In a previous blog post, I talked about a soft taxonomy of our unique handmade jewellery, our Manik necklaces. I was able to work out five ‘style families’ for our slow jewellery, though I emphasise that this is a loose grouping, and not ‘boxes’ into which our necklaces are rigidly categorised. The five families are Contemporary Sculptural, Refined Classics, Bold Expression, Heritage-inspired, and Curated Casuals. How can these different necklace style families be related to personal styles?

Let me start off by saying that I don’t see personal style as a fixed category, but as an ongoing discourse that can shift with season, mood, occasion and stage of life; the jewellery should move with you, not define you.  Our five necklace style families are not meant as boxes to fit into – we hope you will think of them as creative directions that you can explore, mix, and reinterpret.

If you are particular about line, form and silhouette in your dressing, our Contemporary Sculptural necklaces such as  Aquarelle, Chill, Crystal Clear, Cubes and Orbs, Painterly, Maldives Imagined, Reunion and Voila! (all still available in our Manik shop at this point of writing), should feel compatible. Unique handmade jewellery that celebrates shape and colour in its compositions,  each piece is thoughtfully balanced so that line, space, and proportions speak with quiet assurance. They tend to resonate with wardrobes that appreciate structure – crisp shirts and tops, architectural cuts, deliberate colour placement. That said, however, they can also resonate when used to sharpen something softer and more relaxed, on the one hand, or complement an edgier mood such as a leather jacket (rather than competing with it). Indeed, in the accompanying photo, I have paired our necklace Chill with a leather jacket for a compelling look!

As these pieces are intentionally composed around structure and form, they may not always align with a fluid, embellished bohemian aesthetic. They show off best where shape and space are given room to breathe.

Those who favour a personal style that leans towards restraint, a soothing palette, and enduring silhouettes, may be more drawn to our refined classics like Earthbound, Pearly Garden, Renewal, Sakura (all still available in our Manik shop at his point). These necklaces often complement tonal dressing, softer tailoring, and understated elegance, but can also bring poise to relaxed linen or lend softness to structured tailoring. Rooted in slow jewellery values, these designs are created to be versatile and enduring, worn for years rather than seasons.

I would say however, that because these designs rely on symmetry, or near symmetry, and a disciplined palette, they may not always be consonant with a relaxed, laid back aesthetic. And those who favour a bold, high-impact styling may find refined classics quieter in tone, as their strength lies in subtlety and elegance rather than visual drama. They are designed to complement, rather than to command.

For those who embrace dressing more adventurously, with graphic shapes and confident colour choices, for those who favour visual storytelling through their personal style, our bold expression pieces such as Audacious in Pink, Contrast, Harlequin and UFOs (in our Manik shop) may strike a chord with their chromatic tension, contrast in form, or narrative imagery. But this style family can also electrify a minimalist wardrobe, acting as the focal point against clean neutrals.

That said, I must add that those who prefer a more classical, restrained style of dressing, or a more sporty-casual aesthetic may find the visual energy of this style family more pronounced than they are inclined to. Bold expression necklaces are after all unique handmade jewellery that celebrate contrast and character.

For those who are drawn to garments with history, craftsmanship or storied textiles, our heritage-inspired necklaces may feel especially meaningful. They often resonate with those who appreciate story as much as style. Yet they can be striking when paired with contemporary silhouettes, creating a dialogue between tradition and modernity. At present, we only have Blessings in this style family in our Manik shop, but there are certainly more in our repertoire and in the pipeline. Heritage inspired necklaces speak the language of story and continuity, so they may feel less aligned with ultra-modern or trend-driven wardrobes.

As unique handmade jewellery, these pieces honour vintage and traditional/historical bead forms with respect and reinterpretation. Designed within a slow jewellery ethos, they celebrate continuity, preservation, and the beauty of things made to endure.

For those who favour ease -effortless pieces, relaxed tailoring, laidback vibes, our curated casuals such as Cheongsam, Stars Galore, and Vivid often integrate effortlessly. They tend to add interest without overwhelming. But they need not be confined to casual dressing; they can soften more formal looks with their cheerful vibes. This is unique handmade jewellery designed through careful editing. Guided by slow jewellery values, each piece is composed to be lived in, worn easily, and naturally. Perhaps not for everyone, not for those who prefer the more dramatic or the more classical, but that’s fine, our necklaces are not meant to be everything-for-everyone, given that they are composed with intention.

Let me emphasise that the five style families are not meant to confine you – they are intended as creative starting points for you to consider. Each style family has its own character, with some families leaning closer to each other perhaps. Not all the styles will be universally aligned with every wardrobe. But by the same token, this also allows for creativity and experimentation – these are pieces designed to be explored, contrasted and reimagined in ways that feel entirely your own! Our necklaces are designed to invite you to discourse and to express your individuality.