any other queen's) wardrobe, think twice. pearls, which never go out of style, have made a strong comeback as a major jewelry trend for 2023. they're here to stay, appearing on red carpets and streetwear, adorning necks, wrists, ears and bags, even shoes and hair and for good reason... they're versatile enough to be worn with just about any style.
pearls have long been associated with luxury and have been worn throughout history by kings, queens, marajas or chinese emperors, as well as the most glamorous and famous celebrities of the 20th century. they represent love, purity, beauty, authority and power.
there are some moments in history when pearls have been the biggest stars and have stunned us.
1. GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING
girl with a pear earring, it's the most famous pearl in art history and probably the most famous piece by johannes vermeer. despite the fact that there are some claims that the earring was probably an imitation glass ball rather than a real pearl, the truth is that when we think of pearl earrings, this is the most iconic.
girl with a pearl earring, painted by johannes vermeer
2. COCO CHANEL
there is no piece of jewellery more directly associated with the image of coco chanel. we simply have an instant image of her signature style of ropes, mixing faux and real pearls, which gave her that chic and creative look. reportedly her lifelong romance began in a museum when she saw a renaissance portrait, she fell in love and was rarely seen without them after that. famously saying "a woman needs ropes and ropes of pearls", she created the look that will forever be remembered in the fashion world.
coco chanel
3. JAQUELINE KENNEDY
she embraced the chic look and summed up the fashion of the early 60s. "pearls are always appropriate" set the tone, and then on dresses, suits or gowns, pearl necklaces were always there. pearls have remained present in american politics, worn numerous times by barbara bush, hillary clinton, michelle obama and recently by kamala harris. despite some style variations and some modern twists, these looks signified the power and elegance that their jobs demanded.
jaqueline kennedy
4. AUDREY HEPBURN
audrey hepburn, in breakfast at tiffany's, has just made tiffany world famous with the spectacular ribbon rosette necklace set with 128.54 carats of yellow diamonds and a diamond ribbon. however the most unforgettable moment is the image of holly golightly eating breakfast out of a paper bag, wearing satin gloves, a black dress, a tiara and fabulous pearls by french designer roger scemama. all the charm and glamour captured in a bit of cinema magic.
audrey hepburn, in breakfast at tiffany's
5. LADY DI
lady diana will always be remembered as one of the most stylish women of the 20th century. 25 years after her tragic death, she continues to inspire wardrobe choices and designers. pearls were diana's favorite jewels and she wore them on many occasions and in many styles. one of her most memorable looks was the "revenge dress", this sexy off-the-shoulder black gown with an asymmetrical hem and chiffon train that flowed in the breeze. adorned with the most stunning seven-strand pearl choker and a large double row of diamonds surrounding an oval sapphire, she didn't need words, she wasn't hiding, she was and looked fearless.
diana, princess of wales
remember this trend is not limited to any gender, many famous men have worn pearls. from sir walter raleigh or charles i portraits to more recent revivals with a$ap rocky, harry styles or timothée chalamet, there is no denying that pearls are a huge jewellery trend right now. here are our suggestions for fabulous CINCO pearls to inspire you. don't forget, pearls are always a safe purchase. they will always be eternal!
claire ring, marcie earrings, natalia necklace, olsen ring, sophie earrings
cláudia cavaleiro the editor in chief for CINCO editorial. born in '82 in coimbra, she is graduated in philosophy from the university of coimbra. passionate about books and podcasts in a geek kind of way, she always find something interesting to research. loves to bring awareness to social problems and loves working at CINCO!
