The Sentimental Reason Kristi Noem Wears The Same Jewelry Pieces So Often

Kristi Noem's wardrobe might be ever-evolving, but her jewelry rarely does, and there's a sentimental reason behind it that most people don't know. The U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security is almost always seen wearing pearls, not because pearl jewelry is a popular trend, but because they carry a personal meaning rooted in her faith. In December 2023, Noem took to Instagram to share the story of her love for pearls. She explained that it all began when she met Shari Turpin, the founder of Pearls by Shari. The two women quickly bonded over their shared love for Jesus, and during their conversation, Turpin told Noem about her business.

"She told me she had a pearl store, which surprised me," Noem wrote. "A whole store filled with jewelry made with pearls?" The idea seemed strange to Noem, but Turpin's explanation left her wowed. She described how pearls are the only precious gem formed by a living creature, an oyster. "In order for a pearl to be made, the oyster has to go through something uncomfortable, hard ... painful (when the sand gets in the shell)," Turpin explained to Noem.

That metaphor resonated with the then-governor, who connected the oyster's endurance to her own Christian beliefs. "God can use that challenge to make something beautiful out of it, something that is unique to you and a testimony to his redemptive power," she wrote. Now, Noem finds modern ways to pull pearls into her wardrobe, not just as a fashion statement but as a conversation starter. " ... so I always wear something with a pearl ... and I pray someone will ask about it ... and I will get the chance to share with them that even hard times can be made beautiful with forgiveness and Jesus."

Many of Kristi Noem's outfits aren't just fashion statements. They reflect her religious, political, and personal values. Beyond the pearls, one of the most consistent elements in her wardrobe is Western wear. Kristi Noem's cowboy hat obsession shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, her official governor's portrait, which she shared on Instagram, features both a cowboy hat and her signature pearls.

But for Noem, Western fashion is more than just an aesthetic. Her ranch-inspired style stems from her deep South Dakota roots, just as her affinity for pearls stems from her Christian faith. She was raised on a farm and views her upbringing and family's legacy with pride. "My dad was a cowboy. Everything he did was an adventure," she told Elysian. "My favorite thing to do every day was to spend time with him. He was always outside working or hunting. We enjoyed chasing cows, driving tractors, and working together."

Even Kristi Noem's history of inappropriate cosplay outfits shows that she dresses for the moment and the message. Not everyone agreed with her dressing up as an ICE agent or a Border Patrol officer and posting it on X, but clearly, Noem's style is a form of self-expression, and whether it's pearls or cowboy hats, she's not letting anyone stop her.