From the runways of Paris to indie studios in Brooklyn, pearls are having their biggest modern moment yet—and 2025 is shaping up to be their most fashion-forward year to date. Long gone are the days when pearls were confined to preppy pearls and bridal accessories. Today’s top designers are pushing the boundaries, blending pearls with streetwear, minimalist luxury, and avant-garde silhouettes that feel anything but traditional.
So what’s ahead for this classic gem? Let’s dive into the top pearl trends that designers—and fashion insiders—are embracing in 2025.
1. Oversized and Asymmetrical Pearls
Forget delicate strands—2025 is all about bold, chunky, and imperfect pearls. Designers are gravitating toward oversized baroque and irregular pearls that celebrate natural forms and raw texture. These pearls often become the centerpiece of a look, whether worn as standalone pendants, drop earrings, or embedded into garments themselves.
Luxury brands like Jil Sander and Simone Rocha are featuring enormous single pearls hanging from thick gold chains or nestled into sculptural collars. The message? Bigger is better, and imperfections are beautiful.
Styling tip: Wear a chunky pearl necklace with a crisp button-up or minimalist knit for a high-fashion contrast.
2. Pearls in Unexpected Places
Pearls are no longer limited to traditional jewelry. In 2025, you’ll find them woven into clothing, shoes, handbags, and even eyewear. Designers are using pearls as subtle embellishments and bold statement pieces in places you’d least expect.
Brands like Miu Miu and Area are attaching pearls to denim, sneakers, and evening bags. Meanwhile, smaller labels are integrating pearls into corset boning, jacket lapels, and hair accessories in refreshingly modern ways.
Trend alert: Keep an eye out for pearl-embellished combat boots and hats—yes, they’re real and surprisingly wearable.
From the runways of Paris to indie studios in Brooklyn, pearls are having their biggest modern moment yet—and 2025 is shaping up to be their most fashion-forward year to date. Long gone are the days when pearls were confined to preppy pearls and bridal accessories. Today’s top designers are pushing the boundaries, blending pearls with streetwear, minimalist luxury, and avant-garde silhouettes that feel anything but traditional.
So what’s ahead for this classic gem? Let’s dive into the top pearl trends that designers—and fashion insiders—are embracing in 2025.
3. Mixed Media Meets Pearl Classicism
In a nod to art and industrial design, many jewelers are mixing pearls with unconventional materials like leather, resin, enamel, recycled metals, and even textiles. This mixed-media approach transforms pearls from delicate to daring.
For example, Vincent Peach combines leather and pearls in many of his designs, while Dior adds pearls to thing chain bracelets. These combinations make pearls feel fresh, edgy, and deeply modern.
Styling tip: Look for multi-textured pieces that incorporate pearls and wear them with monochrome outfits for a contemporary twist.
Click the link below to shop some of these looks!
4. Layered Pearl Stacks and Neck Mess
Say goodbye to the single-strand necklace—layering is the new luxe. 2025 is the year of the “neck mess,” and pearls are front and center. Designers are encouraging wearers to combine multiple pearl pieces of different sizes, colors, and finishes for an intentional, curated chaos.
You’ll see this trend from high-end houses like Chanel (which piles on ropes of pearls with gold medallions and chains) to indie designers who are handcrafting layered freshwater strands that mix baroque shapes with metal beads and gemstone accents.
Styling tip: Don’t be afraid to mix vintage and modern pearl pieces together—more is more when it comes to this trend.
5. Color-Infused Pearls
While white and cream remain classics, designers are embracing pearls in a spectrum of hues—from soft champagne and blush pink to moody midnight blue and iridescent peacock green. These tinted pearls add dimension and drama, especially when paired with color-blocked fashion or contrasting metals.
Tahitian pearls, in particular, are trending for their dark, mysterious glow. You’ll see them in oversized rings, stacked cuffs, and unisex accessories that align with fashion’s growing gender-fluid aesthetic.
Trend tip: Style darker-hued pearls with silver or matte black metals for a sophisticated, fashion-forward vibe.
6. Pearls Meet Streetwear
What once seemed unlikely has now become one of the most viral trends of the year: pearls and streetwear. From oversized hoodies to cargo pants, pearls are now being paired with fashion’s most relaxed silhouettes. This unexpected mix creates a visual tension that feels fresh, rebellious, and distinctly Gen Z.
Brands are leaning into this juxtaposition with pearl-studded bags and gender-neutral layering pieces. And on social media, influencers are layering pearls with trucker jackets, sneakers, and even graphic tees.
Style inspo: Layer a single baroque pearl pendant over a plain white tee and finish with chunky sneakers and a wide-leg pant.
7. Heirloom Reimagined: Vintage with a Twist
Another major trend in 2025 is the reinvention of heirloom jewelry. Designers are deconstructing vintage pearl strands and repurposing them into contemporary styles. Think antique pearls set in modern rings, or old-school strands rethreaded with new gemstones and geometric accents.
This speaks to a broader movement in fashion: a reverence for the past paired with a fresh, future-facing aesthetic. For those who already own family pearls, this trend offers inspiration to give them new life without losing their sentimental value.
Pro tip: Ask your jeweler about custom redesign options for vintage pearls—you’ll get something uniquely yours with built-in history.
Final Thoughts
Pearls are no longer a fashion footnote—they’re front and center. In 2025, they’re bigger, bolder, and more boundary-breaking than ever before. Whether embedded in a utilitarian sneaker, layered into a high-fashion stack, or repurposed from a vintage heirloom, pearls are redefining what it means to accessorize with elegance.
At United States Pearl, we’re proud to stay ahead of the trends while honoring the legacy of these timeless gems. Our curated collection of pearls reflects both tradition and innovation—so whether you’re a designer, stylist, or modern collector, you’ll find pieces that speak to both your aesthetic and your values.