'Tis the season to shine bright.
Let’s be real: the end-of-year party season is about more than holiday cheer. For the sartorially-minded, it’s the season to really dress up. From luscious velvet blazers and bright red dresses to glimmering party skirts, there’s no season quite as fashionable as the December holidays. And that means, it’s also time to start playing with jewelry in bigger and bolder ways.
But not just any jewelry does it for the holidays. This year, as the runways signal a return to flamboyant and opulent trends, holiday jewelry is following suit with clashing metals, statement-making earrings, and luxe bracelets. Yet, as loud and exuberant as everything may seem during the holidays, there’s also room for intimate moments. The same applies to the season’s jewelry trends, with charms and accessory stacking allowing for more personal ways to express ourselves during the season.
As office parties and New Year's Eve invites ramp up, InStyle tapped three experts to break down the best holiday jewelry trends to wear all party season long.
Meet the expert
- Caroline Maguire is the Fashion Director at Shopbop.
- Stephanie Lawler is the Vice President of Signet Merchandising.
- Leigh Batnick Plessner is the Chief Creative Officer at Catbird.
Going Metal
One way to play with jewelry this holiday season is to mix and match gold and silver jewelry together. It's one of Maguire's favorite trends of the season: "I love the look of layered earrings, bracelets, and necklaces in different metals," she says. It may seem like a fashion faux pas, but mixing metals can add dimension and depth to your outfit, breaking away from the usual metallic monochrome palettes. Going for a gold ear cuff, as pictured above, paired with a silver dangling earring is a good way to channel this trend.
Maguire adds that this is one trend you can wear beyond the holiday season: “Silver and gold are year-round jewelry trends so they will never go “out of season”. Don’t focus on building a collection for one specific moment; instead, opt for styles you can wear for any occasion.”
Cuffing Season
'Tis the season to shine bright, and when it comes to jewelry that means opening up to the idea of ear cuffs. Maguire says they're a go-to for the holiday season because they offer "novelty to your earring game." If ear cuffs seem overwhelming to try, start by wearing just one by itself. But if "more is more" is your sartorial mantra, you can layer one over drop earrings or even a stack of stud earrings. Style your earscapes to your comfort level.
Stacked
While the past few years have seen the rise of "quiet luxury" and the "clear girl aesthetic," the fashion pendulum is swinging back to maximalism and opulence. Stacking jewelry is the type of trend that's right in line with this mindset. Lawler recommends stacking both necklaces and rings this holiday season. "Putting together the right ring stack can really elevate your hand with a boldly layered look that leads to conversation, tells a story, and shows your style," she says. "And more is more when it comes to decorating the neckline."
But not just anything goes when it comes to jewelry stacking. For necklaces, Lawler suggests mixing in a variety of materials and lengths, while for rings, she says the key is to "pair different shapes and finishes together and layer in pieces with wavy silhouettes."
So Charmed
Bag charms are one of 2024's top accessories trends. But why stop at bags? The holiday season—one of intimate connections, family traditions, and personal touches—lends itself to the unique pairing of charm jewelry. Batnick Plessner recommends going for a "personal mix of charms." Whether it's astrology, sports, pop culture, or food, there are many ways to tell a story via charm jewelry.
Love to Love
The holiday season is often tied to the idea of luxury: champagne, luscious velvet clothing, and elevated gifts among them. The tennis bracelet—with its luxe array of pristinely-lined stones and available in a wide variety of sizes and materials—is a perfect fit for the season. “They’re great to layer with silver and gold pieces as well to add some extra shine,” says Maguire.