Fashion & Beauty

What We Want to Wear: 01.27.2021

VICE PRESIDENT Kamala Harris has a penchant for pearls—and sneakers. A not-so-likely pairing that’s become her uniform, even featured on the February cover of Vogue. We took a page from her playbook for this post.

—Janet Kelly

LEFT: The freshwater pearls in different sizes that line this Madelyn Genuine Pearl Beaded Necklace ($105, Nordstrom) will shine even more brightly when stacked with your other favorite chains and strands.

RIGHT:  VP Kamala Harris’ favorite pair of kicks is this Converse Chuck Taylor All Star ($50). She told Oprah magazine she owns white ones, black leather ones, a collection for cold and hot weather, and ones that lace up and ones that don’t.

 

ABOVE, TOP: Old is new again in sneakers. New Balance updated the design of its classic 996 ($89.99) with new details on the upper and improved stability and cushion of its midsole. The red “N” looks fresh and sassy, but it’s also available in sleek all black and in white with black trim.
ABOVE, BELOW: Cariuma makes old-school sneakers with new-school ethics. The company manufactures its footwear out of materials like Fairtrade cotton, so its shoes are sustainable while being comfy and stylish, too. We chose the OCA Low Stripe Burgundy Red Canvas Sneaker ($79) as a neutral that will go with most items in our wardrobe. Can’t make up your mind among the color options? Buy more than one.

 

LEFT: Why should necks have all the fun? Decorate your wrist with this Ben Amun Round Pearl Bracelet ($220, Kirna Zabete). From the brand’s Gold Link collection, it’s reminiscent of the chunky chain designs of the ’80s and ’90s. The links are 24-karat gold, accented by Czech glass pearls.

RIGHT: The mission of Alighieri jeweler Rosh Mahtani, who graduated from Oxford University in 2012, is to create modern heirlooms based on her literature studies. In the brand’s website description, Mahtani says  Those Are Pearls That Were His Eyes  necklace ($449, Farfetch) are inspired by T.S Eliot’s “The Waste Land.”  Anyway, this unusual piece is made with freshwater pearls and 24-karat gold-plated bronze.

 

LEFT: I have been admiring Emma Villedrouin’s jewelry ever since I interviewed her prior to the Smithsonian’s 2016 Craft2Wear show. A staple of her collection, this Pinwheel Pendant ($340) will float freely on a chain (sold separately, or use your own) and go happily with a white T-shirt or a cashmere crew. You can have your pick of pearls for the pendant—say, multicolor fresh waters or baroque akoyas.

RIGHT: Nike’s ’70s running shoe gets reinvented, thanks to the texture of recycled canvas, springy foam cushioning and a sporty sole. The old-guard signature swoosh remains the same on this new Cortez Premium Sneaker ($90, Nordstrom).

 

LEFT: Leave it to jewelry designer Lizzie Fortunato to pair freshwater pearls and multicolored African glass beads on her Daydream Necklace ($295, Nordstrom)—a fresh tweak on a favorite silhouette. Double it up to wear close to the neck or wear it long as a single strand.

RIGHT: Not your expected pearl necklace, either. Five 9mm cultured pearls framed by 18-gold accents are the central attraction on Lagos’s sterling silver Luna Station Necklace ($695, Nordstrom).

 

LEFT: Céline’s Phoebe Philo came out for her bow at the end of her fall 2010 runway show wearing a moss-green turtleneck, black pants and crisp white tennis shoes. The designer’s five-second appearance turned that particular sneaker into a trend almost overnight. These Adidas Stan Smith Originals ($61.50, Zappos) come very close to what Phoebe wore. They might even improve your tennis game.

RIGHT: Pearl studs are a little bit, shall we say, on the dull side. These Harlequin Pearl Hoop Earrings (Catbird, $578) are anything but. The contrast of classic 4mm and 7mm cultured pearls with 14k gold hoops strikes just the right balance of traditional and original, like our new VP.

 

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3 thoughts on “What We Want to Wear: 01.27.2021

  1. Nancy G says:

    I love Kamala’s “look”. My Chucks are emerald green, and though up to now I’ve only worn them with jeans and shorts, I’m going to up my game and wear them with real clothes. And pearls with a white T-shirt is something I think Janet wears. Going to add that to my repertoire also.

  2. Carol says:

    Ahhh love pearls and tennis shoes! Years (many years) ago I asked for a string of “good” fake pearls for Christmas. I knew that we couldn’t afford real ones and I tended to lose good stuff . I still have them! I also have the pearl earrings ( the screw back type) that my sister gave to her wedding attendants for their gift. I really need to convert them to the pierced kind, don’t know how we ever stood the pain of screw backs!
    I would absolutely love to wear a pair of Converse sneakers, they come in every color, but somehow my feet look stupid when I try them on . Also, my husband always reminds me of how he alway wore “Chucks” (Chuck Taylor Converse) to play in his high school BB games hahaha I’m sure Jim will confirm

    1. Nancy McKeon says:

      Carol. Converse sneakers look stupid on my feet too. My niece wouldn’t wear the ones he husband gave her–special-edition MoMA sneakers and a pair of Warhol bananas (I think–they’re too far back in the closet for me to be sure). So of course they gave them to me (She’ll wear anything, seemed to be the sentiment!). Maybe so, but not so far. (They’re really cute, though.)

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