Jewellery is at the zenith of party dressing this year.
Don't believe us? Let us enlighten you...
It's been the year of the slogan t-shirt renaissance - with couture brands such as Dior and Vêtements all taking pithy remarks off the streets and into our wardrobes - plus, what was once sports luxe has now given way to athleisure, a trend that has seen speed stripes become appropriate office-wear.
So, in a year where dressing down has become the new dressing up, even on the most high-end of catwalks, it calls into question just how we are supposed to bring a bit of elegance and sophistication to the oncoming party season?
I caught up with ELLE's superstar Accessories Editor Donna Wallace, who explained to me just how jewellery is your statement-making trump card right now.
What Is The Mood For Statement Jewellery At The Moment?
Donna: When I look at statement jewellery at the moment, I'm seeing it in the context of the whole Balenciaga movement - that whole big-jewelled thing that is happening on the catwalks.
The reason the Balenciaga show resonated with me, in terms of the jewellery, is because I love the idea of these diamond pieces being worn with more sporty pieces and more of the casual and athleisure-wear that is so in.
So Is There Not A Friction Between The Luxury Items And The Casualwear?
Donna: No, the really great thing about the sort of high-end, luxurious, really indulgent jewellery from the likes of Tiffany & Co. is its ability to elevate anything else. So you take something that is of a certain level, like a jumper, but then adding the jewellery takes the look up to a higher echelon.
Is That How We Need To Approach Party Wear?
Donna: Yes. It becomes about the jewellery piece as the party-piece, as opposed to the dress as the party-piece or the lurex item being the party-piece. The jewellery is doing the statement making.
The obvious scenario is at an evening event. Take Elle Fanning in the Tiffany Victoria diamond cluster necklace; I like that she has that piece sitting on her bare skin with an off-the-shoulder top - it's a very classic way of wearing it - but imagine all the different ways you could take that to a party this season. I like the idea of that piece with a relaxed t-shirt. Or, you or I might pair it with a roll neck.
How Do You Personally Approach Statement Jewellery?
Donna: In the every day, I like my pieces to be slightly smaller, but importantly, slightly unusual so that they feel irregular. My wardrobe can be quite minimal so it's a great juxtaposition to have the jewellery do the speaking. You're trading one off with the other.
If everything else is minimal, then that's the perfect opportunity to wear an accessory that turns it up slightly.
Is Jewellery More Timeless Than Fashion?
Donna: With those sorts of high-end investment pieces, I don't know if they really ever go out of style as such. They are forever pieces.
But, the way in which you wear them is what evolves.
For more information on any of the jewellery you've seen in this piece, or for a look at the complete range of Tiffany & Co. collections, click here.
