Pearls: Are They Right for You?

A lot has been made lately of Michelle Obama's and Cindy McCain's penchant for oversize pearl jewelry. Really, though, what else would a presidential hopeful's wife wear? A studded leather collar? Pearls are timeless because they look good on any woman, from any era, and instantly add polish and elegance. So I was amused to see a roundup of fashionistas' votes regarding pearls in a news story on WRAL. But here goes anyway:

• Rae Ann Herman, accessories editor at Glamour, says the key to wearing chunky pearls or beads is not to over-accessorize the rest of the outfit. "If you have on a major belt, stay away from a big necklace, and don't wear a huge earring with the huge necklace. Choose your statement and wear it." Also, she says, don't reserve pearls only for cocktail dresses or suits. While that's a classic look, pearls look more youthful when paired with a T-shirt.
• Stylist Mary Alice Stephenson notes that pearls work for every budget because, as lovely as the very expensive Tahitian pearls are, there are perfectly serviceable faux pearls at mass retailers for $29.99, Stephenson says. "There is great costume jewelry out there ... and we don't call them `fake' pearls, we call them `faux' pearls," she says. "Just because they're faux doesn't mean they're cheap. They can be great looking and accepted whether you're a liberal or a conservative."
• Ginger Burr, founder of Total Image Consultants in Lynn, Mass., has a guiding rule for pearls and beads: Women with small features should wear small-scale beads - maybe multiple strands - while women with larger features can wear the larger beads.

I say, choose the look you love and rock it no matter what. Pearls, whether real or faux, oversize or classic 8mm, always look good.