When Harry Styles appeared at last year's Met Gala wearing a pair of pearl earrings, I gasped. Dangling from his left earlobe were humble pearls, the kind of jewelry I usually shun as boring and old-fashioned. But the more I saw pictures of Stiles parading around town after the Met Gala wearing a pearl necklace, the more I wondered: was a popular guy like Stiles trying to make pearls cool again?

Stiles was at the forefront of the trends that came to dominate 2020. As we enter a new decade, Hollywood men everywhere, from Billy Porter to Shawn Mendes, are wearing this dainty accessory, bringing a breath of fresh air to the traditionally stiff pearl necklace, making it modern and edgy. Here are a few examples of men embracing this trend.

O.G., the one and only: Mr. Harry Edward Styles! He first appeared on the pink carpet at the 2019 Met Gala, and I have yet to do the same since. Some said it was a Met Gala statement, but in the end, Styles had the last laugh. The man can't be seen these days without pearls around his neck (the photo above is from an appearance elsewhere this winter). For personal reasons, I could go on, but due to character limits, I will stop here.

The fit of this necklace, and its color, would make you look twice at your grandmother's jewelry collection. Here Smith is giving his smart all-black outfit a pop of color with a few different colored statement necklaces, including a pinkish pearl necklace for an outing in LA. Ivory is a bit ...... but a black or pink necklace would be a great choice.

The small pearl necklace Nick and Joe Jonas wore to the 2020 Grammy Awards hardly stood out to the average viewer, but it caught my pearl connoisseur eye. Pearl necklaces are not always the best way to spice up a monochromatic outfit.

Oh, to be the freshwater pearl necklace around Asap Rocky's neck! While many rap artists opted for chain necklaces, A$AP sat front row at Gucci Fashion Week. Pearls and pearl rings are a *chef's kiss*

No one handles the red carpet better than Billy Porter. I'm still not convinced by this year's Grammy Awards look (open in new tab). The pearl necklace he wears in the photo above, from a promotional event for his film Like a Boss, reminds men (and women) everywhere that ties are not the only thing you can wear around your neck when styling a button-up shirt It also reminds men (and women) around the world that ties are not the only thing that can be worn around the neck in button-up shirt styling.

Mendes' Louis Vuitton three-piece suit with a pearl vest chain, which he wore to the Grammy Awards, gets me in the mood. It is a subtle yet refreshing makeover that brings tears to my eyes. Although it missed the Grammy Awards, this look deserves first place.

Pharrell Williams is known for creating trends, or at least getting people talking. After all these years, I will never forget the saga of the brown hat at the 2014 Grammy Awards. (Fun fact: the hat was sold to Arby's for $44,100 (opens in new tab)). The best thing about Farrell's style is that pearls don't dress him. He wears the pearls.

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