Jewelry can make or break your entire look, and this thought makes it even more nerve-wracking while going for jewelry shopping.
Although most of us head out with some criteria in mind (i.e., budget, occasion, and so on), we can still get confused when it comes to choosing between classic and contemporary jewelry pieces. And we often end up making the wrong choice.
But it is not worth investing in pieces that you’d wear only once or twice. So go through this guide to understand whether you should buy more classic or contemporary pieces and how to style them effortlessly.
What Are Classic Jewelry Pieces?
Classic jewelry pieces are the ones we call wardrobe essentials. These are the everlasting pieces that never go out of trend and are a must-have if you are planning to have a capsule wardrobe.
No matter what the next wave of trend is, these pieces stay unaffected and never fail to give you a polished and put-together look.
If you ever try to decode “Old Money Aesthetic,” you’ll notice that whatever jewelry pieces they carry are the classic ones that are still very relevant.
A pair of gold hoops, diamond studs, pearl strands, chain necklaces, or signet rings are some examples of classic jewelry pieces.
Despite the variety, one thing that is common about all these pieces is that they are simple enough to go with any of your outfits, yet they always add a touch of elegance to make you stand out.
So, Is it worth investing in?
Definitely! In fact, classic jewelry pieces should be a must-have in most people’s closet. Unless and until you carry a very avant-garde styling, classic jewelry pieces should be more than enough to accessorize most of your outfits.
Especially if you are someone whose style is minimalistic or doesn’t like going into the intricacies of styling different pieces, classic jewelry will be the best for you.
They not only never go out of style but are also versatile. This means you can use that pearl choker with a little black dress and make it fancier, or pair it with a sundress and look feminine and chic.
Besides, if you are looking for jewelry that you would wear 24/7, classic pieces are something you should go for, as they would rarely clash with any of your outfits.
Here’s a list of some timeless classic jewelry pieces.
Chain necklaces:Chain necklaces are the most common piece of jewelry that you can include in your daily wear. They are also a great way to wear something meaningful, like initials, zodiac signs, and so on, without being too much. | |
Signet rings: Whether you want to wear something on your index or pinkie, signet rings look the best. Besides, with this, you won’t need to wear any other ring as they are great statement pieces on their own. | |
If you want the look of stacked rings but find it difficult to pair rings that snugly fit on top of each other, go for stacked designs. Depending on the band styles, they go with almost every outfit. | |
Gold/ Silver Chains: If you don’t like the pendant look, you can still go for a gold or silver chain. While dainty pieces are great for daily wear. More chunky and thick ones look edgy and are great for old-money aesthetics. | |
Studs are staple jewelry in any collection, and there is a reason why studs are used for ear piercing. You have to have them! Solid metal, diamond, or pearl studs are something everyone should have in their collection. But you can also experiment with other colorful, precious, and semiprecious stones. | |
If studs are too simple for you or don’t go with your face, you can go for hoops. Be it big, small, chunky, enameled, or stone-studded, hoops are perfect for making a statement without being over the top. | |
Pearl necklaces: Pearls can never go out of style, and if you’re someone with soft feminine aesthetics, pearl jewelry will compliment you the most. | |
Bangle bracelets: Wear a single one or stack them together; bangle bracelets are the classiest way to accessorize your wrists. They pair great with almost everything, whether it is an office look or a weekend picnic outfit. |
What Are Contemporary Pieces?
Contemporary jewelry pieces are the ones that are crafted with more unconventional materials (stainless steel, wood, plastic, resin, and so on) and abstract designs.
Contemporary pieces are best if you are someone who has a very bold and vibrant fashion taste and who sees fashion as an art of expression. Contemporary pieces often have more character and uniqueness and push you out of your comfort zone.
Now, contemporary jewelry can be stubble as well, but they will still have that asymmetry or pattern going on that makes them tricky to style. You can’t just pair them with any of your outfits. Rather, you might need to plan your outfit around them.
So why would anyone bear so much hassle? Simple. Contemporary jewelry can jazz up some of the most basic clothes and turn them into spectacular outfits.


Classic or Contemporary: How To Pick The Perfect Piece For You?
Picking between classic and contemporary jewelry should be your call because it totally depends on your personal style, aesthetics, and the amount of effort you put into your styling.
If you are someone who is minimalistic and has comparatively simple taste in jewelry and outfits, investing in some of the classic pieces should do your job.
On the other hand, if you’re someone who’s a free spirit and loves to express yourself through your fashion choices, then classic pieces will never satisfy you. You’ll always be drawn toward vibrant and unique contemporary jewelry, so you might just buy that.
But Why Not Mix Them Both?
Of course, you can.
If you are still in a dilemma and can’t make up your mind, we say get them both!
While classic and contemporary jewelry might appear poles apart, you CAN indeed style them together.
For example, here you can see the girl styling two contemporary chokers (one with sea shells and another with uncut stones) with one classic chain necklace.

Or this one, where the girl stacked chunky green resin rings with classic gold signet rings.

There are endless examples, and Pinterest is full of them. So, if you want to mix and match, you know where to get your inspo from.
Or Get A Mix Of Classy and Contemporary Pieces At Another Legacy
If mixing and matching seems too much of a task for you, head to Another Legacy and check out one of the biggest collections of classy and contemporary jewelry. But how can they be both?
Well, their pieces are made of gold, silver, and white gold, as any classy jewelry is, and their designs range from dainty snake chains to trendy pandora bracelets. So you can get the best of both worlds!
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