Jewellery trends — what stays and what goes
Which jewellery trends are worth buying and which will be gone by next season. How to tell a shape that lasts from one you'll soon tire of.
Trend lists have one problem: six months on, they're out of date. So rather than a list for the season, here's a way to work out for yourself what's worth buying.
What stays
The pieces that survive are the ones with no date stamp. They usually combine three things: a simple shape, a neutral tone and a size that doesn't shout.
- A plain chain with no pattern. It goes with everything and never goes out of fashion — there's simply nothing about it that can date.
- Stud earrings. The only earrings that still work when everything else has changed.
- A plain ring. No stones and no pattern — the only kind you can wear every day for years.
What goes
- Oversized pieces. Chunky shapes come back every few years and disappear just as quickly.
- A bright seasonal colour. The shade that's everywhere this year reads like a date stamp next year.
- Logos and lettering. They age faster than the metal they're made of.
If you still want something new
A simple rule: spend little on what's new and more on the classics. A fashion piece lasts a season, and that's fine — but it isn't worth paying for it as if it were a wardrobe staple.
For your staple pieces, the plating matters more than the design: jewellery plating explained.
Browse: New in, Modern jewellery, Bestsellers, Trending.
Where to start
If you don't own any jewellery yet, start with three pieces: an everyday chain, stud earrings and one ring. Everything else builds on them.
How to put them together: our jewellery guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth buying a set?
Yes, if you want a ready-made solution. But a set always looks like a set — separate pieces give you more combinations.
How long does a fashion piece last?
For as long as you like it. Physically, it's the plating that decides, not the price.
Will the gold tone ever go out of fashion?
No. All that changes is how much of it people wear at once.
