Holiday ornaments… for your wardrobe
Not only the Christmas tree needs embellishments this season. Our wardrobes also need added detail. Dressing up is the way to go and oddly enough, head-to-toe glamour is all the rage. Getting the total look is hip again. It is the moment of European elegance from decades past with almost-forgotten details that made the look sophisticated and ladylike, from hats and gloves to stockings and structured bags. We need help from our grandmothers and mothers. We have to learn from their pulled-together looks. The tricky part is making it appear current and effortless. How do you make it look like you did not step out of a vintage
Bold statement — Only pair bold and sparkly embellishments with graphic and simple lines. Decorate yourself with show-stopping moonstone, agate and other natural-stone necklaces, pendants, rings and bracelets.
Art deco rework — Jewelry reworks art-deco elements. Geometric shapes in extreme sizes make the designs current. Indulge in enamel and lacquer art-deco style pieces.
Heavy metal — Chain-link bracelets and necklaces give an edgy yet sophisticated look to the season.
Disco fever — Studio 54 is stayin’ alive. Metallic clutches, platforms, exotic-skin details, chunky gold jewelry and plastic sunglasses resurrect this oh-so-’70s style.
Forties glam — Now’s the time to copy the sophisticated women of the postwar era, who accentuated their look with trapezoidal handbags with rigid fasteners, elegant shoes with geometric lines, luxurious gloves and dramatic hats.
Back to the future — Traces of the past season’s futuristic trend made its way to this season through metallic details. Silver, copper, gunmetal and rose gold are the season’s metals of choice, from jewelry to hardware like studs, blades, grommets, nuts and bolts.
High gloss — Patent leather added shine to the season’s dreary weather with shiny bags, shoes, belts and cuffs.
Clutching on for dear life — We thought we had had enough after last season’s onslaught of clutches. This time the clutch has gone supersize. Imagine yourself carrying a folded newspaper under your armpit. New versions even have faux pockets in which you can slip your hand to clutch it.
Color-coding — Striking colors ruled the season’s accessories. Add turquoise, yellow and orange details to make the season merry.
Toy story — Accessories are whimsical with toy details, edgy letter initials and chunky proportions.
Waisted — The waist takes center stage again. Cinch it with thin to wide proportions with strong graphic or hardware details.
Lady-like details — Bows are a big trend this season as well as chic feather details.
Red hot — True to the season, fashion is as red-hot as Christmas. Take your pick from the collections’ bags, shoes, sunglasses, hair accessories, belts, necklaces, bracelets and brooches in the season’s red.
Accessories that once defined a lady’s wardrobe are must-haves this season. The moment is all about movie-star glamour characteristic of the Forties and tasteful, casual chic. The look du jour definitely requires a little extra effort. Finally, we are back to looking sophisticated and put together. Many have forgotten good, old-fashioned manners. Rules have gone out the window. It is good to have some discipline back. It is a start, frivolous as it may seem in fashion. But perhaps this will eventually filter through to how we live our lives.
I remember looking forward to Sunday Mass since we had to dress up. It was disrespectful to wear slippers or tank tops. Disheveled hair was a no-no. Going out at night or family dinners also meant dressing up. Growing up, these fashion moments excited me. They also defined my philosophy on image and style. We take so many things for granted now. We no longer appreciate the value of many things since we can get the things we crave immediately. Keeping yourself polished takes time and effort. It takes discipline. This is a good springboard for how we choose live. So start the season on the right footing. Have fun this Christmas. Enjoy your life and don’t be scared of hard work. The benefits far exceed the effort.
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Send queries and suggestions to jo@joyceorena.com.
