jewelry

Pixies and Studs

by Sally on September 18, 2012 · 36 comments

When my hair looked like this:

I wore big earrings. There was SO MUCH HAIR that anything subtle or small just got lost. There was no point. Might as well have gone bare-lobed. I have on a pair of thick, medium-sized hoops in this photo but you can just barely see them, am I right? It was hair vs. earrings every time.

Now that my hair looks like this:

I wear tiny earrings. I mean, not all the time. Some outfits definitely demand big, funky danglers and I do love to wear those and show them off in certain contexts. But overall I’ve shifted to studs, and larger earring styles often seem … wrong somehow. It took me ages to figure out why, but I think I’ve got it.

This pixie cut exposes my neck, so I’ve been inclined to do a lot of scarves and chunky necklaces. With such a close crop, doing big earrings AND a big necklace creates an imbalance. You can see all of both, and it just looks like a jewelry hogpile in my face/neck area. With scarves, it’s more of a safety issue. Anything longer than a few centimeters is likely to snag on the scarf, giving me visions of torn earlobes and ER visits. So I’ve stuck to studs on most days, and loved the clean, streamlined look they create.

And that’s your dose of sartorial overthinking for the day.

Ever give thought to balancing your earrings with your hairstyle? If you’ve got a short cut, do you do big earrings or small ones? Switch off? Make the choice based on other outfit elements, like necklaces and necklines? If you’ve got long hair, ever feel like small earrings are a waste? Do you go big and bold to offset your locks?

P.S. Considering this post title, some of you may feel jilted. So heres a pixie and here’s a stud.

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This Week I Love …

by Sally 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 Sally 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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Reader Request: Incorporating Fine Jewelry

by Sally 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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Balancing Earrings with Hairstyles

by Sally on November 16, 2011 · 27 comments

Shown above are my favorite earrings from Infrared Studios. They’re big monsters, as you can see, and I’ve worn them tons since I nabbed them back in November of 2010. The earrings are quite visible in both photos, but it’s a trick. A trick, I tell you! If I hadn’t jammed my hair behind my ear for the photo on the left, you’d hardly have known I was wearing earrings at all.

See? In the outfit shot from that day, you can just barely see some curved metal objects peeking through the hair curtains. These earrings played a very different role in my accessorization life back when I had longer locks.

I’ve been asked to share my thoughts on balancing earrings with hairstyles, and I’m happy to do so … but as always, I’ll be sharing my own preferences and opinions, not anything that I consider to be any kind of style mandate. Every woman’s tastes and preferences will be slightly different, so take from this what suits you and leave the rest!

Learn about your face shape

Earrings interact with hair and hairstyles, sure, but they also play off of face shape. And if you’ve got a really short crop, choosing earrings that work with your own face shape will be key to creating flattering looks. I know that determining face shape can seem well nigh impossible, but this guide is extremely detailed and scientific and should help somewhat. It even delves into some suggested hairstyles.

Once you’ve determined your overall face shape, the main thing you’ll want to bear in mind is that wearing earrings that mimic the shape of your lovely visage will serve to emphasize its dominant characteristic. Women with very long or oblong faces may want to avoid long chain drops, straight bars, and anything that creates an exaggeratedly long vertical line alongside the face. Women with very round faces will make their faces look rounder when they wear circular hoop earrings. All of these visual tricks will be further emphasized if you’re wearing your hair short, so be aware.

Related post:

Keep the balance

With all jewelry and accessories, I believe in striking a balance. Big everything worn everywhere doesn’t work for my style or figure, and doesn’t suit my taste. But I adore big, bold, statement-making jewelry and accessories, so I try to deploy them in a balanced way. This is most often relevant when dealing with jewelry worn around the face: Necklaces and earrings. When I had longer hair, it would obscure nearly all earrings including truly large and eye-catching ones. So I felt comfortable wearing big earrings with a relatively big necklace, like the chunky chain shown above. Even back then, though, I was unlikely to pair my most enormous pair of earrings with my biggest, boldest, most noticeable necklace, and if I was wearing my hair pulled back, I’d be even more mindful of keeping balance. With the pixie cut, it’s almost exclusively one or the other: Big earrings OR big necklace, not both.

This guideline is also helpful in non-hair-related accessorization situations. A huge, wide belt and a statement necklace may appear overwhelming since they’ll sit relatively close to one another.  Depending on your tastes, a chunky cuff bracelet may also appear to compete with a wide or flashy belt. Enormous earrings, however, are unlikely to create imbalance with belts and bracelets because they’re fairly far apart. In fact, large earrings often look better when worn with at least one other large accessory. That’s balance again.

Related posts:

Explore unusual studs

Since I’m keen to keep my collection of big, fun necklaces in rotation, I’ve had to re-think my collection of smaller earrings. I’ve always kept a few pairs on hand – CZ and pearl studs, small hoops – but I’ve found myself seeking out unusual studs. Since my own haircut can skew a bit retro, big, round studs and clip-on reminiscent earrings make me feel a bit too costume-y. But I’ve been wearing my pyramid stud earrings quite a bit, and also love my dichroic glass studs which are small but bright and appear to glow a bit as they sit quietly on my lobes.

Studs are a great option for subdued earring looks, regardless of your hairstyle. But they become key to striking that jewelry balance when you’ve got a pixie or other ear-exposing ‘do.

Those of you with short hair, how do you think about earrings and other jewelry? Is balance key for you? Do you have loads of smaller or stud-like earrings for days when you do a big necklace? Those of you with longer hair, what factors go into your earring choices?

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This Week I Love …

by Sally on August 10, 2011 · 32 comments

… hoop earrings.

OK, you caught me. I love hoop earrings EVERY week. My face is fairly rectangular so relatively large rounded earrings work well for me. I’ve got quite the little arsenal of hoops in my collection! But no two pairs are alike, and I adore the variety available in hoops.

Argento Vivo Large Hammered Hoop Earrings – $58

Swirly Keen hoops by April Kawaoka – $80

Alexis Bittar Miss Havisham Orbiting Hoops- $225

Filigree Round Hoop Earrings – $25

Jules Smith Edie Hoops – $85

Jessica Simpson Core Mirror Hoops – $28

Mocahete Copper Basket Hoops – $32

Are you a fan of hoop earrings? Do you have metal, finish, or hook style preferences? Do you like ‘em big or small?

**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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This Week I Love …

by Sally on June 1, 2011 · 23 comments

… Michelle Chang‘s jewelry.

A few months ago, I decided I wanted one of those super sexy snake bangles that show up on toned celeb arms every so often. I totally wimped out on actually BUYING said bangle, but not before undertaking an exhaustive search. And I did, indeed, find the snake bangle of my dreams in Michelle’s shop:

Snake Bracelet in Sterling Silver with Diamonds, $168

Get a load of that beauty, will ya? Long since sold, but haunts my dreams. Maybe one day I’ll commission one from her. Or maybe I’ll spring for one of her other amazing creations:

Baby Skull Earrings in Sterling Silver, $48

Open Mouth Snake Ring in Brass with Purple Amethyst and Diamonds, $178

Fox Necklace in Sterling Silver, $54

Leaf Ring in Sterling Silver and London Blue Topaz, $82

5 Nugget Necklace in Sterling Silver, $60

Sigh. So much love for these clean, simple, beautifully designed pieces. Do you have a favorite? Something else from her shop perhaps? I didn’t want to go overboard in this post, but I’m pretty much enamored of ALL her snake-y pieces!

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How to Make Simple Outfits Sparkle

by Sally on February 15, 2011 · 31 comments

Already Pretty Outfit featuring Born Boots

Back in December, I was working with a style consult client who intimidated me. This woman had fabulous taste, a marvelous wardrobe that included both well-edited basics and funky accent pieces, and she had already figured out how she wanted to flatter her fabulous figure. What, exactly, did she need ME for?

Well, for starters, she was bored stiff.

My sweet client had her basic style totally nailed, but she had no idea how to use her wardrobe to express her creativity. She looked polished and lovely, but she wanted to look polished, lovely, and INTERESTING. And yet, as the mom of two young kids, she had to keep her ensembles simple, comfortable, and washable. In the end, we found three techniques that she could use to spice up her pared-down outfits, and since they can be applied to just about any woman hoping to make simple outfits sparkle, I thought I’d share ‘em with all of you!

ACCESSORIZE

Oh, I’m sorry, did you think I was going to say something über-specific like, “Wear a fez!” Or, “Invest in a plaid waistcoat and some hand-crocheted socks!” Not so much. Making your simple outfits sing will take a bit of work on your part. But it is worthwhile work! Throwing a few accessories into a simple mix can make all the difference in the world.

A blazer, tee, jeans, and flats constitutes a great base outfit. Simple, sleek, refined, and comfortable (if you pick the right blazer, that is).

simple blazer outfit

But add a few accessories, and things start to get interesting. A fabulous necklace, scarf, or belt is all it takes to elevate this ensemble from plain to chic.

simple blazer outfit - accesorized

Gorgeous, perfectly-fitting clothes are absolutely key to building fabulous personal style. But without accessories to add interest, outfits can seem tame and subdued. One way to make simple outfits sparkle is to hone your accessorization skills.

Want more help with accessorization?
Accessorization and Figure Flattery 101
Successfully Deploying Your Tights
Building Accessory Collections
Working Those Colorful Tights
What Belting Can Do for You
What to Do with Brooches
Flattering Hats for Every Head
Accessory Balance
Befriending the Scarf
Belted!
Other Already Pretty posts on accessories

EXPERIMENT WITH COLOR

Again with the not-easy outfit enhancing techniques! Sorry, friends, but yet again I’m recommending a skill set well worth cultivating.  Mixing colors in unexpected ways will make even the most pared-down outfits look contemporary and cool. If you’re a fan of jewel tones, try pairing at least two at a time. Go for a non-neutral monochrome look by mixing shades of one color, or pick two shades and sprinkle on a background of neutrals. And speaking of, mix your neutrals three to an outfit: Black with brown and tan, gray with black and olive green.

Want more help with color?
Color Simplified
Color Combos
Match vs. Go
Adding Color to a Neutral Wardrobe
Crafting Monochrome Looks
Color in Theory and Practice

ADD AMAZING SHOES

Ah ha! Here, my friends, is the super easy, throw-money-at-it solution to spicing up your simple ensembles. I truly believe that an eye-catching, beautifully crafted, bright or embellished pair of shoes can make the plainest outfit pretty. Now, when I say “amazing” I do NOT mean expensive, painful-to-wear, or trendy. Shoes that can transform an outfit are generally colorful, sculptural, or adorned with tasteful-but-innovative hardware. Sometimes all three. Flats, heels, boots, sandals, any old style will do so long as it is unusual, interesting, and conversation-worthy.

Want more help with shoes?
Incorporating Colorful Shoes
Casual Shoe Basics
Shoe Basics

Are you partial to super-simple outfits? Ever feel like you should be pushing your stylistic boundaries a bit? Would any of these techniques help? What else could a gal do to make simple outfits sparkle?

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