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Minimalists, look away – kitsch jewellery is here to stay

Instant fun.

Last Updated on June 8, 2021

Minimalists, look away. While fine jewellery will always have its place, kitsch, beaded pieces are having a moment.

We first noticed influencers were ditching their delicate necklaces, rings and earrings in favour of poppy pearls, colourful beads, clay and resin rings and Y2K-style pieces last summer. Our taste in jewellery has undoubtedly been impacted by the pandemic, and now we’re finally able to dress up and go out again, the kitsch trend is only growing in popularity.

When COVID-19 hit last year, we suddenly had more time than ever before. Many utilised the opportunity to get creative, with countless colourful jewellery brands popping up. As fashion has continued to embrace colour, print and self-expression, influencers (and the rest of us) embraced the trend with open arms.

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Of course, you can make some beaded jewellery yourself – but when they’re so affordable and accessible now, you’d be forgiven for buying instead. It helps to know that you’re often shopping from new and exciting small businesses, often running from the makers’ bedrooms.

It’s also an art and requires passion. From sourcing Chanel buttons, pearls, retro beads, and learning how to use resin to in the process, there’s more that goes into the process than you think. Jewellery-lover Sinead Flood founded July Child after years of building her personal jewellery collection to bring it to the public and her enamel rings have since exploded.

Harry Styles may also have had something to do with the trend. The former One Direction star wore an Eliou beaded necklace, which was later named the Harry necklace, in his Golden video and, as expected, the brand saw their orders spike immediately.

Balenciaga has followed suit, designing a selection of beaded pieces – but at £595 each, it pays to make DIY them or buy from local creators.

If you’re wondering how to make them look chic, there are no rules. Whether you layer them up, embrace a more-is-more attitude or prefer to keep them simple, they just work.

READ MORE: 5 colourful cult jewellery brands we love

Necklaces

Acid Banana V Amor And Stitch Collaboration Necklace.. ‘Happy Monday’

Amor And Stitch Collaboration Necklace, £65, Acid Banana – buy now

ASOS DESIGN necklace with flower beads and pearls

Necklace With Flower Beads and Pearls, £6, ASOS – buy now

Starfish Multi Gem Necklace Leti Rixo

Leti Starfish Multi Gem Necklace, £175, RIXO – buy now

READ MORE: 11 initial necklaces to add to your jewellery box

Earrings

Smiley Face Crystal Beaded Gold Hoop Earring  Gold Vermeil image 0

Smiley Face Crystal Beaded Gold Hoop Earring, £18 each, Violet And The Rocks at Etsy – buy now

Disco Disco Earrings July Child

Disco Disco Earrings, £91, July Child – buy now

EARRING WITH SMALL PEARLS soof juliet

Earrings With Small Pearls, £11.15 each, Soof Juliet – buy now

Rings

Super Chunky Clay Rings  from Chunky and funky rings etsy

Super Chunky Clay Rings, £7.50 each, Chunky and Funky Rings at Etsy – buy now

la manso Orangina ring

Orangina Ring, £59.99, La Manso – buy now


Assorted bead rings Monki

Assorted Bead Rings, £6 for set, Monki – buy now

READ MORE: 13 of the best resin rings to shop right now

Bracelets

Smiley Candy Sweetie Bracelet  Rose Quartz Healing Crystals  Violet And The Rocks at Etsy

Smiley Candy Sweetie Bracelet, £22, Violet And The Rocks at Etsy – buy now

Summer Reflection Pearl and Beaded Gold Bracelet Lot28 at Wolf & Badger

Summer Reflection Pearl and Beaded Gold Bracelet, £67, Lot28 at Wolf & Badger – buy now

PACK OF INITIALS BRACELETS from Zara

Pack of Initials Bracelets, £9.99, Zara – buy now

Sunglasses

Rectangular retro sunglasses Monki

Rectangular Retro Sunglasses, £10, Monki – buy now

Hot Futures Cosmic Rebel Neon Orange Sunglasses

Hot Futures Cosmic Rebel Neon Orange Sunglasses, £85, Urban Outfitters – buy now

Heartbreaker Sunglasses Quay Australia

Heartbreaker Sunglasses, £39, Quay Australia – buy now

READ MORE: These are 2021’s biggest sunglasses trends and we want them all

Sunglasses Chains

Freshwater Pearl Sunglasses Chain Talis Chains Wolf & Badger

Freshwater Pearl Sunglasses Chain, £95, Talis Chains at Wolf & Badger – buy now

Multi-function bead chain - Mango

Multi-function Bead Chain, £15.99, Mango – buy now

Beaded Sunglasses Chain Boho Chic Sunglasses Cord Glasses Etsy

Beaded Sunglasses Chain, £12, Etsy – buy now

READ MORE: 14 sunglasses chains to add to your shades this summer

DIY

Roxanne Assoulin Candy DIY cord, enamel and gold-tone bracelet kit

Candy DIY Cord, Enamel and Gold-tone Bracelet Kit, £70, Roxanne Assoulin at Matches Fashion – buy now

DIY Candy Man necklace and bracelet kit WALD Berlin at Selfridges

DIY Candy Man Necklace and Bracelet Kit, £60, WALD Berlin at Selfridges – buy now

Beads Ying Yang Emoji Clay Polymer  Jewellery Making G8 image 0

Yin Yang Beads, from £3.50, Etsy – buy now

A Small box of assorted 2mm Opaque Glass Seed Beads. Approx Set B

Assorted 2mm Opaque Glass Seed Beads, £2.99, Etsy – buy now

Jewellery Making Kit Amazon

Jewellery Making Kit, £13.99, Amazon – buy now

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