Introducing The Vintage Jewellery Capsule

Odds on you already own at least a few forever jewels; your trusty timepiece, a classic chain, some ‘go to’ stud earrings or an everyday ring that never leaves your finger. But where do you begin with the seemingly endless variety of vintage jewels on offer and how do you combine them for maximum effect? If you’re looking to take the step from subtle to statement and build your style repertoire, then some vintage inspiration may be just what you need.

With a lifetime spent sourcing some of the world’s finest vintage jewels and an exceptional eye for a find, Jennifer loves nothing better than helping customers to pick their perfect piece and offering guidance on gloriously unique gifts for loved ones. She’s amassed an enviable collection of jewels, but also knows the value of starting small and building a vintage jewellery capsule to suit every occasion.

The capsule earrings - vintage capsule collection Jennifer Gibson Jewellery

So, what is a vintage jewellery capsule?

It’s the jewel equivalent of a capsule wardrobe – a term coined by boutique owner, Susie Faux in the 70s. Faux’s concept was simple; build a base collection of essential items that won’t date and enhance them with seasonal pieces along the way. This ground-breaking idea was popularised by American designer, Donna Karan in the 80s with her ‘Seven Easy Pieces’ – a fashion mantra that subsequently transformed the working wardrobe. The capsule itself is comprised of key pieces of jewellery that will become the style staples of your everyday life. Rather than encouraging fast fashion and wear-once purchases, these capsule heroes are well-loved classic pieces that you will keep and wear forever, allowing a more sustainable approach to accessorising.

Truly great vintage jewellery has the power to transform an outfit and bring it to life. Unique, individual and effortlessly eye-catching, the sheer variety of vintage jewels on offer means that you can choose pieces that perfectly capture your mood, reflect your personality and chime with your own special style. Jewels are nothing short of miraculous. Whether injecting a new lease of life into your favourite dress, adding a pop of personality to your work wardrobe, jazzing up your jeans for a glamourous vibe or adding the finishing touch to a timeless wardrobe classic, jewels can elevate the ordinary and skyrocket your look from subtle to sensational in seconds. If you’re looking to create a jewellery capsule of go-to vintage pieces that you’ll wear time and time again, then look no further than these five foundation jewels. The cornerstone of every good collection, these hardworking investment pieces will revolutionise your jewel box and prove themselves for years to come.

The clip on earring - vintage capsule collection Jennifer Gibson Jewellery

The Capsule Clip-on Earring

First up is the classic clip-on earring – the ultimate eye-catching, face-framing accessory and a magical must-have for every capsule collection.

The simple, no-nonsense clip-on will prove to be the perfect finishing touch every time and will effortlessly take your look from casual through to cocktails. With no big drop to distract, these beauties sit on the ear and can be as bold or as understated as you like.

A style classic, with a hint of vintage glamour, a stunning pair of clip-on earrings will always add that bit of extra interest to your look. Find a pair you really love, and you’ll never look back. Our carefully curated selection centres on timeless chic, wearability and style.

From elegant earrings that won’t break the bank through to investment pieces that will earn their keep for years to come, we’ve got clip-ons to suit every budget and style.

The Capsule Cuff

A mesmerising vintage cuff is next on the list. If it suits your style then go big, bold and chunky. Picture Elsa Peretti’s iconic bone cuff and you’re well in the zone. But if you’re not feeling quite so brave, then we have an incredible selection of vintage bracelets ranging from couture to cool, so there’s bound to be one to tempt you. The wrist is the perfect area to accentuate and of course there’s always the option to layer or stack your bangles to change up your look. But do take care to make sure they stay in beautiful condition. For tips on looking after your vintage treasures, refer to our care advice.

The capsule pieces - vintage capsule collection Jennifer Gibson Jewellery

The Capsule Collar

The gold collar or chunky chain necklace is an absolute classic and a totally timeless option. Worn on its own or layered to create a very different look, a gold collar is a jewel box essential. Quite possibly one of mankind’s earliest adornments, the necklace is thought to symbolise power, wealth and status and it remains one of our bestsellers. A highly versatile piece that will work with ease throughout your wardrobe, it will elevate any outfit from simple ripped jeans to formal black tie. Perfect for upping your glam factor or adding a shot of confidence to your vibe on the days you need a lift, the gold collar won’t ever let you down.

Pearl Power

Ageless, iconic and forever a style classic, pearls are quite simply the best. Coco Chanel gave us the imitation pearl almost a century ago and her style prevails. By coupling the elegant with the casual, pairing pearls with cashmere, and styling them a million different way, she proved this jewel’s inherent wearability and endless versatility. Our extensive pearl collection ranges from stylish single strands to full-on pearl glam creations by the likes of Yves Saint Laurent. Style the look by collecting simple strands and have fun combining them in new and different ways to suit your mood.

The Fifth Element

And for our fifth and final jewel box favourite, it’s down to you. If you’re an earring addict then make it a statement vintage earring every time, but if not, then opt for a stunning vintage brooch instead.

Our statement earring edit is so delicious, it’s almost edible. Melt in the mouth moreish. Rock your own runway with your favourite pair and do it with style. From lobe loving creations to danglers with shoulder duster proportions, we’ve got a heady collection that oozes glam, chic and maximum impact from every possible angle.

And if you’ve opted for a brooch as your fifth element, then the choice is stunning. Will you go for gold, opt for full-on glitz and glam, funk it up with figurals or style it out with a classic design? Or will it be logo love at first sight? We have a stunning range of designer pins to light up any lapel.

Our vintage brooch collection spans a century of style and you can while away the hours perusing for your perfect pin. Once you’ve chosen your favourite, style it traditionally on your lapel or get creative, pinning it on a wrap, hat, collar, clutch or even your jeans.

The capsule brooch - vintage capsule collection Jennifer Gibson Jewellery

Have fun nailing your unique vintage jewel Capsule and if you’d appreciate some help, either choosing pieces for yourself or for a gift just let us know.