The True Prep on Jewelry

Thirty years have passed since The Official Preppy Handbook was published, but there is renewed hope as the recently updated edition guides prepdom into the 21^st Century. Author Lisa Birnbach has teamed up with designer Chipp Kidd to bring us True Prep: It’s a Whole New World.

 

Indeed, much has changed over the last thirty years, but some noted traditional jewelry style maxims still hold true. Always remove one piece of jewelry before leaving the house, bigger diamonds are for evening, and pearls are for anytime. The author selects Verdura as the ultimate preppy jeweler. While his jewels are undeniably stunning, I believe the jewels of Verdura were selected primarily for their lack of pretension.

 

The book is also host to a three page list of vintage stores, where you are all but guaranteed to find the best in costume jewels. After all, if it is good enough for the First Ladies, it should be good enough.

 

My only complaint is the down putting of signet rings, one of my favorite pieces of preppy jewelry.

 

 

Off the Cuff

 

Bold yet easy to wear, cuff bracelets are our new (old) favorite. The statement making bracelets can be found in every material; and they look just as great with a sweater and jeans as they do with a little black dress.

The best classic cuff design is the Maltese Cross by Verdura. Originally designed in 1936 by Duke Fulco di Verdura for Coco Chanel, the bracelet is still produced by Verdura today. Each bracelet is fitted to the customer’s wrist and some of the bracelets have a detachable cross that can be interchanged with cuffs of various materials. Elsa Peretti’s Bone Cuff for Tiffany & Co. is quite possibly the sexiest piece of jewelry around. The classic organic design is available in 18kt yellow gold, silver, or ruthenium over copper for the budget conscious.

Bakelite, which is a dense synthetic resin, is a colorful option for cuffs. Invented in 1907, it was popular in kitchen items and jewelry through the 1940s because of the ease with which it could be molded and carved. It can be found in modern and vintage jewelry; although some of the very colorful, unusual period pieces can be as expensive as their precious metal counter parts.

If you dare follow in the path of the great style icon Coco Chanel you may want to stack your cuffs or wear a pair, one on each wrist.