Trends in Fashion Accessories
Fashion accessories are typically the easiest and cheapest way to update an otherwise outdated outfit. For the broke high-schoolers and twenty somethings, accessories are sometimes the only fashion items that are affordable. Tried and true, incorporating seasonal accessories make enough of a different to take on outfit from bad to good. Follow our posts on the latest accessories trends here!
All Girls Are Princesses
13 years ago
Every girl loves the idea of wearing a crown; whether it’s adjoined in jewels or flowers the thought always brings up fairy tale endings, which have stuck with me for years. Yesterday I desperately needed a break from my homework and decided to embrace the little girl in me by making a floral crown of my very own (click here for instructions how). It was a quick and easy project which turned out to be the absolute perfect afternoon getaway. Clearly it doesn’t take much to make me happy, and as one of my all time favorite icons once said, “Keep smiling, because life is a beautiful thing and there’s so much to smile about.”- Marilyn Monroe
Tights as Pants
13 years ago
Women began wearing tights as pants back in 2009. Since the hideous looks inception, we’ve all seen the awful photos of celebrities and regular women alike making some huge faux paux. In case you need a refresher, here are a couple of my favorite tights as pants mishaps.
A couple of rules to follow with tights and leggings:
- Make sure you shirt, skirt or dress covers your butt (seems obvious, right?)
- Whenever wearing tights or leggings, make sure to wear underwear that’s the same color as your tights or leggings
- Lastly, know your limits. Bend over in a mirror before you leave the house so you know what you should and shouldn’t do (physically in your outfit). Check yourself out in the mirror in different lighting to make sure you know the worst case scenario for your look
- If you have doubts, ALWAYS change your outfit.
We’re beginning to see a lot of runway shows featuring tights and leggings worn properly. Here are a couple of my favorite looks done well. Keep these images in mind when you’re putting together your next tights or legging look.
For those that are looking for additional support, try thigh high compression stockings. But remember, these are not pants!
You Can’t Fool Me
13 years ago
Whose idea was it to set aside one day in the year where imbeciles have the entire day to make everyone around them suffer with pranks? In my opinion (and unfortunately, in my experience), pranks go hand in hand with bodily harm, and I’m all about staying as far away from a hospital as possible. But how do I get people to understand that I mean business and that they better not mess with me? My solution: studs. Anything studded reminds me of bad ass biker babes, so I have found a few items that I will have by next year so that I will be good and ready. And to the jerkfaces who think that stealing my sandwich out of the staff refrigerator is comedy gold, I have 25 words for you: we have cameras in the building and I can ask Grounds to bring me the tapes of the lunchroom in order to catch you thieves.
Above: Studs & Pleats Suspenders $80, by Noy Keomeuangsong at www.ustrendy.com
Above, Angie Studded Double Knit Romper $96 available at www.sacredheartcollections.com
Above, Chocolate Brown Asymetric Leather Belt by Kasia Szafraniec, $140 at etsy.com
Now I know this belt only has one stud, but it doesn’t really take much to scare off people who only pull pranks once a year – on a day that is reserved for pranks.
How to Buy Used Jewelry
13 years ago
Used and vintage is a great way to quickly add more statement pieces to a jewelry collection. Retailers today are capable of making many great (and mass-produced) statement pieces of jewelry, which I am guilty of buying, but in my opinion it’s easier to find statement pieces in the used and vintage jewelry space. Mainly because this way you know the girl next to you at the bar has a slim chance of wearing the exact same jewelry. Pre-owned pieces have also been test driven, if the piece has withstood wear and tear by previous owners and still looks good as new you’re paying for quality (quality is often missing in new jewelry).
Here are a couple of my personal tips for buying used and vintage jewelry.
1. Swing by your local thrift or used clothing store and try on a couple different used pieces. Like clothing, jewelry has its own ‘hanger appeal’ and see if there is a certain style or era that speaks to you. It’s good to check out the pricing and have a live person there to ask questions. I urge you to ask questions, this will make you online hunt for pre-owned jewelry much easier. If you find a piece worth buying, congrats! Mission accomplished.
2. Visit ebay, free classifieds on olx, etsy, and Lang Antiques. I’ve just mentioned my favorite sites here, I realize that there are many more for used and auction type sales that have been left out. If I’m not exactly sure what I’m looking for I enjoy browsing the results for ‘used jewelry’, ‘vintage jewelry’ as well as ‘costume jewelry’.
3. I find more often than not that what I’m looking for falls within the category ‘costume jewelry’ so be sure to check these pieces out before ordering.
4. Lastly, if you decide to order or bid on items online, remember images can be slightly deceiving, so my rule of thumb is to be realistic about prices and expectations. I’ve definitely done my fair share of overpaying for vintage jewelry, and it doesn’t feel good.
Why I buy used jewelry:
Personally, I love the history that previously owned jewelry has as opposed to “new”, although I do buy and wear new jewelry as well as my older stuff. New jewelry has sentiment to the purchaser, the person who handed over some hard-earned money for something new to wear. Reused jewelry has generations of sentiment, history and stories (I’m sure). Used and vintage pieces often times come from an era long gone. I find great pleasure in owning and wearing jewelry when I know that few to none own the exact same piece as me because it’s a rare, less trendy piece from a earlier time period.
Some can also argue it’s environmentally friendly since the piece is already produced. And remember….even the Queen of England wears “used jewelry”.
Interview with Wink Artisans
13 years ago
I discovered Wink Artisans while I was browsing through Etsy.com some years ago and since then I’ve been a fan. Their pieces are not only beautiful, but they call to me. The pieces are a combination of Feminine Latina Bad-Ass.
This is my first interview and I’m very glad Wink agreed to talk to me.
Who are Wink Artisans?
Originally it was 3 of us; we started at the end of 2007. Eventually one of the artisans had a baby and couldn’t do this anymore; then the other artisan stopped working on this, so now it’s only me. Some of my customers know me as Wink.
Diabla Heart
The pieces are very unique and can’t be easily replicated by an amateur crafter. How do you make them?
I’m a metalsmith, all my pieces are hand-made; I use hammers, saws, punches and torches in order to forge the metal. It’s a very manual process but I love it. My jewelry helps me combine my photography and graphic design backgrounds.
What type of metals do you use?
I use mainly sterling silver and copper; sometimes brass and gold, but very rarely. The metals will tell you what they want to become. For example as I was working on the Diabla Heart, it just told me it wanted to be saturated with color.
Where do you get your inspiration?
From many different places, I often take walks in order to see the colors of nature. I look at the leaves, branches and flowers around me. Sometimes I’m stuck trying to figure out color combinations and all I have to do is look at what nature has already done. I tend to gravitate towards sacred hearts, Frida Kahlo, religious icons and skulls.
I have a core group of clients who also give me ideas and whom I can use for feedback on certain pieces. Sometimes I’m reading a book, magazine or article and picture what would the woman be wearing. But overall most of my inspiration comes from trying to fill a need for beauty.
Who are the types of women who normally buy your jewelry?
Funny enough, guys love my jewelry. They love buying it for their friends, girlfriends and wives. It takes a special kind of strong and bold woman to wear my jewelry; my pieces will draw attention and will be conversation starters. I would proudly wear every piece I make.
When I first met you, I remember you mentioned how much it takes to make a name for yourself at Etsy. Can you tell me more about that?
My Etsy store has prospered thanks to all the work I do promoting it. Some of it is by word of mouth thanks to the work I do reaching out to my customers. Social media is a must; I spend at least two hours a day on Facebook and Twitter. I also buy online ads, printed material that I pass around in stores. I go to seasonal craft shows and am currently selling some of my jewelry on consignment in two San Diego stores.
What type of craft shows do you do?
After some trial and error on the craft shows I now only focus on the ones around the Day of the Dead as well as Holidays. You have to experiment and see what works and what doesn’t.
I’ve won some awards for my jewelry. I entered five pieces to the San Diego County Fair Gems and Minerals Competition and won First, Second and Third place on different categories.
I want to thank Wink Artisans for taking her time to answer my questions and making me an even bigger fan. You can my personal experience from using her jewelry at Date & Tell. Here are some examples of the amazing pieces you can find in their Etsy Store.
Heart Me Necklace
Hand-Colored Copper Sugar Skull Necklace
Red Flower Necklace
Connect with Wink Artisans at:
Proenza Schouler Spring 2011 Jewelry
13 years ago
Proenza Schouler has made the ugly beautiful and trendy (once a again). For Spring 2011 bracelets are made with bungee cords and carabiners.
Purchase them online at Proenza Schouler. DIY jewelry instructions for the similar look can be found on Honestlywtf.com.
Ana Locking Shoes Spring/Summer 2011
13 years ago
Eye candy for Spring and Summer 2011.
Ana Locking stilettos with sky-high heels are all about high fashion. Made of colorful python and leather they offer special attraction and lots of energy.
Note: you need to know how to walk on needles before getting into these shoes. Don’t even think about going out drinking in these shoes (unless you enjoy falling down).
DIY Holiday gifts
13 years ago
Looking for a fun DIY jewelry project for those cold and rainy days this winter? Or perhaps a last minute DIY Christmas gift for your best girlfriend (don’t worry, you’re not the only procrastinator). There’s nothing more special than wearing something handmade!
You can find wire wrapped rings at pretty much any boutique, but you you’ll have to pay a pretty penny for these little accessories. So, why not put on some good music, get your friends involved and let those creative juices flow?! It’s fun, easy and affordable.
Materials needed for DIY wire ring:
– 2 ft of 22 gauge metal, silver, or gold wire
– 1 Semi- precious stone bead of your choice
– A ring mandrel (used to form rings of your desired size)
– Wire cutter
– Flat nose pliers
– A good grip
Few easy steps:
– Begin by wrapping one end of the wire around the mandrel four times.
– Keeping the wire band wrapped tightly around the ring form, string the bead through the long end of the wire and wrap it three times tightly around the 4-layered band, at the end closest to the beads hole.
– Continue to wrap the wire four times beneath the stone, around the wire going through the bead. This will create a platform where the stone will sit.
– Then, again tightly wrap the wire three times around the 4 -layered band closest the beads hole.
– Finish by cutting the end of the wire and pushing it flat with your pliers so that it doesn’t poke you.
