Category Archives: Fashion

The 1950s Retro Statement Earrings Trend

One surprising trend that will be around for this summer is the large chunky jeweled earrings that were popular as clip-ons in the 1950s.  However current versions are more likely to be available for pierced ears.  Costume jewelry is enjoying a real renaissance with even the lightest of summer dresses being augmented by large rhinestone necklaces and aurora borealis crystals.

 

To be a fashion piece it is crucial that the jewels be big and bright.  It is also very fashionable to wear costume jeweler that clashes slightly with your clothing. For instance if you are wearing a forest green top it is nice to contrast it with large chunky aqua earrings.

 

In Paris the look is to wear a boy’s baseball cap with very huge dangling earrings that look like a daisy.  Caps with vinyl brims are paired with a cameo, surrounded by fake pearls dangling from a large crystal in the ear.  The effect of this is very fifties but also very eighties at the same time.

 

It is also very hip to take elegant clusters of rhinestone jewelry and wear them denim, khaki or more casual outfits.  Think about clusters of rhinestones that are unusual color, such as pale yellow or pale pink to really make the look seem unusual.

 

If you do not want to look too sparkly then you can try wearing the new fabric style earrings.  You can find these on etsy and other places. These are discs covered in fabric such as houndstooth, chevrons or in op art patterns that you can wear as earrings. In the old days they also would have been clip-on earrings but nowadays are likely worn as piercings.  It is also very fashionable to make earrings to match what you are wearing. All this requires is some glue, bases and earring clips or posts and a bit of the fabric from what you are wearing.  For instance if you are wearing a houndstooth suit you can also sport button earring with a houndstooth pattern on your ears.

 

Whether you like the crystals or the fabric button styles of earrings you can find wonderful items on the auction sites or at vintage stores.  You can also find the big plastic discs made out of pearlized plastics that people also use to wear in the sixties and the early seventies.

 

In the 1950s these beautiful crystal pieces of jewelry and big button earrings were usually only worn in the evening.  Now these statement pieces can be worn any time of year.

 

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Neo Grunge Looks Are Back for Summer

A new look called Neo Grunge has been emerging for a few years that is considered to be a cleaned up, grown up version of the original grunge music. The look was originally inspired by Nirvana in 1991. The style icons of the time were Kurt Cobain, Courtney Love and Kate Moss.

 

To get the look you need to wear loose cotton jackets, flower patterned short dresses or skirts, slouchy pants, oversized and cropped sweaters or tank tops, clothing with large prints, clothing with sheer check and chiffon and silk scarves.  The look is also characterized by the mixing up of patterns and graphic T-shirts and natural colors and light layering.

One way of perfecting neo-grunge is to pair a flannel shirt with a long sheer skirt and a graphic t-shirt. This would be similar to the neo-grunge look shown on the runway at Dries Van Nolan. This designer also showed floral cotton jackets with sheer pants and pointy chevron patterned stilettos.

 

Philip Lum’s version of grunge featured a silk motorcycle jacket with a floral pattern paired over a loose black graphic T-shirt (I love New York with a flannel shirt tied over a digital printed skirt.  This look was paired with a shiny low-heeled pair of patent leather sandals.

 

The House of Holland focused on pairing mis-matched oversized checks in the form of long sloppy shirt and maxi skirts.  A beige and brown shirt was paired with a purple and pink shirt.  A green and red floral shirt was also paired with a pink, blue and orange mini skirt and unbuckled patent leather boots.

 

A gorgeous look was fabricated by acne that consisted of a grey muscle shirt paired with a long silk skirt in violet that was fashioned at the waist with two plum belts.  This was paired with platform grunge look sandals.

 

Hair and makeup is a bit sloppy in neo-grunge as it was in original grunge.  The hair should look a bit greasy but good and it is okay to show colored roots.  Round sunglasses and flamingo pink lipstick also complete the look.

 

One of the main differences between original grunge and neo grunge is that it is more of a polished look.  There are fewer rips and tears in the jeans although laddered nylons and tights are still part of the new neo grunge look.  Hair can be greasy and unkempt but not as dirty looking as Courtney and Kurt let their hair get.  Lipsticks are also lighter and pinker and not of the blood red vampire variety.  Nails too tend to be a bit cleaner and not the inky black or blue associated with the original grunge trend.

 

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