There is always a great deal of talk regarding the style guides and advice for men and how the most socially appropriate way is to wear ones pocket watch, depending on occasion and dress code. But we seldom hear about how women’s style guides and the advice associated with females sporting their prized possession after seeing pocket watches for sale and deciding that an antique is the right choice for them- as many people often find.
Taking this into account the team at Pieces of Time decided to give the ladies some guidance with three main approaches on how to wear a woman’s pocket watch.
Lapel Pins
Lapel pins were an initial form of watch display for women (thought to have originated prior to the 1850’s) and were still being used up to, and often throughout, the 1950’s. The back side of every pin features a delicate clasp or hook that is connected to the bow of the watch.
Due to the fact that the watch is attached to the wearer’s clothing, you will find that lapel pins are best used when paired with the smaller and lighter watch options, so that the wearer can avoid any sagging of material. When compared with the use as a necklace pendant, an attachment, by pin to a woman’s lapel or blouse, is by and large safer for the watch, as it is held closer to the body, leaving less room for damage to occur.
Additionally, lapel pins can also be used as pendants on necklaces if the wearer wishes. Conversion of lapel pins to necklace pendants is actually a comparatively modern arrangement, not coming into fashion until the beginning of the 1960’s, following the decline in trend for women to wear brooches as often.
Ladies Slide Chains
Once advances in technology, circa 1850, paved the way for less expensive chains to be made,slide chainscame to the forefront as far as use among females were concerned, in order to wear their pocket watches. Although considered not as safe for the watch as a ribbon-stylechain, given that the necklace has the freedom to swing the watch, the slide chain is commonly seen as an extremely attractive form of jewellery for women. Furthermore, it was also common to see the slide chain’s watch tucked into the pocket of a riding vest- something which is less common today but is still seen.
The beauty of the slide on the chain means that it allows for multiple configurations; worn long, shortened with the slider positioned to one side, or alternatively, the wearer can opt for the “double-wrapped” with the slider centred option.
Today’s current trends still hold the slide chain necklace as a very popular option in women’s style, accompanied by ribbon-stylechains too.
Ribbon-Style Chains
The ribbon-style chain, or its commonly known name as a fob chain, is the oldest of the pocket watch chain styles, so much so that they predate straightand Albertchains and were used even before the renowned vest pockets- mainly because small pockets in pants were used first. Fob chains can be for women, or indeed, men, and can be attached to clothing (by a spring ring or belt clip, for example) or kept in an unattached state, just as they were when they were initially introduced.
Among the various types and materials of fob watch chains, the “panel” version has achieved the highest popularity among women, mainly due because they are available in smaller dimensions and often are not designed to attach to any articles of clothing. The panel style of chains is characterised by a collection of segments hinged together, producing a flexible but sturdy ribbon chain to which a pocket watch can be attached.
Image: Vintage Vixen under Creative Commons.
