Prom: Find funky accessories at Cornucopia

By Lauren Oyler
Hurricane High School

It hangs off shelves. It dangles from the ceiling. It is packed into cases.

While Cornucopia offers everything from incense to bohemian clothing to home décor to hand-painted reading glasses, the eclectic shop’s main draw is its extensive collection of jewelry. Located on Bridge Road in Charleston, Cornucopia offers, well, a cornucopia of items for anyone looking for gifts, unique decorations or even accessories for prom.

The store’s selection of jewelry, while somewhat pricey for teenagers earning minimum wage, ranges from tiny rhinestone sets to massive amethyst chandelier earrings. Finding matching jewelry for any formal dress is a snap here, but actually choosing a necklace, bracelet, ring or pair of earrings from the massive expanse that is the jewelry counter is a much more difficult feat.

Cornucopia packs tons of beautiful pieces into a relatively small space, and though you might be a little cramped while you shop, it is well worth the slight claustrophobia the store might invoke in order to look extraordinarily put together for prom or any other special occasion.

Cornucopia offers crazy jewelry — including the store’s considerable penchant for amber rings, necklaces, bracelets and earrings — as well as more traditional formal fare like delicate dangly earrings and sparkly matching necklaces.

It is clear, however, that the shop owners favor the chunkier, funkier pieces that are scattered throughout the store. Though usually more expensive, this stuff is the reason to shop at Cornucopia. Wearing the offbeat yet stylish jewelry that Cornucopia sells can illicit an infinite amount of “Where did you get that cool necklace?” comments from both friends and complete strangers.

The average Cornucopia shopper could be characterized as a “hippie” or “bohemian,” but the quaint boutique did not appear as a result of the “boho-chic” trend of recent years, nor did it sprout up to cater to the crunchy granola crowd. Those who swear by Abercrombie & Fitch are encouraged to take a look around the interesting little shop to expand their fashion outlook and maybe pick up a necklace or two.

Cornucopia carries many underground labels as well as one-of-a-kind pieces. In addition to striking jewelry, you can also find interesting hair accessories. The employees, who always look effortlessly cool sporting many of the boutique’s pieces, are more than willing to help you as you shop.

Even if you aren’t looking for prom accessories, the atmosphere at Cornucopia makes it worth a visit. You could easily spend hours perusing the shelves, stacks, tables and racks looking for that one thing that no one else will have. Because as nice as following trends is, it is so much more fulfilling to set them.