When you think about the type of woman who wears the seashell jewelry trend effortlessly, a specific archetype likely comes to mind. Her hair is slightly sea-misted, and her shoulders are golden and sun-kissed. She wears a scallop shell choker around her neck, an arm full of bangles (she was wearing them way before they were a trend), and a bohemian straw tote bag that still has traces of sand from her most recent trip to the beach.
But with shell and seaside-inspired jewelry becoming a sweeping summer 2024 accessory trend, its demographic has extended far beyond salt-sprayed beachgoers. Manhattanites and Parisiennes who haven't set sites on the ocean in months are now accessorizing with 14-karat gold scallop studs and seashell anklets for all occasions—from Fashion Month to cocktail hours. Meanwhile, creators of fashion TikTok are showing the masses how to DIY shell necklaces with sand dollars from their local craft store. Their crafty vids amass over five million views and present the trend as accessible beyond the fashion set.
