People who meet me in real life are surprised that much of the jewelry in my personal collection is vintage. After all, Love Lori Michelle Jewelry is mostly the opposite: modern, sleek, simple, free of ornamentation and, plainly stated, the opposite of a vintage look or feel.
However, there's a strong case to be made for collecting and wearing both modern and vintage jewelry, and YES, you can do it the same time!
The best part, to me, about vintage jewelry is the story. Whether it's a family heirloom, or something you picked up at a secondhand market while traveling, vintage or even antique pieces carry their history with them, as if the past is held within the metals and stones.
Modern pieces that you acquire new-to-you don't have that — yet. I love a brand new piece for celebrating a milestone or marking a special occasion. There is something about the idea of a fresh slate, a clean history — a history that you get to create from day one of wearing it. Plus, don't forget that the pieces you buy new and wear today are the future heirlooms of tomorrow.
So, how do we mix the two? Simply put: don't overthink it!
Start with a statement/hero vintage piece (like an ornate chain bracelet) and pair it with a clean, modern design.
Or, it could be a sleek ring alongside a vintage one or a simple geometric necklace stacked with a vintage chain.
You want to create contrast between the rich, worn look of an older piece and balance it with something smooth and minimal. You can create harmony between old and new.
Mainly, just have fun mixing and matching. It's an art to go through your pieces and pair things together in a playful way and see what works and what doesn't. Don't ever be shy. Life is too short to worry about wearing the "wrong" combination.