On Jewelry: Big watches, Cuffs and Dupes
Jewelry is one of the most tangible, versatile things you can own. It's a statement piece for clothing, scarves, shoes, anywhere you want it. Mixing metals has been cool for as long as anyone can remember, and it's only become more of a thing as time goes on. A good stack that mixes silver and gold works on almost anyone! It used to be so taboo to mix metals, but slowly but surely it became cool again.
Rose gold has its fans, but silver and gold remain the foundation. I am not one of them, but I can understand the appeal. A little color mixed in never hurts either.
Watches are shifting the same way. Big, flashy pieces that make a statement on their own are having a moment in my capsule.
Cuffs are the foundation of a lot of people's everyday jewelry. They can go anywhere, big or small, dressed up or thrown on with jeans.
Cuffs, in my eyes, are better than regular bracelets. Fitting them anywhere on your wrist, unable to move them, is the best part.
They always tend to be pretty funky too.
Fake jewelry is where taste tends to fall apart. TJ Maxx duped Van Cleefs, fake Cartiers, fake anything…jewelry is art, and so is fashion, and faking either one usually shows. If a piece has to be faked to be worn, it's probably not the right piece, and there's likely a real version out there that fits better. If the $5,000 bag isn't in the budget, the move isn't to dupe it. It's to find something real that's actually yours and that you truly love. Not just because it’s “designer.” That ends up feeling more personal and a lot less tacky.
Like, for example, Swarovski isn't considered top-tier luxury, but I have been loyal to their pieces because they hold a special place in my heart.
When I was looking for stage jewelry for the Miss New York pageant, I had to find ultra blingy and fun pieces to wear all weekend. Now, mind you, this weekend is a long 3-day weekend, all day in rehearsals, and all day and night being judged for the way you carry yourself, your pajamas, your outfits, jewelry, and your hair at rehearsal. Every waking minute you have to make sure you are polished. So for my first pageant, I knew I wanted jewelry that would look great but would also last me forever. My gift to myself as a “keepsake” was a Swarovski ring and necklace. And surely, I kept loving and loving their pieces. So even today, I will casually scroll on Swarovski looking for my next piece.
That may come across harsh, but it truly is just my own opinion. I believe that for something to be “stylish” or “cool,” it really comes down to how you wear the item rather than the item itself.
Fashion and art are both personal, in the end. It's about what works for the person wearing it, not what's most expensive, and not a stand-in for something someone couldn't otherwise afford. Price doesn't have to factor into whether something's worth wearing, like a $5 top and a $1,000 top can hold the same spot in a rotation. Speaking in true Ralph Lauren fashion.
None of this is a hard rule. The dupe conversation gets people fired up for good reason, and there are two sides to it. Sometimes a dupe is just a low-stakes way to test a trend before committing. The same goes for mixing metals or stacking cuffs. Pieces get bent, worn down, reshaped, and still earn their spot.
Just like good vintage fashion. Thrifting is a favorite for a lot of people, but that's for the next read.
What’s the Catch?
The inner debate between a big watch or a small one
