Accessorize The Right Way!

Accessorize

THE RIGHT WAY!

BRIGHT COLOUR BLOCKS

Solid colours, especially reds, oranges and bright pinks etc. make a statement without requiring much attention to detail. You can match your accessories to look playfully subtle, or tone things down with something less bright. However, do not, and I cannot emphasize this enough – DO NOT go OTT (over the top…and I say this in the nicest of ways).

Here are some examples of what I mean:

A chic red top with gold-studded detail along the shoulders has been accessorized with matching red and gold earrings. On the left wrist is a ruby bangle with a diamond solitaire, and a small ruby ring on the index finger, so as not to overshadow the diamond. On the right hand, we place a ‘single’ red-and-gold Turkish cocktail ring, and kept it minimalistic with nothing but a classy wrist-watch. This look doesn’t shout out for attention, and can be carried from day to night.

This is a played-down look, where a black scarf has been added to make the red look smart casual. An abstraction of mother-of-pearl and semi-precious stones on the right hand, with a platinum watch on the wrist, is lovely alongside a left hand with a diamond bracelet and a diamond ring; simple yet elegant.

This is a big NO NO!

The red top is way too modern to go with an ethnic clutch, unless you just dead-matched everything for a desi red-themed party. The shoulder detail already states  that less is more, and unless you are going to a jazzy party, the gold Turkish-embedded necklace, earrings and  the all-that-glitters-is-not-gold look, is definitely overkill

A couple of rules to follow:

• Don’t ever wear a cocktail ring with an expensive solitaire as it makes the smaller stone look cheap and artificial.

• When going for an East-meets-West look, be conscious not to look confused. The two hands in this picture belong to two completely different looks, and must never be carried together. The right hand with the larger ruby ring paired with a polki-and-garnet bangle clashed loudly with both the modern top, and the accessories on the left hand. It may all match perfectly, but it doesn’t go well together at all.

BASIC BLACK (OR WHITE)

Black might be a no-brainer, and go with anything and everything. You’ll be surprised, thought, at how too much accessorising can make even black look *bleagkh*; and how too little accessorising can make black look dull, like one is dressed for a sad occasion.

Diamonds (or imitation jewellery) add sophistication to any attire, especially to neutral hues and tones like black, white, beige and even sparkly golds and silvers. Again, a focus on quality rather than quantity is essential.

Here are a few snapshots to give you a better idea:

Since this purple silk-and-stones necklace is the focal point of this look, you can go bare-eared or wear small tops so it is a little less distracting. I would recommend a smaller necklace and long, matching chandelier earrings if you are going to a close relative’s wedding, but let’s keep it stylish for now.

A diamond-encrusted bangle boasting a champagne topaz and a similar yet not-the-same patterned diamond ring on one hand, while keeping the other arm bare for an elegant silk stole or scarf, is ideal to brighten up the black a little. A purple-toned 3-stoned ring can be worn to finish off this look smoothly.

Turquoise is probably the only stone which looks cool yet elegant on anything … except a dead-match outfit. In that case, it just looks boring and blended (or should I say, bland-ed?).

We have added loads of turquoise accessories here – strands of uncuts around the neck, chunks of turquoise embedded in a delicate bangle, a turquoise ring to match the necklace – but if you look closely, both accessories have been neutralised with a plain gold piece which gives a collected appearance, avoiding a mosaic-tile effect.

Do you remember Mr. T from the 1980s, or any other loud character who could blind you with their bling? Well, this shot depicts something similar.

 All the pieces are gorgeous on their own, or maybe when paired with a less extravagant one. Together, they form a fashion catastrophe.

If you are wondering about all the high-end fashion shoot picture models wearing tons of necklaces, over-the-top headpieces and chunky rings on every finger, please note that fashion-shoots are meant to look larger than life, and aim to show entire collections in one shoot for you to choose from, not emulate!

The earrings alone, or that funky neckpiece, would look far better than all of it crammed together. Also, mismatched bracelets or overtly matching rings aren’t doing much for this look either.

STONE EMBELLISHED DESIGNS

What you read above about turquoise being the easiest look to carry in terms of jewellery … you guessed, right, there is a catch. If a neckline, or any other part of an outfit which will stand close to an accessory, is embellished with stones, do not wear the same stone in the accessory right next to it!

Rings can be exceptions, but just the one is plenty! A necklace is a big-big NO! If you really must match the blue, or don’t necessarily own a stash of diamonds or neutral pieces, blue topaz will do the trick if you keep it small, simple and elegant. Likewise, a change of texture, costume or semi-precious jewellery in a slightly different tone or simply a neutral silver, gold, oxidised or diamond accessory looks timeless, with emphasis remaining on the embroidery.

BUSY BEE!

When carrying a busy print or lots of embroidery, especially when wearing something more formal, the trick is to keep one’s accessories bold like this grey pearl-and-kundan pendant. Let the rest blend in.

When wearing a sparkly Swarovski and a rock at the same time, keep a distance between the two, and move your cocktail ring to stand solo on one hand. Delicate wrist accessories can be worn, and ears can be lightly adorned. If you want to go big on earrings, then keep the necklace simpler.

Unless your formal wear has a modern twist to it, please remember that formal occasions are not the place to show off your branded goods! This Chanel pearl necklace would look much classier on a lovely white lace dress or a well-cut black top. Also, going for every single accessory in the jewellery box doesn’t quite work. Less is more if you want your beautiful dress to show. Get rid of most of it, and go with just one of the bangles, and a ring, both worn on separate hands. Rock this look without making everyone want to put on their sunglasses!

Happy Accessorizing!

Black might be a no-brainer, and go with anything and everything. You’ll be surprised, thought, at how too much accessorising can make even black look *bleagkh*; and how too little accessorising can make black look dull, like one is dressed for a sad occasion.

If you are wondering about all the high-end fashion shoot picture models wearing tons of necklaces, over-the-top headpieces and chunky rings on every finger, please note that fashion-shoots are meant to look larger than life, and aim to show entire collections in one shoot for you to choose from, not emulate!