Wearing is Believing

Trendspotting: Statement Earrings

Fashionistas are saying that the day of the statement necklace is over, and it’s all about statement earrings now.  Reese Witherspoon dripped diamonds with huge statement earrings in November’s Vogue, and everyone from Rosario Dawson to Heidi Klum and Christina Applegate are letting their earrings do the talking these days.  Right now, it’s all about shoulder-skimming, gemstone filled creations reminiscent of those Beyonce used to rock in the early Naughties. 

Chandelier and shoulder-dusting styles are the perfect way to draw attention upward, day or night.  The key with this trend is big and bold -- and chunky is preferable. Getting this look for less is simple: try Forever 21’s teardrop stone earrings ($8), Jai Johnson, Peacock feather shoulder dusters ($12), or Holsted Jewelers’ Sterling Silver Dewdrop Earrings ($84.50, at left), which feature more than 18 carats of faux blue topaz and clusters of green and champagne cubic zirconia.

I Wanna Take You Higher

They won’t see you waving from such great heights: platform pumps are the footwear of the moment. 

Perfect with a party dress or wide-leg jeans, platforms add a kick to any ensemble -- not to mention the fact that they make your legs look impossibly long.  An added bonus of the platform: it makes a higher heel feel less towering (for instance a 4-inch heel feels like 3 with a 1-inch platform), so they’re more bearable to wear longer.  Every celeb is wearing them, from the red carpet to the street (like Sarah Michelle Gellar at right).  The omnipresence of platforms is a testament to their versatility: you can wear them anytime, anywhere, to punch up an outfit.

Every shoe line features platforms right now: from Nine West to Gucci, you can find that extra inch of height.  I just picked up Guess' Borda platform pumps (at above left) from Piperlime, and I can’t wait for them to arrive!

So give platforms a try.  I think you’ll find that the air up there is exactly what you’re looking for.

Geometry 101

Pop quiz: what shapely trend is cropping up everywhere you look -- on dresses, bags, and bangles?   Promise you won’t need your protractor to figure out that geometric patterns are all the rage right now! Geometry has never been this fun...or fabulous! 

Designers like Missoni and Pucci have been using squares, triangles, and circles for decades -- and Michael Kors and Balenciaga have gotten in on the act, too.  The trend is a favorite of stars like Salma Hayek and Kelly Ripa, who’ve both sported boldly-patterned dresses on the red carpet.  Today’s geometric patterns are less mod and more modern -- Pucci has updated their signature square patterns by adding sparkle in cool colors (like the above right) and splashing a section of pattern over a simple white dress. As refreshing as a frozen treat on a hot day, adding a few patterned pieces to your closet will wake up your style! 

Want to try the look for less? Forever 21 makes geometric-patterned skirts and tops for less than $20, and Banana Republic has adorably-designed dresses that are anything but square.

Geometrics aren’t limited to clothes -- graphic patterns on bracelets are a huge trend, too -- one you’ll wear for years.  Check out designers like Lia Sophia, Sequin, and Holsted Jewelers, and sites like Vivre.com for geometric bangles that will dazzle no matter what else you wear!

When it comes to being stylish, circle gets the square every time!

The Future’s So Bright….

The 80’s are back this summer, as neon hues pop up everywhere from the beach to the red carpet.  Hot pink, chartreuse, electric blue and bright green amped up the spring runway shows at Ralph Lauren and Comme des Garçons, while stars like Victoria Beckham and Kylie Minogue have stepped out in brights.  The trend spans from head to toes, with leading nail polish brands like OPI and Essie broadening their color palate to embrace neon.

But should you?  Neon brights are not for the faint of heart – and run the risk of looking over-the-top tacky when not worn the right way.  What may have worked with high-tops, leggings and an oversized T-shirt twenty years ago certainly won’t work today.

How can you wear this hot-hued trend without looking like you’re going to a Debbie Gibson concert (if you remember who that is)?  Look for accent pieces, like bangle bracelets, shoes, or bags in a bright color, and pair them with simple summer whites, basic blacks or neutrals.  Take a cue from celebs like Kate Hudson and Megan Fox, who’ve been spotted in hot pink platforms with breezy, pale-hued summer dresses.  If you can’t splurge on Christian Louboutins, Nine West’s take on neon is a great alternative.

By opting for neon accessories over a head-to-toe swathe of color, you’ll look fresh and current without taking the trend overboard.  It’s a wink and a smile to the past while staying firmly planted in the fashion present.  This fashionista recently paired a little black dress with electric blue pumps and received rave reviews from her toughest critics – her girlfriends. 

Do you dare to wear neon?  Share your experiences!

Trend de la Creme: A Blog To Check Out

Since Holsted Jewelers entered the blogosphere a few months ago we've gotten to know some very cool people who love accessories, beauty, fashion and jewelry just as much as we do. One of those people is Jill Sherman, who maintains a blog about all the latest trends in these areas. Jill seems to be able to spot trends as easy as the rest of us breathe and she can find evidence of a designer's ideas in just about anything: from birds and insects, to flowers and cathedral ceilings.

Until recently she called her very successful blog Trendinista. However, it seems as if that success has necessitated a name change, because it is now called Trend de la Creme. Now how cool is that? I love it!

If you like reading about trends as much as I do you should defeinitely visit Trend de la Creme. Happy reading!

How To Choose Sunglasses

Sunglasses are obviously a necessary Summer accessory. Think you know how to choose the right pair? Take a look at this video to make sure:

I thought it was pretty interesting. What do you think?