Introducing Your Jewelry Capsule Wardrobe For 2025
We speak to five leading fine-jewelry designers and tastemakers to discover which jewels to wear on rotation this season. By CHARLIE BOYD
A pinky ring
While pinky rings have typically been considered a playful component of our jewelry collections, 2025’s versions are taking center stage. Hence chunkier, band-style designs, with a focus on sculptural metalwork and a monochrome color palette, have become the most sought-after. “I never leave home without my diamond By Pariah pinky ring,” says Gillian Brett, NET-A-PORTER’s head of fashion content. “I love how it adds subtle sparkle and makes even a casual outfit look more refined,” she says. Sophie Howard, the London-based founder behind the brand, has been exploring cigar-ring silhouettes on the scale of a pinky, while Beirut-based label L’Atelier Nawbar’s ‘Mimete’ ring uses onyx to give a heritage feel. To outsiders, it’s almost impossible to tell whether these are pieces that have been passed down by a precious relative or found in an antiques store, and that’s their charm. If you can’t resist adding a little playful modernity into the mix, then look to Shay for a sparkling diamond-set pinky ring that flaunts a hidden heart-shaped diamond.
A cuff
“Cuffs have been steadily growing in popularity over the past few years, and, for 2025, they’re a key piece for your capsule jewelry collection and within fashion-jewelry circles – many ready-to-wear designers sent big, bold statement pieces down the SS25 runways,” says Emily Johnston, fine-jewelry buyer at NET-A-PORTER. “This year, however, we’re starting to see some really interesting details coming through. In 2024, it was all about big, glossy designs that felt ultra-modern, whereas now we’re seeing more organic silhouettes, with references to natural forms such as leaves or ropes,” she adds. “If you’re looking to invest in a wear-forever piece, David Yurman and Suzanne Kalan are experts when it comes to precious gemstone-setting, while those who err towards more contemporary design codes will appreciate pieces by Ysso and Uncommon Matters – stack them two at a time for maximum impact.”
A chain necklace
“My most important piece for 2025 is the lariat chain,” says jewelry designer Lucy Delius, who founded her eponymous brand in 2022. “We sell our ‘Twisted Link’ and ‘Show Your Bones’ chains with matching bracelets, so you can get even more customization from your pieces. You can have a bracelet and a necklace, or connect the bracelet to the necklace and have either a super-long 65cm chain for doubling up, or create a lariat to wear down the front and back,” she suggests. “I think people are looking for more versatility from the pieces they choose to invest in this year.”
Hoop earrings
“In 2025, hoop earrings take on a sculptural and refined aesthetic that blends classic elegance with bold, contemporary design,” says Hisham Mahomed, co-founder of Dubai-based brand Maison H Jewels. “This year’s must-have hoops range from sleek, oversized silhouettes to layered and intertwined designs that play with depth and dimension,” he adds. Mahomed’s co-founder, Fatima Tayob, concurs: “The trend leans towards structural gold pieces, diamond-encrusted textures and asymmetrical or double-hoop styles, making them the ultimate modern heirloom,” she explains. “Whether stacked, mixed or worn solo, the right pair of hoops can elevate any look with a sense of understated luxury.”
A heritage watch
“A classic watch is a symbol of enduring companionship – one that stands by you every day. Life brings new challenges with each passing moment, but a simple, refined timepiece remains a constant,” says Scarlett Baker, watch editor at large at Wonderland magazine, who believes timeless design is prized now more than ever. “While classic watches are often linked to iconic brands, true classics are about something more personal: finding a trusted ally for your wrist that reflects the essence of who you are, day after day. There are no rules about what that should look like, other than it being a timeless source of joy.”
RELATED READING
The people featured in this story are not associated with NET-A-PORTER and do not endorse it or the products shown