What would Phoebe wear? How to style your #FriendsReunion look
Flashback to 1997. Titanic tops the box office, the Spice Girls are riding high in the charts, and Friends is taking the world by storm. Even in my little corner of rural Perthshire, I couldn’t escape the hype. My pals and I would obsess over each episode and took all the teen mag “Which Friends character are you?” quizzes we could get our hands on. Watching the Friends Reunion recently has brought back so many joyful memories of those teenage days.
Fashion was always a huge part of Friends (hello, could Chandler’s shirts BE any more 90s?!) but let’s get real - while everyone was getting “The Rachel” haircut, we all know it was Phoebe who killed it in the style stakes. Quirky, cool and never afraid to go bold, her effortless over-accessorising and resistance to trends made her the most fashionable Friend on the block. It’s a style that resonated with me then, and timelessly manages to do so even a quarter of a century later.
So in honour of Phoebe Buffay (aka Regina Phalange, aka Princess Consuela Banana-Hammock), here are three modern ways to style your jewellery in a way that’s fit for your own Friends Reunion.
Necklace layering two ways
Phoebe was never without a necklace. In fact, she often wore two together to achieve a hippie layered look, either pairing different lengths together or two very similar necklaces of the same length.
Two of the same!
A good tip for layering necklaces of different lengths in 2021 is to make sure that the longer pendant is bigger and chunkier than the shorter one. You can then get away with something more delicate around your neck or collarbone. Try pairing a statement clear quartz and amethyst amulet (I can imagine the clear quartz by Phoebe’s massage table!) with a delicate amethyst necklace that will sit just under your collarbone.
Another way to get the Phoebe necklace look is to wear two different necklaces in the same style and the same length. While Phoebe goes for the classic 90s combo of a peace sign and yin and yang symbol hung on black cord in this episode, a really lovely way to update this look might be to try a pair of my LUNA necklaces hung on sterling silver chain. The sterling silver moon phase necklace and the crescent moon necklace, both reticulated to create a gorgeous crater-like texture, would work beautifully together.
Phoebe rocks necklaces of different lengths!
Phoebe practically invented the midi ring!
Stacking rings
This style is so quintessentially Phoebe. You know that Coco Chanel quote about looking in the mirror before you go out and taking one thing off? Well forget that with this look. More is most definitely more. Phoebe mixes gemstone rings with silver bands for a hippie chic look that is effortlessly bohemian.
Although a range of sizes and styles does look beautiful with this look, ideally you don’t want to wear anything too chunky or oversized, which might overpower the other pieces. Stacking and layering is key. Try a few different types of gemstones to go next-level Phoebs - perhaps a little bit of natural ocean jasper on a beaded band, paired with some creamy rhodochrosite on a plain band.
Don’t be afraid to mix metals with this look - this amber ring set in 9ct yellow gold on a sterling silver band goes with literally everything. And if your rings are too small, no worries. Midi rings were practically invented by Phoebe, and will elevate your look.
The OG 90s Flower Child!
Oversized florals
Whether on necklaces, rings or earrings, one of Phoebe’s staples was an oversized floral accessory to match her Flower Child personality. The rule of thumb with this style is go big or go home - like this ridiculously huge metal pendant - and if you can throw a little gemstone in here and there, so much the better.
My ETERNAL SPRING collection is just perfect to achieve this look, as it celebrates the fleeting beauty of lilac blossoms in springtime. The lilac flower necklace might not quite match Ms Buffay in terms of size but it does have the added bonus of an amethyst sitting right in the centre, and is a little more wearable for everyday accessorising. And everyone loves a statement ring - perhaps a moody purple amethyst crowned with a sterling silver lilac flower and embellished with 9ct yellow gold?
—————
The truth is, even before the Friends Reunion, fashion had been starting to experience a 90s revival. Those of us who spent our formative years singing “Smelly Cat” and saying “how YOU doin’?” are now in our late 30s and early 40s. We’re nostalgic, and we're setting our own agendas. And Phoebe is still our Queen.
So if you’re ready for young Tony Danza to hold you close (if you know you know!) I have picked out all of my favourite Phoebe-inspired pieces to help you channel your inner Ms Buffay!
