accessories - The Closet Coach

Dec 13, 2011 2

How to wear memories with heirloom jewelry

Jewelry can perform many functions: it can dress up an outfit, transform it, and make you feel different.

And when a piece of jewelry has a special meaning, it can be a way of wearing memories. (Sally of Already Pretty had a similar take on the subject with her piece on “the emotional wardrobe.”)

My grandmother loved to dress up, and always coordinated her accessories to her outfits. When she died at the age of 93 in May, she left behind boxes full of jewelry, from costume items picked up for pennies at Goodwill to older, well-made pieces and even one or two from her own mother.

I inherited a few of them, including a beautiful antique Navajo silver and turquoise bracelet, and a matching set of blue rhinestone brooch and earrings that included a handwritten note reading, “Enjoy them, kid!” (Thanks, Grandma, I will!)

What better way to remember and honor my grandma than by accessorizing like she did?

Another accessory full of memories for me is my dad’s classic stem-winding Bulova, engraved with his initials on the back. I don’t remember him ever wearing another watch.

When I first inherited it 5 years ago, I wasn’t sure what to do with it, since it was a man’s watch and much too big for me. I thought maybe some day I would pass it along or down to another male member of the family. I wanted to keep it in good condition, so after having the crystal watch face replaced, I put it aside in its box.

Then this year I had a flash of inspiration: if I had the band resized, I could wear it myself. So that’s what I did.

Even though I don’t normally wear gold-toned jewelry, I love it and now I wear it almost every day. Though I’ll admit it’s taken a while to remember to wind it every night, I like having a little something of my dad with me where-ever I go.

Your Turn

What pieces of jewelry have special meaning to you?
Do you wear them or keep them stored safely?

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Nov 30, 2011 0

Outfit post: The magic of accessories

You can sure tell the seasons have changed from this photo, can’t you? The leaves are gone from the trees and the light is flatter and brighter.

This is what I wore on Thanksgiving Day and I think it’s a demonstration of the magic of accessories. Without them, the base outfit is just a simple purple long-sleeved shirt with brown wool trousers. Not too exciting.

When I added the belt with its details, a more interesting outfit began to take shape.

Top it with a leopard-print scarf and now there’s visual interest above and below. Ta da! Outfit.

(No shoes in the photo today; the photographer to whom I am married :) cropped them out and I didn’t notice until it was too late. Oh well!)

I recreated a variation of it yesterday, swapping out the wool pants for a pair of camel dress trousers for a more streamlined look–so I guess this one’s a keeper!

Have you created any new outfits lately that you can’t wait to wear again?

Shirt: BCBG. (Similar, $53 from Bluefly.)
Pants: Armani Exchange. (Similar, $118 from Banana Republic.)
Belt: Target. (Similar, $65 from Ralph Lauren.)
Scarf: JC Penney. (Similar, $29 at Amazon.com.)
Outfit level: 4.

[Disclosure: Some links are affiliate links.]

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Sep 27, 2011 2

Ask the Closet Coach: How to wear an Hermès scarf

Foulard 101: Two Twists on a Classic

A reader writes, “I found a bunch of funky scarves with graphic prints, and I also have a gorgeous Hermes scarf that I never wear. How and when do I accessorize with scarves? (Mine are either large square, or long rectangular in shape).”An unworn Hermès scarf? Quelle horreur! Let’s correct this unfortunate situation, shall we?

There are three elements to accessorizing with a scarf:

where to wear it on the body
what garments to wear it with
how to tie it

Where to wear a scarf

I’ll admit that even though I’m a scarf wearing type of gal myself, I tend to do the expected and wear it around my neck. But there are lots of other ways to wear a scarf!

Around your neck. The obvious, but perhaps easiest.
On the head. Either as a full head-covering scarf (large sunglasses and convertible optional) or folded into a headband.
At the waist. Try a long one (or two long ones tied together) as a belt, or slipped through two belt loops and tied together.
Anywhere else. What about around your wrist as a bracelet alternative? Around the crown of your summer straw hat? And every fashionista knows a colorful scarf looks great knotted around the strap of a solid leather handbag.

What to wear a scarf with

Anything! Really, they’re so easy to wear; why not have fun and experiment? Put a scarf with a T-shirt or a dress and either way, it’s instant chic. Here are some other garments to accessorize with a scarf:

A tailored blazer
A button-down or collared shirt
An open-necked top, like a boatneck or jewel neck
A V-neck sweater

How to tie a scarf

My favorite online tutorials are the super helpful videos from the très fabuleuse blogger of Une Femme d’Un Certain Âge (there’s one at the top of this post and you can find them all on her YouTube channel).

Finally, for little instruction cards of knotting styles, as well as suggested scarf locations, look no further than the House of Hermès itself: Knotting Cards.

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Jun 22, 2011 4

Outfit post: New neutral dress

Yesterday I was talking about the lesson I learned about sizes and shopping when I found out I wear a smaller size at Calvin Klein in a dress than I do in pants or shorts. Today’s outfit post is from the first time I wore my spankin’ new dress on Sunday.

We went to church in the morning and met my father-in-law for a Father’s Day lunch in the afternoon, so it was a perfect day to test-drive a new dress.

With such a neutral color, I wanted to amp up the accessories. This wood and turquoise necklace from Stella & Dot seemed like a good companion piece.

Shoes were trickier. I have a pair of light tan slides (barely visible in my first outfit post) but they didn’t seem to go with the style of the dress.

My only other non-black dress shoes are dark brown mary janes and they felt too heavy and dark for summer.

So I pulled out my orange gladiator sandals from Kate Spade. They’re such an unusual color that I don’t wear them frequently, but I think they work here.

Still, I think I’m now on the lookout for a pair of fierce shoes in a nude or sand color (like the ones on the model at the Calvin Klein site).

What do you think? Do these shoes work with this dress? What would you wear with it?

Dress: Calvin Klein fit + flare seamed dress ($129.50; 40% off through 6.23.11)
Shoes: Kate Spade, Illia ($225; no longer available)
Necklace: Stella & Dot Charlize wood necklace ($59; no longer available) Similar: Mocha Disc Necklace ($44)
Outfit level: 4.

[Disclosure: Some links are affiliate links.]

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May 31, 2011 0

How to choose and buy jewelry

Debi Mazar in a Stella & Dot necklace

I have a good idea how to pick out a top or skirt that look good on me and will work well with my wardrobe. Shoes? No problem!

But when it comes to jewelry, I always feel stumped. Invariably I wind up buying the same kinds of things over and over. Even when I do buy interesting pieces, I’m not very good at thinking of creative ways to wear them.

To the rescue this week comes my good friend and independent Stella & Dot stylist, Janiré Hopkins, who knows how to rock a statement necklace. This week she’s teaching us how to become a jewelry-wearing diva.

How to choose and buy jewelry

Q: I’d love to branch out more with the kinds of necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings I wear but I don’t know where to start. What are your suggestions?

A: Think of jewelry as an extension of yourself. There are many sides to us as women. I recommend choosing jewelry the same way you choose shoes: you have your flirty sandals, chic kitten heels, your very sensible work pumps, drop-dead gorgeous high heel boots, etc. Step outside of your comfort zone when choosing accessories.

Q: Do certain kinds of jewelry look better on different body/face types?

A: Yes and no. :-) Your coloring will play a factor in what looks good on you. But how many times have you been told blue is not your color, only to find yourself looking fabulous in a blue dress? I have olive skin and therefore convinced myself that silver was not for me. Turns out I was wrong.

Q: What key pieces of jewelry should every woman have in her wardrobe?

A: I am firm believer in Tim Gunn’s list of must haves and really encourage women to follow the same principles when creating a jewelry wardrobe. [Editor’s note: Love him!]

Make sure your jewelry wardrobe contains pieces that:

you can wear every day/every way, no matter your outfit (dress, jeans, sweater)
are classic and always stylish (think pearls, stud earrings)
you can wear on the weekend, when you want to be casual but still chic

I also think everyone should have a statement piece in their jewelry wardrobe, the equivalent of that red wrap dress you wear when you want to turn heads.

Q: How should I store my jewelry and take care of it?

A: Your jewelry should be the last thing you put on when getting ready, and the first thing you take off when winding down.

Q: Are there any jewelry wearing mistakes I should avoid?

A: Don’t overspend on trendy pieces. When stepping outside of your style comfort zone, make sure your investment is minimal. That way, if you end up not loving the piece, you haven’t spent a small fortune on it.

Q: What’s your favorite piece of jewelry–and why?

A: I love mixing classic pieces with statement pieces. I’ve been known to pair gold stud earrings with the Amanda Necklace, which features dyed white jade, coffee glass, gold sand glass, brown mother-of-pearl, and resin beads linked by hammered gold rinks.

About Janiré

Janiré Hopkins is an independent stylist with Stella & Dot. She is a budget fashionista who is a little obsessed with fashion, mid-century modern furniture, design & photography. She’d probably be more obsessed if she weren’t busy being the mother of six amazing kids. You can also find her on Twitter at @chicgeekstyle or at her Tumblr blog, Chic Geek Style.

[Photo courtesy Stella & Dot]

The Closet Coach