Preppy Add-a-Beads... mid-1980's Highschooler Stylin'...
Preppy Add-a-Beads early 1980's Junior Higher styling...Every female Preppy worth-her-Preppy-salt back in the 1980's had either an Add-a-Bead necklace or an Add-a-Pearl necklace "going-on".... i.e. being added to by their mother, aunts, grandmothers as a new bead or pearl or two would show-up in Christmas stockings and in the piles of Birthday gifting loot.
I was fortunate to have both which was wonderful.
I ran across just the other day these two school photos showing my growing Add-a-Bead gold necklace. They also showcase how Preppy Clothing evolutionized from being super-singular in the early-80's with the yoked pink ski-sweater on top of multiple-layering and a very Dorothy Hamill/Princess Di hair cut with absolutely no makeup on to... the more subtle adaptation of Preppy by the mid-80's with a paler pink linen coat-top, cream turtleneck, a more fashion-forward short hair-do and some makeup wearing beyond Chapstick.
Preppy can be a costumed-thing or it can be more gently-absorbed into a modern styling and I guess (aside from my Lilly Pulitzer and madras-pieces worn mainly while on-vacation) you can probably figure-out which way I tend to "express my Preppy upbringing" within my lifestyle :)
I still wear quite often the completed Add-a-Pearl choker necklace but I need to go and dig into my jewelry boxes to pull out once again my ole' Add-a-Bead gold necklace and begin enjoying wearing it once more....
Happy Memories of growing up Happily Preppy!
P.S: when I do find it, I'll post an updated-picture here of wearing my Add-a-Beads 25 years later
I still have both my add-a-bead and add-a-pearl. I keep them on top of my dresser (for some odd reason). I need to start wearing mine. So glad that they are coming back in style.
ReplyDeleteI too had both! The pearls are still wonderful, the beads are in preppy heaven. Most of them were crushed. Although my daughter turned 19 today, I started her an add a pearl necklace when she turned 1. Although she received her first full strand of real pearls for her hs grad in 2010, I think I will start adding pearls to catch up with her age. What a grate trip down memory lane! I too had short hair and my mother swears that the Dorothy Hamill haircut was her favorite hair cut on me!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the memories. I loved my add a bead necklace.
ReplyDeleteHi Beaufort Belle! What-fun how this all connects-us through the years and transfers down on into the next generations :) Thanks so much for posting and have-fun adding more add-a-pearls your daughter's necklace....excellent idea to catch it up to her age!
ReplyDeleteBest, Lachlan
Hi Tammy B!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely wear yours and enjoy 'em once again :)
Thanks for posting and best to you- Lachlan
You're so welcome Hillcrest Acres :)
ReplyDeleteBest, Lachlan
I started both my girls on an add a pearl necklace when they were born, unfortunately they only have a combined 18 pearls between the two of them. I'm debating what to do??? I could have 1 braclet made but that wouldn't be fair to the daughter who doesn't get it. Is it ok to split the beads and have 2 necklaces made and keep them as is? In other words I don't think at this point we will still be adding any more pearls.
ReplyDeleteHi what to do! How about having them made into two necklaces in that more-casual styling known as "Tin Cup"...after the golf movie where Renee Russo wore a pearl necklace which had spaced pearls strung in between silver chain areas?
ReplyDeleteGood luck with that and I know that however these pearls are finally set, your daughters will enjoy them :) Best, Lachlan
I am looking for a gold 24 - 30 inch add-a-bead chain. Mine is so tangled that the jeweler could do nothing with it and they cannot locate a chain for me. Anyone know of a jeweler that still carries them? I'd like to start wearing mine again. Thanks ! -Paula
ReplyDeleteHi Paula!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure who still carries them but you may want to try Levy Jewelers; locally-owned jewelry stores here in Savannah...
Best of luck with that, Lachlan
All the girls at my school had add-a-beads. And your outfits here are great. The scrunchy turtleneck is always a preppy giveaway, and I love the fair isle/oxford/popped polo layers! Such great 80s memories!
ReplyDeleteJust discovered your blog today, it's terrific! Please come see me at The Wide Wale!
Hi John!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much and... I'll certainly check out your Wide Wale site.
Yes, scrunchy instead of folded-over turtlenecks- such fun! I still hafta' wear 'em this way most especially while skiing. The 80's were a great decade indeed :)
Best, Lachlan