An Armful of Bangles

You’ve probably noticed…wrist jewelry is trending. I used to eschew anything clattering on my arm, but I’m now a full convert to a stack of bracelets each day.

Why would you encircle your wrists (and perhaps lower arms) with multiple, moving accessories?

1. Wristwear is the easiest accessory to layer. You can wear two pairs of earrings or maybe three necklaces, comfortably, but you can easily pile ten bangles and a watch on one wrist. It is a simple (and cool) way to participate in the layering trend.

2. One stack of bracelets easily adds interest to an ensemble, in the form of Stacy and Clinton’s mantra: Color, Texture, Pattern, and Shine.

3. These accessories can be seen AND heard. Sure, an annoyance to some, but a joy to others. I love the jingle jangle my wrists make.

4. Bracketing your watch with stacks of bangles suddenly makes a stodgy timepiece cool. (I recommend only combining a less precious watch with loose bangles, due to the risk of scratching your watch’s face.)

5. Bracelets are an easy way to incorporate a bit of nostalgia into your outfit. Add a Silly Bandz to your mix. Wear a braided friendship bracelet from your best bud. Slip on the bamboo bangle you picked up on a tropical get-a-way. Every time you look down at your wrist, there’s a reason to smile.

I began expanding my collection and use of various wristwear almost two years ago. My tips for participating in this trend…

- If, like, me, you use your hands all day at work, consider limiting the bangles and bracelets to your non-dominant hand and wearing only flexible (leather or fabric) cuffs on the other. The cuffs are usually comfortable, immobile, and low-profile.

- Store your collection in the open. I store my bracelets on a set of antlers, but a decorative bowl is another pretty solution.

- Watch for unique or inexpensive bracelets as you shop and travel. I buy bangles at Target, Claire’s, Charming Charlie, thrift stores, import shops, vintage markets, and on vacation. My favorite bamboo bracelets were on clearance for $1 each at the Garden of the Gods gift shop, in Colorado, and I'm always remixing the Moroccan set I bought at Epcot (Disney World).

- Look for styling inspiration. Atlantic Pacific is my arm candy style icon.

Happy jangling!

Favorite Two Scarf Twists

It's the end of February and spring is in sight, but we still have a few more months of scarf weather to enjoy. I have two scarf twists/ties that I employ during the cool months, the Hacking Twist and the Chi Chi Wrap.


I learned the Hacking Twist from Amy of Cincy Chic (who got it from her dentist!) and I invented the Chi Chi Wrap. Enjoy!

P.S. Sal calls the Hacking Twist the Pretzel Knot and uses a slightly different technique. Check it out.

Mail Bag: Hiding the Top of a Dress

Hi Kasmira!

Love your blog, your writing, your style tips and your sense of humor! Can you help me out with something? I need advice on how to turn a dress into a skirt? I have a strapless white and red eyelit dress that I'd like to wear a top over the dress so it looks like a skirt and a top, but I have no idea what kind of top to cover up with. I see you be very creative with dresses and am hoping you can give me some tips!

Thanks, Jennie

When is a dress not a dress? When you cover the top and call it a skirt. This little trick can get you twice the life out of your dresses. It’s especially helpful if the top of the dress is inappropriate for a more conservative venue (like the office or church).

The easiest dresses to layer over are sleeveless/strapless and of a lightweight fabric. You'll see, below, that I have worn and reworn a strapless, khaki sheath as a skirt. Sleeved dress work, as long as the material is thin. Bulky sleeves don't layer well.

I’ve tried a number of different style tops over my dresses.

1. Cardigan (buttoned) or sweater

I recommend a fitted cardigan/sweater if the dress’ skirt is full. If the dress has a straight or tapered skirt, a looser top will work.


2. Buttoned Shirt

The same rules apply for a shirt as a cardigan/sweater; look for a fitted shape. Shirts with seaming and darts are ideal. Add a belt for more waist definition.


3. Tee

Well, I’ve only tried this once, but I liked it! It works best with a fitted and/or knotted t-shirt.

4. Vest

A vest (or waistcoat) over a sleeveless dress gives you the look of a separates outfit, but keeps you cool.


5. Multiple Toppers

Layer two or more toppers over the dress for dozens of different looks. Try a tank and a shrug. A blouse and a vest. A jacket and a scarf.



P.S. Cover the bottom (with another skirt) and you can triple the potential of a dress.

Tight Layers

With the prevalence of segmented worm syndrome, why, why, why would anyone wear two pairs of tights at once?

1. Get a super opaque look. You can spend $30 on a pair of absolutely opaque tights (and risk snagging them the first time you put them on) or you can layer two pairs of inexpensive tights for the same look.


This works well with two pairs of black tights – or try a black pair under another dark (but a little too sheer) color like maroon, purple, or evergreen.

2. Add textural interest. Layer an openweave pair of tights over a solid pair for three-dimensional legwear.


3. Tone down a bright color. Perhaps you’re a bit leery of bright purple legs. The visual impact is lessened by layering a neutral-colored, openweave stocking over the bright tights:


Or create an entirely new color by layering sheer, cream-colored hosiery on top. Cream/Purple = Lavender:


4. Weatherproof openweave tights. I love the patterns of open-weave tights – chevrons, florals, stripes, diamonds – but they can leave your legs a bit chilly. I’ve had success with layering a solid tight beneath the open-weave tight.



You can be really sneaky and wear a pair of flesh-toned tights underneath an open-weave pair and be both warm and "exposed."

As long as both pair of tights are well-fitting, I’ve never found it uncomfortable to double up on hosiery. It's warm, stylish, and fun.

Funky Legs

Currently, the Midwest is overly warm for November, but next week temperatures will return to normal and tights season will truly be upon us. Opaque black tights (or brown or navy) are a godsend. They instantly make legs slim, long, warm, and chic. But what about all that brightly colored and patterned legwear available? How do you incorporate funky legs into an outfit?

Color
I follow the same color rules for tights as I do for other garments.

1. Punch it up – add a pop of color to a neutral outfit
2. Opposites attract – create interest with an opposing color
3. Watch your saturation – pair brights with brights and pastels with pastels
4. Be matchy-matchy (or not) – match the tights to the rest of your outfit or use them to bring intentional disharmony.
5. Break color taboos – mix black and brown or even red and purple (that combo isn't just for Red Hatters!)


Check out my Color Yourself Happy post for my color mantras.

Pattern
Patterned tights can be the trickiest to wear. They can create interest or distraction. They can lengthen the leg line or stumpify. In general, vertical patterns are the easiest to wear. Beware horizontal stripes and argyle.


Small or subtle (like lace or herringbone) patterns are a great place to start.


Footwear
My number one footwear choice for eye-catching tights is a tall boot. Even on the slimmest of legs, bright or patterned tights can create an optical illusion of wide calves (and thighs). By wearing a tall boot and choosing your hemline carefully, you can indulge in funky hosiery while flattering your figure.



If you’d like to show a little more leg, you aren't restricted to boots. I like booties, clogs, peeptoes, mary janes, and strappy shoes with tights. Even ballet flats are ok (although I don’t choose that look for myself).


However, I vehemently dislike the look of a regular pump (or court shoe) with bright or patterned tights. It’s a little too ‘80s for my taste.

I usually buy my solid tights from We Love Colors* but I'll pick up patterned pairs anywhere I can find them: Urban Outfitters, JC Penny, Claire's Boutique, TJ Maxx, Target.

Solid dark tights are the safe and slimming choice but a bright or patterned (or bright AND patterned) pair can bring new life to an old outfit.


Stay tuned for a post on layering legwear (as I've done in the above photo).

*UK readers: We Love Colors is offering free shipping to the UK on orders over $30, from now through November 20, 2010 (ending at 11:59 PM EST on that day). Enter gift code WELOVEUK at checkout to receive the discount. We Love Colors is not responsible for customs fees with this offer.