Let These 8 Jewelry Trends Determine Your Summer 2024 Plans

There’s nothing I love more than spontaneously buying a gorgeous piece of jewelry on a whimsical summer’s day, even though my bank account might say otherwise. This summer, though, whether at a street vendor on vacation or on my favorite shopping sites, I’ll be looking specifically for a few trends that were all over the runways—and soon all over social media (if you haven’t seen them already).

What I love about summer jewelry is the playfulness that comes with it. Even though jewelry is seasonless, picturing yourself in a beautiful shell necklace and watching the sunset in Greece can really just set the vibes for the entire summer. Checking the time on your new bracelet watch while you party the night away at an outdoor club in Montauk? It’s fine if you don’t. And a potential love interest pointing out your (purposefully mismatched) earrings at a pool party in Miami? Talk about a meet-cute!

No matter your summer plans, let your jewelry guide the way and start the conversations that’ll lead to your favorite memories. Whichever summer fashion trends you’ll be following this year, shop the summer jewelry trends to accessorize them, below.

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Shells Shells Shells

I feel like I’m pushing the shell agenda especially hard this season (shell bags, anyone?), which is surprising since I’m not typically a shell person. I can’t deny, though, that shells are all over my Instagram feed, and that may or may not be because I’m craving a beachside vacation. But, since we’re just shy of the beginning of summer—and at least in New York, beaches aren’t quite open yet. So, we must settle for prepping our summer seashells ahead of time with these gorgeous jewelry pieces.

Oversized Beads

They’re ultra-’80s, ultra-bold, and ultra-sized. Oversized beads are back and bigger than ever—and this summer is the time to get in on the trend. These aren’t your average string of pearls or long beaded necklaces; these oversized beads are made to be statements, particularly close around the neck to highlight the face and décolleté. Wearers of such beads are still classic and elegant but can still poke fun at themselves.

Equestrian Nods

The equestrian look is back in fashion in every way, from riding boots to saddle bags to, you guessed it, jewelry. Some might argue that these motifs never truly left jewelry, thanks to the luxurious ties between the two worlds and strong house codes from Gucci and Hermès that draw inspiration from horse bits, loop chains, horseshoes, and more. Move over tenniscore, there’s a new elite sports trend in town.

Wooden Jewelry

Wooden jewelry can be boho-chic or mid-century modern, depending on how you style it. That versatility is something so important to consider, especially when investing in fine jewelry. Natural elements have always been incorporated into this area of accessories, but with wood, you get a warmth and earthiness that can be elevated or dressed down. And specifically for summer, that’s definitely the vibe.

Subtly Subversive

Goth culture is definitely having a moment in the mainstream, and of course, it translates well into jewelry. White gold or silver materials, chains, and piercing motifs are mainstays in this type of jewelry, and there are both luxury and affordable options that you can shop to find the right style.

Black & Gold

The black and gold color combination is a staple in jewelry, but it’s particularly gaining traction for summer as bold shapes and materials like enamel come back into play. This trend is chic but statement-making, luxurious but casual, day or night.

Mismatched Earrings

For some cheeky fun, play around with mismatched earrings this summer. This trend has been seen on the runways for quite a few seasons, and it can be an intimidating one to master—especially if you’re DIY-ing your mismatches (which is a completely valid thing to do with the right eye for it). For those who want to start with a more tried-and-true combo, try out the below styles, which are sold together and perfectly/imperfectly mismatched.

Watch Jewelry

Watches never really go out of style, but this summer is all about the jewelry watch. To be clear, I’m still a strong supporter of big, bold watches on a stylish woman, but I also love watches that could easily be mistaken for a bracelet. The resurgence of vintage watch bracelets also contributes to this trend, with gorgeous options featuring pearls, scarabs, stones, and more, but if you want something brand new and still on trend, check out these beautiful options.