Safe to Smokin' with frankly fake retro
Retro rhinestone, resin and crystal jewelry has flounced onto the fall scene. These are probably not pieces you will wear for decades, but like a summer boyfriend, they can be terrific fun while they last.
Too much retro frou-frou jewelry plus a short skirt plus cats' eye makeup is probably overkill for those of us who remember this style from the '60s, but a touch of it really kicks up neutrals. Our fabulous Déjà Pseu shows how to wear a necklace in full possession of one's serene grown-up-ness:
Now, just put the tip of your pinky over the necklace, being careful not to be fresh with the poitrine, there. See the difference? Her ensemble would be pleasing and current– but safe. She's added so much punch with her standout jewelry.
Even if you think you'd "would never wear this kind of thing", try one with your beloved basics. It's just the twist that moves Safe to Smokin'.
Choose a corsage-wearing, full-crinoline piece of costume (or as it's often called "fashion") jewelry, deliberately busier and more opulent than if it were real, and pair with a denim or oxford shirt, jean jacket, solid-colour sweater or LBD; it's the contrast you're after.
Even, chez J. Crew, a marinière:
I'd scout sales and flea markets, though pieces that once went for a few dollars are now anointed with trendiness.
Look closely at construction, because if these necklaces break, they are tricky to impossible to repair. The lower-end examples have more glued-in than prong-set stones, but if the design is pleasing, two figures versus three is just fine!
Becker Minty vintage rhinestone flowers on adjustable chain, about $165:
J. Crew mixed crystal and resin, $150:
BCBGMaxAzria drape leaf-stone necklace, $138:
From Aldo, the "Christie", $35! Heck, why not?
Amethyst Archipelego bib from BaubleBar, $36:
Badly-designed costume is a tatty mess; great costume, a joy in its own right but harder to find.
When shopping, research the genuine-gem and precious metal versions first to build your eye. Proportion, balance, colourway and even an intangible zest can be, if not copied, at least echoed. The real deal, a lemon quartz and blue topaz necklace below, by Deborah Liebman is $5,400 at 1st Dibs.
Will I buy one of the costume charmers? Maybe. They're terrific for travel, to completely change the look of the sweater worn yesterday with a scarf, or to take a day outfit into evening.
Also, there's the Smile Factor: a cheeky, chunky necklace would give me a lift when it's shivery, and by February we need all the help we can get.
Too much retro frou-frou jewelry plus a short skirt plus cats' eye makeup is probably overkill for those of us who remember this style from the '60s, but a touch of it really kicks up neutrals. Our fabulous Déjà Pseu shows how to wear a necklace in full possession of one's serene grown-up-ness:
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| Qu'elle est belle! |
Even if you think you'd "would never wear this kind of thing", try one with your beloved basics. It's just the twist that moves Safe to Smokin'.
Choose a corsage-wearing, full-crinoline piece of costume (or as it's often called "fashion") jewelry, deliberately busier and more opulent than if it were real, and pair with a denim or oxford shirt, jean jacket, solid-colour sweater or LBD; it's the contrast you're after.
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| Source: BaubleBar |
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| Source: J. Crew |
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| Photo: Lulu Frost |
Even, chez J. Crew, a marinière:
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| Source: J. Crew Lookbook |
I'd scout sales and flea markets, though pieces that once went for a few dollars are now anointed with trendiness.
Look closely at construction, because if these necklaces break, they are tricky to impossible to repair. The lower-end examples have more glued-in than prong-set stones, but if the design is pleasing, two figures versus three is just fine!
Becker Minty vintage rhinestone flowers on adjustable chain, about $165:
BCBGMaxAzria drape leaf-stone necklace, $138:
Amethyst Archipelego bib from BaubleBar, $36:
Badly-designed costume is a tatty mess; great costume, a joy in its own right but harder to find.
When shopping, research the genuine-gem and precious metal versions first to build your eye. Proportion, balance, colourway and even an intangible zest can be, if not copied, at least echoed. The real deal, a lemon quartz and blue topaz necklace below, by Deborah Liebman is $5,400 at 1st Dibs.
Will I buy one of the costume charmers? Maybe. They're terrific for travel, to completely change the look of the sweater worn yesterday with a scarf, or to take a day outfit into evening.
Also, there's the Smile Factor: a cheeky, chunky necklace would give me a lift when it's shivery, and by February we need all the help we can get.
Comments
I have a couple of lovely pieces that lay in my jewelry drawer waiting to be worn. One is fanciful pewter and pearls and I think it is delightful, but I never wear it. Now, I am more motivated.
If you do buy one please show us how you wear it.
This look feels young and energetic and pure fun.
Wendy
Pam: It's a mood, playful and eye-catching.
Une femme: J. Crew often research old pieces by the greats like Ciner, They do that look well. Thank you for being a model!
mater: Eager to see your picks- for either your or les filles.
Beth: These shots show us how to take pieces like that into casual territory, where most of us live these days. Welcome to the Passage.
hostess: Perhaps you could just pin one on a velvet ribbon and tie it around your neck like a choker?
Tabitha: Once is enough. I.said.once.
Wendy: I laughed b/c I had a friend who was mugged for her costume necklace- in Central Park. It had big "gold" links so I guess it looked real.
LPC: Isn't it great on her? Just shows how some women can work it and others look on and admire. I have one, I'm going to bend it by trying it with a black longsleeved tee and jeans.
Cornelia: I know what you mean. I am much more low key usually. But I met with a banker the other day who was wearing this look and I thought, wow- broad daylight and she looks incredible. A lot is in the confidence.
Susan: Yes, it's a conversation starter. I saw an interview once w/ Madeline Albright and she said that's why she started wearing big brooches- people talked to her.
I am the proud owner of a number of sparkly, vintage costume brooches inherited from my Mom & Granny. I love them, but seldom wear them, & need to figure out how they work with my predominately casual wardrobe. Funny thing, I would probably be MORE heartbroken if those were stolen, rather than most of my "real" jewelry.
---Jill Ann
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What an alluring and touching inheritance!
It's from Les Néréides, who call themselves "Designers of luxury costume jewellery." Most of their stuff is too gaudy for me, but when they get it right, they do it well. I have had many admiring compliments on the necklace since, and its sparkliness is continually cheering.
How could anyone resist a shop, glowing in the evening with champagne and macarons and such an enchanting necklace?
I had some vintage "junk" jewellery like that in the 1980s, a bit punkish, a bit Madonna... I eventually gave it away as I didn't wear it anymore, and it was swept up by younger lasses as Le Chaînon (a charity shop here that helps women in crisis).
It doesn't seem to suit me now, except perhaps a brooch on a coat, though my favourite is a silver rose. I do have to find some silver chain to restore a cute but not very valuable Native silver and turquoise necklace (it is made by Indigenous people, but semi-mass-produced). It would produce an effect similar to Pseu's great costume piece, but the chain has to be longer than it is now.
Few women past 50 can pull off an '80s version of Madonna's accessories unless she is Cyndi Lauper, maybe. The effect usually reads as "I have dated accessories".
rb: I think of rhinestone jewelry like I do red lipstick: a woman is the type or not. Both of those things I •love• when worn well by others and don't do it myself. I am more drawn to the coloured glass and "stone" pieces.
C.