Holiday outfits stress me out a little, not gonna lie.
From Christmas to New Year it’s non stop — work things, dinners, random catch-ups, and I never feel like I have time to plan full looks.
What I’ve noticed though: no matter what I’m wearing, I always end up putting on pearls.
Coat, sweater, knit dress, even just a simple top—I keep reaching for the same small 3mm pearl strand. It’s not flashy, it doesn’t try to stand out, but somehow everything looks more put together once it’s on.
I call it my “always works” piece.
I’ve been wearing it with red sweaters, white dresses, cardigans, button-downs… even at home sometimes. It just gives that quiet, clean feeling without effort. Nothing dramatic, just… finished.
At my office Christmas party I didn’t want to overdress, so I wore a basic knit and kept the jewelry simple—small pearl studs and a single-pearl pendant. That was it. But the pearls caught the light in a really soft way, and suddenly the whole outfit felt intentional. A few coworkers noticed and asked about them, which honestly surprised me.
Pearls get stereotyped as formal or old-fashioned, but I don’t see them that way anymore. I like ones that feel wearable and natural, not overly shiny or obviously dyed. Especially for pieces that sit right on your skin, materials matter more than branding.
To me, pearls have this calm confidence. They’re never loud, but they always feel appropriate—clean, composed, and kind of grounding. No matter the occasion, they just work.
Going into the new year, that’s the energy I’m keeping: simple, steady, and quietly put together.