For a while now, I’ve been smitten with the Maltese Cross motif in jewelry, especially that from Kenneth Jay Lane. (I know there are VASTLY more expensive versions, but I’m not spending a condo down-payment on a bracelet…)
But recently – last since September? – I haven’t worn a piece of this jewelry. (the square gizmo in the middle is a mirrored compact) Not once.
Is it time for me to move on? Do I sell them? Hang onto them for a few more months to see if I fall back in love with them?
I firmly believe that one of the most important things that you can do when you’re trying to define a personal style is to let yourself identify and really… wallow… in things you love. A personal signature is wonderful…
But the one thing that we have to remember is that our styles and preferences will change with time, and that we have to be open to that change. (remember, for most of us there’s nothing worse than having the same hairstyle that you had in high school…)
I’m wrestling with a lot of change. I’m trying to balance the need for a stable personal style with the inevitable changes that time (and my new employment) bring. This should be interesting!
I think your individual style is in how you associate things and put outfits together. It cannot be represented by one piece (be it jewelry a scarf or clothing), no matter how striking, because that piece was created by someone else, not you. Your outfits, your all over style, that is you!
Oooh, excellent answer. That helps me take the focus off of any accessory, or pattern (like argyle) that I've always considered to be pivotal to my "personal" style. Thanks for this insight!
That overall approach to personal style takes the pressure off the 'one' accessory…but would be more challenging to pull off, I think.
I just went through that with fur coats! I've had a full lenght mink for more than 15 years and a shearling jacket trimmed in curly lamb. I realized that they had not been worn in the past few years and I was just 'done' with them. I consigned the mink coat and gave the shearling to my hairdresser. I felt so good! No regrets….now someone else can enjoy them. (Although, I did wish I had my mink on a recent trip to Chicago!).
Hi Janice, I started ten years ago to define my personal style by messages and not necessarily items…but there are some items I find myself drawn to over and over again, because they communicate the messages I am going for. If your collections sends the messages you are going for with Janice-style…then hang on to them. I used to be known as the "scarf lady" at school…so, I really toned things down…because I would rather be known as the strong, chic, creative, fabulous lady…than associated with just one item!
I would say wait a full year. It may be that these are accessories for summer, when it's a little harder to make a fashion statement with less clothing and lighter shoes. That cuff would really dress up a pair of white shorts, basic tee, and summer sandals. Accessories are small, versatile, and unless you're a true hoarder, they don't take up that much space. I have jewelry, scarves, etc. that have gaps in wear, depending on the seasons. Wait until fall, and if you haven't worn them, then purge them.
I have a thing (dating back decades and decades and decades) for fleur de lis jewelry. I HAD a wonderful large pin that was given to me when I was 10 or 12 that I wore for about 20 years, at which point I donated it to charity. About 4-5 years later I began a quest for a similar pin that has been on-going. (I have a few small pins that were designed to hold a lady's watch to her blouse in the 1890s but they don't have the same impact.) About 10 years ago I was at an antique show and saw the perfect fleur de lis pin — a good-ish size and made of rhinestones. It was fabulous! When I asked the price I was told "$38,000." Seems the "rhinestones" were actually diamonds. I passed, but I am still looking for that special fleur de lis pin. My advice: Decide if you love all of your Maltese cross jewelry and if you do, put it in a drawer. Your passion may return and you may regret not having these great pieces or not being able to find (in your price range) good substitutes. If there are some pieces you know that you can live without now AND in the future, it's time to let go of those pieces. Let me know if you find a great fleur de lis pin for less than $38,000.
Agree with these ladies — hold on to at least one or two of these pieces for at least a year. Their season of wearing may come around again.
These are very chic and very small. Surely they don't "mess up" your space too much. Fur coats–as above–are bulky and can get damaged if not properly cared for. So I can see why one would want to get rid of them.
I don't like to get rid of things that can't be easily and inexpensively replaced–esp if they are very small. Perhaps you could lend them to a friend or a relative for a bit.
I would put them away for a while ( because 'I' like them and could see use for them). That said, I parted with all my colored stones (mostly emeralds) that my husband gave me. They made me feel like a little old lady (because their design was NOT exactly modern) no matter what I wore with them. After years of not wearing them, I knew it was time for them to go. Never missed them.
The 2 bracelets look like well designed and well made pieces that are classics. I would put them away and keep them until you have a yearning for them. Do not give them away. In my (long life) experience, pieces have been hidden for 10 years and then become favorites again.
I usually don't regret things when I give them away, but I have regretted some jewelry that I go rid of. As mentioned before, these are small items that can be safely stored for a few years. I have a red cuff bracelet that is so old I can't remember how long I've owned it — 25 years at least. When cuffs are "in" it comes out of the drawer and it goes back when I'm a bit tired of wearing it. I always get compliments on it, and folks are pot out when they learn that it's vintage (like me!). I think you jewelry is very Chanel — that is classy, classic, and lady-like. Keep them. (And did not your belovedest give you some of all of these? Another reason to hang on…)
Or perhaps pin them to a velvet panel, frame it, and hang as if a portrait, or a shadow box. That way, you can see them and admire them. If you ever want to wear one of them, it could be easily removed. I love your blog by the way, and read it religiously.
Hesitating what to with the whatever is a clear sign to get rid of it.
I miss your daily thoughts, Mette.
You do? I´m touched. if only I knew who you are..
KEEP!!!! That's my vote. These add a lot of style to a basic black outfit.
Keep them!!
Give away! I find them out of style and dated! If you're hesitating…why keep them?
One more vote for keeping at least some of them…stored away in the back of a drawer.
Lending one to a relative or friend is a lovely idea, but unrealistic. One can’t assume it will come back. I’d go ahead and “gift” it.
Self-serving advice to follow: by all means sell them. I will buy the all pearl pin. Seriously.
If in doubt, keep it for 6 months, then reevaluate. Jewelry takes up very little space in the scheme of things. They really are beautiful and would take quite a while to replace should you make a hasty decision to dispose of them
Those are lovely pieces of jewellery but I'm trying to learn myself that there can be lovely things in the world that I don't have to own! It's hard to let go, sometimes and as mentioned above, sometimes it's best to just keep things for a bit and see how you go.
I've just done a big clean out of my work clothes (largely inspired by you and other style bloggers). You can see the results here: http://birdybegins.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/a-sneak-peek-at-my-stupid-wardrobe.html
I second Thea- 6 months or a year. You might end up keeping one or two favourites; sometimes when we have a lot of an item, it loses its singular specialness. The compact is especially smart, and you can still 'wear' it even if it's just in your bag.
I truly believe that the jewelry and accessories like scarves do not take up any space and if we go through a phase where we don't wear them, it is just that – a phase. I would not consider myself a packrat for hanging on to them for a decade or so. If they come back in style, chances are you would miss them since you had an initial love for them – not because they are in style but because you will look at them with a fresh eye and see them used in a different context. Unless, of course, they are valuable and you want to liquidate some funds by selling them. Perhaps one of them is redundant but they are all beautiful.
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