Simple, Strong

CEBU, Philippines - The interesting thing about many a fashion trend is that it's usually inspired from a particular era, movement, or style icon. One can never say that a particular fashion trend came about right out of thin air because the truth of the matter is that, it's usually something that's drawn from a particular inspiration.

Jewelry trends are of no exception. 

I have never been a necklace-bracelet-earrings-and-ring kind of person but this is not to say that I do not value jewelry. From studs to statement gems, jewelry is that final defining piece in one's wardrobe that can make or break one's entire look. It can draw the line between sophisticated and skanky, and it can amp up an outfit from blah and boring to vavavoom.

The jewelry trend we'd like to put the spotlight on plays largely on a contrast in eras. On the one side, it is more than anything, clean, simple, minimalist, and modern. On the other hand, it has been inspired by the world of the Ancients. I'm not just talking about beads and bangles here. I'm talking about cold, solid metal in gold, silver, or bronze, shaped into cuffs and collars that create a look that's distinctly strong, and distinctly now.

Twenty ten heralded the coming of neutral tones, clean cuts, and minimalism. With the natural progression of clothing trends spilling over into accessories, it wasn't much of a surprise for jewelry trends to follow suit and take on the minimalist way, pushing back anything that has to do with engravings and filigrees to clear the way for nothing more but clean lines, and smooth, shiny metal.

However, futuristic minimalism isn't the sole driving force behind this jewelry trend as we do a double take and blast ourselves back in the past – particularly to the Iron Age –for the style-spiration of the strong-slash-simple-jewelry trend. Admittedly, this fashion trend harks back to one of 2010's fascinations: the female warrior. Here we saw the emergence of cuffs and glamorous takes of jewelry inspired from armour platings, armlets, and torques-neck rings that were made of metal twisted together into a collar necklace. Talk about fashionizing Joan or Arc and Wonder Woman.

With 2011 heavily influenced by more recent decades, solid metal accessories will not be worn ala female warrior style. Instead, we give it a fun, 1970s spin. Think of long, flowing frocks and sharp, tailored suits accessorized with sleek gold chokers or heavy gold cuff bracelets. Sexify your swimwear a notch up by lounging by the pool like some Grecian goddess decked in precious solid metal jewelry. For cold night outs, reinforce a strong look with a metal choker peeping from a structured minimalist jacket for an understated sense of coolness.

Swing back to the 1960s with a more updated version of that decade's modernist movement. Think about designs in abstract forms-nothing too far from clean and sturdy-too keep your look hooked into the era that's about to make big waves in the 2012 fashion scene.

Although there are no hard and fast rules as to the kind of pieces and the kind of material you should opt for when hunting the shops or your mom's jewelry box for strong metal jewelry, for those who utterly have no idea where to start, I would suggest going for silver and silver tones, gold and fold tones, brass, copper, and any hammered metal that either has a tarnished or a smooth finish.