How to Build a Capsule Jewellery Wardrobe, with Jenny Bird
The founder and creative director shares her tips for building the ultimate, versatile jewellery collection.
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How to Build a Capsule Jewellery Wardrobe, with Jenny Bird
The founder and creative director shares her tips for building the ultimate, versatile jewellery collection.
Self-taught jewellery designer Jenny Bird has an eye for the zeitgeist. Known for her ability to translate trends into timeless, statement jewels, her designs are beloved for their combination of drama, simplicity and luxurious quality.
As the finishing touch to any good outfit, curating a capsule jewellery wardrobe that works across the seasons is a must for fashion, and jewellery, lovers alike. With her knack for creating jewellery that's "in the know", bringing a timeless touch of trends to each and every look, Jenny Bird knows a thing or two about the art of building a jewellery collection that can be mixed, matched and switched up for new occasions.
Here, Jenny shares her top tips for curating a selection of pieces that will see you through season to season in glittering style.
Jenny Bird’s Guide to the Capsule Jewellery Wardrobe
What three pieces do you think form the foundation of a jewellery collection?
1. An on-trend sculptural earring - this is simply a must. Let your coat or sweater frame the earrings. Skip a necklace and let a statement pair of earrings light up your face.
2. A statement cuff or bangle - you can layer this into your wrist stack or wear a chunky one alone. Look for a great statement bangle and clasp it over the sleeve of a chunky knit or button down blouse (the latest “it way” to wear it).
3. A personal heirloom or keepsake - jewellery is personal. Layering in keepsakes that are meaningful to you keeps your jewellery style authentic and unique. Combining those pieces with new trend-forward pieces (like JENNY BIRD) is the perfect, modern mash-up.
What makes a timeless piece of jewellery?
A timeless design is achieved when a simple silhouette is executed in a sophisticated manner, so it has staying power you can rely on year after year. It is most definitely modern, nodding to the times, but avoids being overly trendy. Our Mini Florence Earrings are the perfect example of this.
JENNY BIRD
14ct Gold-Plated Mini Florence Hoop Earrings
Free UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £100! Delivered within 3-5 working days. Normally £5.95.
Free UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £100! Delivered within 3-5 working days. Normally £5.95.
JENNY BIRD
Silver-Plated Supernova Ring
Free UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £100! Delivered within 3-5 working days. Normally £5.95.
Free UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £100! Delivered within 3-5 working days. Normally £5.95.
JENNY BIRD
14ct Gold-Plated Gemma Hoop Earrings
Free UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £100! Delivered within 3-5 working days. Normally £5.95.
Free UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £100! Delivered within 3-5 working days. Normally £5.95.
JENNY BIRD
14ct Gold-Plated Constance Wrap Chain Necklace
Free UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £100! Delivered within 3-5 working days. Normally £5.95.
Free UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £100! Delivered within 3-5 working days. Normally £5.95.
JENNY BIRD
14ct Gold-Plated Dhani Chain Necklace
Free UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £100! Delivered within 3-5 working days. Normally £5.95.
Free UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £100! Delivered within 3-5 working days. Normally £5.95.
JENNY BIRD
14ct Gold-Plated Padlock Heart Huggie Hoop Earrings
Free UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £100! Delivered within 3-5 working days. Normally £5.95.
Free UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £100! Delivered within 3-5 working days. Normally £5.95.
What tips would you give someone looking to find their personal style in jewellery?
Don't overthink it; wear what you are comfortable in and what feels right for you. The magic is in a meaningful-to-you mash of personal keepsakes and new pieces. Jewellery should also be playful, so have fun with it. If you’ve always worn gold, what’s the harm in trying silver? It’s the metal of the moment. The cool tones work especially well in the cooler months.
How would you suggest balancing statement pieces and simplicity within a jewellery collection?
You don’t need many statement pieces. Find two or three that you are drawn to, wear with confidence and make them part of your signature look. For example: two statement pairs of earrings and one bracelet cuff. Rotate them in regularly and be sure to wear those statement pieces with casual attire (more than when you’re dressed up). This is where they look best and work to elevate any easy day (i.e denim) look.
Keep is simple. With a statement pair of earrings like our Gemma Hoops, you don’t need a necklace. At the same time, you don’t need to remove the pieces that have meaning and sentimentality attached to them. Instead, don’t overthink it and create juxtaposition by throwing on a new trend-driven piece with them. Maybe you’re obsessed with a pendant that has been passed down to you from your grandmother; try layering it with our coffee-bean-link chain necklace, Dhani.
What are your top tips for layering jewellery together?
Layer in a new clean, tubular metal bangle (like our Gia Bangle) with your everyday bracelets and it will update your wrist stack in an instant. And of course, mix those metals - combining silver and gold is one of the biggest trends right now.
Do you have any personal favourites in your own jewellery collection?
The Gucci watch passed down from my mother and the diamond tennis bracelet my husband bought me. They add that personal touch and sentimentality to my stack of new Dane and Gia Bangles. I love the combo.
I’ve also been wearing our mini Florence Earrings since we launched them earlier this year, and because I have multiple piercings, I love wearing one of my diamond studs in my third hole versus the first one as it’s more interesting since it plays into that juxtaposition of new fashion earrings paired with fine jewellery in an unexpected way.
The first piece of fine jewellery my dad gave me when I was a pre-teen is one of the most memorable gifts I’ve received. It told me I was worth being spoiled when we didn’t have much as a family. This was a valuable message to receive from a father as a young girl. Every piece of jewellery I have from my husband marks many chapters of our relationship and life together.
JENNY BIRD
Mixed Metal Dane Bangle Bracelet Set
Free UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £100! Delivered within 3-5 working days. Normally £5.95.
Free UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £100! Delivered within 3-5 working days. Normally £5.95.
JENNY BIRD
14ct Gold-Plated Supernova Ring
Free UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £100! Delivered within 3-5 working days. Normally £5.95.
Free UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £100! Delivered within 3-5 working days. Normally £5.95.
JENNY BIRD
14ct Gold-Plated Slim Penelope Bracelet
Free UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £100! Delivered within 3-5 working days. Normally £5.95.
Free UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £100! Delivered within 3-5 working days. Normally £5.95.
JENNY BIRD
Silver-Plated Nouveaux Puff Hoop Earrings
Free UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £100! Delivered within 3-5 working days. Normally £5.95.
Free UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £100! Delivered within 3-5 working days. Normally £5.95.
JENNY BIRD
14ct Gold-Plated Medium Tome Hoop Earrings
Free UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £100! Delivered within 3-5 working days. Normally £5.95.
Free UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £100! Delivered within 3-5 working days. Normally £5.95.
JENNY BIRD
Silver-Plated Non-Stop Stud Earrings
Free UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £100! Delivered within 3-5 working days. Normally £5.95.
Free UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £100! Delivered within 3-5 working days. Normally £5.95.
JENNY BIRD
Gold-Plated Nouveaux Puff Hoop Earrings
Free UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £100! Delivered within 3-5 working days. Normally £5.95.
Free UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £100! Delivered within 3-5 working days. Normally £5.95.
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