ok. so i will be the first person to tell you that i am an
accessories junkie--and quite snobby about it at that! i think jewelry should be thoughtful, demonstrative, and a
lways make a statement. more is always more [
but it has to suggest something about yourself or else it just fails, very tackily.] honestly, i'm only ever a less-is-more-gal in the sense that i think it's wayyyyy more important to invest in a handful of
signature accessory pieces than to blow through disposable pieces that say nothing other than *TREND*. because my earrings are by far the most sought-after and stopped-about pieces i own (
a lot more on those to come, i promise) i thought it would be easiest to break down
my philosophy on accessories categorically. [
more importantly it prevents me from ranting for paragraphs about how great dallas maynard's jewelry is without talking about the other options out there--although it really is the best]. xx
so when it comes to necklaces i follow a more of a
baller strategy--have one or two meaningful
neck pieces that are worn
frequently enough to become your very own
signature piece (one that people who admire your style will want to
emulate)! just like your clothes, shoes, dog, job, favorite book, or whatever-have-you should say SOMETHING about YOU--so should your accessories. . . no?!
i honestly have 3 necklaces that i've had for years that i alternate depending on my mood and outfit--and there's no doubt they've become synonymous with my style:
1.
betsey johnson peacock feather and chain necklace:
*betsey makes wonderful and affordable statement pieces that can turn a white t-shirt into
coveted look if you find the right piece for you. because i have a little thing for peacock feathers and tend to be a little BOLD in nature--my HUGE peacock necklace is always the first go-to piece for adding color to black or otherwise boring
earth-tones.
it's really become my very own jesus piece. to be cautious of looking too costume-y with pieces like this, one should be careful with mixing prints and colors--beginners should think about wearing
louder pieces with a more
subdued ensemble. that way you let the necklace be the focal point of your less frivolous clothing--an easy way to r
evamp your closet with one piece of jewelry!
2.
the $6 H&M chanel knock-off birdcage necklace in gold:
* there are no words for how much i love this
delicate but bold lil piece. aside from the fact that it cost less than a cocktail (
a cocktail below 96th street, that is), it's fragile enough to be worn with patterns and bright colors but interesting enough to get dozens of "
OMG where did you get that? OMG its so unique and OMG does the cage door open? OMG it does!" the statement for me comes with
personal touches (i keep a very special note from one of my dearest friends inside of it) and the fact that such an interesting piece still won't overshadow whatever i'm wearing. LUCKY FOR ALL OF US: the success and price of the
chanel version has meant
tons of
affordable knock- offs.
thank god because no one believes me when i say mine was cheaper than my subway commute to bronxville for class.
3. pearls, pearls, pearls!
*whats more chic, classy, old-money,
decadent, and bold than a couple strands of pearls layered (except for maybe
joan rivers)?!? i bought a bunch from a street vendor in the bronx for a WHOLE DOLLAR and layer them with an amazing vintage piece my boyfriend's amazing mother gave me (
they were her mother's <3). i like wearing mine to swanky events to almost
mock the elegance and expense that real pearls represent today. they're so
subversive!
and they're everywhere!
and cheap!! and i MUST say that when it comes to pearls--the more you pile on, the more i want to be just like
you.
xx
caroline
