Is this stack “basic”

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fashion16

fashion16

O.G.
Apr 15, 2007
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1,907
#1
Okay, so posting this in the jewelry thread vs the Bulgari thread because I want unbiased feedback.

This is my stack. I just bought the Bulgari serpenti seen here in the photo. I like funky jewelry. I like unique pieces. My favorite earrings of all time are by Anita Ko and are large gold and diamond safety pins. I like different.

My daughter told me the stack is basic and “instagram cute”. I don’t want to look like everyone else but I also LOVE snakes.

Does this stack look cliche? Does it seem boring? Predictable? Something more about money and status than true style? Brutal honesty only.
 

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#2
fashion16 said:
Okay, so posting this in the jewelry thread vs the Bulgari thread because I want unbiased feedback.

This is my stack. I just bought the Bulgari serpenti seen here in the photo. I like funky jewelry. I like unique pieces. My favorite earrings of all time are by Anita Ko and are large gold and diamond safety pins. I like different.

My daughter told me the stack is basic and “instagram cute”. I don’t want to look like everyone else but I also LOVE snakes.

Does this stack look cliche? Does it seem boring? Predictable? Something more about money and status than true style? Brutal honesty only.
Click to expand...
You are essentially wearing iconic styles from the top mainstream European jewelry houses at once. (So they will be recognizable)

However they all play together nicely since their design aesthetics don’t clash! (The only one that honestly doesn’t mesh very well is the thin chain bracelet)

Wear your pieces and enjoy your stack!!! You picked them out individually so why not wear them all together. :D
 
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#3
I know this is a qualified answer, but it’s if it looks basic to you. Any stack of bangles/cuffs/bracelet is going to look somewhat similar from afar. It’s the personal nuance that makes the difference. It seems like it’s individualized to your preferences from what you said, which is what makes it truly unique.
 
#7
I think it looks great! Agree the thin chain is sort of the odd man out so to speak. I'm not really into this type of jewelry and I still think this particular combination is a nice variety of recognizable signature pieces but isn't boring or basic.
 
#9
I think the stack looks great (minus the chain, I agree it doesn’t fit due to the scale of the piece itself). I would happily wear that stack.

But outside of purseforum circles, I think there are people who will feel like your daughter. Going with all the iconic pieces of the mainstream houses could be seen as kind of derivative (sorry!) and can be considered more about status seeking than personal style. It’s not really about the snake alone but the entirety of the choices.

But they ARE great pieces so as always, wear what you like.
 
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#10
I'm going to echo what others are saying. When your daughter uses the term "basic", the connotation may sound negative like "common" or "unimaginative". But that's in IG land where so many influencer-types are posting Cartier stacks....whether it's popular where you live and in your circles is another thing entirely. I very rarely see them IRL and nothing as substantial as all your mixed jewels.

I like the bead bracelet and the thin chain in there just because it shows something different and individuality. And the Serpenti with the diamond accents is gorgeous and rare!!! Don't let your daughter's comment deter you from wearing what you love!
 
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#11
Basic isn't the word I'd use. But I just don't see how these bracelets would actually wear in reality when you're moving around normally: surely they'd bunch together and lose the separation shown in these pics. Then to me it would look like a jumble vs. appreciating the distinctiveness of the elements.

That Bulgari is a killer on its own, and for it to be lost in a sea of random gold is kind of a shame. I'd rather see it with maybe with one other piece. like the Love.

As always, personal taste is the point!
 
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#13
fashion16 said:
Okay, so posting this in the jewelry thread vs the Bulgari thread because I want unbiased feedback.

This is my stack. I just bought the Bulgari serpenti seen here in the photo. I like funky jewelry. I like unique pieces. My favorite earrings of all time are by Anita Ko and are large gold and diamond safety pins. I like different.

My daughter told me the stack is basic and “instagram cute”. I don’t want to look like everyone else but I also LOVE snakes.

Does this stack look cliche? Does it seem boring? Predictable? Something more about money and status than true style? Brutal honesty only.
Click to expand...

I’m not sure what your daughter means by basic. It depends where you live I guess. Algorithms in Instagram may give Cartier the look of ‘basic’ if that is what she sees in her feed regularly.

Maybe she meant basic because it is missing some pave and your stack are mostly in gold. Or maybe she likes some Van Cleef and Arpels with stones - onyx, carnelians or even guilloche - or Hermes fine jewelry in the mix? Best to ask her what she means.

Personally I think your arm stack is nice. I don’t think it is basic. This is coming from an area where I see Cartier bracelets daily.

I see a mix of beads or friendship looking bracelets with Cartier or other brand jewelry too which makes a stack look interesting and personalized. Def not basic in my opinion. Best to ask your daughter what her definition of basic is and let us know. 😆
 
#14
So, maybe her definition of basic requires more info:

1) she said all of the bracelets are plain gold. She suggested a colored van cleef to break it up (even though VCA is a well known designer brand)

2) she thinks I need to mix some larger non designers in there. The chain is a sentimental heirloom but she thinks those type of non designers items need to be mixed in and have more presence

3) maybe some mixed metal


I think it is the combo of too much uniformity (all rose gold) coupled with a few very obvious designers is resulting in this basic definition
 
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