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!
DEAL: Get half off your first month on any plan. (There is now a waitlist for new members). Use coupon code HELLOHALF.
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.
Well, it’s January. The heady days of weeknight holiday parties are behind us, with only the cold comfort of above-average-sized-serving-vessel events ahead. But just because you aren’t really into Superb Owls, that doesn’t mean you can’t wear some awesome jewelry to that Big Game party. This month I got some great stuff and I’m Super excited about it: I got the Gucci Bird Ring ($350 retail value), the Rosantica Green Sogno Beaded Necklace (a very specific $428 retail value), and the Hermes Vintage Knot Cuff in Red ($800 retail value).
First up is the kind of Patriot-ic looking Gucci Bird Ring ($350 retail value).
Do you sometimes see something and you realize you’ve been missing it your entire life? I must have had a freaky-bird-ring-shaped hole in my heart, because I can’t get over how awesome this ring is. It’s an aged-gold-finish metal ring in size 7.5, which is pretty big for my hand, but it’s a BIRD RING so I had to get it.
You can see the Gucci logo on the inside of the ring. The ring is fairly large, over 1″ from front to back, and it stands up about .5″ from your hand in proud bird form. Its physiology is a little puzzling, because it’s just the head and tail feathers, but its lack of space for internal organs only makes me love it more. The dark gold is tarnished-bronze in the creases, giving the bird’s features great definition.
Do you wear this to the courtroom? No, unless you are a medieval barrister. But you can definitely wear it anywhere you want a little attention for your amazing avian style. Hold a cocktail with your ringed hand and you’ll never lack for a conversation partner. And you can tell them all about how smart you are to use Switch instead of actually owning a bird ring.
Next up is the Rosantica Green Sogno Beaded Necklace ($428 retail value).
Switch is always adding new pieces to its collections, and I knew as soon as this big tangle of beads popped up that I needed it in my life. This necklace is made of two types of green beads piled onto each other for a terrific scarf-like effect. It’s 17.5″ inches at its longest point.
You can see the Rosantica logo on the clever magnetic clasp. The necklace is lighter than you might expect with all those beads, but it’s still substantial, and the clasp holds it securely. This necklace is destined to be the centerpiece of your outfit with an understated top or dress. I wore it with a black sweater one day, and over a white tank with a corduroy blazer the next.
While I can definitely see myself wearing this piece a lot, you might not be so into beaded scarves, and that’s why Switch is so great–wear it with that one dress, and then send it back for something new! I will miss it!
Last up is the Hermes Vintage Knot Cuff in Red ($800 retail value).
I have a friend who can tell in a glance who made your jewelry/shoes/bag and whether they’re a fake. So I was pretty stoked when she grabbed my wrist and demanded to know where I got the amazing vintage Hermes I was wearing. For real! And while I was happy to spill the beans about where I got it and how fun Switch is, you totally don’t have to! Live like you own multiple vintage Hermes pieces!
You can see the Hermes logo on the underside. This bright gold-tone bracelet with inlaid red lizard leather is bright and shiny, but its conservative shape lets you wear it with anything. It has a fairly narrow 6.24″ interior circumference, so consider whether that fits your wrist. I liked how it sat snugly on mine, more like a watch than a bangle. This would look great under a feature-sleeve sweater, and the gold tone works with any skin color. I like how it’s fierce and feminine at the same time.
What a great month of fun jewelry! I sent it all back for new items (fly to a new home, beautiful bird ring) but if I had REALLY not been able to live without something, I could buy it right out of my closet at a reduced rate. Plus, you get $10/month toward the purchase of one of your pieces! I definitely have my eye on a few things.
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 $1700 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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