As the A/W collections replace the summer styles, it is clear that the androgynous look is set to be big for this season. Much to my delight, fabrics and fine tailoring traditionally reserved for men has crept into the women’s aisles, and this masculine elegance has extended to jewellery too. It all started with the oversized boyfriend watch a few years ago (how many of you own one from the Michael Kors collection?), and now statement chains and chunky bracelets beloved by men comfortable with their metrosexuality are being worn by girls in touch with their inner tomboy.
Gold has been at the forefront of this trend, with designers creating truly original pieces in yellow, white and rose gold. Here are my top picks of the high-carat, gender-neutral gold items that will have you swooning.
UNCHAIN MY HEART
Arm candy just got a little bit sweeter. Whether worn alone or as a series of bangles with an oversized timepiece, the eye-catching gold bracelet is a statement piece of wristwear that adds panache to any outfit. Channel Rihanna and team with streetwear, or go for sartorial elegance à la Elizabeth Olsen and wear with monochrome – crisp white shirt and tailored trousers essential.
From left to right: 1960’s 18k gold texture links bracelet, Luis Morais 18k VIP bracelet, 1980’s HERMES 18k heavy curb link chain and buckle bracelet, Bulgari 18k gold double “Tubogas” bracelet, HERMES 18k fine cable link bracelet.
CHUNKY VS DAINTY
Gender-neutral necklaces are popping up all over the shop in different guises. In a salute to 90s hip-hop, the chunky gold choker was confirmed as back in fashion by Karl Lagerfeld in his A/W13 Chanel show, and Brit girls Cara Delevingne and Rita Ora have been catalysts for the meteoric rise of this trend. There will however always be a place in my heart for the more dainty and demure gold necklace. This heart locket by jewellery designer Luis Morais is designed to be worn by both men and women and is an effortlessly cool piece.
From left to right: VERDURA 18k gold nautical rope link necklace, Luis Morais 14k gold heart locket.
OFF THE CUFF
Despite its small size, the cufflink can be the most striking jewellery piece you wear. As I often don a dress shirt as part of my menswear ensembles, I get great pleasure in searching for the perfect pieces to flash from my cuffs. If you’re looking for a high-carat gold pair of cufflinks you need to swing by 1stdibs.com (MR Porter user you will know them as Foundwell). Their collection of vintage, tongue-and-cheek jewellery always features truly unique pieces of incredible elegance.
From left to right: David Webb 18k gold and white enamel frog dress set, 14k gold skull cufflinks with ruby eyes and white enamel teeth, Boucheron 18k gold and black enamel snake cufflinks, Judith Lieber 1980’s 18k gold and black enamel zebra cufflinks.
TRYING OUT THE TREND
Lucky enough to own some gold of my own, I snapped a picture of how I wear the gold unisex trend as part of a menswear inspired look. Here I’m wearing a chic gold tie pin with a diamond pinned into my TM Lewin silk tie, a vintage Cartier men’s watch and gold bracelet, and several bespoke gold rings – one with a ruby, the other with a tiger stone.
