Pearl necklaces have long been associated with femininity and beauty. However, in recent years, pearls have become an increasingly popular accessory choice for men as well. Male celebrities like Harry Styles, Timothée Chalamet, and Pharrell Williams have been spotted wearing pearl necklaces on the red carpet. This has prompted many to wonder – who started this trend amongst men? When did pearls transition from a women’s fashion statement to a genderless ornament?
The History of Pearls as a Fashion Accessory
Pearls have been prized since ancient times, admired for their iridescent beauty and associated with luxury and privilege. Various ancient cultures like Rome, Egypt, and China used pearls in jewelry and royal ornamentation. However, up until the 20th century, pearls were predominantly worn by women. They were considered a very feminine accessory that denoted purity, innocence, and grace.
Pearls in the Elizabethan Era
During the Elizabethan era of the late 16th century, pearls became extremely popular amongst the nobility and royal women. Queen Elizabeth I herself was painted and portrayed wearing elaborate pearl jewelry and clothing embellishments. The more pearls one wore, the more it conveyed their status and wealth.
Art Nouveau Period
In the early 20th century, during the Art Nouveau period, pearls remained in vogue. Designers like René Lalique created stunning pearl pieces. However, the focus remained on adorning women with strings of pearls to emphasize their femininity and delicate beauty.
When Did Men Start Wearing Pearl Necklaces?
It wasn’t until the late 1960s that pearls started being embraced by men. The rise of gender-bending fashion and unisex styles paved the way for men to experiment with typically ‘feminine’ looks.
1960s Counterculture Movement
The counterculture movement of the 1960s revolted against tradition and questioned societal norms. Gender roles were beginning to blur. Musicians like Jimi Hendrix, Mick Jagger, and Brian Jones sported flamboyant, androgynous styles with ruffled shirts, scarves, and jewelry. While not specifically pearls, their embracing of ornamentation opened the door.
1970s Glam Rock
Glam rock emerged in the early 1970s, continuing the gender-bending ethos. Male artists adorned themselves in bright, outrageous costumes and accessorized with jewelry. Artists like David Bowie, Marc Bolan, and Freddie Mercury wore dangling pearl earrings.
80s New Romanticism
In the 1980s, New Romantic groups like Duran Duran, A Flock of Seagulls, and Adam Ant donned heavy makeup with lace, frills, and ornamental accessories. Extravagant pearl necklaces, bracelets, and earrings were common. This further normalized men exploring feminine fashion.
Male Celebrities Who Made Pearls Masculine
While musical artists in the late 20th century tested gender boundaries with pearls, a few key male celebrities in the 90s and 2000s truly popularized the pearl necklace for men.
Andre 3000
Andre 3000 from the hip hop group OutKast was one of the early pioneers. In the 1990s, he performed and appeared in music videos wearing distinctive sunglasses along with bold pearl necklaces and earrings. His unique style made pearls an emblem of cool confidence.
Pharrell Williams
In the early 2000s, singer and producer Pharrell Williams famously started wearing multiple pearl necklaces. His mix of streetwear with pearls made them an edgy, modern fashion accessory. Instead of feminizing him, the pearls conveyed his bold sense of style.
Harry Styles
Recently, singer Harry Styles has wholeheartedly embraced gender-neutral fashion. He regularly appears in dresses, skirts, colorful suits, and pearls. His single pearl necklace paired with a traditional men’s suit has pushed pearls into the mainstream. His young fans admire and emulate his daring, egalitarian style.
The Rise of Genderless Fashion
Harry Styles represents a larger cultural shift toward gender fluidity in fashion. Traditional gender norms have been breaking down, paving the way for self-expression transcending old categories.
Unisex Fashion
Many modern brands like Comme des Garçons and Yohji Yamamoto design basic, minimalist clothing meant to be worn by any gender. Gucci, JW Anderson, and other major fashion houses have debuted gender-neutral collections.
Male Make-up
Make-up is no longer just for women. According to Allied Market Research, the global male makeup industry will be worth over $166 billion by 2022. Male beauty vloggers have normalized men applying makeup for self-expression.
Celebrity Influence
Younger generations look to celebrities like Harry Styles, Jaden Smith, and Ezra Miller embracing genderless fashion. Even traditional brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton use male models wearing skirts and dresses. This normalization through celebrity culture has been pivotal.
The Symbolism of Men Wearing Pearls
So what statement does a man wearing a pearl necklace make today? Pearls retain hints of their history, but have acquired new symbolism.
Power & Status
As in the past, pearls still convey privilege and status. However, today this privilege comes from having the means to subvert gender norms and bravely express oneself.
Masculine Sensuality
Pearls balance masculine energy with graceful beauty. Like makeup, they allow men to connect with their sensual, delicate side without compromising strength.
Gender Equality
Ultimately, men wearing pearls represents social progress. Just like women wearing pants, it is a symbolic step toward gender equality and identity not limited by binary norms.
Notable Male Pearl Necklace Moments
Here are some iconic instances of men adorning pearl necklaces recently:
| Year | Person | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Timothée Chalamet | Wore a pearl necklace to the Golden Globes red carpet |
| 2021 | Lil Nas X | Performed in a bridal dress with a pearl necklace on Saturday Night Live |
| 2022 | Bad Bunny | Wore a pearl necklace on his album cover Un Verano Sin Ti |
| 2022 | A$AP Rocky | Paired a pearl necklace with a kilt at the Met Gala |
The Future of Men’s Pearl Jewelry
Pearl necklaces for men are now an established fashion item after decades of evolution. Moving forward, we can expect pearls to continue growing in popularity as gender norms relax. More celebrities and everyday men will likely embrace pearls and other feminine styles to express themselves. However, as pearls become mainstream, they may start to lose their subversive edge. Nonetheless, their adoption represents positive social change in dismantling rigid gender boundaries.
Conclusion
While women wore pearls for centuries, rising gender fluidity in fashion over the past 50 years paved the way for men to wear them as well. Musical artists in the 60s, 70s, and 80s tested boundaries by accessorizing with pearls. Individualist celebrities like Andre 3000 and Pharrell Williams made them an iconic part of their personal styles. Most recently, Harry Styles has cemented pearls as a genderless statement. Now, pearls enable men to access softness and delicacy without sacrificing masculinity. Their growing acceptance represents societal progress in embracing the fluid nature of gender and identity. Moving forward, we will likely see more male pearl jewelry as gender lines continue to blur.