Pearls – officially the world's oldest gem – have been worn as jewellery and embellishment for centuries. Revered as a luck-bearer (knights used to wear them on the battlefield for good fortune) and associated with decadence (apparently Cleopatra crushed a pearl into a glass of wine to prove she could throw the most lavish dinner party), pearls were a sartorial staple for the elite classes.
One of the most iconic portraits of Coco Chanel captured her wearing layered sautoirs of pearls, and she famously said: "A woman needs ropes and ropes of pearls". Karl Lagerfeld has kept her vision alive, with the brand's aesthetic remaining very much that of a lady who lunches. Chanel's SS14 collection highlighted the opulent stone, with oversized pearls on models' necks and wrists.
And let's not forget Princess Diana. Her staple jewellery style always featured the ornate stone, whether in a tiara or a pair of droplet earrings. While the resurgence in popularity of Diana's style may be responsible for the comeback of pearls, they're no longer reserved for the prim and proper.
Autumn Winter '17 saw pearls adorn all kinds of attire, from Ellery's oversized minimalist olive-green suit, to Ashley Williams' western-inspired mini dresses. Ryan Lo gave his cyber-pop models pearl collars, while Jour/Né teamed ruffled Bardot tops and loose trousers with layered pearl belts. Huishan Zhang presented what we predict will be the new racing stripe: vertical lines of pearls running down the front of trousers.
This season, pearls have been freed from the straight-laced and the stuffy, and are now worn with a heavy dose of contemporary cool. Click through to see our favourite pearl-embellished pieces to shop this autumn.
Combine a ladylike shirt with kick-flare jeans and killer boots.
Mango Pearl Button Shirt, £29.99, available at Mango
Simone Rocha's trainers are a super cute and wearable way to get pearls in your wardrobe.
Simone Rocha Floral-Embellished Canvas Low-Top Trainers, £177, available at Matches Fashion
We're not taking this pair of jeans off all autumn. We'll be pairing with poplin blouses for now, and roll-neck jumpers when it gets colder.
Uterqüe Mom Fit Jeans With Faux Pearls, £85, available at Uterqüe
These earrings look like a Joan Miró mobile.
ASOS Open Wire Pearl Through Earrings, £5, available at ASOS
Amp up the femininity and pair Shrimps' embellished bag with a ruffled dress, or contrast with a band tee.
Shrimps Antonia Faux-Pearl Embellished Bag, £450, available at Matches Fashion
This shirt makes everyday workwear more interesting.
Zara Shirt With Faux Pearls And Gathered Sleeves, £29.99, available at Zara
Red, check. Patent, check. Pearls, check. These boots are an AW17 triple threat.
Carvela Kurt Geiger Red Mid Heel Ankle Boot, available at Kurt Geiger.
We're pretty hooked on every piece from Alexa's debut collection, but this sweet cheongsam is a trophy item.
Alexachung Faux Pearl-Embellished Jacquard Mini Dress, £450, available at Net-A-Porter
Lazy Oaf does tongue-in-cheek kitsch best, and this jumper is cute and cosy in equal measure.
Lazy Oaf Cheap Frills Sweater Dress, £70, available at Lazy Oaf
Our knitwear wish list is getting bigger by the day, thanks to offerings like this from Marc Jacobs.
Marc Jacobs Faux Pearl-Embellished Wool And Cashmere-Blend Sweater, £405, available at Net-A-Porter
Ankle boots ensure we put our best foot forward every autumn and, each year, there's a texture or colour update. AW17 is pearls, of course.
& Other Stories Pearl Suede Boots, £125, available at & Other Stories
The ultimate ladylike earring.
Simone Rocha Faux-Pearl Drop Earrings, £225, available at Matches Fashion
We love a high/low mix, and this ripped and worn pearl jacket from Free People hits the spot.
Free People Pearl Embellished Trucker Denim Jacket, £128, available at ASOS
Wear these with Dr. Martens for a surprising outfit detail.
Stradivarius Socks Adorned With Pearl Beads, £5.99, available at Stradivarius
Jewel-toned velvet is top of our list for autumn, but pearl-embellished too? All boxes ticked.
Miista Driel Bottle Green Velvet Heels, £99, available at Miista
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