Switch is a jewelry subscription that lets you rent designer jewelry starting at $29 a month. You can wear the pieces for as long as you like, or switch them out for new piece(s) whenever you want. Shipping is always free. The jewelry, which includes pieces by Hermes, Alexander McQueen, and Celine, among others, averages $500, and includes necklaces, bracelets, earrings, brooches, and rings. Jewelry is cleaned between wearers.
I have always admired fun statement jewelry on other women, but I can never bring myself to commit to a piece. Who wants to spend $500 on a piece of jewelry that you may wear only a few times before it goes out of fashion? But who wouldn’t like having an amazing new piece whenever you go out? Not being an heiress or a tech entrepreneur, and having a firm frugality-is-golden Midwestern upbringing, I figured that this kind of jewelry was out of reach for me. Enter Switch, which lets you have fun without the commitment. It’s like internet dating for jewelry!
Sign-up is simple. You look through the collection and pick the pieces you like. The website makes it easy to know which pieces are available. So, just like you’re shopping, you pick what you want, put them in your closet, and check out. Shipping is free both ways. Wear it as long as you like, and send it back when you’re ready for something new. I have the Black plan, which allows me to have three pieces at any one time for $69 a month.
The Switch-branded packaging is sleek and stylish. Don’t forget to save that black shipping envelope, though — you’ll need it to send the jewelry back.
DEAL: Get half off your first month on any plan. (There is now a waitlist for new members). Use coupon code HELLOHALF.
Switch is constantly changing up its inventory, so there’s always something new and fun to select. This month, I loaded up for Thanksgiving with the extended family with the Mis En Dior Tribale Earrings in Navy ($700 retail value), the Givenchy Faux Pearl and Crystal Station Necklace ($200 retail value), and the Jennifer Fisher Thorn Oval Hoop Earrings ($315 retail value).
First up were the Mis En Dior Tribale Earrings in Navy ($700 retail value).
I really love these Tribale earrings from Dior–they’re a little subversive, with the large part of the earring sitting behind the ear, but they’re also fairly simple in tone so you can get away with wearing them to a family function or even the office. I’m not the only one who likes these–I knew I wanted one for Thanksgiving, but most of them were already reserved! Fortunately, Switch has several varieties, and I got to try these fun new jeweled blue ones. The front 8mm ball is matte and a fairly vivid navy color, and the rear 16mm ball is encrusted with round and teardrop-shaped blue rhinestones.
The back ball comes off the silver-tone post to allow you to put it on. You can see the Dior logo on the collar.
You really can’t go wrong with these earrings. They fit snugly and comfortably on the ear, and the navy color pops on lighter skin tones (the Tribale earrings come in many colors if blue isn’t right for you). The level of sparkle is muted by being behind the ear, so it adds interest without gaudiness. I’m wearing these with navy skinny cords and a white blouse, but they would look great with a blazer and slacks, too.
I am going to be sad to send these back this month (though I could keep them longer if I wanted). If I simply had to have them, I could have purchased them at the member-discounted price and kept them! Every month, you get $10 toward a future purchase. Tribale earrings, someday you shall be mine forever.
Next up is the Givenchy Faux Pear and Crystal Station Necklace ($200 retail price).
This 41″ (yes, you read that right) necklace is silver-tone metal with 1-2cm faux pearls and clear crystals. The photos here and on the Switch website don’t do the blinginess of this necklace justice. It’s very sparkly!
As usual, I like the little bit of edge that the gear-style chain lends to the piece, especially contrasting with the more conservative pearls. This is a fun statement necklace to wear with a blouse and jeans, or you could loop it up a couple of times for a showstopper at collar-length.
It would make a great layering piece on a simple cocktail dress if you had some complimentary pieces to mix in.
Last are the Jennifer Fisher Thorn Oval Hoop Earrings ($315 retail value). These gold-tone brass earrings are big and bold with a 3.5″ drop. The shape is reminiscent of leaves, feathers, or… thorns, I suppose. What is it about Thanksgiving with the fam that brings out my desire to be edgy? As you can see from the picture, the gold tone is getting a little worn/tarnished on these earrings. But that’s no big deal to me, because I don’t own them! Everyone wins.
You’re obviously not going to wear these to the courtroom, but if you’re in a creative field, the simple gold color will definitely let you pull these off. I’m wearing them with a conservative wrap dress and heels to let them be the focus of my style.
This was a great month of jewelry! I got some fun pieces and look forward to showing them off at Thanksgiving and then sending them back for a new batch of style.
Overall, Switch is a really fun experience. I really like the variety of pieces available. I love the idea that I can go “shopping” for new jewelry anytime I want. Given the retail prices of the pieces (over $1200 total in this shipment!), the $29-69/month is very reasonable value. With that money, I can either buy a new piece of jewelry every 1-2 years, or I can have a new piece whenever I want. For this kind of statement jewelry that may have a shelf life of your interest or that of the fashion world’s, the economics really do weigh in favor of renting. I can’t wait to get my next Switch!
Have you tried Switch? Which piece is next in your queue? Let us know in the comments below!
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