When you think of Great British Bake Off's Prue Leith, it's likely that the first things that come to mind are her jazzy glasses and statement necklaces to compliment her colourful outfits. And if you've ever taken a fancy to Dame Prue's accessories when watching her on the telly, you may be wondering exactly where you can buy them.
“Growing up in South Africa, I’ve always been used to strong, bold colours, and I’ve never been one to shy away from adornment,” says Prue. “My love affair with necklaces started over 50 years ago and they have been a consistent obsession. I have a story for every necklace.”
Prue Leith's glasses and necklaces at a glance:
• Best for animal print: Tortoiseshell Resin Necklace - Boden, £25, was £50
• Best for gemstones: TreasureBay Agate Gemstone Chunky Necklace – Amazon, £59
• Best for fabric: FungiStudio Statement Bib Necklace - Etsy, £105.91
• Best for multicolour: Colourful geometric hexagon wooden bead necklace – Etsy, £15.19
• Best for dual tones: Scout Emma 2 - Glasses Direct, £69
Where to buy Prue Leith's necklaces
Prue Leith has previously explained that while she has typically worn "jolly necklaces" made of plastic for years, she went on to fall in love with semi-precious stones, particularly the coloured polished stones of Lola Rose necklaces. This led her to approach the brand in hope of a collaboration. Prue soon got her wish and the Prue x Lola Rose collection was born in 2019.
"We’ve ended up with a collection of big bold and vibrant necklaces and bracelets, colourful drop earrings, stackable wristwear and bold pendants in a colour palette to suit every personality," the Bake Off judge explains.
While you can sadly no longer buy Prue's collection from Lola Rose, here are a few others we're sure she'd love. We've also included some necklaces from other retailers that are in a similar style to Prue's signature statement necklaces.
Best for animal print
www.boden.co.uk
Like the wave of a magic wand, this necklace instantly transforms a minimal outfit into one sprinkled with personality. It’s made from tortoise shell-print resin and accented with sparkling jewels. Better yet, there are earrings to match, making the perfect set for gifting or for treating yourself to.
One user said: "I thought the necklace would be really heavy, but I'm so glad I took a chance and ordered it! The tortoise shell pattern is beautiful; it's extremely comfortable to wear, and it looks fabulous with a simple white shirt and jeans! I absolutely love it."
Pros
- Flowers add a bit of sparkle
- Durable clasp
Cons
- Only available in one size
| Material: | Main acrylic, trims metal and glass |
| Fastening: | Lobster clasp |
| Length: | 46.2cm/18.2" |
Best for gemstones
Full of vibrant colour, this necklace sure will add stunning statement to any of your outfit. The necklace length is 55cm, and it's presented in a pretty jewellery gift box. We love the length on this one. If red isn't your colour, there are plenty of other options to choose from (in the same style).
A happy reviewer said: "The necklace came in a nice box and is a really substantial piece. The quirks in the stones make it interesting and people have been admiring it. It goes with so many different outfits. I’ll definitely buy from this company again."
Pros
- Available in a broad range of colours
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Perhaps not as durable as other designs
| Material: | Natural agate gemstone beads |
| Fastening: | Clasp |
| Length: | 55cm |
Best for fabric
www.etsy.com
For a softer piece, why not try this fabric number from FungiStudio on Etsy? Based on Shibori (a Japanese art), the material has been formed into wrinkles and different shapes, giving it texture and tactility. We love how the different shades follow the natural gradient.
A happy reviewer said: "Another gorgeously unique piece for my collection! I love how soft, lightweight, and cosy these necklaces and earrings are. They are also very well made and always arrive quickly."
Pros
- Soft satin texture
- Different sizes available
Cons
- Could gather dust due to the layout
| Material: | Rope, magnetic clasps, soft satin crepe |
| Fastening: | Magnetic |
| Length: | 60-64cm (long circumference) |
Best for multicolour
www.etsy.com
Gorgeous colourful geometric wooden beads necklace with chunky geometric hexagon shapes, each painted a different rainbow colour. The beads are strung on soft faux suede secured with a sliding bead and knot, allowing the necklace to be worn at a length to suit your preference. Each bead measures 20mm by 20mm making this a gorgeous statement piece to match any outfit!
A reviewer said: "This necklace is such a colour pop! Absolutely love it , really cheers you up on a cold winters day!"
Another reviewer said: "A very pretty necklace. I like the colour combo and shape of beads. I will enjoy wearing this with many outfits and I recommend the seller."
Pros
- Thick chain
- Nice variety of beads
Cons
- Possibly too bright for some
| Material: | Wooden beads |
| Fastening: | Knot |
| Length: | 20mm by 20mm (beads) |
Best chain necklace
www.whitestuff.com
Make a statement with this chunky chain necklace from White Stuff that's inspired by the patterns of liquorice allsorts. The multicoloured design makes it ideal to wear with a variety of colours and outfits and will add a different and eye catching element to any outfit such as a crisp white shirt or t-shirt.
Pros
- Hardwearing material
- Decent length
Cons
- Metal chain could weaken over time
| Material: | Mixed material, cord, metal |
| Fastening: | Clasp |
| Length: | 400mm |
Where to buy Prue Leith's glasses
If you fancy getting your hands on a pair of Prue's specs, she often wears ones from eyewear designer Kirk & Kirk.
In 2019, Prue also launched her own range of glasses with Ronit Furst. While you can't buy them online, the Prue by Ronit Furst collection is available in independent opticians across the UK and Ireland.
Talking about her love of glasses, Prue said, "I’m often asked how I can justify owning so many different glasses. I generally counter with ‘And how many handbags do you have? Or pairs of shoes? And where do they spend most of their time? On the floor, under the table, that’s where!’ Glasses are visible 100 per cent of the time, on your face."
Best for dual tones
www.glassesdirect.co.uk
If you are after a lightweight pair of glasses with dual tones, you'll love the Emma 2 from Scout. The colours give the classic-shaped frames a rather modern look, but they aren't too "in your face" (pardon the pun!).
Michelle, a reviewer said: "I had these ones with a sunglasses tint and they look fabulous. Perfect for the summer!"
Miss Pugh, a reviewer said: "I love these frames. The frames look the same as they do online."
Pros
- Lightweight frames
- Case and cloth included
Cons
- No varying colour options
Best for narrow frames
www.aoolia.com
Available in Rainbow, Purple, Blue, Pink, Leopard and Black we love these colourful statement glasses. The narrower frame would suit those with smaller faces while still showing your bold side.
One reviewer said: "I am absolutely in love with the unique designs of the glasses available on this website. They offer a wide range of styles to suit every taste and preference. Whether you're looking for a classic, timeless look or a bold, statement-making pair, this website has it all. It's refreshing to find eyewear that allows me to express my personal style."
Pros
- Option to go lens-less
- Variety of colourways
Cons
- Quite thin
FAQs
How long has Prue Leith been on Bake Off?
Taking over the reins from Mary Berry, Dame Prue Leith joined The Great British Bake Off as a judge when the show moved over to Channel 4 back in March 2017.
She has also appeared on several over cooking shows including Great British Menu, Junior Bake Off and Cook Clever, Waste Less with Prue and Rupy. Prue has also filmed several documentaries such as Prue's Great Garden Plot, where she appears with her husband John.
Known for her bold and creative sense of style, Pure encourages other people to do the same. She says: “What does please me is, I get a lot of people saying, ‘I wore colour when I was young, but I’m now too old. I’m too embarrassed. I’d never buy a yellow coat.’
“I say: ‘Why? A yellow coat cheers you up.’ If I'm encouraging older women to be brave about their dress, then good.”
Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Mother&Baby and Yours at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who enjoys cooking and spending time with her many pets.