Jewelry

Spring 2011 jewelry trends: Bling Watches Make a Comeback

 in General Fashion / Jewelry / Trends  tagged spring 2011 / summer 2011 / watches by

The Bling Watch is making a comeback after drifting back into jewelry boxes the last few seasons. As the economy rebounds, fashion is making a move away from basics and into embellished territory. During the dot-boom, Fashionistas here in the Bay Area and beyond flocked to the Bling Watch as celebrities and fashion trend setters everywhere donned the biggest, most sparkly watch they could find. Diamonds, precious and semi-precious stones adorned bezels and watch faces as well as clasps and buckles on watch bands. Faux stones as well as fiery crystals also adorned watches and let the world know when a person was approaching; as the watch could be seen before the actual person wearing the watch.

As the recession hit and bling became, well, let’s just say poor taste, watches became unadorned and basic. Fashionistas pulled classic Cartier Tank watches from the back of their jewelry box or went shopping for an understated and classic stainless steel watch. While watches still went through trends such as brightly colored rubber wrist-bands or ceramic details, the overall look of the watch was a lot less shiny than earlier in the century.

Watch makers are returning the Bling Watch as the recession rebounds and consumers are more willing to show a little sparkle and flash. Fendi just introduced  a new watch with interchangeable bezels and semi-precious gemstones which is sure to spark the Bling Watch trend into high gear. Ebel also offers understated versions of the Bling Watch which include diamond bezels that are less flashy and more on the dressy side.

Last time the Bling Watch was hot, everything about the watches was bigger than life. Straps were thick as were watch faces. Jewelers and watch makers tried to fit as many diamonds and gemstones onto the watch as humanly possible, making them large, bulky and anything but understated. As we cautiously move out of the recession, consumers may take a more conservative approach to fashion, seeking flash without too much of a bigger-than-life show. This might be one trends to watch before leaping into a major watch purchase. Will watches add bling yet stay slim? Or will designers, a year from now go big and bold and blinged out? .And yes, the word bling is tired, but it could make a comeback along with the gem encrusted watches  Happy trend watching, and stay fabulous.

Spring 2011 Jewelry Trends: The Double Cuff

 in General Fashion / Jewelry / Trends  tagged cuffs / spring 2011 / summer 2011 by

The cuff was one of the prominent bracelet styles on the runway for spring 2011. Designers showed cuffs in various colors of metals as well as fabrications. The cuffs on the New York, Paris, Milan and London runways were, in general, embellished with semi-precious stones, carved or anything but plain. The solid metal, polished cuff from last year was scarcely seen on the runway as designers opted for more unique and eye-catching styles.

In addition to ornate cuffs, the cuffs were not left to adorn just one arm, no no! Designers created two matching cuffs and placed one on the left and one on the right. The double cuff was prominent on the runways and took fashion savvy onlookers back to earlier in the century when the double cuff was the only way to wear a cuff bracelet. The difference between the double cuff trend for spring 2011 and the double cuff trend from yesteryear is that the current cuffs are embellished, whereas last time around the cuffs were polished and simplistic silver or gold.

Resort, which is usually a snapshot into spring, did feature the double cuff in it’s previous form; highly polished metal. Designers such as Celine showed highly polished silver and gold double cuffs in their resort or cruise collections taking Fashionistas back in time. While other designers, such as Chanel, went right for the spring trend of the embellished double cuff.

Chanel showed double cuffs for both cruise and spring with chunks of varying colors of semi-precious stones. Derek Lam featured double cuffs in heavy, multi-colored metal with heft. Stella McCartney created cuffs that appeared to look like tuxedo cuffs with black enamel set into brass. 
The majority of the cuffs from the spring 2011 runways are bold, over 2″ thick and embellished. There was not one dominant metal color as silver, yellow gold, rose gold, brass and dark metals were shown. This is one trend where you can shop your jewelry box for cuffs from the last time this trend was hot. Otherwise, this is a good time to start looking for a fabulous cuff times two. Of course, the more embellished with semi-precious stones, the higher price. Thankfully there are jewelry lines which are more affordable for buying in two’s. H M has several cuffs with heft or embellishments that are right on trend for spring. Cookie Lee also offers fabulous cuffs at fabulous prices. Happy Shopping and stay fabulous 

Spring 2011 Jewelry Trends from the runway

 in General Fashion / Jewelry / Trends  tagged runway trends / spring 2011 / summer 2011 by

The spring 2011 runways gave the fashion savvy a glimpse into what will be hot this upcoming spring. For fall, jewelry was markedly absent from the runways as designers created collections centered around either the vintage theme or the minimalism theme. Even with the vintage theme, jewelry was scarce. The occasional necklace or pair of earrings would pop up here or there, but there was not one type of jewelry or theme that stuck out. The models ears were naked, their necks were empty and their arms unadorned.

For spring 2011 there was a complete change in attitude and move away from the minimalism look from fall. The necklaces were large, sparking a return of the bib necklace from a few seasons ago. Chokers returned to the runway, reminiscent of the choker trend from roughly a decade ago. The bibs and the chokers on the European runways for spring were decadent, embellished and anything but minimal.

There were also cuffs on the spring 2011 runways. The cuffs were bold and featured stones, beads and other embellishments which could easily blend together with a choker or bib necklace.

The third most notable jewelry trend from the runways were long, shoulder brushing earrings. The last time the long, shoulder length earrings were on the runway in such full force was about one decade ago. Roberto Cavalli showed feather earrings. Chanel showed shoulder skimming feather earrings as well as shorter dangles which hit about mid-neck, yet were bold and easy to spot from several yards away. Dolce Gabbana went more for a classic yet bold approach to the large earring trend for spring 2011. D G showed large, gold bangle earrings reminiscent of the late 1980’s and early 1990’s.

Jewelry is back with a vengeance! Minimalism has gone by the wayside as we move into the resort and spring seasons. This is a great trend to shop your closet and look for those bib necklaces from a few season ago as well as those cuffs and chokers from ten years ago. The long earrings and bold earrings might be a good trend to buy new and invest in one or two fabulous pairs of statement earrings. The styles are fresh and very different from the last time bold earrings were in style. Chanel feather earrings a bit too much? No need to fret! Jewelry companies such as Cookie Lee offer affordable jewelry which is right on trend. The current collection includes bold cuffs, necklaces and of course earrings! Happy shopping and stay fabulous.