Retro jewelry is defined as fashion items which were present in the past era, that is, it refers to a type of jewelry that incorporates elements from days gone by. Retro jewelry is particularly popular among those who enjoy vintage styles and nostalgic designs. This type of jewelry may incorporate techniques, motifs, and materials seen more commonly in the mid-19th century through to the 1970s. Retro jewelry typically has an aged look to lend itself to its vintage appeal.
Types of Retro Jewelry Retro jewelry can come in many forms and covers many different decades’ worth of fashion trends. Art Deco was a style made popular during the 1900s and saw intricate geometric patterns embedded within various hardware objects such as rings or necklaces. Animation pop art also saw a resurgence in popularity with cartoon characters molded into pins, earrings, bracelets; this style began gaining traction in the early 1960s and continues today.
Metal bangles were also quite fashionable during this time with several being strung together for an aesthetically pleasing look which also gave way to colorful enameled pieces like costume brooches. Perhaps one of the most iconic materials used in retro jewelry was bakelite – a type of plastic coveted for its bright colors – which are regularly incorporated into various types of pins and beads from the 1930’s onwards.
Living Out The Badass Retro Look In today’s society bloggers are at the forefront pushing out trends with unique accessorizing so why not create your own badass look by adding one or two pieces of retro jewelry?
Peppering your wardrobe with vintage pieces can add personality and extra spice while remaining timelessly classic when combining modern apparel with retro accessories it’s always nice to show off unexpected combinations that will be sure to catch peoples eyes wherever you go.
Whether its rings, necklaces or finishing touches such as earrings you can easily find any piece to fit your outfit along with completing your desired statement look. Ultimately there’s a wide range of retro jewels which have stood the test time so why not give them a try no matter what decade you decide upon you’ll be sure to make a statement.
A Look at the Influences Behind Retro Jewelry
Retro jewelry refers to pieces of jewelry designed and manufactured in the past, usually within the decades of the 1940s to 1970s. As with many fashion trends, retro jewelry draws on existing influences from all over the world.
The influences that are common among retro jewelry include 1950s glamour, which is characterized by bold colors and exaggerated shapes; Art Deco pieces from the 1920’s with their modern look; vintage-inspired pieces with their unique angles; and finally bohemian style with its ethnic and rustic touches.
The Elegance of 1950’s Glamour
1950s glamour was defined by bright colors and embellishments such as dazzling gemstones, gold bands, enameled accents or designs covered in pavé diamonds. These pieces were often combined with a classic chain design for added sophistication. Necklaces featuring circular pendants with a sparkle of rhinestones also draw inspiration from this era. Popular pieces from this period include pearl earrings that have been accentuated with glimmering stones or artfully adorned cups filled with pastel stones.
The Modern Look of Art Deco
Pieces inspired by Art Deco draw on architecture from the period in order to create statement geometric designs crafted using luxurious materials. These choice materials included gold, silver, jade and lapis lazuli as well as exotic woods like ebony and rosewood for color contrast.
Jewelry featuring diamonds set in square or rectangular cuts add an extra touch of sophistication to these unique designs. Examples of this style of jewelry include intricate rings with complex patterns that evoke a sense of architectural grandeur or ornate brooches studded with pave diamonds framed by colored stones that create an air of sophistication.
The Unique Charm Of Vintage Pieces
Vintage-inspired jewelry adds an element of charm to any outfit thanks to its daring designs which feature elements such as carved figures or interlocking circles. Many modern takes on vintage pieces also incorporate new silhouettes while retaining classic guidelines; for example necklaces featuring luscious curves but paired with diamond details are perfect for those looking for something unique yet timelessly elegant that won’t go unnoticed in any setting.
Brooches can be dressed up even further when they are worn as pins placed across upper arms or shoulders which adds a hint of Old Hollywood glamour into an ensemble without compromising on comfort levels.
The Golden Age of Retro Jewelry Design
Retro jewelry is jewelry from the period before and after World War II (1920s – 1950s). This era was known as the golden age of costume jewelry design. Most of the designs were incredible works of art which captured the spirit and style of the time. During this era, various materials were used in jewelry creation including plastic, lucite, bakelite, glass, crystals and metal alloys such as brass. The Period design was heavily influenced by architectural trends and art deco lines.
Types of Retro Jewelry
- Bangle Bracelets: These classic bangles came in a wide variety of colors and styles. They usually had intricate details such as filigree designs or a combination of metal and plastics.
- Bow Pins: Delicate pins come in colorful enamel with rhinestone accents were quite popular in this era.
- Art Deco Style Necklaces: Long necklaces with large center pieces were quite fashionable during this time.
- Tassel Pendants: Tassel pendant necklaces feature beaded tassels suspended from ornate metal settings.
Notable Designers
During this period many well-known designers experimented with new materials to create interesting pieces. Some notable designers included Miriam Haskell, Christian Dior, Coco Chanel and Kenneth Jay Lane. Each designer had their own signature style that reflected the taste of a particular era.
Drawings from artists such as Erté were commonly seen on earrings which featured Art Nouveau designs while fine gemstone brooches flourished under the design of Cartier. Monet was one of the most highly sought items due to its quality craftsmanship and timeless styles. Jewels designed by Trifari quickly became must-have pieces for those looking to add glamour to their wardrobe.
Retro Jewelry Styles Of the Jazz Age
Retro jewelry is a way to express one’s individualism while connecting to the past styles of classic eras. Retro jewelry captures the glamour and romance of decades like the roaring 20s, also known as the Jazz Age for its influence of jazz music and iconic looks. These styles were all about standing out from the crowd with bold lines in bold colors.
Women were fashion-forward with lots of accessories visible on their outfits, including rings, brooches, and feathered boas. Such items now evoke a sense of nostalgia when showcased in modern-day fashion.
Retro Rings
Art Deco settings often defined vintage rings from this era. They often featured popular gem stones such as sapphires, rubies, diamonds, topaz and emeralds set in white gold or silver. A signature look was a thick band with two large gemstones either side by side or across from each other on opposite sides of the band.
These pieces are very iconic and have held up through time due to their sophisticated statement appeal that never goes out of style. The geometric shapes mirror how technology was more prevalent than ever within this era allowing for architects to create beautiful structures like The Chrysler Building giving inspiration for art and jewellery design alike during this period.
Vintage Brooches
Vintage brooches are highly sought-after among collectors due to their decadence and timelessness. Popular shapes included geometric designs such as hearts, squares & diamonds, along with nature themes of flowers or birds.
Brooches almost acted as a badge representing feelings that needed to be expressed but words could never describe – hence why many notable women including Queen Victoria often wore them with pride on their blouses from both formal events to everyday life occasions too. Fabrics such as intricate lace patterns combined with richly coloured stone cabochons made these pieces truly unique letting people know you mean business.
Feathered Boas & Necklaces
Feathered boas had become extremely popular during this time giving dramatic edge to one’s evening ensembles especially when paired with dazzling statement necklaces dripping with rhinestones that would sparkle in every dance hall around town. Necklaces became very intricate with multi layered designs forming zigzags over a woman’s neckline creating an optical illusion effect making sure eyes were immediately drawn in by her presence no matter where she went.
Beadwork added colourful detail crafted only out of the finest materials using techniques like tatting which became an expression need used by any fashionable flapper seeking attention by uncovering her styling secrets at last.
Examples of Art Deco Jewelry In History
The Art Deco movement was a popular time for jewelry art in the 1920’s and 1930’s. Jewelers tried to capture the essence of elegant modernism during this era, introducing new materials such as chrome, glass and Bakelite. While many of the pieces that were designed during this period weren’t especially flashy they still contained intricate details that celebrated the era’s aesthetics.
Iconic jewelry designs from this period include:
- Cartier Paris Fixe necklace – a blues sapphire surrounded by diamonds in platinum crafted into abstract shapes with an industrial look
- Jean Després Pendant Necklace – serpentine shaped yellow gold links with baroque pearls
- Van Cleef & Arpels Sautoir Necklace – Emerald and diamond fringe beads
Other popular designs included streamline forms, flapper style jewelry featuring geometrical shapes, and enameled costume pieces made of plated brass ornaments.
Examples of the Mid Century Modern Look In Jewelry
As the 1950’s rolled around one of the most common trends for retro fashion was influenced by Mid Century modern designs. Here we saw elements inspired by nature and angled silhouettes served as relatable representations of speed.
Designers took advantage of new advancements in materials such as plastics, acrylics, and lucite allowing them to create lightweight yet eye catching pieces. Citrine and Turquoise became very popular stones due to their vivid hues which added a beautiful touch to the mid century aesthetic.
Noteworthy achievements from this era include:
- Pierre Bex Orb Earrings – These iconic chunks of lucite add an element of whimsy into almost any outfit making them ideal for every day wear.
- Leru Reversible Bracelet – This classic piece is crafted from 12 strands 18k gold with alternating rubies and diamonds creating a extraordinary blend between contemporary and timeless elegance.
- Michel Koppleman Poisson Brooch – An 18k gold brooch featuring horseshoe crab shaped amethysts offset by white diamonds is ideal for anyone looking for a unique statement piece.
Hollywood’s Take On Retro Jewelry
Retro jewelry is any type of jewelry that takes its inspiration from a past design or era. Generally, it refers to jewellery from the 1940s through the 1980s, with each decade bringing unique materials and styles. While retro jewelry has enjoyed some popularity over the last few years thanks to a revival of vintage fashion trends, Hollywood has also had a major impact on its popularity.
A perfect example of this can be seen in films such as The Great Gatsby and Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge. These movies glorified the roaring twenties look, complete with rhinestone necklaces, chandelier earrings and various brightly beaded pieces.
Today, Hollywood stars are often found wearing vintage inspired designs on their red carpet appearances. For instance, Jennifer Lopez wore an exquisite 1920’s style necklace while attending the 76th Annual Golden Globes ceremony. Other popular designs have seen stars pair big 80’s statement earrings with modern high-style dresses.
Styles Of Retro Jewelry
The term ‘retro’ is broad term and covers many different styles of jewelry from different decades. To get some perspective on what defines these periods let’s take a look at them:
- 1950s: In this decade characterised by glamourous looks, costume jewelry made use of fabric inlays and faux pearls.
- 1960s: This period saw plenty of vibrant colours being used which came in the form Swarovski crystals covers plastic shapes
- 1970S: This was the decade that gave us huge avant-garde metal earrings as well as hip hop inspired chain necklaces.
- 1980S: Neon coloured acrylic earrings were all the rage along with quirkily designed pins paired with animal prints.
Upcoming Retro Jewelry & Fashion Trends
Retro jewelry and fashion has become an increasingly popular trend. Retro styles are of course inspired by past decades, blending current trends with a modern twist. This type of style can be seen everywhere from the red carpets to streetwear. It is an effortless, chic style that you can easily combine into your look.
How To Incorporate Retro into Your Jewelry
One way to add a retro feel to your wardrobe is through your accessories and jewelry. From statement earrings to necklaces and cocktail rings, there are several ways you can incorporate a unique vintage-inspired look into your daily ensemble. Anything that looks like it could have been taken from a different era will work great for this purpose.
Chunky bold earrings and necklace pendants in gold or silver settings are a classic way to add some retro vibes into your look. Large geometric shapes, pearls and chandelier earrings are also popular choices for achieving this style of jewelry trend. Fabulous knee-length dresses, wide-brimmed hats or pumps adorned with frills tend to really bring the whole retro vibe together nicely too.
Popular Materials Used in Retro Jewelry
The materials used in these designs range as far as you can imagine, with colorful stones such as turquoise, amethyst, jadeite/Napoleonite quartzescomposite gemstones – beads, faceted or cabochon – which were especially popular in the past being some of the main staples used in creating these unique pieces. Another favorite material when crafting vintage jewelry is freshwater pearls; they evoke images of classic Victorian elegance when worn appropriately paired with other retro pieces as part of an ensemble set.
Other popular metals found in these kinds of fashion accessories are yellow and rose gold alike with intricate filigreensilver embroidery details which adds texture and contrast when designing this kind of stylistic look. Last but not least colorful rhinestones often sparkle up those old fashioned designs with their timeless allure that never truly lose their shine throughout time – even today.
Conclusion
Retro jewelry is one of the most distinct and popular fashion styles, as it combines old-fashioned and vintage styles to create something new. It incorporates bold colors, geometrical cuts, minimalistic designs, and often features classic symbols like stars or hearts.
Retro jewelry can be anything from earrings to necklaces and bracelets. Since its inception in the middle of the 20th century, retro has allowed people to incorporate pieces from past eras in their modern look and style without losing trendiness or functionality.
Retro jewelry typically features bright, bold colors that stand out in any outfit. This could include a bright yellow necklace against a crisp white top or an intricate bracelet with a variety of colorful stones placed along the chain. Geometrical shapes are another common theme among retro pieces; shapes with thin lines such as triangles, circles, squares, rectangles, stars make up a piece or simply adorn it by comparison to other types of jewels which utilize more organic forms.
Additionally, minimalistic designs are often used with smooth clean lines that add an elegance to any outfit. Finally symbols like stars or hearts can help capture a vintage shine for any look due to their classic appeal in accessories today.
The essential style of retro jewelry is one that enables accessorizing with historical items and modern trends simultaneously without looking too outdated or futuristic. This allows for immense amounts of creativity when styling outfits as well as allows individuals to express themselves through vintage inspired pieces while ensuring they turn heads wherever they go.
Retro is certainly here to stay given its timelessness in fashion circles around the world both on the runway and side walks alike since its emergence in the 1950s – now culture needs this vintage touch more than ever.
Welcome to my jewelry blog! My name is Sarah and I am the owner of this blog.
I love making jewelry and sharing my creations with others.
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