Trends – Page 2 – Jewelry Fashion Tips

Flash Tattoos: Just a Flash in the Pan?

When spotted from across the room, I was wondering what this woman had around her neck. It wasn’t moving, so it couldn’t be an actual necklace. What was it? A flash tattoo.

Flash Tattoos, a company founded in 2013 by Austin, Texas-based Miranda Burnett, has become a very hot trend, especially among the under-30 crew, and the beach community. It’s really quite clever, as you can get the look of a metallic tattoo or jewelry without the commitment to a life-time tat. (And no needles!) They last about 4-6 days if you take care of them properly.

It’s easy to mix them with your own bracelets.

And there’s so many options, from body chains to finger nail accessories.

The gal wearing the flash tat necklace also had a subtle leaf on her neck.

So what’s your opinion? Have you tried wearing them? Would you? Do you think this will be a long-lasting trend? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Lucky Brand Layered Necklaces

My client and I popped into the Lucky Brand store recently, and we found this cool layered necklace. At first, we thought it was a couple necklaces on the same display, yet it turned out to be one, with three different layers.

What makes this design ever-so-clever, is that each layer is on individual hooks, so that you can select which layers you’d like to wear that day. So perhaps you just want the longer two strands? No problem. Or maybe the shortest and the longest, and then you’ll layer in one of your other necklaces? That works too.

Looking through the necklaces on their site, it turns out that there’s many different styles with the same, convertible design. Here are a couple more.

I know many readers have asked me how to keep layered necklaces from tangling, and this design is a great solution! And don’t delay–they’re having 30% off right now!

Lovin’ Long Necklaces

A few weeks ago I wrote a post about some of the statement necklaces I saw while out and about in Union Square (aka, “my office”) — these were shorter, statement necklaces, which are great at bringing attention up to your face. I don’t want you to think that long necklaces are not chic as well. They are a cool centerpiece for an outfit, and they can elongate your whole silhouette. Here’s a few I spotted downtown today that caught my attention.

This first one was worn by a young visitor from Denmark. She had just picked it up at Free People for a bargain price of $38, and I think it adds personality to her slub-knit white tee and leather jacket. (I also thought it was appropriately sexy that she chose to wear a dark bra under her shirt, don’t you?)

Not 10 minutes later I saw this lovely lady wearing an interesting layered combination, which includes two long necklaces. I think this is a novel idea on how to make a long strand of pearls, which can sometimes be challenging to wear in a current way, very stylish!

Next I just adore this long silver and horn pendant necklace by Pomellato. Since this gal is only 4’11”, she made the brilliant choice to knot the chain, which not only adds interest, but it makes the necklace the perfect length for her petite frame.

I think the fact that I wore a long necklace by Irit Design must have put the “long necklace vibe” out into the universe today.

So what about you? Do you have some long necklaces in your jewelry box? Are they a go-to for you? Or do you stick with shorter styles? I’d love to hear your opinions.

Piling on the Rings in Soho: Jewelry Judge

Shopping in Soho is always one of the highlights when working in New York City. I love the uneven brick streets, the deeelish restaurants, and of course, visiting the boutiques. This trip my client and I stumbled across Zimmermann, a feminine and forward-thinking line from Australia. (Click here if you’d like a peek at the kick-a** dress my client purchased.) But I digress…the other thing that really got my attention was the hands of Ashley, the gal assisting us.

Somehow, she was able to select a handful of vintage rings and pile them on in just the perfect way. While they are not necessarily delicate rings, they created a creative statement which didn’t feel heavy whatsoever. She told me that she has a bowl full of vintage rings, and chooses different ones each day. Most are from Awoke Vintage in Brooklyn.

Just a short time later, we found ourselves exploring Melissa Joy Manning’s incredible store. (She also has a store in Berkely, CA.) And here, yet another hand stacked away, this time on Michael. He told me this was a “minimal” jewelry day for him.

And notice how his wrist tattoo adds to the whole look? I love it! These are both great examples of how to stack more substantial rings, and still make it work. Have you tried doing this? I think I may have to go play in my jewelry box and see what I can come up with.

All Choked Up: The Modern Choker

It all started when I saw this sleek, sculptural piece on a model from the Jason Wu S/S 15 runway show. He had my attention.

And then I came across this silver hook choker by Acne Studios while cruising around online.

Never having tried on a solid choker necklace like this, I was intrigued. And what better place to explore what I think is a hot trend, than during my time working in NYC this past week. My client was totally on board (I love her sense of jewelry adventure!), and we found the perfect rendition for her in the form of a Jennifer Fisher rose gold ball choker at Owen in the Meatpacking district. (The balls can be worn in the back or in front.) Instead of wearing it solo, we paired it with an Efva Attling necklace we had purchased the previous fall. In addition, the mix of rose and yellow gold is a strong part of my client’s personal style. Perfect!

Jennifer Fisher also shows how you can layer two chokers together.

During my week in New York, I saw quite a few different styles. You know how when you’re shopping for a car, you suddenly see the one you want all over the place? I think that same phenomenon was going on with chokers. Here’s an edgy one by Eddie Borgo.

Jules Smith has an ultra-clean design.

If this really seems like something that would work with your wardrobe and you’d like to make more of an investment, then you may like this style by Balenciaga.

I tried on this Celine necklace while at Barney’s. It’s still a sleek choker, but with an addition of a geometric pendant. It was surprisingly comfortable on my neck, and I keep thinking about it…

So what’s your opinion? Is this a necklace design that piques your interest? I’d love to hear from you.

Accessorize Me: Track Pants

Yep, you read that right…track pants. And I’m not referring tothe version we wore in the 80’s, with wide legs in shiny polyester and contrasting stripes down the side. Instead, I’m talking about a much more refined version, which has taken the leap from the gym to the street. With their relaxed shape, often with an elastic or drawstring waist and fitted ankles, they are becoming a definite staple in many people’s closets (including mine!), and I’m here to show you how to make it work for you, whether your style is more casual and urban, or more sophisticated and uptown. There are countless versions of track pants out there, from Trouve to Eileen Fisher. For the sake of this post, I’ve selected a lovely silk charmeuse pair from T by Alexander Wang. (And don’t forget, if something in this article piques your curiosity, all the links are right there for you to click on.)

First lets take this look a bit edgy. First, paring the pants with a fun, graphic sweater by Joie sets the tone that this person likes to have fun and be a little bit quirky.

joie eloisa nightowl knit scoop-neck sweater

This look definitely calls for a sneaker, and I think this interpretation of the slip-on variety by DV by Dolce Vita is perfect.

DV by Dolce Vita perforated slip-on sneaker

Now, for the bling. Let’s start with the ears. I’m loving the ear climber trend (Click here if you missed my article about this.) and think this mis-matched pair by Luv AJ is awesome.

luv aj petite punk asymmetrical earrings

I’d forego a necklace with this ensemble, since the graphic design in the sweater is statement enough. I would add at least a couple bracelets, though. These two would be a nice stack, and then you can even add more from your own jewelry box. The first is by Vita Fede, and the chunky chain is from Marc by Marc Jacobs.

vita fede mini titan two tone crystal bracelet

marc by marc jacobs turnlock small katie bracelet

Sticking with the black, grey and silver theme, I think this ring by Lauren Wolf is a great choice. Don’t you love the pattern in the rutialted quartz?

But of course, we don’t want to be completely in neutrals, right? So throw on a chic cross body in your color of choice! Here’s an example by Rag & Bone that would definitely add some umph to the ensemble.

I think you’ve now gotten the gist of this look. And remember, if you are drawn to this look, but you don’t think it’s quite your personal style, it’s easy to adapt it for your own personality. Not a fan of the graphic sweater? Then opt for a solid one. Really not into asymmetry on your earlobes? Then wear a pair of earrings that you like. Make sense?

Ok, so now for a more polished look, using the same pair of pants. For this version, I started with a sleeveless silk blouse by Theory. I like that it’s a bit fitted around the waist, which will give a nice shape when paired with the pants.

Most of my clients have found a fabulous leather jacket to incorporate into their wardrobe. If you think all leather jackets are “biker” with lots of hardware, then you need to hit the stores and see the wide range of options there are out there (including many faux-leather jackets). Vince makes some of my favorite styles, always with butter-soft leather and sleek styling. (And they just added sizes XXS and XL to their size run–yea!) True, they are an investment, but remember my whole cost-per-wear philosophy. If you pay a lot of money for something that you use ALL the time, then the cost-per-wear is much smaller than if you invest a lot in an item that you only wear once or twice. (Remember that black-tie dress hanging in the back of your closet from 10 years ago that you’ve only worn once?! And how much did it cost? Just sayin’…)

Selecting a higher heel shoe elevates this whole look (no pun intended), and I like this open-toe sling bootie by Vince Camuto. It’s quite lovely, and the cut would elongate the leg. Yes, choosing an open shoe for fall definitely shows that I live in California! If you live in a region that actually has weather (Rain? I forgot what that is!), then a closed toe bootie or pump would be just fine as well.

vince camuto kaela open toe slingback bootie

For jewelry, I started with finding the perfect necklace, and I found it in this crystal montage by Lulu Frost. It’s a little bit vintage, a little bit rocker, has some color and sparkle, and I think it would fill in the neckline of the blouse quite fabulously!

Keeping with the angular lines in the necklace, I chose this pair of earrings by Campbell for a complimentary look.

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Here’s how they look on the ear.

Next, it was a toss-up for bracelets and/or rings. I’m thinking that I’d do one or the other, but if your style is “more is more,” then you may just opt for both. They carry the same angular design motif, creating harmony in line and design. The bracelet is from Pamela Love, and Michael Kors designed the ring.

I like the idea of adding a bag that picks up the color in the necklace, and this one by Time’s Arrow is very chic.

So there you have it…track pants dressed up and down, yet both most definitely stylish. So tell me, can you see yourself trying out this silhouette? I’d love to hear from you.

Statement Necklaces: Bling in Union Square!

As an image consultant and personal shopper, I think of Union Square in San Francisco as my “office.” While walking around pre-shopping for a client the other day, I was amazed at how many statement necklaces I spotted just within three hours. Of course, I wasn’t able to get a photo of all of them (I probably saw about 15-20), but here’s a sampling of what was sparkling at the square on this lovely September afternoon.

This visitor from South Africa was showing some major flower power, between her necklace and her embroidered jacket.

The juxtaposition of the bright turquoise with the black blouse caught my attention on this woman.

This gal told me that her Nordstrom purchase has become one of her go-to pieces.

And while walking back to the parking garage, this woman rocked her $9.99 necklace (no joke!) from Forever 21.

So what about you? Do you incorporate statement necklaces in your wardrobe? Or is this a style that you’d prefer to admire on others, while you enjoy a more minimalist personal style? OR….do you think this trend is passé? I definitely want to hear your opinions!

Fringe-tastic Fall Finds

Fringe was a strong design detail in 2014, from bags to clothing to jewelry. Apparently, this trend is not going away anytime soon, as evidenced by this necklace worn in the MM6 Maison Martin Margiela spring/summer 2015 runway show this past week in NYC.

When my wardrobe clients ask me about fashion trends, I always tell them to take them with a grain of salt. If you think a particular trend completely resonates with your personal style, then by all means jump on in, and don’t hesitate to make a bit of an investment. And if a trend is the farthest thing from your style and comfort zone, then definitely don’t feel pressured to jump on that bandwagon. If you’re somewhere in the middle, then perhaps give it a try, but don’t spend too much money on your “style experiment.” With that in mind, I’ve gathered 10 different pieces of jewelry, at a variety of price points and with different styles, for you to peruse. So here they are, in no particular order.

Rebecca Minkoff spiked enamel fringe necklace

Iosselliani geometric floral cheetah bracelet

Isharya black hampi fringe earrings (They’ve got a huge array of fringed pieces, by the way!)

Nordstrom fringed faux pearl necklace

Dannijo allegra crystal drop earrings

BCBG rocker fringe ring

Auden Lennox fringe necklace

Jules Smith bar fringe earrings

Alexis Bittar lucite and crystal lace fringe necklace

alexis bittar lucite & crystal lace fringe necklace

Ca & Lou fringe allover cuff

So what do you think? Are you a fringe girl?

Ear Climbers for Beginners

You may have heard them called ear climbers, ear crawlers, and even ear cuffs. But the common denominator is that these earrings are not your typical pair. They are often singular or mis-matched, and they quite honestly, crawl up your ear a bit. Over a year ago I wrote an article about this trend (click here to read it), and it appears to be one that’s not just a flash-in-the-pan. Not only are the celebrities wearing them, but it’s hitting the streets all over.

Taylor Schilling rocking a diamond ear climber at the 2014 Emmy awards

I have to admit, I’m intrigued. As I always tell my clients, there are going to be lots of trends out there each season, but that doesn’t mean you need to adopt them. Just stay true to your personal style, and try the ones that really resonate with you. Well, my personal style, which I define as “urban bohemian,” was all over trying this out, but in a more understated way. So off I went on an internet shopping spree, and the next thing I knew, my UPS guy was knocking at my door. I chose this topaz and ruthenium pair by Elizabeth and James (gotta love the Olson twins!) for my first attempt. Can I say love at first wear?!

Yes, this is a matching pair, but I thought it was a nice, not-too-extrme way to try it all out. And I must say that on my first three days wearing them, I’ve been stopped numerous times with inquiries. It did take a little maneuvering to get them to stay in the right place. I’ve squeezed the cuff part to really grab my earlobe so that they don’t droop down during the day.

Now, I want to explore the next step, where I have a crawler in one ear, and just a stud or hoop in the other. Here are some of the options I’m exploring. First is this gorgeous bezel-set earring by Jacquie Aiche.

If your personal style is a little more rocker, then these graduated spikes by Smith + Mara might get you going.

smith + mara graduated spike ear crawler

Perhaps your style is more feminine and whimsical. Then Jennifer Zeuner may have you pegged with these butterfly or pearl renditions.

jennifer zeuner symone small ear crawler

Even the minimalist can find an interpretation of this trend. This cutout design, again by Smith + Mara, is so sleek and simple yet it is still just so much more than your average earring.

If you want to take things just a step farther, then take a look at these bedazzled vines by Ca & Lou. They are definitely more of a statement.

And for the grand finale, I think this black diamond star by Milka Star is pretty spectacular. What a way to spice up your outfit!

So what about YOU? Is this a trend that appeals to you? Are you going to try it out? Or is this one you’ll reserve for viewing on the pages of fashion magazines? Please post your comments and photos!

Wearing One Statement Earring…A New Trend?

Fashion runways are an interesting phenomenon, and I’ve been privileged to be “in the tents” in NYC for the shows. For the fall 2014 shows, various designers had models sauntering down the runway in one earring, from Louis Vuitton to Celine.

Louis Vuitton

And now that the pre-fall issues of all the fashion mags are hitting the stands (I know, while you are just breaking out your bikini and hitting the beach), it seems that the editorial staff is really promoting this look. While reading the July issue of Vogue, here are some of the images that were in their spread. (Definitely admire the quality of these photos that I took of the magazine pages–ha ha!)

So here’s the thing…just because we see something on the runway and in a fashion mag, does it mean that it’ll translate to the general public? And if so, will it be in such a dramatic fashion, or will the interpretation be more of a watered-down version, with a minimal earring worn on its own? I’d love to hear your opinions on the matter. Would you wear it? Do you see it as a viable trend this fall? And if so, will it be just a flash-in-the-pan? Spill.