In an homage to Pride Month, we thought we’d covered one of the latest trends in men’s fashion that is shattering gender normative boundaries… pearls. Since brands like Gucci and Versace started exploring baroque-inspired collections, it’s no wonder pearls made a resurgent appearance at the same time. After all, baroque (non-round) pearls are the reason the Baroque Era has its name.

Pearls are gems that are traditionally associated with the women’s side of fashion, but they have been making waves with A-list celebrities and trendsetting men around the world. And since there is no longer a gender divide in terms of personal style, pearls are officially fair game. That’s right, pearls are no longer just for women - who made that rule anyway?

Pearl accessories in the forms of necklaces, bracelets, and even embellished on other garments have always been around, we’re just now starting to see them worn more frequently. The refined, high-polish gems have been regularly worn by Harry Styles, Pharrell, Joe Jonas, and Jaden Smith - men revered around the world as the most adventurous with their style. With so many male celebrities rallying behind pearls as a wardrobe staple, we think it’s worth repositioning them in our minds and exploring them as a permanent part of non-binary fashion.

If pearls make you think of that necklace your grandmother wore in the 1950’s, you’re not wrong to make that association. There is no fault in how the naturally occurring gem was worn in the past. However, now that we’ve made our way into a more progressive era, we can reconsider how pearls can be used and worn. Diamonds had similar stereotypes associated with them, as femininity was the landmark association of diamonds, but now look at how far we’ve come. Will male rappers and artists incorporate pearls into their lyrics anytime soon? Probably not, but never say never.

If you’re in the market for a genuine pearl necklace or bracelet, you can find them just about anywhere. But if you’re looking for that touch of Baroque fashion to up the ante a bit, Gucci’s line of pearl statement jewelry is a great start. Classic necklaces and bracelets are also a great way to go, but it all comes down to personal preference. We say give pearls a shot - if you don’t like them, the least you can say is you tried. If you pull them off, then be sure to give us a thanks since you’re now in the same class as Pharrell and Harry Styles. At the end of the day, as long as you like what you’re wearing, who cares what anyone else thinks?