Everything's coming up roses for gender neutrality in fashion. With the merging of fashion months, the evolution of men’s beauty, and women wearing jorts - gender binaries are slowly becoming obsolete.
This notion also applies to jewellery. We are witnessing brands curate genderless lines, designed to suit anyone and everyone. Thanks to increasing hyper-awareness regarding gender on social media, in general media and in academia, consumers are gaining the confidence to push the boundaries of personal style and shop from sections that don't traditionally align with their own gender.
Not only is this a win for gender discourse, but it’s also a win for the brands and their customers. Luxury labels such as Dior, Gucci and Celine craft lavish pieces to suit all, in turn improving their commercial value and reaping the monetary rewards.
As a result, companies are channelling more effort into their gender-neutral jewels, which provide a more versatile, diverse selection of products for fashion-forward consumers to peruse.
Some of these eagle-eyed shoppers just so happen to be high-profile celebs. Justin and Hailey Bieber frequently reach for genderless gems, Dua Lipa owns a few custom pieces from the menswear jewellery brand IAN Charms, Romeo Beckham and his girlfriend Mia Regan have matching pearl necklaces depicting portraits of each other and Harry Styles also loves pearl necklaces. Genderless jewellery is basically the new norm.
But then there are the many jewellery silhouettes that are genderless by nature. Religious pendants, metallic cuffs and classic chains like that of Normal People’s Connell for example. Oh, and personalised pieces, championed by the generation-defining film franchise High School Musical.
Throughout history, jewellery would typically symbolise status rather than gender roles. Monarchs adorned themselves in fine pieces to represent their elite social standing (cue the diamond and sapphire-encrusted crowns) as did prehistoric citizens who wore pieces crafted from bones, shells and stones.
That’s not to say all jewels were without gendered detailing. Traditionally, men wore heavier, more masculine statement pieces to emphasise their strength and power, while women bedecked themselves in tiaras, pearls and more delicate creations to represent their feminine beauty.
Luckily, these stereotypes are now as ancient as the figures who, centuries ago, once abided by them.
Gender politics and jewellery finally have a healthy rapport, which can be accredited to the increasing visibility of the LGBTQ+ community and the general progress of gender discussions. More men are wearing pearls. More women are wearing steampunk chunky chains. Anything goes.
Express your unparalleled taste and personality with a gender-neutral piece of jewellery to cherish and discover edit below.
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IAN Charms Beau Beaded Bracelet
A brand adored by Dua Lipa and Romeo Beckham, IAN Charms is the perfect place to start for colourful genderless jewellery. Vibrant beading clashes with shimmering pearls and sunny smileys combine to create a playful neckpiece.
Buy now £70.00, Selfridges
Serge DeNimes Silver Lip Ring
Serge DeNimes is technically a menswear brand, but founder Oliver Proudlock knows a thing or two about playful, gender-neutral dressing. The brand is saturated with pieces for all, incorporating uber-wearable rings, necklaces and bracelets into its cool, collected collections.
Buy now £70.00, Serge DeNimes
Vivienne Westwood Farah Earrings
Men and Vivienne Westwood = a match made in heaven. The brand’s beloved orb designs are increasingly peppering fashion fans. From necklaces to earrings, Westwood has an orb for everyone.
Buy now £70.00, Selfridges
Dower and Hall Men's St. Christopher Talisman Necklace
Stay safe wherever you go with St. Christopher keeping watch. The patron saint of travellers is depicted on this timeless pendant, available in gold and silver and ripe for your picking.
Buy now £70.00, Dower and Hall
Gucci Ghost Ring
It’s all Gucci when there’s a ghost ring to admire. Gucci’s iconic design features petite skulls and brand insignia to adorn the fashion-forward fingers of all.
Buy now £235.00, Gucci
Craftd London Smiley Real Pearl Necklace
Perhaps due to the popularity of Vivienne Westwood’s pearl necklaces or the Harry Styles effect, men in pearls is a trend in its own right. Craftd’s piece, made with real pearls, is a fun addition to your everyday jewellery archive.
Buy now £89.99, Craftd London
Peyote Bird Gold-Plated Multi-Stone Beaded Bracelet
Sprinkle some colour into your every day with Peyote Bird. The brand has curated a divine collection of vibrant jewels to perk up and please. Marvel at this combination of opal, oyster shell and pearl beads that pays homage to Native American cultures.
Buy now £160.00, Mr Porter
Marni Silver Cable Chain Necklace
Marni is a bone-afide source of style steals. The brand’s Silver Cable Chain features a cartoon dog bone pendant in a sleek shade of midnight black. Pair yours with a white T-shirt to help the luxury piece pop.
Buy now £535.00, SSENSE
Posh Totty Designs Yellow Gold Plated Unisex Chunky Kintsugi Signet Ring
Signet rings are a quintessentially British timepiece. Considered antiquated by many, it was high time the design had a revamp. Posh Totty delivered, producing an 18-carat gold signet ring featuring emotive Kintsugi detailing, referencing the Japanese art form in which breaks and repairs are treated as part of an object's storied history.
Buy now £112.00, Wolf & Badger
Celine Homme Silver-Tone Faux Pearl Necklace
Be a Celine dream with the brand’s faux pearl necklace originally designed for men. A string of pearlescent beads surrounds the brand's modern logo lettering, which will automatically establish the wearer as a style connoisseur.
Buy now £550.00, Mr Porter
AllSaints Obi Heart Jasper Stone Signet Ring
The AllSaints dresser is a specific one. They value comfort and a cool demeanour, plus have a penchant for punkish jewels. The Obi Heart Jasper Signet Ring ticks all of those boxes. Made from recycled silver and complete with a red, heart-shaped jasper stone, this heartfelt piece will appeal to hopeless romantics across the board.
Buy now £119.00, AllSaints
AMI Paris Silver Ami de Cœur Studs Earrings
Add a flicker of flair to your look with a simple stud earring from AMI Paris. Since the brand’s inception in 2011, the unisex brand has gripped the public imagination with its distinctive heart-bearing designs.
Buy now £110.00, SSENSE
