Category: Accessories

Knock on Wood Clutches

Often women who are looking for statement pieces go for jewelry. Let’s go another route and turn your style-o-meter up a notch with a clutch—made of wood!

A Little Fashion History

Clutches are vintage accessories that complement modern fashion. Women in the 18th-19th centuries carried small purses called reticules. These reticules were made of fabric, and some are reminiscent of what we call clutches.

So what’s the function of a clutch?

Clutches are a statement of convienence, and are designed for a woman to carry the bare necessities. During the Victorian era, a woman would put rice paper for face blotting, smelling salts and a handkerchief into her recticule. In our modern day, we’d toss our cellphone, a thin wallet with cash/cards, pressed powder/compact mirror, comb, lipstick and keys into a clutch.

Clutches are stylish, too. Once upon a time, clutches and other types of handbags matched the outfit, as they were made of the same fabric as the dress the woman was wearing. We are no longer limited to having everything matchy-matchy. We can have color contrast, and use a variety of prints and fabrics to create a single look.

Wooden clutches are definitely vintage. A clutch made of wood can add texture to any outfit, just like other types of clutches, including brocade, silk, satin, wicker and lucite. While other types of clutches seem more appropriate for evening attire, a wooden clutch would pair well with denim, khaki, and an assortment of daytime or evening wear.

The wooden clutches featured in this set come with respective beautiful embellishments and shapes. Be on-trend with an envelope style clutch, like the Emboya wood clutch; or go glam with silk and leather embossed wooden clutches by designer Rachana Reddy.

Knock on Wood Clutches

Featured in set:

  1. Ornate Armor in Pink by Rachana Reddy
  2. Pyramid Clutch by French Connection
  3. Drama by Rachana Reddy
  4. Criss Cross Clutch by French Connection
  5. Blondie Wood Clutch in Dark Wood – ONE by Malini Murjani
  6. Spot Studded Clutch by French Connection
  7. Wearable Wood Clutch: Emboya

 

 

 

 

‘Get Glammed’ With Brooches

These are not your grandmother’s brooches. Okay, maybe they are. Vintage is nice. Whether timeless treasures, hot off the costume jewelry display, from your craft corner or high–end jewelry boutique, you can get glammed with brooches.

 

I’m a fan of denim jackets and vests. (Can you tell by the sets I design?) I like to go glam with a nice brooch every now and then. It adds great contrast—the casualness of the denim adorned with an elegant statement piece—the brooch. There are so many designs to choose from, although I’m more of the sparkle type.

Hold the Sparkle

Maybe you don’t like rhinestones or diamonds. If you’re not a fan of the glitz and glam, you can always opt for a resin brooch, go geek chic, err on the side of “artsy couture” or pick up a classic piece like this vintage Chanel stag brooch.

 

 

Set of three resin brooches
Set of three resin brooches

A Wee Bit of Sparkle

Some ladies want a little sparkle without feeling overpowered by it. A wee bit of sparkle is for you.

Shirt and Tie Brooch

More Style Ideas

Trust me when I say brooches are not limited to jackets and tops. Pin one on a sash, your boots, or go all out and make a brooch bouquet.

Source: lavenderandash.blogspot.co.uk via Model Me Girl on Pinterest

Are you inspired to get glammed with brooches?

 

 

Giving the Gift of Pearls this Winter

Winter is now coming to an end and for those with wedding anniversaries, birthdays, graduations or any form of celebration over the coming months, it can sometimes be difficult to think of an ideal gift for someone special. Fine pearl jewelry is an excellent example of a gift that a woman will always appreciate and love for considerable time to come.

Classic elegance and sophistication has made luxury pearls such a mainstay of gift giving. With a complexity of color and a flattering luster, these unique gems are simply magical. Anyone lucky enough to receive a luxury pearl necklace or a breath-taking pair of pearl earrings this winter will certainly find it difficult to hide their delight.

If you are thinking of finding some beautiful pearl gifts over the next few months, the exquisite examples of luxury pearl jewelry below may help you—regardless of the occasion for which you are thinking about.

Multi-Colored Freshwater Pearl Rope Necklace

Multi-Colored Freshwater Pearl Rope Necklace

An undeniably elegant sautoir pearl necklace would be the perfect gift for a birthday or wedding anniversary. This superbly stylish rope style pearl necklace will acquire admirers aplenty for the sensuous lavender, apricot and pink colors of its pearls. These pearls are cultured in Freshwater mussels in southern China and would look divine when paired with a long, flowing winter coat.

 Pink Button Freshwater Pearl Stud Earrings

Pink Button Freshwater Pearl Stud Earrings

Pearls have a unique quality to their luster that brings them to life and makes them truly stand out from the crowds. The wonderfully attractive pink button Freshwater pearl earrings depicted would be an ideal gift for a mother, daughter or girlfriend, such is their instant appeal and pretty color. The excellent earrings shown are finished with an 18 carat yellow gold ear post and will match extremely well with winter colors.

White Keshi Freshwater Pearl Bracelet

White Keshi Freshwater Pearl Bracelet

This unusual pearl bracelet will certainly be a well-received Valentine’s Day gift for any woman and this type of jewelry also proves extremely popular for other special occasions. The white Keshi Freshwater bracelet pictured is something a little out of the ordinary and the unusual and non-symmetrical appearance of the pearls adds to their appeal. The word ‘keshi’ means ‘poppy’ in Japanese, so be sure to remember this fact if you plan on giving this exceptional Freshwater pearl bracelet as a gift this winter.

*All jewelry images are copyright and used with permission of Winterson Pearl Jewellery.
 
Author’s Bio: Leo Parker is a luxury lifestyle and fashion blogger with a love of the finer things in life. He regularly writes content on behalf of a number of lifestyle and luxury blogs and magazines.

The Ladies’ Gloves

Behold: The Glove

There was once a time when a lady wouldn’t dare leave the house without her gloves. I watched Little Women some days ago and Aunt March was appalled at the idea of Meg venturing out without gloves, especially being among “society.”

Gloves come in a variety of fabrics and with a multitude of embellishments. We know winter gloves—cashmere knits, wool, mohair, leather, suede and mittens. There’s also gauntlet styled gloves, with cuffs that cover the wrist or forearm.

In today’s culture, the wearing of gloves is not generally the mark of being a gentlewoman, but as a needed accessory for protection from the weather, contamination or abrasions; and of course for style and fashion. We no longer have to subscribe to daytime and evening glove wear to denote our social status and level of sophistication. Still, I personally can’t help but to see the elegance in wearing beautiful ladies’ gloves. Perhaps I have been overcome with visions of old Hollywood glam and vintage couture. I am especially fond of fingerless gloves.

The gentlewoman’s or ladies’ gloves come in three distinctive lengths, and are casual, formal or semi-formal. There’s wrist, elbow and full/opera length (also known as evening gloves).

Ladies’ Evening Gloves

Now let’s talk about ladies’ evening gloves. If you’re a fan of the opera such as I am, you’ll know what I’m talking about. Satin, silk, lame, suede, lambskin. Sophistication and glamour. This style of gloves extends beyond the elbow. There’s also Mousquetaire gloves—opera gloves that button at the wrist. We see opera gloves in various contexts—weddings, proms, formal dances, pageants and debutante balls. I definitely think formal when it comes to opera gloves.

Do any images from black and white movies, or perhaps paintings, come to mind?

Glove Girl

For the love of gloves!! What about you? Are you a fan of gloves? Perhaps you’re not so much into formal gloves, but like stylish embellishments, fringe and stitching with a more youthful flair. Whatever the case, welcome to the Glove Girl Club. Share a comment and tell me what you think.

 

Back-to-School Lunch Money Pouch

Model Me Girl

The start of a new school year is just around the corner. I hope the school girls and college girls are having a blast shopping for supplies. For those of you who need a special place to store your lunch money, grab the leather Rebecca Minkoff lunch money pouch. It’s classy, fashionable and functional. Now, who’s ready for school?

© 2012 ModelMeGirl.com

Spread Your Wings with a Feather Clutch

Model Me Girl

Here’s a style idea: feather clutch. You can go soft and sophisticated, or bold and edgy. This could be a great option for the bride who loves feathers. Her bridesmaids could tote feather clutches down the aisle instead of a bouquet of flowers.

Go on. Spread your wings and fly.

© 2012 ModelMeGirl.com

Hats On! Summer Straw Hats

ModelMeGirl.com

How about a little hat love? It’s hats on for summer straw hats. With so many styles, colors and embellishments, there’s bound to be a summer straw hat to fit your personality.

Hats On! Summer Straw Hats