accessories

This Week I Love …

by Sal on March 28, 2012 · 30 comments

… bright bags.

For years I carried the same black leather handbag every day. I still have it, and it’s still my staple black bag. But the more I explore the outfit-completing properties of handbags, the more I find myself drawn to bright, punchy colors. Like these:

My neutral bags get loads of use, too, but there’s something fun and funky about throwing a bright bag into the mix.

What about you? Do you stick to neutral handbags, or do you have a few bold, bright ones that work their way into the mix, too?

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Reconsidering Investment Pieces

by Sal on March 19, 2012 · 85 comments

The following items have long been viewed as investment pieces: Handbags, winter coats, classic shoes. Why? Because those three items get more use, wear, and abuse than other items. Even a favorite pair of jeans is unlikely to be worn every single day for the duration of a winter, and no dress or sweater will ever be worn as hard as a pair of shoes. Bras are occasionally added to this short list by style experts who recognize the importance of a good foundation, but everything else is up for grabs. You can invest in whatever you’d like, of course, but if you’re seeking expert advice, it’s generally bags, coats, and shoes.

And I’ve been thinking: If we based our level of investment on use patterns, wouldn’t we also want to plunk down the big bucks for pajamas? Gym clothes? Panties? PJs get worn and washed constantly, receiving more wear-time and abuse than many coats and bags. And what could be more important than bodily comfort during sleep? Many of the new-fangled workout gear vendors seem grossly overpriced, but is $90 really an outrageous price for a pair of comfy, flattering, wicking pants that will get worn several times per week for years on end? And panties! My gosh, if we’re investing in bras, why not knickers, too? There’s nothing quite as excrutiating as having your privates pinched or squeezed, and if top-quality panties eliminated discomfort and doubt, wouldn’t they be worth the dough?

It seems that the idea of an “investment piece” is linked to visibility and status as well as quality and use. After all, few people see our pajamas and even fewer our undies. We CAN invest in them, but those investments will only ever benefit our own bodies. Great bags, coats, and shoes help to construct our public sartorial personas, which adds value. At least, that seems to be how style experts are viewing things.

I am all for buying top-notch bags, coats, and shoes. It is good, sound advice that has endured because it makes sense, pretty much across the board. But I think that investing in items that get loads and loads of use, contribute to bodily comfort, and make us FEEL great is worthwhile, too. And that includes clothes that have little public exposure and virtually no glamorous appeal.

What do you think? Does it make more sense to invest in durable goods that are worn in public, or are private clothes investment pieces, too? Anyone already spending big on workout duds, PJs, panties, or other items? What are YOUR criteria for an “investment piece”?

Image courtesy Gap.

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This Week I Love …

by Sal on March 13, 2012 · 13 comments

… dichroic glass studs.

I bought my first pair of these over the summer. I’d only just lopped my hair off and was fumbling about looking for new earring options. I glimpsed a pair at the Powderhorn Art Fair and was absolutely mesmerized by how they seemed to glow from within. Snapped ‘em up, and have bought several Etsy pairs since.

Apparently, dichroic glass contains multiple micro-layers of metals or oxides, and has a particular transmitted color and a completely different reflected color. Hence the glow. It’s really lovely stuff. Behold:

NaTuRaLLyMYsTiCaL – $18

Amazon – $12

admiralglass – $18

Amazon – $12

Halesia Designs Studio – $10

White Sands Glass – $9

I feel like these are my ideal studs. They’re small and subtle, but since they’ve got that gorgeous luminosity, they’re also interesting and fun. They’re cheaper than most semiprecious gems and due to their construction typically include two or more rich colors. I’m in love. Seriously.

Are you a dichroic glass fan? Ever seen it up close? Do you ever wear stud earrings? Think this style would suit you?

**Disclosure: Actions you take from the hyperlinks within this blog post may yield commissions for alreadypretty.com. See Already Pretty’s disclosure statement for more details.

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Jewelry Resource Roundup

by Sal on February 2, 2012 · 28 comments

Jewelry is both ubiquitous and incredibly varied. It can be jaw-droppingly expensive, made at home for pennies, or handed down for free. It can be made from precious materials or disposable ones. Most women have at least one piece, and many women have one or more pieces of emotional significance. Jewelry can be subtly invisible or the perfect finishing touch on an outfit. And, like so many people, I absolutely love it.

Please note that I’m not limiting myself to “shopping,” here, my friends. There are plenty of ways to get new jewelry that don’t involve spending big on pre-made pieces!

Etsy

Let’s start with the obvious, shall we? I’d estimate that 70% of my jewelry hails from Etsy. I’ve been buying pieces from the various individual vendors on this shared site since 2005 and just keep finding more designers to love. As many of you already know, Etsy offers consumers the chance to interact with designers and vendors directly, so you can buy up finished pieces, but you can also collaborate with merchants to create custom pieces. Which is SO MUCH FUN. Some of my favorite Etsy jewelry vendors include:

eBay

If I’m looking for a specific piece – like a snake-shaped cuff bracelet or red drop earrings – I generally hit Etsy first, and then turn to eBay. You can get just about any piece you can imagine from Bakelite bangles to estate jewelry to enormous lots of rhinestone brooches. Prices run the gamut, as you can imagine, but there are always some amazing deals to be nabbed. (In case you need a quick refresher on how to shop eBay, here you go.)

Trader Lou

OK, I’ll admit that I’ve never bought from this site. And I’ll tell you why: The inventory is so massive and amazing that I get overwhelmed. But the search function works pretty well, and if you’re on the hunt for semi-precious gem designs at reasonable prices, Trader Lou has got you covered. The site also sells supplies, but my understanding is that Fire Mountain has better deals.

Antique malls and flea markets

If 70% of my jewelry hails from Etsy, much of the remaining 30% was purchased at antique malls and flea markets. I adore costume jewelry and find that I can get phenomenal deals on fun, versatile, and well-made vintage pieces when I shop at these places.

Thrift and consignment stores

Most thrift stores offer a small selection of jewelry, most of which is relatively inexpensively made but well worth a peek. I’ve nabbed a couple of my workhorse pieces at my local thrift haunts and always make a point of hitting the jewelry rack just in case.

Consignment stores are a bit choosier, of course, and the ones I frequent keep their offerings in cases. If someone has gone to the trouble to consign a piece of jewelry, it’s likely valuable, well-made, trendy, or some combination thereof. Don’t forget to comb those cases before you check out!

DIY resources

I’ll throw a couple of sites on the fire, here, knowing full well that many of you can contribute dozens more! Most of these are hodgepodge DIY sites that throw the occasional jewelry project into the mix, but when they do? Fun times.

For Twin Cities Locals

Gotta plug a few of my favorite local resources in case you TC folks are interested!

Now, I’d love to hear from you! Where do you get most of your jewels? Are you a DIYer or craftsperson? Do you have designers or lines that you love? Share links if you’ve got ‘em! (Quick note: If you share more than three links and don’t see your comment awaiting moderation, let me know. You may have gotten sucked into the SPAM filter – I’ll check periodically, but appreciate a holler, too.)

Image courtesy Karin Jacobson.

**Disclosure: Actions you take from the hyperlinks within this blog post may yield commissions for alreadypretty.com. See Already Pretty’s disclosure statement for more details.

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Toasty Legs: Recommendations for Warm Tights

by Sal on January 27, 2012 · 57 comments

Honestly? My legs seem to have fewer nerve endings that most of my other bits. I mean, my hands are CONSTANTLY cold, if my neck isn’t covered I get pretty miserable, and my feet can feel frosty through two pairs of socks and a pair of boots. But my legs? They don’t care. I take a 45-minute walk every morning so long as it’s 10 degrees or above, and yeah, my legs get cold but never the miserable, unbearable, make-it-stop kind of cold that afflicts my other parts. So I feel entirely ill-equipped to handle this particular reader request, which I believe has been submitted by at least nine of you in recent weeks.

Additionally, if I’m going to spend any length of time outside during the winter, I DON’T wear an outfit that includes tights. Tights outfits are for days when I’ll be heading from my house to the car and then into another building. If I’ll be walking far or doing a lot of in-and-out action, I wear ponte pants, leggings, slacks, or jeans. Even maxi skirts work better than tights in the leg-warming department. I’ve lived in wintry climates long enough to know that tights will not work if it’s very cold, very windy, or very wet outside.

So. Now that I’ve destroyed my own credibility, here’s what I know about warm tights:

Tights that are decidedly not-warm

I buy a lot of tights from Target. They suck. I buy them because they’re cheap and easily accessible and come in a decent variety of colors and styles. And I aim to change my evil ways some day because they are SO not-warm, and they snag the instant I remove them from their packaging. Target has created and sold a few “premium” styles over the years, and they seem to appear on shelves and then promptly sell out. In my experience, those are more expensive but also warmer and more durable. The standard-issue, every color of the rainbow ones? Thin, delicate, not-warm.

Hate to say it, but We Love Colors tights aren’t warm either. Their leggings are a different story, since they’re a much thicker weave, but the tights themselves are pretty thin. This vendor wins on color and size variety, but falls short in the warmth department.

Hue is totally hit or miss, in my experience. Their standard opaques are passable, but not super warm. Some of their thicker styles are fabulous deep-freeze options (see below), but a few of the fashion-y options are just too lightweight for winter wear. Check reviews when you can.

And, of course, common sense dictates that sheers and patterns will be less warm than opaques.

Tights I know to be warm

Express opaques - I am wearing my red Express tights in the photo above. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH. In fact, I just ponied up for several more pairs because I realized my red ones had held up beautifully to several years of hard wear and laundering, because they don’t run, and because they’re marvelously warm. Stock seems to be running low online, but check your local mall for more options.

Sweater tights - These lose in the sleekness department, but win in the warmth department. While many pairs of tights offer a single, flimsy layer of colorful nylon to protect your gams, sweater tights are made from thicker, warmer fibers. Skip the openwork versions and go for something that offers solid coverage from toe to torso. My Hue sweater tights are incredibly toasty.

Falke 100 denier - I’ve worn my Falke opaques three times, laundered them three times, and am madly, madly in love with them. They’re expensive, yes, but they are durable, virtually snag-proof, and marvelously cozy. They’re also a gorgeous matte black, in case shiny opaques bug ya. Go for the 100 denier. Worth it.

SPANX - This is another brand that just doesn’t mess around when it comes to tights. My two pairs of high-waisted tights are good and warm, but my reversible pair is AMAZING. Since two colors of fiber are needed, these tights are naturally denser and a bit thicker, but not to the point of bulk or discomfort.

Tights that Trusted Sources assure me are warm

Fleece-lined - I know it seems preposterous that someone living in Minnesota hasn’t yet sampled fleece-lined tights. But my legs! They just never get that cold! (See above.) Despite my lack of personal experience, I can tell you that many, many readers and fellow bloggers have assured me that fleece-lined tights are a wintry miracle. They’re not bulky, they cut the wind considerably, and they feel amazing. Another option here.

Smartwool – Since Athleta sells these with their ski-related apparel, I’m inclined to believe that they’re the real deal. User reviews confirm that these tights are perfect for winter, even calling them the “warmest tights ever.” Intriguing, no? Available in basic neutrals: Black, brown, charcoal.

Let’s consider this a mere jumping-off point: Do YOU have any recommendations for warm, toasty, cozy, wind-blocking tights? Are they bulky or sleek? Where do you get them? Brands? Size ranges? Share links and info in the comments, I beg of you!

**Disclosure: Actions you take from the hyperlinks within this blog post may yield commissions for alreadypretty.com. See Already Pretty’s disclosure statement for more details.

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Reader Request: Incorporating Fine Jewelry

by Sal on January 11, 2012 · 30 comments

Lovely reader Nique asked:

I would love it if you would do a post on how to incorporate fine jewelry into an outfit. I am very fortunate to have a dad and husband who like to give me gifts of jewelry, but I am finding that my accessory choices have been big and bold lately, and the fine pieces seem almost too delicate to make a statement. I love these pieces, so I don’t want to get rid of them, and I hate that they are sitting in my jewelry box languishing away, but I don’t really know what to do with them.

This is a toughie for me, too, as I gravitate toward large, bold pieces for everyday wear. And whenever I wear my fine pieces I am constantly afraid of breaking or losing them. So I’ll offer a few suggestions and ask that those of you who do fine jewelry on a regular basis chime in with suggestions, too!

Layer multiple pieces

Fine necklaces can work in layered jewelry mixes like this. It’s not a look that appeals to everyone, and it doesn’t have the same impact or proportions as a single, statement-y piece. But it does allow you to work gorgeous, delicate pieces into an edgy, contemporary look. Fine necklaces are generally fairly short, and should be closest to your neck. Then add a slightly longer piece, and another yet longer one. (I generally prefer layered looks with at least three items.) If you mix metals, make sure it looks intentional, and if you’re incorporating colored gems make sure they either match or “go.” Genuine pearls also work well in layered mixes, a la Tilda in “Burn After Reading.”

Juxtapose looks

Pairing combat boots with a sundress is a fairly bold, fun, visible way to create a sartorial juxtaposition. Pairing gem studs or a gorgeous sapphire ring with your biker jacket may seem ridiculously subtle by comparison, but it CAN work. Especially if you do some of the aforementioned layering. If, like me, you gravitate toward bold jewelry because you gravitate toward bold looks overall, try using a piece or two of fine jewelry to create interesting pairings. A tennis bracelet with a scrunched-sleeve crewneck sweater, boyfriend jeans, and pumps. Two delicate necklaces in the deep v of a wildly patterned sundress. Chandelier earrings with a graphic tee, denim jacket, and leather skirt.

Tweak your outfit

What do I do with items I love but can’t seem to work them into everyday wear? I tweak my clothing choices. It’s a last resort, but it works. Ladylike, romantic, delicate, or even old-fashioned looks can be crafted around fine jewelry, and if your pieces are going unworn it might be fun to dedicate one day per week to building outfits around them. If you’re going to go this route, make sure to include a few nods to your typical style: Chunky shoes, bold colors, whatever your signature may be. But build the outfit with the jewelry in mind: Pick a neckline that really lets a necklace shine, pull your hair back to show off those earrings, cuff your sleeves to keep bracelets visible. Since fine jewelry is often received as gifts – definitely the case for Nique – it can feel very emotionally rewarding to dress around it.

Mixing fine and costume jewelry can be challenging, as the contrasting levels of quality may appear obvious. So proceed with caution should you choose to mix, and try to choose mixes that either appear to have similar quality levels, or have very clearly differentiated quality levels. In other words, be intentional. Bee wears giant piles of necklaces and jewelry nearly every day, and mixes high and low constantly, so she might be a good source of inspiration.

Do you wear fine jewelry, aside from potential constants like wedding and engagement rings? What do you wear most? Necklaces, earrings, bracelets? Do you have trouble working it into daily wear, or is it a natural fit for your style? Do you mix fine jewelry with low-cost or costume jewelry? Oh, WendyB, any thoughts to share?

Image courtesy John Sanchez Photography.

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Video: Scarf Styling Secrets

by Sal on December 20, 2011 · 23 comments

OK, “secrets” might be a bit of an exaggeration. These tips are incredibly basic, but may help you keep your scarf ties looking fresh, fun, and flattering.

Enjoy!

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Coats and Handbags: Secondary Style Influencers

by Sal on November 29, 2011 · 55 comments

After college, it occurred to me that I should probably buy a purse. In addition to feeling like that’s what adult women did, I realized that my beat-up knapsack wasn’t going to cut it at my new office job. I had no idea what I wanted, so I just bought a bag that looked like what I’d seen the women around me carrying. It was a long-strap duffle, it was real leather, it seemed to work fine, and I stuck with it for ages.

It wasn’t until I became a regular cell phone user that handbag design began to matter to me. Sure, it’s best to have a bag that lets you access your wallet and keys fairly easily, but when you’ve only got four to five rings to extract a live telephone, that ups the ante. In 2005 I owned an unbearably gorgeous, handmade leather messenger bag that weighs about four pounds completely empty. I loved it passionately, but it was a pain to haul around and I could never unbuckle the buckles in time to reach my ringing phone. So I searched for and located a lovely bag that had two external pockets with magnetic closures. And I carried it every day for about four years. I figured that, for the vast majority of my waking hours, I was NOT visibly carrying my handbag. I was sitting at a computer or talking with a friend or working out at the gym. My bag needed to be attractive and useful, and one attractive, useful bag would suffice.

But at a certain point, it dawned on me that handbags aren’t just utilitarian. (OK, I’d known that from the start, since I wasn’t willing to buy just any bag, but this realization felt different.) I began to see why I might want to own multiple bags and swap them out. I may not have my handbag on me at all times, but when I do, it becomes a secondary style influencer. I’ll look my best if it makes sense with what I’m wearing, and the bag presents an opportunity to add color, personality, texture, and interest to my overall look.

It took me another year to understand that coats, too, were secondary style influencers. I had worn black coats for nearly my entire life because I knew I needed outerwear that wouldn’t clash. But it wasn’t until, oh, 2006 or so that I began to feel like one coat might not suit every outfit. Or, more accurately, that a coat may be a temporary addition to my outfits, but it can make them feel more cohesive, polished, and complete. A beautifully tailored black wool coat will definitely work with 99% of possible outfits, and that is often sufficient. But wearing a bomber with jeans, a faux shearling with funky boho ensembles, and an anorak with trendy garb made me feel more focused somehow. In the heart of winter – when it’s 20 below from dawn till dusk – I wear the same damned down coat every single day. No question. But when the weather is less brutal, I enjoy choosing coats that complement my clothing choices.

And, of course, none of this matters if you don’t like bags or coats, or cannot afford multiples, or have a bear of a time tracking down bags or coats that suit your tastes or figure. Yes, they are marvelous pieces for supplementing your everyday style, but owning them in multiples is entirely optional. (No matter what the fashion mags may imply. Really.) You can certainly find your ideal bag and carry it until it collapses, gasping, into a heap of seams and hardware. And that’s what you should do if you just aren’t a handbag girl. But bags CAN add another level of intentionality to your style, and CAN amp up your looks. You can certainly invest in and wear one lightweight coat and one heavyweight coat, and wear them until they collapse, gasping, into heaps of down and pocket lining. But coats CAN add another level of intentionality to your style, and CAN amp up your looks.

Do you stick to utilitarian bags and coats? Own few or many? Do you agree that these pieces are secondary style influencers? Do you ever use them to add color or sass to your outfits? Would you rather seek out a bag/coat that works for nearly everything and stick to it on a daily basis? How do you know what bags/coats will have that kind of versatility?

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