The year is still in its first quarter, but already the trends to be set for 2009 are clear. Where in recent years extravagant jewelry and platinum encrusted pieces have risen in popularity, recent economic difficulty has turned people back towards a more simple and elegant look. Chunky diamonds and outlandishly large necklaces are no longer the pinnacle of high fashion, and both celebrities and fashionable people are remembering the beauty that comes with a sensible set of accessories.
Back this year are simple pieces, such as diamond studs and beautiful drop earrings. Pear shaped earrings are simple and elegant and a fine addition to a gorgeous gown. For bracelets, trends are leaning toward small bangles and diamond chain style pieces that offer a beautiful and classy look without giving the impression that you are splurging lavishly in such bleak economic times.
While jewelry is toning down in size and statement, however, it is certainly becoming no less eye-catching, beautiful, or fashionable. Jewelry trends have an optimistic feel that is much needed this year as flower motifs are cropping up everywhere. The beautiful pieces offer the shine and glamour of diamonds with the sense of rebirth that we associate with flowers. Taraji P. Henson attended the Oscars this year in a 19th century diamond flower necklace that was by far one of the most praised and talked about pieces of the night.
The piece worn by Henson paired what are without a doubt the three biggest trends in jewelry for 2009, as the piece was at once small, classic, and floral. Classic jewelry has always been fashionable, and 2009 will be no exception. Where once wearing simple jewelry to lavish parties like the Oscars was only acceptable if the piece was vintage or antique, this year it is expected. Stars were once mocked for taking seemingly little risk when choosing a beautiful but simple piece, yet this year the biggest shock on the red carpet was seeing a star in $100 million worth of diamonds.
Black and white motifs are back this year as well. Many celebrities and fashionistas are picking up on the trend happily, wearing beautiful diamond and onyx pieces. The alternating pieces are hitting the streets in everything from necklaces to bracelets, with many consumers finding them to be a big fashion with a smaller price.
Antique jewelry is still popular, and proves to be an exception to the seeming new rule that jewelry must be smaller to be fashionable. While subtlety is still highly prized, a number of celebrities are successfully pulling off the lavish look with antique jewelry. From family heirlooms to antique store finds, these pieces are in high demand this year.
2009 is not the first time global events have changed jewelry trends. As military needs changed in the World War II era, both platinum and white gold fell out of favor due to military needs and took many years to regain popularity. In the depression era, costume jewelry became popular as jewelry was considered a luxury even among the upper classes, and brightly colored jewels became highly popular, perhaps as a symbol of color and hope in otherwise dark times. The post-Vietnam era of the seventies until the nineties relaxed fears and as the national economy seemed to take a turn for the better, jewelry trends changed considerably. Jewels once again became a symbol of success and everything from pearls to diamonds got bigger and more prevalent. Platinum slowly became the newest popular setting and diamond and platinum pieces became the status symbol to look for.
The world around us shapes everything that we do and see, including trends in fashion, food, and film. While the economic crisis is certainly a dark time, however, the jewelry trends that it brings are elegant and filled with a sense of hope and value. From beautiful floral pieces to vibrantly colored antiques, hope and life can certainly be seen flowing from some of this year’s trendiest pieces.
The simple and classic pieces making up the bulk of the year’s jewelry trends perhaps have the biggest statement to make however. That the pieces have been a staple of fashion for centuries is a testament to resilience, something that transcends jewelry and fashion altogether. The pieces are also a testament to finding the beauty in small things and using simple beauty to highlight the big picture. Jewelry is considered by many a luxury, and perhaps for some it is, but to stand back and look at jewelry trends compared to the historical timeline and backdrop in which they occurred leads you to see that the trends we develop with our jewels are often little more than a metaphor for what it is we most need to see in the world around us.
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