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Today's reader mail has to do with office-appropriate jewelry…
I noticed that you said, “We’d wear it with a white cardigan or a cropped jacket, and maybe one or two long, simple necklaces” in a recent post. You, as usual, are accurately tuned into to what I'm thinking. Please help! Where can I find fun, simple jewelry that's appropriate for the work place? I feel as though I wear the old standbys (pearls) or a gold necklace every day I throw on a necklace. I usually wear pearl or Tiffany silver ball studs for earrings—but what other earrings would be okay? I'm a summer associate at a medium-size firm and I'd like to show my personality, but still be appropriate. I'm looking for inexpensive jewelry, but am willing to spend more if it's a piece that will last a long time in my wardrobe. Usually, I grab a piece or two from Ann Taylor or Banana Republic's sale bin, but lately nothing has really excited me. Do you have pieces that a girl can't live without?
We recently ran an open thread on this that might be helpful to you. For us, our standbys are huggy earrings (we can't stand earrings with posts). For the long necklaces we mentioned, we've bought things in the past from Maria Chavez and really loved them. From her current collection, we'd suggest something like the 950-S, pictured at right (available at MariaChavez.com for $275). For our $.02, we'd rather buy one piece that's made of real material (sterling silver, gold, gemstones) rather than buy 10 pieces that you get at a bargain store — but that's a very personal preference. Etsy can also be a great resource for jewelry; we've also been eyeing the collection at Erin Gallagher recently.
Readers, anything to add that you didn't say in the open thread?
KY Lawyer
I like QVC.com & HSN.com. Both have many designer lines from which to choose – as well as their own lines. Right now there are mid-year sales going on & you can get awesome gold jewelry — some 75% off. I also like Ross-Simons.
M
I was just about to ask this question myself. Thanks! It would also be great to see a fun piece of “statement” jewelry in the TPS Report now and then, if you run across something unusual but appropriate.
Marla
Brooks Brothers has some great office-appropriate jewelry. Prices are high until they’re on sale — as of tomorrow I believe a bunch of it is 60% off.
kng
if you’re looking for a bargain on quality jewelry to invest in (contradiction much?) i’d suggest a hautelook/gilt group membership. all these online sample sale websites are starting to branch out beyond just women’s clothing and have had some very high quality jewelry lately for 60-70% off retail, personally i try to use my jewelry to stand out a bit so i wear standbys with a twist- i have a long strand of freshwater baroque pearls that i wear both long & doubled up, another long strand of mixed pearls/emerald various sized beads that i also wear long or short, a midlength quartz/jade multicolored chunky gemstone necklace, you get the picture. but my most complimented piece at the office is a long raw gemstone necklace which has each stone wrapped in silver wire- i bought it at a botanical garden gift shop 10+ years ago, so you never know where you’ll find a classic!
L
Fellow commenters,
So what are your thoughts on whether these are appropriate for the office? I have them in both the rose gold and gunmetal, and they’re pretty much my go-to earrings at the moment (but I’m currently studying for the bar and won’t start work until October). Are they too much?
http://shop.annasheffield.com/products/crystal-pyramid-stud
Anne
You can buy bulk sterling silver chain, which is always appropriate, for relatively cheap in tons of different styles on jewelry supply websites like fusionbeads or firemountain. It’s pretty easy to attach a clasp, or ask a jewelry-making friend to do it. Mix the chain with other gemstones for a contemporary look.