How to Wear Pearls

Co-authored by Paul Julch, MA

Last Updated: November 2, 2021 References

Pearls epitomize ladylike chic and iconic status: Think Coco Chanel, who was never seen without a strand, or Carrie Bradshaw in "Sex and the City." Once a symbol of royalty, pearls -- faux, cultured or natural -- are now available to anyone looking to add classic style to their ensemble. A strand of pearls is an elegant piece of jewelry that can pair perfectly with your most elegant gown or your simplest casual wear. Knowing how to wear pearls is the key, and the main principle is keeping the look simple.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Wearing Pearls for Formal Occasions

1
Wear a simple pearl necklace for black-tie occasions. For black-tie affairs, you will want to keep your look simple and elegant. Pair a pearl necklace with a pair of matching pearl earrings or a pearl ring. The necklace should accentuate, not overpower, your look. This can be easily accomplished with a short, simple strand of pearls.
- Pearl necklaces pair beautifully with chiffon blouses.
- Be daring and wear a long strand of pearls with an elegant jumpsuit.
- Consider wearing your pearls with a black gown with high neckline for a classic, timeless look.
- If your vibe is more prim, proper, and classic, this is a good choice.^{[1]
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  Expert Source
  
  Paul Julch, MA
  Personal Wardrobe Stylist & Speaker
  Expert Interview. 29 July 2020.}
2
Pair your pearl necklace with a little black dress. Nothing is more classic than a little black dress for a formal occasion. Couple it with a strand of white pearls for a polished look. Wear a shorter strand for a lower neckline and a longer strand for a higher one to balance out the neckline.
- Wear a black wrap dress with a short strand of pearls for a an effortlessly chic look.
- Wear a black cocktail dress with a turtle-neck type collar and a few long, layered strands of pearls for a classy look.
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3
Knot the bottom half of your necklace. Hold the strand with both hands at either end of the strand. Move your non-dominant hand to the lower third of the necklace. Wrap the pearls around your non-dominant hand so that there is a loop with an opening. Pull the opposite end of the pearls through the opening. Gently tighten the knot. Do not pull on the strand with a lot of pressure or else you will risk breaking your necklace.
- For longer strands of pearls, at least 30 inches (76.2 cm) or longer, consider the knotting the strand around the bottom half of the necklace. This will add a chic twist to a time-honored look.
4
Layer strands of pearls. Multiple strands of pearls should be worn with an outfit that is elegant but understated or else you will risk distracting others with your “busy” look and detract from the beauty of your pearls. If your strands are long enough, twist them once before placing them over your head to create an additional loop. This will give the illusion that there are two strands, even though you are only wearing one.
- Wear a dress that is a solid color. Avoid busy or “loud” prints, as these will distract others from seeing your beautiful pearls.
- Pair layered necklaces with a dress or blouse that is simple; no ruffles, embellishments, or designs. Try a button-up shirt and slacks or a dress with a simple neckline.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Wearing Pearls in a Casual Setting

1
Wear a sweater or blouse with pearls sewn into the fabric. Pearls have become quite trendy in recent years and are often sewn into fabric to create a chic, classy vibe. Some sweaters go all out with pearly embellishments and some have just a few incorporated into their design. Some sweaters even use pearls as buttons. Dressing yourself in pearl-studded pieces will give any outfit effortless elegance.^{[2]
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- Make a statement at your next event with a pearl-studded dress or shoes.
- Choosing a pearl bracelet or ring could complement a pearl-embellished sweater.
2
Pair the pearls with a casual blouse. A classic pearl statement necklace can emphasize and enhance a casual blouse, adding breezy charm to an outfit that would otherwise be more laid back. Choose a short strand with larger pearls to make a statement. Add several similar strands to draw even more attention to your neckline.^{[3]
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- Don’t limit yourself to white or blush-colored pearls. Consider wearing a colorful strand for more casual occasions.
3
Mix and match necklaces. In a casual setting, pearls can be mixed and matched with other necklaces to create a laid-back, yet effortlessly chic look. Don’t be afraid to wear your pearls with other gems or metals. Your pearls can soften the look of bold gems, such as diamond, sapphire, or amethyst. Try mixing pearls with your favorite diamond piece or wear with a sterling silver necklace to complement both pieces.^{[4]
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- Wear a string of pearls with a beaded necklace to create a more bohemian feel.
- Pair your pearls with a diamond necklace to complement and bring out the best of both necklaces.
- Accessories are a great way to express your personal style, especially if your clothing tastes tend to be more simple.^{[5]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Paul Julch, MA
  Personal Wardrobe Stylist & Speaker
  Expert Interview. 29 July 2020.}

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Wearing Pearls for a Wedding

1
Wear your mother’s or grandmother’s pearls. If your mother, grandmother, or other individual in your family wore pearls in their wedding, consider wearing those same pearls. This will increase the sentimental value of the necklace and could even start a family tradition.
2
Match your pearls to your gown. If you are wearing a white gown, you will want to wear white pearls to match. If you are wearing a blush dress, wear matching blush pearls. Wearing a different shade of pearls will draw attention away from your dress and to your neckline. A good pearl necklace, bracelet, or earrings should accentuate a gown, not draw attention away from it.^{[6]
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- If you are wearing a dress that is an unconventional color, try a classic white strand or perhaps pick a complementary color, such as yellow pearls with a blue dress, green pearls with a red dress, or orange pearls with a purple dress. Be creative and have fun!
3
Incorporate colored pearls for casual weddings. For a wedding that is more relaxed and less formal, consider incorporating colored pearls. This could be an opportunity to match your pearls to your color scheme or choose a favorite color that you enjoy wearing.^{[7]
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- You could wear pink pearls to an outdoor spring wedding, light green or aqua pearls to a summer wedding, and silver or gold pearls to a winter wedding. This is especially true if you are a guest, as guests often have more opportunity for incorporating bolder colors into their outfits than brides do.
4
Choose the length of pearls to flatter your dress. There are many different lengths of pearls but some necklace lengths suit some dress styles better than others. In general, the longer the strand of pearls, the higher the neckline the dress should be.
- Strands 14 inches (35.6 cm) in length will fit tightly around the neck and will suit scoop necks, V-necks, off-the-shoulder-, and boatneck dresses.
- Strands between 16–18 inches (40.6–45.7 cm) will fall between the base of the throat and the collarbone, respectively. These strands will pair well with almost any style of dress or neckline. This will give you plenty of flexibility!
- Strands that are 20–24 inches (50.8–61.0 cm) are best suited for business or casual wear.
- Pearl necklaces that are 28–42 inches (71.1–107 cm) will pair beautifully with high necklines and evening wear.^{[8]
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Expert Q&A

Question

What looks good with pearls?

Paul Julch, MA
Personal Wardrobe Stylist & Speaker
Paul Julch is a Personal Wardrobe Stylist, Speaker, and the founder of Urbanite | Suburbanite, a wardrobe styling business in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over 25 years in the fashion industry, Paul works with clients to make getting dressed easier, less time consuming, and more enjoyable. Paul has years of experience in retail visual merchandising - styling windows, displays, and floor sets for Banana Republic, Gap, and Express. He also has experience styling fashion photo shoots and corporate videos. Paul holds a BS Degree in Management from State University of New York at Binghamton, an MA in Clinical Psychology from Long Island University. He also studied Interior Design at the University of California, Berkeley.

Paul Julch, MA

Personal Wardrobe Stylist & Speaker

Expert Answer

Accessories really communicate your personality, so if your vibe is a classic pearl necklace, everything from a T-shirt to a blouse to a dress to a sweater is great. However, I probably wouldn't recommend wearing your necklace with athleisure or leisure wear.
Question

How do you wear pearls casually?

Paul Julch, MA
Personal Wardrobe Stylist & Speaker
Paul Julch is a Personal Wardrobe Stylist, Speaker, and the founder of Urbanite | Suburbanite, a wardrobe styling business in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over 25 years in the fashion industry, Paul works with clients to make getting dressed easier, less time consuming, and more enjoyable. Paul has years of experience in retail visual merchandising - styling windows, displays, and floor sets for Banana Republic, Gap, and Express. He also has experience styling fashion photo shoots and corporate videos. Paul holds a BS Degree in Management from State University of New York at Binghamton, an MA in Clinical Psychology from Long Island University. He also studied Interior Design at the University of California, Berkeley.

Paul Julch, MA

Personal Wardrobe Stylist & Speaker

Expert Answer

You can take a dress shirt, roll up the sleeves, pop the collar, unbutton one more button, and have a cute pearl necklace on underneath.
Question

Can I wear pearls with dress slacks?

Community Answer

Of course! Make sure that if you are going to a formal setting that the pearls match one part of your ensemble.

Warnings

Be wary of wearing a strand of pearls that fall too near your bust line if you are wearing a lower neckline. This can draw attention to the area and should be avoided, unless that is the desired effect.

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