No it does not look too big. I see many petite woman wearing the vintage and magic size, including 20s double wrapped. However it is personal preference for what you feel comfortable wearing.
VCA ~ Van Cleef Arpels Discussion thread!
- Thread starter Swanky
- Start date
TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others
It definitely does NOT look too big for your frame. Vintage works on everyone IMO. Also, I doubt you will be able to return it after a month wearing it. I personally think you should hold onto it and see how you feel before getting rid of it. It’s a gorgeous piece and yes, can be worn everyday.
I think the size is perfect on you. im 5’4” and just bought my first vintage Alhambra pendant because I always felt they were too small on me (I’m layering it). as you get older I think you’ll find that jewelry tends to “shrink“. my 4’10” aunt rocks tons of big pieces.
ETA: by the way, *who* is telling you this is too big?
From your photos, it looks quite nice and definitely not too big. Especially for a casual everyday piece. Like others here, I think as you get older, jewelry shrinkage is very real. my entire family is basically your size and slim, and vintage size is considered normal, even a bit small, for everyday, assuming you like pendants.
I’m bigger than my family, about 5’2 and wear a size 40F or US 6-8. I am medium build, and so I may not be as petite as you are. I wear a six motif magic necklace for everyday. Im not a person who layers necklaces or stacks bracelets, but you could try layering a mini frivole to see how it looks with your vintage.
Also, I agree with @nycmamaofone on the separate issue, return may not be possible after owning or wearing for a month
IMO, it is always best to try VCA or any expensive purchase IRL
@Notorious Pink, would love to see your necklace layering.
somehow, I’m unable to post many of the Milan VCA museum exhibit pics (basement of the Milan VCA boutique) taken with DHs international android phone. (I will keep trying as I have no idea why I can’t post some pics and not others). Here is the one that I could post. It’s a precursor to the VCA Liane circa 1950s.
And me in Milan trying on a modern day white agate Liane (sadly I’m beginning to think the liane is a bit much for my height) as it would be someth8ng I’d wear as an everyday piece. (I prefer not to spend on something thst I cannot get good cost per wear on.
Last edited:
Hi! Congrats on your first piece of VCA! It's always so exciting to buy your first which I am sure will not be your last.
First, to answer your question, not it's definitely not too big on you. The size looks fabulous on you.
However, you said something else, that you "don't find it that pretty anymore." That is very different than "you think it's too big."
On "pretty"...
Maybe the issue is that it's too "shiny." Guilloche is an old technique used to cut the metal (originated in the 17th century). In VCA, they cut the metal to make it shiny to reflect light (e.g. think '70s disco ball era). This might be what others area saying that it looks too big when in fact it may be too shiny. They may be saying (or you may be thinking), it's too big or not pretty as it looks more like a piece of gold bling (e.g. think '80s gold coin/buillon necklaces) vs. a pretty pendant. Some people love guilloche while others do not. It's all preference of course.
On Frivole...
I love love love Frivole, but I think mini-Frivole is way too small. It's so tiny, I think it will disappear on you, and then you'll feel like you have to layer. Sure, you can see the mini-Frivole if you stare at a mirror or look online at a jumbo size modshot. In real life, it will look too small and insignificant, and for me, I would not spend money insignificant jewelry. People layer because they want a bigger look, and that small piece they are wearing just doesn't quite feel enough on its own.
Which brings me full circle...
You said others think it's too big, hence you want to get something smaller. However, you mentioned you want to layer this pendant with the mini-Frivole. Doing that will create an even bigger look. Hence, I don't think "size" is your concern. I personally think it's the guilloche itself that may be bothering you if you don't feel it's pretty anymore.
My recommendation would be to think about what's really bothering you about this pendant. Jewelry is for you, so forget what others think. Sometimes when my gut says "ugh, I think I made a mistake I should return it," I will say to myself "oh, my husband said he doesn't like it either" to confirm this return thought. However, it is in fact me who doesn't like it. I am just using my husband's opinion as an excuse/confirmation to return it. On the opposite side, there are times I love a piece and my husband says "nah, I don't like it, but you have to wear it." In this scenario, if I really love the piece, I think "yup, I really love it, I'm keeping it!"
In the end, jewelry is 100% personal. If you love it, keep it.
I vote keep it if you love the design. The size is perfect. However, if you no longer love guilloche, another option is the classic and iconic hammered gold. I would stay with the regular vintage size though, that size is perfect on you.
I have never ordered online, so you may want to check the online return policy as others have suggested.
Sorry for the long post, but I hope these thoughts might help you decide. Good luck to you! Congrats again on your VCA piece!
Last edited:
I would love to see your 6 motif as an every day piece!From your photos, it looks quite nice and definitely not too big. Especially for a casual everyday piece. Like others here, I think as you get older, jewelry shrinkage is very real. my entire family is basically your size and slim, and vintage size is considered normal, even a bit small, for everyday, assuming you like pendants.
I’m bigger than my family, about 5’2 and wear a size 40F or US 6-8. I am medium build, and so I may not be as petite as you are. I wear a six motif magic necklace for everyday. Im not a person who layers necklaces or stacks bracelets, but you could try layering a mini frivole to see how it looks with your vintage.
Also, I agree with @nycmamaofone on the separate issue, return may not be possible after owning or wearing for a month
IMO, it is always best to try VCA or any expensive purchase IRL
@Notorious Pink, would love to see your necklace layering.
somehow, I’m unable to post many of the Milan VCA museum exhibit pics (basement of the Milan VCA boutique) taken with DHs international android phone. (I will keep trying as I have no idea why I can’t post some pics and not others). Here is the one that I could post. It’s a precursor to the VCA Liane circa 1950s.
And me in Milan trying on a modern day white agate Liane (sadly I’m beginning to think the liane is a bit much for my height) as it would be someth8ng I’d wear as an everyday piece. (I prefer not to spend on something thst I cannot get good cost per wear on.
View attachment 5213025View attachment 5213026
Just got mine after having it adjusted & i am not sure how to wear it casually.
@BigAkoya very well said
Op is it maybe the yellow gold with your coloring that you don't like?
Not enough contrast?
Personally i think the size looks perfect on you
Op is it maybe the yellow gold with your coloring that you don't like?
Not enough contrast?
Personally i think the size looks perfect on you
I think vintage size almost suits everyone, I hardly wear my sweet butterfly which really is too small and I just can’t be bothered with layering. I tried on the mini frivole pendant and it really is too small I m a size S/M
mine is gmop, yg hw. T shirt and jeans; shorts and a tank top. . . dress and sneakers; trousers and t shirt. For the most part, I don’t have a dressy lifestyle, and I wear birkenstocks and sneakers a lot
i personally prefer the six motif against bare skin, so I wear v necklines or scoop necklines on t shirts.
I’ve posted so many recent pics bc I took it traveling and wore it every day (the first pic: drawstring knit sweatpants, cardigan, tie dye denim jacket (both my airplane outfit and going out to dinner outfit); synthetic hoodie elastic waist dress and birkenstock sneakers (worn sightseeing and walking around); elastic waist palm skirt (dinner outfit, also to ballet);
Then with khakis; knit cardigan; rain jacket, a sleep tank, and yoga joggers (and a hawk lesson lol); and shorts (last pic are drawstring shorts from athleta. Olive cargo pants. Doc martens, I think yoga pants, but I don’t remember, could be dark jeans? , shearling jacket
apologies to everyone who have seen these pics before; they are not new
@A bottle of Red, thanks for your kind words below! So sorry about your sunburn, but I’m so happy for you that you got the carnelian and tigers eye! I love that one, and I cannot wait for you to start to post action shots! Congrats! BTW, I also adore chalcedony, but it does not love me back lol. It turns me gray
Last edited:
Tysm, I had not seen these pics before & the necklace looks stunning on you!
I tried on the one w mop & chalcedony which i loved on the tray, but it got lost on me.
So i ended up with the tiger eye & carnelian one.
It glows in the sun
No pics yet because i got a bad sunburn & can't wear jewelry now lol.
I tried on the one w mop & chalcedony which i loved on the tray, but it got lost on me.
So i ended up with the tiger eye & carnelian one.
It glows in the sun
No pics yet because i got a bad sunburn & can't wear jewelry now lol.
I don’t believe this looks too large on your frame by any means. It does seem to be an everyday piece that matches all clothing as well as all occasions.
From your photos, it looks quite nice and definitely not too big. Especially for a casual everyday piece. Like others here, I think as you get older, jewelry shrinkage is very real. my entire family is basically your size and slim, and vintage size is considered normal, even a bit small, for everyday, assuming you like pendants.
I’m bigger than my family, about 5’2 and wear a size 40F or US 6-8. I am medium build, and so I may not be as petite as you are. I wear a six motif magic necklace for everyday. Im not a person who layers necklaces or stacks bracelets, but you could try layering a mini frivole to see how it looks with your vintage.
Also, I agree with @nycmamaofone on the separate issue, return may not be possible after owning or wearing for a month
IMO, it is always best to try VCA or any expensive purchase IRL
@Notorious Pink, would love to see your necklace layering.
somehow, I’m unable to post many of the Milan VCA museum exhibit pics (basement of the Milan VCA boutique) taken with DHs international android phone. (I will keep trying as I have no idea why I can’t post some pics and not others). Here is the one that I could post. It’s a precursor to the VCA Liane circa 1950s.
And me in Milan trying on a modern day white agate Liane (sadly I’m beginning to think the liane is a bit much for my height) as it would be someth8ng I’d wear as an everyday piece. (I prefer not to spend on something thst I cannot get good cost per wear on.
View attachment 5213025View attachment 5213026
I know you didn't ask, but honestly the Liane looks great on you here. It doesn't overwhelm you at all.
Hi! I love that combo! Last time I was at the boutique, I tried on the 16 motif long magic necklace in WG (MOP, Chalcedony, GMOP). The SA then also showed me the YG Tiger Eye/Carnelian one, and wow it was gorgeous! You probably know by now I'm a WG only gal, but if I were a YG gal, that stone combo rocks! The red carnelian against the tiger eye with YG is a perfect combo.
This necklace is easy to wear casual as you have seen from @880 who looks fabulous in hers.
For your carnelian/tiger combo, the colors go great with jeans, and any color blouse except green.
Red is really a neutral, it works with everything (except green). Red is also bold, and red alone can get a bit in your face sometimes, but the tiger eye softens it and makes it so warm. The carnelian red and tiger eye to me is just a gorgeous combo.
I am thinking of getting the WG 16 motif. My idea is to wear my WG 20 motif and then layer on the WG 16 motif. I was surfing for photos on this idea, and I did find the 20 motif layered with the 16 motif. I love the look, but guess what, the photo I fouind is your carnelian and tiger eye combo! Is this photo not the bomb? I love it!
My point sharing this with you is you will rock in that necklace. The color combo is stunning.
I can't wait to see your gorgeous necklace! Hope your sunburn gets better soon.
This looks perfect on you in terms of size, but I'm not sure if it is the size that's really bothering you? Honestly, I don't think VCA will let you return something if it's been worn (and I kind of hope not) and you've had it for a month.
In real life....I'm not sure the mini frivole really works by itself. It looks great in shots here, where it's a shot designed to capture the frivole but in real life I find it very insubstantial.