A single accessory to wear in winter

A pendant that glimmers at your collarbone. A bracelet peeking out from your sleeve.

You can change the combination depending on your mood, letting it complement the clothes you're wearing, and

accessories are also easy to choose as a heartfelt gift for someone special.

In the cold season, we tend to layer our clothing for warmth, but

with just one accent accessory,

you can enjoy a winter look that feels a little different from usual.

Since ancient times, accessories have been crafted from natural materials such as stone and animal bone,

used as talismans to ward off evil, or as tools to signify power and status.

As the eras have changed, they have gradually come to reflect personal taste,

asserting their presence as part of fashion.

Accessories come in many forms—necklaces, bracelets,

earrings, and pierced earrings, among others.

For those who don't usually wear accessories, or when choosing one as a gift,

some may find it hard to decide which to pick.

The first accessory we'd recommend is a necklace.

With easy-to-match sizes and a wide variety of designs, it's an accessory that's easy to try.

Choosing one with a total length of 45cm or more will generally fall just below the collarbone.

At this length, it pairs easily with almost any style of clothing.

Even a simple, single-strand necklace without a motif can serve as a lovely accent—

that's the greatest charm of accessories.

A bracelet, which touches your skin directly, blends in naturally when you consider

the balance with your hair color, skin tone, and the colors of the clothes you own.

For example, if you have fair skin, brown or red tones work well; if you often wear dark-colored clothes, black or blue tones suit you.

If the piece around your wrist has too distinctive a color or shape,

the bracelet alone will stand out too much, so keeping the overall balance in mind is key.

Since pierced earrings and earrings sit right where people naturally look when facing you,

it might not be an exaggeration to say they express the wearer's taste and atmosphere as they are.

Pierced earrings or earrings with a larger motif brighten and add a touch of glamour to the face.

They're a wonderful accent accessory not just for everyday wear, but also for dressing up—

such as at weddings or Christmas parties.

In winter, we often layer sweaters and coats, so

you might think accessories would go unnoticed, but

depending on the outfit, an accessory can actually take center stage.

◇A motif necklace that pairs beautifully with knitwear

Paired with:

Crew Neck Sweater Marzipan 992

ERIC tan

000 (Triple-O)'s Sphere silk series, made of delicate silk threads gathered into spherical shapes.

Crafted using a traditional embroidery technique from Kiryu City in Gunma Prefecture, these necklaces

showcase the distinctive luster of silk, with the beautiful silhouette of the spheres catching the eye.

The soft texture of the thread, so different from metal or glass, creates a gentle impression at the collarbone.

000 (Triple-O)'s Sphere silk pairs perfectly with winter sweaters, too.

In basic, soft colors—white, gray, lavender, and beige—

it's easy to match with a sweater of any color.

It's also fun to use the rounded form of Sphere silk as an accent

and coordinate it with small accessories.

Another point worth noting: since it's made of thread, the piece itself is soft and unlikely to damage clothing or other items.

It's also gentle on the skin, so you can wear it without worry—

a benefit unique to this kind of accessory.

Paired with:

YAK Turtleneck (L.GREY)

A3830 Long-Sleeve Turtleneck

For a turtleneck knit, which sees plenty of use in winter, try a slightly larger necklace.

The jewelry of I.Ronni Kappos, influenced by modern art and architecture,

is made piece by piece by hand, using rare and highly valuable vintage beads

that were manufactured between the 1920s and 1940s—an era whose molds and pigments are no longer available today.

Necklace 1474, inspired by pure white Casablanca lilies, uses frosted vintage lucite.

Necklace 1480 features brown and green beads set off by skillful cordwork that is beautiful in its own right.

Both have fairly large motifs, so wearing just one creates a striking impression.

Paired with a turtleneck, the motif falls right at the collarbone—

truly the perfect one-point piece of jewelry for a winter outfit.

◇Gold and mixed-material accessories to pair with wool clothing

Paired with: Studio Donegal muffler and cabbie hat

Gold accessories, with their subtle warmth, are also

among the items that come into their own in winter.

Gold pairs well with colors like brown, red, and green, bringing out the best in each other.

Simply pairing a small gold-toned accessory with Studio Donegal's chic tweed muffler or hat

creates a brighter impression.

Wool clothing paired with materials like pearl and glass

when combined with different materials, neither one overwhelms the other, making it a nice accent point for your outfit.

ARATA creates washi (Japanese paper) accessories that are both sturdy and warm.

The gently sparkling foil balls have a texture unique to washi and

seem to evoke the charming figure of a woman.

FALBE's Berry Beads hoop earrings

are made by melting glass, blowing air into it to form tubes, then cutting them into small pieces,

combining small, grainy beads together.

◇The Relationship Between Outerwear and Accessories

In winter, when heading outside, we often layer on outerwear like stoles, mufflers, and coats.

So that the appeal of your accessories comes through properly,

it's important to consider the balance with the outerwear you put on last

when coordinating your look.

Paired with: Stole Muted Blue Stewart

Earrings small enough to sit within the earlobe, or stud-type earrings

secured with a backing catch, are relatively resistant to coming loose,

so even when you wrap a muffler snugly around your neck, they'll still peek out charmingly near your ears.

On the other hand, hook-type earrings that have length and sway back and forth

tend to catch on clothing from behind and come loose easily,

and their motifs can also be harder to see.

For hook-type earrings, we recommend choosing them for times when you keep your shoulder area relatively uncluttered,

such as when draping a stole over your shoulders or wearing a lightweight coat.

At HARIO Lampwork Factory,

craftspeople melt glass with a burner, creating each motif one by one.

Though simple, they have an elegant look, catching the light with a subtle sparkle.

Silver accessories, too, have a strong presence even with just a single piece.

They pair well with the dark colors common in winter clothing and never clash with knitwear.

They're the kind of accessory you can wear all year round, like a treasured keepsake.

At FIRST AMERICAN TRADERS,

they continue to make silver jewelry that lets the material itself shine,

drawing on the intricate patterning and cutting techniques handled by Native American craftspeople.

The more you wear it, the more you can appreciate the depth that silver gradually gains, a quality unique to the material.

These accessories go surprisingly well with winter clothing, but

there are a few things to keep in mind when handling accessories in winter.

◇Watch Out for Snagging

When wearing accessories over knitwear with long fibers, such as wool or mohair,

please be very careful about accessories getting snagged.

Metal necklaces and earrings in particular can catch on clothing during an unconscious movement,

which can lead to damage to both the accessory and the garment.

Try wearing clothing with shorter fibers, or choose accessories in a size that won't touch your clothes.

◇Remove Accessories First After Wearing

In winter, when you're bundled up in layers, we recommend removing your accessories before taking off your clothes.

Before taking off a muffler or stole, first remove your earrings or bracelet.

Simply making this a habit can help prevent losing or damaging your accessories.

◇Storing Your Accessories

Even in the cold of winter, direct sunlight can cause damage such as discoloration or deformation in accessories.

Accessories that sparkle beautifully in the light are lovely,

but when storing them, please keep them out of direct sunlight.

A dedicated accessory box is recommended, as it also helps keep out dust.

◇Regular Maintenance

Not just in winter, we recommend giving your accessories regular care.

Accessories that touch your skin tend to pick up more dirt than you'd expect.

Simply wiping them with a soft cloth can remove dullness.

For distinctive materials like silver, use a dedicated care item.

TOWNTALK offers a range of care items

that can be used on accessories made of silver, pearl, and more.

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