The recent Korean drama “Queen of Tears” has taken the world by storm, with Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won’s new pairing giving “chaebol son-in-law” and “heiress” fresh faces. Both actors are top-tier in terms of looks and acting skills.
However, today we’re not here to spoil the plot but to discuss the “heiress style” jewelry that Kim Ji-won has popularized in just a few episodes. Don’t assume this jewelry trend is out of reach for ordinary people – upon closer inspection, anyone can pull it off!
The chaebol heiress portrayed by Kim Ji-won has a very typical “stereotypical” look, which is the “Chanel-style”. She wears a full Chanel tweed suit paired with a long pearl necklace, clearly telling the audience – “I am a socialite”. Indeed, this combination has become a widely recognized formula for socialites, effectively helping actors establish their character.
But if you delve into history, you’ll find that pearls have always been essential accessories for socialites!
We’ve previously introduced many real-life socialite jewelry collections, and regardless of their era or personal style preferences, they all have one thing in common: pearls!
The only difference lies in the variety and style of pearls. Before the 20th century, natural pearl necklaces were a must-have for socialites. After the 20th century, choices became much more diverse. Jackie Kennedy favored faux pearl necklaces, Princess Diana loved Mabe pearl earrings, and Coco Chanel made all socialites fall in love with layered long pearl necklaces.
Why does Kim Ji-won choose a “Chanel-style” pearl necklace in the drama? Perhaps it’s the style most easily carried off by Asians. Long pearl necklaces generally feature smaller pearls, and compared to the large South Sea pearls or the deep, lustrous Tahitian pearls, petite Asian figures can more easily pull off smaller pearls. This might also explain why Akoya pearls have consistently remained popular in the Asian market.
Although I also love the Tahitian, South Sea, and baroque pearl necklaces popularized by Ni Ni in the summer of 2023, which emphasize a free and individual beauty, today we’re focusing on the heiress style.
Asian socialites and heiresses tend to be more understated and gentle, especially when they’re young. Pearls of 6-8mm are usually sufficient.
For instance, the suspected real-life inspiration for the female lead – “Samsung Princess” Lee Boo-jin – wore small pearl earrings in her youth.
When considering adopting the heiress style, it’s worth looking into Akoya pearls. While their luster is bright, their color is soft. Besides the white “Tennyo” and “Hanadama” varieties, there are also gentle color options like the pinkish “Rose” and the elegant “Shindam.”
There are many styles available now. Compared to the layered full pearl necklace worn by Kim Ji-won, I actually recommend the “starry sky” design with spaced pearls, similar to Tiffany’s Elsa Peretti’s Diamonds by the Yard series concept. The key is the white space, with intervals between pearls creating a contrast of points and lines and a sense of rhythm.
Frankly, this minimalist design is more suitable for elegant ladies’ daily looks, and it’s also lighter. For those who spend a lot of time at their desks in front of computers, it’s neck-friendly!
Pearls around 6-8mm are actually very wearable, whether as necklaces or earrings, and can match most style looks. If you prefer white pearls that suit all skin tones, you can also consider freshwater pearls, which are more accessible and allow you to choose the best among good options.
From a collector’s perspective, besides top-tier Akoya pearls, you might also consider the rarer conch pearls. Their soft pink color greatly enhances skin tone. Lee Boo-jin has personally showcased them. Since conch pearls are rarely perfectly round, they’re particularly suitable as pendants for linear earrings.
In the drama, Kim Ji-won’s character, the chaebol heiress Hong Hae-in, actually has a more versatile style than before. When she’s dating Kim Soo-hyun, she’s an intern experiencing life at the company, adopting a pure and cute style. After marriage, as the company’s top executive, she becomes a gender-swapped “boss,” exuding a noble and cold beauty. When socializing, she can also display elegant and romantic femininity. These style transitions are all complemented by her diverse earring styles.
I always emphasize the importance of earrings because this jewelry is closest to the face and most likely to be noticed. If you’re a styling expert, you can use them to cleverly echo your clothing style, effectively serving as the finishing touch to your total look. Just as Kim Ji-won demonstrates, a small pair of earrings can change the entire style.
Many people have a habit of sticking to one style that suits them best, forming a fixed aesthetic and then only choosing jewelry within their comfort zone.
However, buying too many similar styles can lead to aesthetic fatigue, making it hard for others to notice when you have new pieces. So, taking inspiration from the rich wardrobe of the heiress style, it’s crucial to break out of your comfort zone. Styles with significant differences are what bring a fresh feeling.
How can we learn from Kim Ji-won’s heiress style? It’s not about having all the classic pieces from luxury brands like her, but about learning her strategy. If you look closely, you’ll see that she touches on every style, making you feel that a chaebol heiress is indeed wealthy and can frequently change her look. But you only need to master the basic formula to easily grasp this versatile heiress style!
Petite and Adorable Styles
Small, cute earrings are a must-have basic for every woman. They can be made of pearls, diamonds, or any material, but the key is to have a focal point. What’s a focal point? For diamond studs, if it’s a single stone design, it needs to be big and sparkly. If it’s pave diamonds, there must be intricate details. Because they’re so small, if there’s nothing special about the material or design, they’re not worth having.
For example, Kim Ji-won chose the Margherita series white gold multi-diamond studs from Italian jewelry brand Damiani. These were inspired by Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, whose name means “daisy” in Danish, hence the fresh daisy design. These earrings perfectly showcase the lead character’s gentle and pure side.
For cute earrings, designs featuring flowers, leaves, butterflies, or snowflakes are recommended. These evoke beautiful and dreamy associations, giving a youthful and delicate feeling that all women can easily pull off. After all, who isn’t still a cute “little princess” at heart?
Bold Industrial Style
Jewelry designed with geometric elements often gives off a strong, powerful aura. This style has been quite popular in recent years, especially suitable for independent career women. Kim Ji-won’s choices, like Tiffany HardWear earrings and Cartier Clash de Cartier and Love earrings, with their metallic designs, bring a crisp and bold feeling.
This style of jewelry has now become a basic must-have in heiresses’ jewelry boxes.
If you feel you can’t pull off such a strong design, you can compromise by choosing hoop styles. These earrings are very versatile. Slightly wider hoops with some texture variation can also portray a modern style, suitable for both business suits and casual t-shirts.
Essential Romantic and Elegant Style
Of course, there’s another basic style you must own: designs that highlight femininity with romantic and elegant flair. Linear drop earrings and tassel designs are excellent choices. The key is to choose very elegant and delicate designs, preferably with movement, to give a romantic feel.
Every woman has a soft side, and tassel earrings are perfect for highlighting this quality. Most people can pull them off, but choose the length based on your neck and hair length. Opt for shimmering materials so they can peek through your hair mysteriously.
To create a heiress-style jewelry box, a statement necklace with a strong presence is essential. You don’t need many, but it should be special. Remember! An heiress is not a fashion blogger; a unique design doesn’t mean an exaggerated one. This necklace should be a showstopper, simply put, it should look very high-quality!
Kim Ji-won chose Bulgari’s Serpenti series, which is their classic signature piece. It’s perfect for a powerful woman character. In the drama, she wore three different ones, each time immediately maximizing the female boss effect.
But how should we choose when taking inspiration? A necklace for formal dinners or gatherings must first perfectly match your aura, otherwise it will look borrowed. Although Kim Ji-won doesn’t have sharp features, she consistently portrays a cold persona in the drama. She’s not only an heiress but also the company’s top executive, so she can definitely pull off Bulgari’s serpent design.
However, if your presence and status aren’t as assertive, and your personality isn’t very domineering, you shouldn’t copy this style entirely.
You can choose a statement necklace based on your own style. For instance, if you’re a lady who emphasizes elegance and classic style, South Sea pearl necklaces or Rivière necklaces, which have been popular for centuries, are definitely eye-catching as they represent high quality and historical significance.
Christie’s online auction, December 2019
Sold for: $15,000
If you’re an independent and unique girl, you can try some designer necklaces. For example, asymmetrical nightgown pendant designs, open-ended question mark necklaces, or cool metallic chain necklaces are all quite striking designs.
If you’re still very young and can’t quite pull off large pieces, choker necklaces and collar necklaces are very suitable. The former comes in many materials, catering to various budgets, while the latter is cuter with a lolita style tendency.
So, have you learned, sisters? Kim Ji-won’s heiress style is quite easy to learn from. As long as you master the formula and have a discerning eye, you can create an affordable yet sophisticated jewelry box worthy of a socialite!
Queen of Tears: How to Rock Kim Ji-won’s Chaebol Heiress Jewelry Look
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