The Item I Wear to Death: My Aurélie Bidermann Pearl Earrings

In our biweekly series, editors share "the item they wear to death," whether it be a basic white tee or a super-trendy jumpsuit. Prepare yourself (and your credit card) for some guilt-free shopping.

Some might regard pearls as too traditional and matronly, but they're fit for royalty, both real (Queen Elizabeth has not one but three pearl necklaces on rotation) and fashion (Coco Chanel was rarely seen without her (faux!) stack of ivory beads). Don't get me wrong, I still have a thing for diamonds, but maybe just maybe pearls can fight for the role of a girl's best friend.

Finding the perfect pair of pearls is a challenge, though. I was looking for something chic, but not too classic. My hunt led me to Net-a-Porter and it was there I serendipitously found the pearls of my dreams from Aurélie Bidermann.

Rewind to that late spring morning when I added these to my checkout cart and swiftly arranged to get them delivered on the same day (instant gratification is not overrated). I had no idea just how much wear they would get. I've dressed them up with silk gowns at weddings and paired them down with my signature culotte/sweater combo for work and group dinners. I wear them so much that my friends and coworkers have actually asked me if I own any other earrings. (I do, but these are my favorite.)

They're made in France from 18k yellow gold–plated brass and fresh water pearls, so they don't irritate my extremely sensitive ears. These little baubles were also under $200, so they're affordable (especially given that I wear them almost every day), and bring a little bit of class to my deserving earlobes and wardrobe.

My beloved pearl earrings are one of my greatest investment pieces, and I plan to keep wearing them for years to come. If my word alone isn't enough to convince you of my love for them, here's a portrait of me wearing the Aurélie Bidermann earrings—painted by Brooklyn-based artist Robert Dandarov—that ties them to me for eternity. The girl with the pearl earring, you say? Yes, that's me.

Shop my exact pearl earrings, plus similar options, below.

For more stories like this, including celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Marie Claire newsletter.

SUBSCRIBE HERE