Today wearing jewellery that complements our outfits has become relatively commonplace, with men and women alike feeling free to express themselves through their accessories in pretty much any setting. However, before the early 20th Century, for most people, their jewellery pieces were considered as keepsakes or collectible items, but shortly after the turn of the century this changed. In the interest of gaining a better understanding of our current jewellery landscape, it’s useful to take a look back at history and identify the main trends that defined costume jewellery since the 1920’s.
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The Art Deco period
Visionaries such as Coco Chanel popularized the concept of costume jewellery during the 1920’s and 1930’s. The foremost stylistic trend of the era was the Art Deco movement, which prized geometric shapes and symmetrical lines in an effort to bridge the harshness of mass production with the sensitivity of art and design. Popular items during this period include long pendants, cocktails rings, bangle bracelets and elaborate accessories such cigarette holders and cases.
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The Retro period
This period is usually considered to have lasted from around 1935 to 1950, and is defined by the gradual merging of natural and artificial materials such as Bakelite. Most of the pieces produced during this time originated in America, as many top European jewellery firms were forced to shut down their operations during World War II. This in turn led to a vast influx of European designers to America, all of whom played a part in establishing the US as an international jewellery powerhouse. The typical costume jewellery in the Retro period featured flowers, bows and sunburst designs, while horse motifs and various moonstones added a touch of exoticism to the pieces. Glamour, sophistication and elegance were the ultimate goals of this period, which explains why many of its items are still quite popular today.
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The Art Modern period
Following World War II, jewellery designs on the whole became more conservative and understated. The comparatively garish styles of the Retro period were replaced with more tailored styles that reflected the attitude of the times they were created in. Costume jewellery in the Art Modern period often featured large, chunky bracelets, rhinestones and materials such as jade and topaz. Poodle pins, Christmas tree pins and other Christmas-related jewellery became popular, infusing the pre-1960s period with an air of quiet gracefulness. From the Mod period onwards, however, trends would proceed to become braver once again and would grow to encompass various stylistic shifts, many of which reverberate till this very day.
That concludes our quick overview of the top stylistic periods that have come to define jewellery in the 20th century and beyond. Of course, in this day and age fashion jewellery is highly accessible through numerous online stores, which makes it easier than ever before to find the items you want at competitive rates. So don’t hesitate to mix-and-match until you find the pieces that best complement your individual style.