Fashion Transformation

A truly trendy outfit often requires one bold statement piece: this can come in the form of an eye-popping color, a bold print, an interesting fabric, or a daring accessory. By keeping most of your ensemble basic yet stylish, this original accessory will be able to stand out and give your outfit the perfect balance of chic and vogue. Too many statements in one outfit can put you further at risk of entering potential ensemble clashes, so save your best pieces for different outfits. You don’t need to wear them all at once. With this in mind, lets talk about the bold statements of this season:

Oversized Necklaces. From the editorials of every magazine to the collection of every runway, big costume jewelry is one of the most popular strands. No doubt, a timeless strand of pearls modeled after French fashion designer Coco Chanel is always a classic twist to a simple dress or preppy blazer, but this season, the fashion world wants gigantic jewels and heavy metals. Long pendant necklaces and strands of metallic chains can add a great element to your outfit, but to truly make a statement, try bib necklaces (hate the name, love the necklace) that sit perfectly over the neckline, piled with massive gemstones. Neutral combinations of silver, black, grey and bronze can be year round pieces, but avoid solid colored plastic pieces. Designers from the likes of Lanvin, Erickson Beamon, Badgley Mischka, and Louis Vuitton have crafted these necklaces to perfection, but their cost can be anywhere upwards of $1,000. Fortunately, retailers like Banana Republic and J.Crew are currently stocked with great bold pieces at a much more wallet-friendly price. Simple dresses pair well with these necklaces, often by adding a contrast that perfectly offsets the dress, but even the most casual white tee can become an instant couture look when topped with a bold statement such as this.

Scarves. After a little more than a month in Paris, I now know why French women are known for their scarves. What might quite possibly be the most practical accessory, here, scarves are used for much more than just cold weather. One might even say that it is an unwritten rule of Paris to wear a scarf with every outfit, no matter the season. Though we have almost shed all of our winter wear, I encourage everyone to hold on to the scarf. Granted, in 80° weather, an extra layer of heavy wool is hardly spring fashion, but light fabrics can be just as much a part of spring as a pair of gladiator sandals. To stay classic, a small printed silk-like scarf tied in a triangle around the neck, or simply knotted into a big loop like a loose necklace can add a great touch to any outfit. The other option is to wrap a big linen scarf like a cuff around the neck. These linen or pashmina type scarves can be worn in soft greys and browns, but if the scarf recently designed for Louis Vuitton’s Stephen Sprouse Spring 2009 collection in hot pink linen with pop-art rose print is any indication, scarves of bright colors and light-weight fabrics are perfectly acceptable for spring weather.

Hot Pink. With Louis Vuitton’s scarf also comes this season’s theme color: hot pink. If it is any sign of this bold hue’s popularity, hot pink has made its mark on the Spring 2009 runways of designers like Marc Jacobs, Badgley Mischka, and Matthew Williamson. Williamson, most recently acclaimed for the H&M collaboration that flew out of his stores April 23, outfitted Heidi Klum in a hot pink satin suit for the season finale of Project Runway. One piece in a bright shade of pink is enough to make your outfit stand out – neon-pink flats are the ‘must-have’ here in Paris.

A good closet needs basics, but once the essentials have been assembled, it is time to look for the accents. Have fun experimenting with bright colors, patterns, fabrics, and bold accessories; as long as the rest of your outfit is basic enough, the possibilities are endless and few pieces are too bold.

Source: The News

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