Ready for the White Lotus finale on Sunday? Us too.
On season 3 of the hit HBO show (which streams on the MAX channel), we've been following a parade of guests vacationing at a luxury resort. And the fashion and accessories—the work of costume designer Alex Bovaird—are the stuff of water cooler conversations. And have even prompted some legitimate capsules in partnership with the show.
For the uninitiated: the fictional White Lotus is a luxury resort chain. And the show moves to another White Lotus resort each season. This time, the property is on gorgeous Ko Samui, Thailand's second largest island. The verdant property is all about health and wellness but, as always on the Mike White-created show, dubious behavior abounds.
And that’s where Victoria Ratliff comes in. Played by ultimate '90s indie "It" girl Parker Posey, Ratliff has emerged as one of the most enjoyable—and meme-worthy—characters in the current lineup. In some ways, she feels like the heir apparent to Jennifer Coolidge's beloved Tanya character (RIP!) from the first two seasons, in that both feel almost willfully clueless.
We learn early on that Victoria, with her old-moneyed Southern drawl, inhabits the posh echelons of the Raleigh-Durham set. A jewelry lover has only to watch a couple of episodes to get a handle on the kind of “jewelry person” Victoria is.
A mother of three grown children who's likely in her early 50s, she appreciates good design but she’s ultimately going to go for the safer, more practical choice. “Half my jewelry I don’t even wear,” you can imagine her saying over drinks at the country club. Or when shopping with a friend: “Oh I love that for you, but I could never.”
And yet! Here she is on a remote island flashing a formidable gold Rolex and (in episode 7) an exotic-looking David Webb statement necklace. Victoria's also packed a trousseau of glorious caftans and sundresses, but one can imagine that these were likely procured through a personal shopper or stylist in advance of the trip (at home it’s probably a lot of Tory Burch and J.McLaughlin).
Similarly, the cornerstones of Victoria’s jewelry collection would almost certainly be among the pieces she left at home. But what do they look like? What stories do the contents of her jewel box or armoire tell us about the “comfortable life” she feels so entitled to? We imagine...
Status Symbols
According to this deep dive on all things White Lotus watches, Victoria’s Rolex Day Date could have been something that her father passed down to her. We also see her in a Louis Vuitton bangle in one scene. Given these cues, she almost certainly owns a Cartier Trinity band and Love bracelet—the latter removed long ago because she decided it just “wasn’t her.” There is probably a Schlumberger pailloné bangle or two that belonged to her mother. And in shimmering mother of pearl, the iconic Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra pendant and earrings may very well round out the mix.
Cartier Trinity band in 18k gold and diamonds; find multiple options at 1st Dibs
Essentials
It’s fair to say that Victoria is not a jewelry superfan. Raised on the rigors denoted in The Official Preppy Handbook, she probably grew up hearing the familiar policy of “Before you leave the house, look at yourself in the mirror and take one thing off.” So she likely wears most of the jewels she owns in moderation, from discreet diamond studs to at least one modest, circa-1992 tennis bracelet. In addition to these pantry staples, she would have acquired at least one David Yurman cable bracelet—an icon of the brand which was most in demand in the early 'aughts (remember those black-and-white Kate Moss magazine ads?). The originals were silver with cabochon gemstone tips; now that Victoria is in middle age, you can picture her marking a milestone birthday or anniversary with another DY cable bracelet, this time in 18k gold and diamonds.
Classic Cablespira Bracelet in 18k gold and diamonds $6,000; David Yurman
Pearls
Given her preppy roots, you know there’s a strand of Mikimoto pearls in Victoria’s jewel box, maybe a single strand she received as a wedding gift and a double-row later on (both gifts from her parents). Like many women in her 50s, Victoria may be craving more contemporary versions of pieces she already owns. A former sorority sister friend who lives in Los Angeles might have introduced her to cool-girl Southern California jeweler-to-the-stars Irene Neuwirth for pearl jewels that feel more current but are also at the level.
Pearl Blossom earrings with Tahitian pearls and diamonds, $29,720; Irene Neuwirth
Heirlooms
Victoria’s mannerisms alone make you want to unravel the layers of her languid and vaguely Southern Gothic personality—and her family history. Her mother and grandmother would have been fine examples of Tennessee Williams-style gentility. “Her mom would probably still be alive but likely at a point where she is de-acquisitioning some of her larger jewels,” notes Nicole Corsini, a specialist at Lang Antiques in San Franscico, of the estate emerald cocktail ring pictured below. “If we are talking about an old family piece, I think a convertible Edwardian necklace could fit the bill,” she adds. “Pearls and brooches both feel quintessentially ‘southern lady’ to me, and this is the kind of piece that you would pass down through generations—perhaps it's originally from Victoria’s great-grandmother.” In any event, both jewels are definitely pieces that would spend most of their time in the safe deposit box.
Estate 7.22 Carat Colombian emerald and diamond ring in 18k white told, $88,000 (left); Edwardian convertible necklace with natural pearls and diamonds, including seven cts. t.w. European cut diamonds in platinum, $75,000; both Lang Antiques
Locket
The ultimate push present or Mother’s Day gift for Radcliff might have been a classic locket that includes compartments for photos. Preferably one from Monica Rich Kosann, who helped revive an interest in sentimental jewelry around 2004. That might be around the time that Victoria’s daughter Piper, the second of her three children, was born; that the locket below includes just two photos feels very apropos for Victoria—she either doesn’t care about figuring out a solution that would allow for photos of all of her children (or hasn’t gotten around to finding one).
Slim Rectangle Kate locket in 18k yellow gold and diamonds, $6,950; Monica Rich Kosann
Personalized Pieces
Signet rings, gold ID bracelets, and any other jewel that can be monogrammed feel like items Victoria would have worn in college and a decade or so afterward. By now, she’s moved on to more sophisticated versions in the same vein such as a chic initial pendant from a designer she discovered at Tiny Gods, the Charlotte, NC-based jewelry store she sought out during a girls’ weekend shopping trip.
V letter charm in 18k gold and diamonds, $1,700; Jade Trau
Link Bracelet
In one episode, you see Victoria sporting a well-worn Lagos bracelet from 2011, suggesting that the heritage brand is well-represented in her jewelry box. Known for its iconic caviar motif, two-tone metals, and effortless, often sporty chic, it’s jewelry Victoria can reliably wear 24/7 and in various scenarios (including nap time).
Two-tone diamond link bracelet in silver and 18k gold, $3,700; Lagos
Pops of Color
As we can glean from her other jewelry choices, Victoria definitely doesn’t need to be wearing the most resplendent jewelry in the room. Especially when it comes to color. But if she were going to stray from her neutral palette it would probably be something as enduringly classic as a Pomellato Nudo gemstone ring. It’s perfect for an evening fundraiser, a poolside baby shower or another family trip, albeit one that’s closer to home like St. Barths or Harbor Island.
Nudo ring in 18k rose and white gold with blue topaz and diamonds. $7,550; Pomellato
Summer Staple
Victoria probably has a piece or two that she wears only in the summer months when she’s mixing with a certain kind of seaside crowd: it could be Fourth of July weekend on Nantucket or in Sagaponack, or a wedding somewhere perennially beachy and warm like Palm Beach. Seaman Schepps’ famous Turbo Shell earrings are exactly the right idea, as are the classic shrimps carved from gems like lapis and carnelian, or the goes-with-everything option, rock crystal. They’re not something Victoria can sleep in but they’re perfect with a Stella McCartney floral print.
Shrimp earrings in crystal and 18k gold, $3,900; Seaman Schepps
Top photo: Parker Posey and Jason Isaacs in White Lotus (courtesy of HBO)
