50 Fashion and Style Tips from HandTrades.com
50 Fashion and Style Tips from HandTrades.com
DRESS UP OUTERWEAR
Don’t just think of jewelry as something to wear on your shirt, blouse or dress.
You can brighten up a dull winter day by putting a sparkling pin or brooch on your coat collar. Just be sure that you’ve placed it where it won’t catch on your scarf.
DON’T JUST GO FOR THE GOLD
Gold jewelry may be traditional and beautiful, but the look for 21st Century brides-to-be is as new as the millennium. Today’s brides want to go silver and a combination of silver and gold looks great. Anything you see at my website can be custom make in silver just ask!
THE NEW LOOK IN ENGAGEMENT RINGS
The latest fashion vogue includes settings such as tension (the stone is only held on its edges, suspended, and appears to float) and bezel (the stone is flush with the ring’s surface). Newer cuts display more facets to increase the stone’s fire; and alternative shapes like the princess-cut (modified square) offer more individuality than traditional shapes.
ALWAYS IN SEASON
For a wear-anytime look, choose yellow or white gold. White and gold look equally terrific with black for New Year’s Eve and white for Memorial Day — not to mention green for St. Paddy’s Day, scarlet for St. Valentine’s Day, brown for Groundhog’s Day…
CASUAL FRIDAY
Whether you’re dressed to the nines for a night at the opera, or kicking back in chinos and a polo shirt for casual Friday at the office, platinum jewelry is always the right accessory.
TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE
Reflecting music industry fashion are watches with white metal bracelet designs. Most have a retro look with copper, pink and shimmery metallic gold faces. Check out one of our craftsman for custom watch bands under $100 for that old watch laying in your desk drawer
MIX AND MATCH
Jewelry that mixes precious metals, textures, and even stones is eye-catching and unique. Don’t be bland be bold. Large stones are my specialty. We have them in smoky topaz, amethyst, citrine, blue topaz, garnet and others!
SIZE WISE
Tiny earring studs and almost-too-small-to-be-seen pendants and rings are fine for young girls. Don’t overpower your Power puff girl with heavy “big girl” pieces. An inexpensive “NAME PENDANT” will make a hit on any occasion and its usually under $20!!!
LIGHTEN UP
A black, blue or other dark colored dress or suit can come alive with a little bit of gold. Add one of our one of a kind HANDCRAFTED CAMEO’s and you’ll be the hit of the party! And you can usually do it for under $100.
UP TO YOUR NECK IN ‘EM
They never really go out of style, but this year necklaces have made a tremendous comeback. Top picks include colored pearls with drops and chokers of any kind. Make a splash at a church function or night on the town with a one of a kind WHOPPING MABE PEARL for only $95.
THE HOOP-LA
Fashion forecasters are looking at hoop earrings to make some waves next season. The bigger the better, and additional “danglies” are a must.
CLEAR THE RUNWAY
Top designers like Yves Saint Laurent and Valentino accessorized their couture lines on the runways this year with diamonds, pearls and gemstone jewelry accompanying soft, feminine dresses and flowing skirts.
PEARL OF A GIRL
Whether your girlfriend chooses to dress like June Cleaver, Hilary Clinton or Marge Simpson, a simple string of white pearls will always look classy. Ask about our custom MABE PEARL pendants You won’t believe the price!
GET A BANG OUT OF BANGLES
Gold bangles are a classic that have come full-circle, even on the runways! Look for them on models, Hollywood celebrities, and anyone who’s fashion forward. We have a wide selection of gold, silver and combo metals BANGLES all custom made and under $100.
LINKS FOR YOUR MINX
There is nothing more feminine than delicate gold links circling a lady’s wrist. Mix different sizes and textures of bangle bracelets to create an original look all her own. You can get two or three custom made BANGLES and ware them all at once.
YOUR HEART ON YOUR SLEEVE
Don’t wait for St. Valentine’s Day to pin a heart brooch on your sleeve. In Southern Florida, teens string a sterling silver heart pendant on a piece of grosgrain yarn and tie it to the shoulder of a tank top.
1 + 1 = 3
The look in downtown New York is half and half a long, dangling earring on one side, and a button or small hoop on the other. Suddenly 2 pairs of earrings become 3! Mix and match metals, colors, and styles. The possibilities are endless.
STACK O’ RINGS
If you have long, elegant hands, consider stacking several rings on a single finger. The effect is similar to bangles on your wrist striking, unique and very, very flattering. Or try one VERY BIG GEMSTONE RING and forget about your pinky finger, where it on your index finger for added pizzazz and effect.
GOOD AS GOLD
Gold earrings are always the perfect gift because gold looks great on tawny blondes, burnished redheads and raven-haired brunettes. Buy buttons and mid-length drops for long hair. Choose dramatic long-lengths to set off short hair.
FACE-LIFT NO Rx REQUIRED
Give your face an instant lift. Choose larger earrings to brighten your face and eyes. Larger earrings bring light to the face and eyes go to light. Ask me about custom CLEOPATRA EARRING JACKETS with or without gemstones only $75!!!
BOLDLY GO WHERE NO ONE HAS GONE BEFORE
Bold accessories add individuality and confidence to your overall look. Leave the baby-sized accessories for the babies and get a very wide plunging V NECK COLLOR IN GOLD OR SILVER AND GOLD under $300
OPPOSITES ARE ATTRACTIVE
The shape of your earrings should enhance, not duplicate, the shape of your face. Oval-faced beauties should pick angular shapes; round-faces should think square.
THE FINISHING TOUCH
Delicate little necklaces with ultra-fine links are so small that they can barely be seen, so they really don’t add much ‘zip’ to your appearance. If you like the look and feel of light chains, add a small pendant to finish the look.
THE EYES HAVE IT
If Frank Sinatra would have had his ears pierced, he’s certainly have picked brilliant sapphires and aquamarines to set off his ol’ blue eyes. Do the same! Drape a dark-eyed gypsy in onyx, a green-eyed colleen in emeralds…You might not be able to affor an emerald as big as your thumb but I can custom make a “SYNTHETIC EMERAL PENDANT OR RING FOR UNDER $200” That would make Liz Taylor blush.
PINS TO ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE
Have a tiny wisp of a waist? Why not draw attention to it by placing a pin, not at your shoulder, but off-center at your mid-section. Sporting a dramatic cleavage? Get the brooch off your shoulder and put it where it will do some good at the center of things. Get the idea? A one of a kind Victorian CAMEO would do the trick here also pendant or pin.
CHOKER IT’S JUST A FIGURE OF SPEECH
If you love fashion’s current favorite the choker be sure to choose one that fits you. Nothing is worse than a choker that looks as though it’s cutting off your oxygen. (You can buy jewelry extenders at most large pharmacy chains)
THINK 80’s
Gold is in, according to jewelry designer Robert Lee Morris, because “Everyone wants to relive the Eighties. Gold is so warm and opulent.” But the 21st Century take on gold is pile it on! Bracelets, necklaces in layers, earrings, rings by the dozens too much is never enough.
THIS JUST IN
Fashionistas everywhere are snapping up these must-have accessories: ropes of pearls, hoop earrings, lariat necklaces, and cuff bracelets. Check out our GEMSTONE BRACELETS for something you have never seen before. All the flash without the cash!
CHARM-ING
If you like the idea of groups of charms on a bracelet, why not combine groups of pins on a blouse of blazer. A cow jumping over the moon, three little pigs, and a litter of kittens are particularly good choices. Keep the pins medium-sized so they don’t overpower you.
OVERHEARD IN ITALY
Milan jewelry designer Sergio Antonini says, “I always consider the best way to emphasize diamonds is to have a setting on platinum.” The designer also predicts a trend in necklaces that will feature a contrast between round and flat surfaces, as well as full and empty spaces.
SPACE AGE/NEW AGE
Mirroring baby-boomers yin-yang interest in old and new, contemporary jewelry designers are giving sleek, aerodynamic shapes to settings for ancient healing stones. We specialize in metaphysical gems that will knock your socks off.
BIG, BOLD AND ETHNIC
Bigger bolder pieces are in department stores everywhere as ethnic looks of Asia, Africa and Native America take hold. Look for jewelry in wood, multiple layers, turquoise, amber, coral and tortoise. On the cutting edge: multi-cultural looks——-TURQUOISE, CORAL AND AMBER We got plenty of just ask!
TORN FROM A MAGAZINE
Fashion magazines are showing the dramatic high-neck choker, worn with multi-stand necklaces at all lengths, dangle earrings, multiple bangles or bracelets and rings with larger stones embellished with pearls. Talk about layering!
FALL INTO GOLD
As leaves turn from the green of summer to the burnished amber of fall, women everywhere will be adding antique gold (with rich colors like deep amethyst or garnet) and pearls to their accessory pack. How about a big white STICK PEARL RING accented by smaller pearls of garnets? I can do it for $75. All custom to fit just your little finger!
SET FOR SUCCESS
Every woman looks her best in a traditional fine jewelry set — a small, beaded, multi-strand, medium-length necklace with a matching set of earrings and bracelet. Go gold, go silver…just go get one! This is where We can save you the most money, on a CUSTOM SET—ANY KIND!
CASUAL FRIDAYS
What’s new at the office? Jewelry with a handmade feel and one-of-a-kind look. Slightly rougher in appearance than traditional fine jewelry; it reflects a relaxed style that goes from casual Friday straight through the weekend. Check out one of my ONE OF A KIND CREATIONS.
AS SEEN ON TV
Quartz and turquoise will be on TV’s best-dressed divas as summer fades to fall. Watch for pieces that are geometric in design and combine the (autumnal) seriousness of smoky brown quartz with the (summery) frivolity of watery turquoise. CHINESE TURQUOISE JEWELRY will remain big because it’s getter harder and harder to find in good quality.
DANCE GYPSY EARRINGS
Long dangles that combine a variety of textures and materials are known as “gypsy earrings” and are a favorite between NYC and San Francisco artists and musicians. Edgy yet soft, wild yet sweet, there is no mystery to the allure of this unique style. Look for them in classical concert halls, too.
THE GIFT SHE WANTS
According to a recent survey, what women want most in a gift is a piece of jewelry that they can wear to the office. Simple gold chains scored at the top of the list, followed by hoop earrings.
THIS JUST IN FROM HOLLYWOOD
Winona Ryder and Christina Ricci have been wearing the “Floater” to some of Tinsel Town’s hottest spots. The necklace is on invisible Micro-cord and gives the impression that the spaced cultured pearls are floating on the neck. Gray, pink, peach and plum pearls are in…white, blue and ivory are OUT.
WHITE METAL IS WHITE HOT
Large gemstones set in white metal an alloy of silver and white gold is the teen pick of the moment. Hot stone colors include red, purple, yellow and blue in citrine, garnet, amethyst and aquamarine.
OUT OF THE COCCOON
The teen market has gone wild for butterflies. Earrings are tops with filigree lever-back featuring one bezel-set stone in the center of the butterfly, dangling earrings with butterflies and beads, and silver stud earrings leading the swarm.
TEEN TIME
The G-Shock and the Timex Humvee are the hottest thing in sports watches for teens that want “cool” and indestructible timepieces. But one of my CUSTOM WIRE WATCH BAND will out WOW any of them.
BALL AND CHAIN AROUND MY NECK
Top for teens: A sterling silver necklace with a small ball chain, with a charm, small gemstone or pendant for decoration. Circular medallions (with or without writing) on a black silk code are also a fashion trend.
MIXING IT UP
For the more fashion-forward teen: mixed materials such as beads, glass, wood and silver in jewelry is hot, but what’s really cool is EVERYTHING Asian especially Eastern pendants with symbols for faith, friendship, trust, love, happiness and other traits. How about a JADE CARVING with matching 100 year old matching beads? All for under $150
HANDS DOWN
Some credit Madonna with the current rage for decorating hands with rings and Mehndi — henna tattoos. Simple silver or white gold stackable rings with etched patterns are the most popular choice to set off the intricate designs of the henna.
BACK TO SCHOOL
Fashion designers are embracing classic styles such as suits and tweeds for fall and nothing complements a classic style better than pearls. With these traditional fashions, single strand pearl necklaces and pearl posts are the ideal accessories
TWO-TONE’S TIME IS HERE
Trend watcher Jeff Prine of Modern Jewelry Magazine says that two-tone jewelry — silver, white gold, or platinum with 14k or 18k yellow gold is no longer a trend…it’s a standard that’s here to stay.
ALWAYS A BRIDESMAID?
Designers and manufacturers have responded to single women who want to wear a simple diamond ring by creating studded right-hand bands — perfect anytime for anyone…husband not required.
OLD-STYLE FOR ENGAGEMENT RINGS
Engagement rings in retro styles and cuts — especially when set in white gold — are strong sellers with today’s brides. Some say they see the vintage styling as a way to reconnect with the past and a more traditional way of life.
Filed under: Insights
