Age-Appropriate Jewelry

Trust me, as a 43 year-old woman I’m constantly aware of dressing both myself and my clients in a hip, yet age-appropriate way. Is the skirt too short? Too much cleavage showing? Do any of my friends’ daughters wear this? These are all questions which constantly run through my head when styling. Believe it or not, this also extends to one’s jewelry choices each day.

There are a multitude of fun jewelry trends out there right now, some of which I’ve written about, such as brightly colored jewelry and the art deco craze. I basically feel that the younger you are, the more license you have to experiment with trends — it’s the time where you’re really trying to nail down your sense of personal style.

Here’s the wrist of a 19 year-old I spotted in San Francisco. The neon pink bracelet from Charlotte Russe paired with the silver charm bracelet from Juicy Couture just seemed “right”…remember…she’s 19…

juicy couture jewelry
Perfect for a 19 year-old

And while out and about in Palo Alto I spied this stylish 23 year-old who was rocking both stacking bracelets and the neon trend. Again, I loved it…for her.

age appropriate jewelry
Some summer fun!

But then…there are those times when a poor choice is made. While I know Hello Kitty is more than just a crush for some (I have a dear friend with a tasteful Hello Kitty tattoo), I find it highly inappropriate when an adult adorns herself with said cat in not just glittery earrings, but also with Hello Kitty bedazzled hair clips. Really?! I’m not sure this woman has clearly thought about the image she wants to portray. And really, she was a darling woman.

hello kitty jewelry
My 7 year-old niece would love this

So tomorrow morning when you head for your jewelry box, I urge you to take some time to think about your personal style and what your jewelry will be saying about you before you even open your mouth. Because trust me, jewelry talks!

24 thoughts on “Age-Appropriate Jewelry”

  1. You know Amy, I’m really grateful that you’re in the business you are because I still would love a pair of sneakers that light up as you walk 🙂

  2. Life is short Mom. Wear those light up shoes and enjoy! Personally, I’m not into ‘Hello Kitty’, but if that lady is? Well good for her! Fashion is about FUN, or it should be. Btw, I actually really do hold a BA with Honours in jewellery design.

    1. Thanks for the comment! I agree that jewelry can/should be about fun, but I think sometimes it goes to far, and it looks more like a costume. (as in the case of the overdone Hello Kitty jewelry/hairclips) Still not going to encourage my mom to wear those light up shoes, though. 😉 (Luckily, I don’t think they make them in adult sizes.) 🙂

  3. Ha ha yes they do. A simple search on light up shoes adult found ’em Mom! I quite fancy a pair myself…

  4. Where do you get off telling others what they should and shouldn’t wear? If Hello kitty makes someone happy, they should wear it!! Just because you don’t think HK is high fashion or up to your standards doesn’t mean that others can’t wear it. Top jewelry designers like Kimora Lee Simmons use HK for adults which proves that you no nothing about jewelry or Hello Kitty!!

    1. Thanks for the comment, Christine! Actually, giving my opinion on what people should wear is my full time job as a certified image consultant and wardrobe stylist. You will note that I didn’t tell her NOT to wear Hello Kitty, though I thought the fact that she had FOUR bedazzled Hello Kitty pieces on one head was pushing it towards the costume side of the line. Did you read where I mentioned my dear friend’s tasteful Hello Kitty tattoo??? And I never commented about Hello Kitty being high fashion or not–that was your own assumption, not mine.

  5. “I’m not sure this woman has clearly thought about the image she wants to portray.”

    The image she is portraying is one of a confident, happy, and successful woman. She is a woman who, despite her age, has held on to her sense of fun, doesn’t care what anyone thinks, and most importantly, can afford to pay the markup on the cost of a Hello Kitty hairclip over a plain one.

    Now, I don’t know if she should’ve worn that hairclip with those earrings, I’ll give you that. That’s because they clash and the ensemble is just a wee bit on the overkill side of the line. But generally, there is nothing wrong with a woman who wants to wear a Hello Kitty accessory if she wants to 🙂

  6. I hope one day, when I’m 43, I will stop worrying about what other people think about me and wear whatever I want. I take it you wont be wearing a purple hat either when you’re 52? Well, I do feel a little sorry for you.
    Fashion and clothing and jewellery is supposed to be fun. I love HK and will wear it until I die. I dont wear it for anyone else other than for my own amusement and pleasure.

    1. Thanks so much for the comment, Anib. But rest assured, I have lots of fun with my jewelry! And as for wearing a purple hat, likely not…purple really isn’t my color. But I do have quite a few hats, including a lime green one. 🙂

  7. Christine, this wasn’t directly about Hello Kitty herself, so get your panties out of a bunch. Age appropriate jewelry is important. Just some earnings, perhaps, but for someone that old, the hair clip is a little much. Calm down lovie.

  8. Amy.. I don’t know if you are aware, but your blog has been featured on a popular blog called ‘ Hello Kitty Hell’ . This is why the sudden load of HK comments.

    1. Thanks, Nicola. I actually love Hello Kitty Hell. I think it’s a riot! That blogger has a great sense of humor!

  9. wow aim, way to stir up controversy ;). don’t worry, you won’t ever see me with hk anything. just sayin’.

  10. Me: Look, Anna, I LOVE these sneakers! Anna: Mommy,…pause-giggle…, I have never seen this on someone 45 years old… —Heeelloo….! Thank you first and it saved me from buying the most expensive sneakers ever)! Then,time to make some fashion statements/adjustments over here…

  11. The idea of people having a personal style image consultant is as asinine as you think people wearing age-inappropriate accessories are. I cannot comprehend a person who cannot choose their own style. Style is relative anyway…be your own person.

    1. Thanks for your comment, Nini. I do find it interesting that you are criticizing ME for evaluating others, and then YOU go ahead and criticize a person for having a personal style consultant. Many people, for a variety of reasons, need assistance with everything from decorating their houses to planning their vacations. By utilizing such services, they are doing their best to “be their own person.”

  12. I think people are really getting the wrong idea about this post. “age appropriate” doesn’t mean stuffy or boring, it means dressing to compliment your age and style, which is a positive thing. Sure the clips are fun and quirky, but it’s definitely not a look that everyone can pull off. The author is just trying to provide tips to help everyone look there best, not bash Hello Kitty.

    And to say that having a stylist or image consultant is asinine is just ignorant. How you look should be a reflection of who you are and some people don’t know how to do that. A personal style is something that takes time and guidance to perfect just like any other art form. And if you still don’t agree… well, there’s a multi-billion dollar industry full of stylists that beg to differ.

    Personally, I’d like to see a version of this article in reverse; examples of age appropriate jewelry for older women, and some teens accessorizing like old ladies hahahah.

    1. I appreciate your comment, Melissa — well said. I feature more examples of age-appropriate jewelry (for all ages) in my “Jewelry Judge” series, for sure! 🙂

  13. It’s perhaps about moderation.. I commented earlier about adult light up shoes. I found the perfect compromise.. they make led light up shoelaces! A very economical compromise. Fun to wear at a casual occasion and can be removed from yr shoes when something less jazzy is required.. I do love flexibility…

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