The Adventurine Posts What’s Hot Now: Shoulder Dusters

Karlie Kloss wearing Irene Neuwirth pearl and diamond shoulder dusters at the 2017 DVF Awards Photo by Roy Rochlin/FilmMagic and courtesy of Irene Neuwirth

Jewelry News

What’s Hot Now: Shoulder Dusters

See how the vintage earring style has been updated

by Marion Fasel

We are experiencing an earring renaissance. Never have there been more ways to decorate your lobes. Of course, there are all kinds of studs and cuffs to wrap up your ear. Single statement earrings continue to be an exclamation point style. Just a couple of weeks ago, I wrote how vintage and vintage inspired styles joined the fray.

Now, there is another style to add to the growing list. If the theory that three makes a trend is true—and it is—shoulder dusters are back, because I have four.

First, you might be asking what exactly is a shoulder duster?

The term was originally used to describe slender pendant earrings that were no longer than around 3-inches during the art deco period. They were along the lines of the Cartier art deco diamond and emerald earrings in Neil Lane’s Archive Collection seen here. The earrings didn’t exactly dust the shoulder but the slender shape and pendant at the bottom mildly suggested a feather duster. So, the name was more playful than literal.

Over time the term has been applied to any number of long earrings. I think the accurate use is limited to designs that maintain the lean line of the 1920s styles and reach towards the shoulder.

New renditions maintain the playful quality of the originals but they are longer starting around 4-inches. The stunning jewels seen here show just what I mean.

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - FEBRUARY 26: Actress Sarah Paulson attends the 2017 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Graydon Carter at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on February 26, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images)

Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images and courtesy of Forevermark

The trend lit up during Awards Season when Sarah Paulson hit the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in a pair of Forevermark diamond earrings created by her stylist Karla Welch.

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 06: Karlie Kloss attends the 2017 DVF Awards at United Nations on April 6, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Paul Zimmerman/WireImage)

Photo by Paul Zimmerman/WireImage and courtesy of Irene Neuwirth

Irene Neuwirth created a fabulous one-of-a-kind pearl and diamond rendition that Karlie Kloss put on pair April 17 for the 2017 DVF Awards in New York.