Pearls have long been associated with formal events - black-tie galas, weddings, and so on. But one of the biggest fashion trends of recent times is bringing pearls into everyday wear. These lustrous gems are incredibly versatile and can elevate even the most casual outfit with a touch of elegance. Styling pearls is an art of contrast: pairing the classical beauty of pearls with modern, even unexpected, wardrobe pieces creates a chic, effortless look. In this post, we’ll share tips on how to style pearls for various occasions - from the office, to a weekend brunch, to a night out - proving that pearls truly are for every day, not just special days.
Everyday Pearls: Keeping It Casual, Not Dowdy
The key to wearing pearls casually is to mix and match them with contemporary clothes so they add interest rather than formality. Here are some ideas:
-
Layer, layer, layer: Don’t limit yourself to a single strand. Layering multiple pearl necklaces of different lengths is a fashion-forward way to wear pearls. For instance, take a short choker-length pearl strand and layer it with a slightly longer chain necklace (or another strand of smaller pearls) so they cascade. Layered pearls over a simple blouse or even a plain white T-shirt can look surprisingly cool and not the least bit old-fashioned. You can also mix pearl necklaces with other materials - say, a leather cord necklace or a pendant, for a high-low mix.
-
Pearls + Denim: One of the easiest ways to dress pearls down is to wear them with jeans. For example, pair classic pearl stud earrings or a delicate pearl pendant with a denim jacket and a casual top. The juxtaposition of refined pearls with rugged denim creates a stylish contrast that says relaxed yet refined. Think of a fashion influencer wearing ripped jeans, a white blouse, and a single strand of pearls - it’s unexpectedly chic. Pearl drop earrings also look great with a simple jeans-and-tee outfit, adding a feminine touch.
-
Office chic with pearls: Pearls are fantastic for professional settings as they convey polish without being loud. For everyday work style, choose one focal pearl piece. For instance, wear single Akoya pearl studs with your work blazer or dress, they add a hint of sophistication and light up your face, but they’re not distracting. Alternatively, a small pearl pendant on a chain can sit beautifully against a silk blouse or a crisp shirt. It’s subtle and elegant. Just keep the rest of your accessories minimal to let the pearls be the highlight.
-
Mixing with modern silhouettes: Pearls can accompany trendy or bold fashion pieces too. If you’re wearing something like a jumpsuit, an off-the-shoulder top, or even athleisure-inspired pieces, toss on a simple pearl accessory to twist the look. For example, chunky sneakers, tailored joggers, and a bomber jacket could be accented with a slim pearl choker for a street-style-meets-classic vibe (this is for the adventurous fashionista!).
Day to Night: 5 Ways to Wear Pearls with Style
One great thing about pearls is how they transition from day to night seamlessly. Here are five styling ideas that show pearls at different times of day and levels of formality:
-
Morning Meeting - Pearl Studs and a Blazer: Start your day at work with simple pearl studs (around 6-8 mm size, classic white). Pair them with a tailored blazer, a silk camisole or blouse, and trousers. The pearl studs give a nod to tradition, but the overall outfit is modern power-dressing. They’re understated enough for a professional environment but still convey that you pay attention to details. As mentioned, pearls have a nice effect of brightening the face, which can help you look fresh and alert (even if it’s an early meeting and you haven’t had your coffee yet!).
-
Afternoon Brunch - Pendant Pearl Necklace for a Chic Touch: Meeting friends for brunch or a coffee date? Accessorise your day dress or nice blouse with a single pearl pendant necklace. For instance, a Tahitian pearl pendant on a delicate gold chain can be the hero piece of an otherwise simple outfit (think neutral-toned blouse and slim pants). It draws the eye, invites compliments (“Oh, I love your necklace!”), and yet it’s effortless - you literally just had to put on one piece. If it’s a weekend and you’re in a sundress or a jumpsuit, a pearl pendant or lariat can also elevate the look without making it overly formal.
-
Evening Out - Statement Pearl Earrings: Transitioning to night, let’s say you have a dinner or a cocktail event. This is the time to possibly swap the daytime pearls for something more dramatic. A pair of large pearl drop earrings featuring diamonds can become your statement piece. If you wear your hair up, dangly pearl earrings really stand out and frame your face. For example, consider glamorous Akoya studs or drops - their larger size and white glow immediately says luxury. Keep your neck bare or just a very thin chain, so the focus stays on the ears. Match the formality of your attire: a simple black evening dress could be taken to the next level with bold Tahitian pearl drops that sway as you move.
-
Formal Event - The Classic Full Strand: For the most formal nights (a gala, a wedding, etc.), you can confidently bring out the full pearl necklace. A choker or princess-length strand of high-quality pearls with a satin or cocktail dress is timeless. It’s a cliché, but one that never disappoints: think of Audrey Hepburn’s iconic look in Breakfast at Tiffany’s with her multi-strand pearls and black dress - it’s still referenced today for a reason. If you want to modernize the full strand, you could layer two strands of different lengths, or add a twist by attaching a brooch to the strand as a decorative clasp. But even worn simply, a strand of Akoya or South Sea pearls on a woman in an elegant gown is hard to beat for sheer class. Complete the set with matching pearl earrings (studs or drops, depending on how much pearl you want - if the necklace is the main attraction, studs may suffice).
The beauty of pearls is that, unlike very sparkly jewellery, they never look excessive. You can load on multiple pearl pieces and still look refined rather than gaudy. This quality helps them adapt from day to night.
Special Styling Situations
Let’s address a few specific scenarios and how pearls can be the perfect choice:
-
Bridal Pearls: It’s worth highlighting how ideal Akoya (or freshwater) pearls are for brides. On a wedding day, pearls symbolize purity and elegance. They also photograph beautifully - that soft glow near the face from pearl earrings or a necklace can enhance bridal radiance. A simple strand of Akoya pearls can complement most dress styles, from classic to modern. If a bride doesn’t want a necklace (due to dress neckline or personal style), pearl hair pins or a pearl-encrusted veil are also gorgeous. We often advise brides: you might invest in a set of pearls for your wedding, but choose something you’d love to wear afterward too - like high-quality Akoya drop earrings. They will forever be tied to your special day, and you’ll feel that joy again each time you wear them to the office or out to dinner later on.
-
Men Wearing Pearls: Yes, this is a trend! Modern fashion has seen male style icons (from Pharrell Williams to Harry Styles) sporting pearl necklaces with streetwear or suits. Styling pearls for men is an emerging art – the key is to own it confidently. A single strand of medium-sized (say 6-8 mm) white or black pearls with a casual open-collar shirt can look avant-garde. Men can also do pearl bracelets, or even tie tacks and cufflinks with pearl insets for a subtler approach. The idea is to integrate pearls in a way that aligns with a masculine aesthetic – for example, mixing pearls with chunky silver chains, or wearing them in a more relaxed, nonchalant way. It’s not for everyone, but we love seeing pearls break gender norms and prove their versatility.
-
Mixing Pearls with Other Gems: Don’t be afraid to wear pearls alongside other gemstones. Pearls and diamonds are a match made in heaven (hence so many classic designs have both). A pearl pendant accented with small diamonds is both sparkling and lustrous. If you have diamond studs, you can absolutely wear a pearl necklace with them.
Confidence is the Best Accessory
No matter how you choose to style pearls, wear them with confidence. Part of updating pearls’ image is simply rocking them in new contexts like it’s the most natural thing. If you believe pearls look cool with your leather jacket or your summer sundress, others will see it that way too.
Remember, pearls have adorned everyone from queens to rockstars. They can be prim and proper, or they can be sexy and rebellious - it’s all about how you incorporate them into your look. There’s a saying: Pearls go with everything. After years of styling pearls myself, I find that to be surprisingly true. They’re the chameleons of the gem world.
So, experiment with your pearls. Try dressing them down, layering them up, mixing and matching until it feels you. Whether it’s Monday morning at the desk or Saturday night at a party, there’s a pearl look for that.
At Raison d’Être, we encourage our clients to break out their pearls any day of the week. Our Maya Sienna collection itself combines pearls with modern designs precisely to make them easy to style in various ways. If you ever need personalised advice, our free virtual styling service can suggest pieces or ways to wear them tailored to your wardrobe.
From royalty to runways, pearls have proven to be the ultimate accessory – forever elegant, forever relevant. Now it’s your turn to write the next chapter of their style story, one outfit at a time. Enjoy the glow-up that pearls give you, and have fun turning heads with your effortlessly pearl-infused looks!