For the better part of the last few years, fashion has been obsessed with minimalism, quiet luxury and capsule wardrobes. A dainty gold chain layered over a white T-shirt became the uniform: polished, understated and intentionally minimal. Now, it feels like the pendulum is swinging in the opposite direction. It’s like everywhere you look, people are wearing a ring on every finger. Necklace layering, stacked bracelets, and mixing metals make accessorizing seem like an unconscious, effortless part of styling an outfit, even though you are putting in effort.
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For husbands Justin and Louis De Bernard, founders of Canadian jewellery brand el&elle, the shift feels inevitable.
The couple launched the brand after shopping for an engagement ring and walking away disappointed by the experience. Rather than feeling celebrated, they found traditional jewellery stores transactional and lacking the personal connection they were both looking for. That experience inspired them to create el&elle, a brand built around approachable luxury, everyday wear and jewellery that feels as meaningful as the moments it represents.
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Why quiet luxury was never meant to last
Fashion has always been cyclical. After years of pared-back dressing, it was only a matter of time before people started craving something with a little more personality.
“Everyone started looking like a uniform version of each other,” Louis tells me. “Accessories are where people can really show their personality, and by stacking and layering pieces, it allows you to show more of that. It’s playful, and it lets more of who you are come through.”
That doesn’t necessarily mean oversized statement necklaces, chunky pieces or maximalism in the traditional sense. Instead, today’s approach feels more intentional with accessory choices.
“Even if someone else has the same pendant, the way they stack it is what makes it theirs,” Louis says.
Rather than relying on a single statement piece, Louis says that people are layering necklaces, stacking rings and mixing meaningful pieces in ways that feel personal to them.
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Jewellery isn’t just for special occasions anymore
For Justin, one of the biggest trends isn’t what people are wearing. It’s when they’re wearing it.
“Our goal has always been for people to wear their jewellery every day,” he says. “Instead of saving it for a special occasion, wear it to the grocery store. Then it becomes natural to add another piece, and another, and before you know it, you’re stacking.”
It’s an interesting departure from the way previous generations often viewed jewellery. Pieces were reserved for weddings, anniversaries or formal events before being tucked safely back into a jewellery box.
These days, jewellery is less about dressing up and more about getting dressed. The pieces we reach for every morning have become just as much a part of our outfits as our favourite blazer or pair of jeans.
The result is jewellery that feels lived in instead of saved for a special occasion.
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Getting Dressed Starts with the Jewellery
Justin and Louis don’t believe there’s a formula for layering. Instead, they see jewellery the same way they see getting dressed: it should feel personal.
For Louis, every stack starts with one question.
“I always ask myself what piece I want to highlight,” he says. “Then everything else is built around that.”
Sometimes that’s a sentimental pendant. Other days it’s a classic tennis necklace. Rather than trying to make every piece compete for attention, he lets one necklace lead the look and layers around it.
That philosophy also means letting go of some of the old styling “rules,” like perfectly staggered necklace lengths or sticking to a single metal. Instead of aiming for perfection, Justin and Louis encourage people to experiment.
“There are no rules,” Justin laughs. “Just get started. Triple stack and live your life.”