It’s 2025, minimalism is firmly being shooed out, and with the start of a new term, there’s not a better time to incorporate some new accessories. Statement jewellery pieces and jewellery stacks are the ideal finishing touch accessory because they can be selected to endure daily wear and to complement any outfit – no matter the occasion. Even during the reign of the ‘clean girl’, there was a popular increase in the amount of jewellery worn, with perfectly coordinated dainty earrings, necklaces and bracelets comprising a key component of their uniforms. Furthermore, there’s increased desirability for pieces to be worn 24/7. Who can be bothered removing jewellery before every shower?

“Who can be bothered removing jewellery before every shower?”

Fortunately, one of 2025’s hottest jewellery trends is curating individualistic and wearable collections for daily wear. From experience, the most important element in selecting jewellery is checking what metal it’s made of. This determines the metal’s strength and colour’s longevity, and for earrings whether the metal will cause irritation (the only thing worse than fingers marked green from ‘gold plated’ copper rings are gunk-oozing piercing holes!) Gold plated jewellery looks frequently like the plating is extremely thin, and the metal underneath is a terrible quality alloy containing nickel, brass, copper or pewter which oxidise green. Really cheap jewellery is false economy. You’ll likely be forced to frequently replace pieces, making them deceptively costly and unsustainable. Luckily, you don’t have to splurge on high karat gold, platinum or .925 sterling silver – surgical stainless steel and titanium are both common, affordable alternatives. I hear you cry, ‘but I’m a rose gold girly! ’ Luckily the latter metals can easily be coloured rose/rose gold and are also hypoallergenic. Titanium especially is my top choice for piercing jewellery, owing to its resistance to elements and sensitivity to skin.

Ideally, jewellery stacks should look perfectly put together without trying too hard; striking without being too conspicuous. According to my favourite jewellers – Tiffany & Co.’s – website, “the secret to the art of bracelet stacking? Choose one element – a metal, gemstone or motif – to tie your stack together.” I completely agree and suggest this advice goes towards rings and earrings too. Gone are the days where it’s faux pas to mix gold and silver. This can look eye-catching with contrasting metals as accent pieces in a bracelet/ring stack if the motifs or styles are coherent.

“Collecting jewellery is always a personal experience, and where you shop for it can make pieces more sentimental”

With earring stacks, I much prefer maintaining consistent metal and gemstone colours, otherwise they can look quite messy and incoherent. However, I love creating accents through earring shapes or sizes to highlight thoughtful curation of an ear constellation (having multiple ear piercings). I’m biased, but ear constellations are one of the most interesting and variable ways of stacking jewellery. They add distinctiveness to your look and can be tailored to fit your personal style, whether that’s more preppy or punk, through choosing delicate earrings or bold statement pieces. If you’ve not ventured outside lobe piercings, but have considered branching out, then go for it! I won’t give obvious piercing advice but an underrated factor to consider is placement. This determines future piercings, size and style of jewellery. Conversely, ear cuffs are trending if you’d prefer not committing to piercings.

I’ll confess I’ve never been keen on necklace stacks. I found they looked a bit naff or didn’t ‘work’ together. That’s until I returned to Melbourne where I saw many gorgeous layered necklaces both in the city and on TV when watching the Open.

The devil is in the details. The complementing, not matching, coloured jewels, inclusion of a tennis necklace between pendants and perfectly balanced necklace length sizing makes for a winning stack.

With stacking necklaces it’s worthwhile selecting pieces that work with one another; especially considering how chains will hang to prevent tangling. Layering slightly different length chokers is a classic option. It’s also key to implement a set colour/motif scheme, or go for minimalist designs to avoid your neck looking too busy.

Collecting jewellery is always a personal experience, and where you shop for it can make pieces more sentimental. Many of my favourite pieces were haggled from markets. Bazaars are where you’ll get some of the largest variation of items suiting all tastes and budgets whilst also supporting local small businesses – but prepare to barter! Another plus of buying in-store is you can try on items, ensuring rings won’t slip off or bracelets won’t dangle too low; or even how jewellery will go with already owned pieces. I’ll admit, Amazon, With Bling and Piercing Mania amongst others are great for sourcing affordable, high quality and specialist piercing jewellery as quality pieces are rarely found outside piercing shops. Additionally, online retailers offer more innovative and unique designs.

I want to stress I’m never going to tell you what to or what not to wear (unless it’s one of those viral ‘dream’ bracelet stacks where people mix (usually duplicate) Van Cleef Alhambras, Cartier Loves and Justes. If you know you know. I’d generally avoid stacking any ‘distinctively designed’ pieces unless a) they’re from the same brand and b) you stick to a small number. Remember, nobody should be wearing more than four bracelets unless you’re King Kylie. Also, whilst we’re here, I hope 2025 is the end of those hideous silver ball studs in lobe and cartilage earrings). Rant aside, please have fun with your jewellery and branch out, whether in styles, piercings or even the radically dramatic change of trying out a new metal colour!

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