There has been a sad trend of late at major entertainment events to shun jewellery. And when it is worn, it’s one of two extremes: spare or outrageous. Spare (though still impressive) like Angelina Jolie’s massive emerald drops at the Academy Awards a few years back, or massive like the vintage jewelled bib worn by Keira Knightly to the same even a couple of years prior.

I was looking through the photos of actresses walking the red carpet at Cannes and thought not entirely surprised to see bare necks, arms and ears, I was disappointed. If you aren’t going to dress up with jewels for a really big event, when will you? I think a lot of younger actresses and celebs just don’t trust their own taste (or don’t have any) so they are like paper dolls, being dressed at the whim of stylists.

So thank God for someone like Helen Mirren, who accessorized her pale grey Elie Saab gown with a suite of jewels from Chopard (OK, it was their event, but still). And of course, a quick scan of the blogosphere and I noticed that all the posts screamed that the necklace was unnecessary and a sour note and over the top. OF COURSE it was over the top. Isn’t that sometimes the point when you’re at a big, dressy event?

So what do you think? (First photo is from www.com and second from redcarpetfashionawards.com)