Accessorizing one’s look: what’s the right mix?

Why and how to accessorize your look? Whether you a believer of the casual look or prefer neat outfits, the fashion accessory is fundamental. It has the ability of giving personality to your silhouette. And it becomes the detail that makes all the difference. Choosing the right accessory and knowing how to combine it with your outfits is essential. It is question of volume, color and naturally the right association of both. Here are a few examples of a good match.

Smart clothes and oversized accessories

A free-flowing dress or a long shirt, an ensemble with trousers and blouse, require a minimum number of accessories. A wide belt, a long necklace, a cuff bracelet, a large round shaped ring  will bring a touch of stylishness. Accessories deliver a dose of glamour, chic, whether ethnic or simply fashionable. Nevertheless beware of over emphasizing or hazardous color associations. Below the long streamline jacket comes with a wide belt and the earrings are magnificent, oversized. The perfect color match! The resin necklace in the dark raspberry color gives structure to outfit n°2. And it increases the effect of verticality. The examplen°3, XXL bracelets, worn on both wrists underlines the colors of the outfit but attract attention.

Giorgio Armani Privé Haute Couture Spring Summer 2015 - Buttons Paradise's look with the Anchor Necklace model - Backstage at Marni SS16 article de Dazed
Giorgio Armani Privé Haute Couture Spring Summer 2015
Buttons Paradise’s look with the Anchor resin necklace
Backstage at Marni SS16 article by Dazed

This Buttons Paradise look features a grey Moroccan style tunic brightened up with a large size, round shaped, two-colored ring made of Lucite with a black inlay. For a very chic effect, this accessory brings a note of style and simplicity.

accessoiriser_robe

A single color outfit using accessories to make a strong contrast

Once the lines and shapes are laid down it’s time to choose the colors. To round off single or two colors clothing there is nothing better than a large size accessory with a punchy color. Wearing bright color shoes can be an option, or a hat, a small bag, a scarf, a turban, a necklace, smart glasses or a bright colored large size cuff bracelet. Go for the luminous colors to wear with black, white or natural color outfits. The Buttons Paradise Georgia leather cuff bracelet brings a feminine touch to your entire look.

bracelet_cuir_orange

You can try the Cesaria yellow leather cuff. The buckle is woven brass, adding extreme brilliance and it combines beautifully with the ethnic skirt.

manchette_cuir_jaune

Plain color shirt and bib necklace or color cuff bracelet

A stunning way to break the plainness of a white shirt is to wear a bright bib necklace. The blue borderline reflects the color of the turban and the pink makes a match with the chosen lipstick. As for the second model, very ethnic style featuring an assortment of black and white bracelets. In this sequence the idea is to strengthen the contrast in colors with simplicity and keep the minimalistic graphic features.

Photos et Looks à retrouver sur le blog Lirons d’elle
Photos and Looks from Lirons d’elle’s French blog

Avoiding any ‘fashion faux pas’

A few tips and a bit of common sense to avoid any mistakes:

  • Overemphasize color matching: gives a look of substantial excess. Use only one color match in this case, that’s chic.
  • Increase the number of accessories: if you don’t want to look like a xmas tree, only 2 or 3 accessories will be required maximum.
  • Mixing both refined and oversized accessories: better choose one single option, not both.

To sum it up, you need to remember it’s the fashionable! And it’s trendy details that give your outfit a subtle style. No need to overdo it. Be minimalistic to acquire a classy appearance, stylish whatever the circumstances!

     

Coco Chanel: the revival of the cuff bracelet

Coco Chanel by Man Ray, 1935. Maltese Cross Bracelets by Fulco di Verdura © Verdura
Coco Chanel by Man Ray, 1935.
Maltese Cross Bracelets by Fulco di Verdura © Verdura

Cuff bracelets had long fallen out of fashion but suddenly reappeared in the 1930s, making their comeback with Chanel’s trademark designs. A vintage item from a bygone era, the cuff bracelet is so much more than merely decorative. It stands apart from other bracelets, inscribing any look with style and accentuating personal flair. These colourful bracelets tended to be decorated with fine stones in the 1920s, but then slowly shifted towards a more art deco style. Here’s a look back at the renaissance of this millennia-old bracelet.

The 1930s: Fulco di Verdura styles the wrists of Coco Chanel.

Fulco di Verdura shows Coco Chanel his cuff in 1937. Photo: Collection Viollet/Courtesy of the Designer.
Fulco di Verdura shows Coco Chanel his cuff in 1937.
Photo: Collection Viollet/Courtesy of the Designer.

Fulco di Verdura, a talented Italian jeweller, joined Gabrielle Chanel’s team in the 1920s. He originally worked in textiles until the legendary fashion designer entrusted him with an important mission: designing her jewellery pieces. The Italian designer quickly set about creating his (soon-to-be) famous cuff bracelets for this iconic woman. She wore them as Indian women wear theirs, with one on each wrist in total symmetry.

Di Verdura designed multi-coloured bracelets with precious stones in the form of a Maltese cross, set against a white background and with a gold interior. And so, Coco Chanel’s cuff bracelets were to go down in History. The Italian jeweller really left his mark on the accessory collections for this fashion house, and nowhere more so than on the Chanel cuff bracelets. They became staple items in the wardrobes of women everywhere, and are still so recognisable today.

Bracelets Fulco di Verdura © Maison Verdura
Bracelets Fulco di Verdura © Maison Verdura 

Cuff bracelets in the 1930s: changing shapes, new materials.

Art deco style began to make an appearance in the 1920s. Bracelets had geometric shapes, with sharp or rounded corners, and came in black or white, onyx or platinum. They were often extremely colourful, embellished here and there with touches of jade, coral, emerald green and lapis lazuli. In the 1930s, jewellery designers began to play around with shape and colour, amusing themselves with the contrast between matte and shine, transparency and opacity – all on the same of jewellery.

Bollinger Bracelet, Galerie des bijoux du V& A Museum © Angela Moore
Bollinger Bracelet, Galerie des bijoux du V& A Museum © Angela Moore

In the inter-war period, however, these cuff bracelets gradually shifted away from polychrome colours, preferring monochrome instead, as seen in the models below. The geometric forms seen previously were now increasingly streamlined and clean-cut. Jewellery designers produced pieces that were ever more understated and chic, with well-defined contours. These strong, statement cuff bracelets injected 1930s style with a certain boldness, thanks to the colour and the materials used.

Vintage articulated 1930s cuff bracelet in yellow gold and white gold © Collector Square. Bracelet in 18ct, vintage, 30/40s years © Gioielleria Manzoni 214.
Vintage articulated 1930s cuff bracelet in yellow gold and white gold © Collector Square.
Bracelet in 18ct, vintage, 30/40s years © Gioielleria Manzoni 214.

Design pieces: the 1930s cuff bracelet makes a comeback.

For the 1930s jewellery enthusiasts among you, the leather cuff bracelets by Buttons Paradise use vintage buttons and belt buckles from this period. The bracelets combine one-of-a-kind Bakelite elements with streamlined leather forms.

Our collection of 1930s-inspired cuff bracelets is just waiting to be discovered!

Original Cleo leather cuff, Buttons Paradise © Buttons Paradise Original Nosta 30 Cuff Bracelet, Buttons Paradise © Buttons Paradise
Original Cleo leather cuff, Buttons Paradise © Buttons Paradise
Original Nosta 30 Cuff Bracelet, Buttons Paradise © Buttons Paradise
     

Accessory trends for summer 2016: structured forms for a bold look

Tendances-accessoires-ete-2016Leather, added volume, geometric forms, natural materials, black and white with a touch of yellow or red: these are the accessory trends for this summer 2016. We’ve directly based these predictions on what designers recently presented on the runways and at fashion week. A well-chosen accessory will always manage to add that special something to any outfit, personalising it and bringing it right on trend. Here’s a quick run-down of the colours, forms and materials that will accessorise your summer. Follow our guide, and you can’t go wrong.

If there’s one rule to follow this 2016 summer season 2016, this is it: mix a clean, simplistic look with a touch of eccentricity. Go ahead and find your perfect combination! Bare shoulders, seashore-inspired looks and see-through effects are all to come this season. Long dresses, dresses with splits and kimonos are also going to be making an appearance in your wardrobes. And to really enhance these new arrivals, we’ll be seeing natural materials, geometric forms and oversized jewellery. Along with your espadrilles and your flatforms, opt for ombre sunglasses lenses, a leather clutch bag or cuff bracelet, a large wooden ring, a pair of geometric earrings, and a belt, cravat or foulard made from natural materials.

Trend Number 1: Clutch bags and mini-leather goods

Handbags are just like shoes…you can never have too many of them. And this summer, you’re not going to know which way to turn! Among the on-trend it-bags spotted this season, pride of place on the catwalks went to the clutch bag, with a handle or shoulder strap. Small leather bags and mini backpacks are the essential accessories to your summer. We’ve definitely come full circle from the oversized holdall – and for good reason. These fashion accessories are jewellery items in their own right, and can hold a lipstick or a smartphone. Wear yours casually, whether on a trip out with friends or to a trendy party by the sea.

1 Clutch bag PAUL SMITH SS 2016 © Agence Lenam 2 Clutch bag Twist J.W ANDERSON SS 2016 © Farfetch 3 Clutch bag ACNE STUDIOS SS 2016 © Agence Lenam
1 Clutch bag PAUL SMITH SS 2016 © Agence Lenam
2 Clutch bag Twist J.W ANDERSON SS 2016 © Farfetch
3 Clutch bag ACNE STUDIOS SS 2016 © Agence Lenam

Trend number 2: XXL oversized earrings

The jewellery trend for this summer is extra, extra large jewellery, giving an instant boost to a simplistic, clean look and adds a note of boldness to any outfit. Oversized earrings can be worn by themselves or as a pair. There are large hoops and spirals, pompoms and tassels. You’ll see metal, leather, bright colours and zebra patterns. So now you can match your earrings to your lipstick or your pumps. And above all, don’t forget that oversized earrings can really light up your face and make it look longer!

4 Earrings © FASHION GONE ROUGE 5 Earrings MELODY EHSANI © Melody Ehsani 6 Earrings MARNI SS 2016 © Marni
4 Earrings © FASHION GONE ROUGE
5 Earrings MELODY EHSANI © Melody Ehsani
6 Earrings MARNI SS 2016 © Marni

Trend number 3: Jewellery with geometric shapes

It’s not just a question of excessive size this spring-summer season; we’ve also spotted some unusual jewellery shapes: jewellery will be square, triangular, linear, and circular. So with geometric shapes whichever way you look, it’s about time to get over those maths phobias! For the most part, we’ll be seeing natural materials: metals, leather and wood. As for colours, there’s gold and silver, but also black and white along with the primary colours yellow, red and blue.

7 Earrings, ISABELLE MICHEL SS 2016 © Isabelle Michel 8 Necklace Operation DIY © Operation DIY 9 Silver Cluff, LEMAIRE, design SOPHIE BUHAI © Lemaire 10 Earrings, ISABELLE MICHEL SS 2016 © Isabelle Michel 11 Necklace ISABELLE MICHEL SS 2016 © Isabelle Michel 12 Cluff ARME DE L'AMOUR © Net à porter
7 Earrings, ISABELLE MICHEL SS 2016 © Isabelle Michel
8 Necklace Operation DIY © Operation DIY
9 Silver Cluff, LEMAIRE, design SOPHIE BUHAI © Lemaire
10 Earrings, ISABELLE MICHEL SS 2016 © Isabelle Michel
11 Necklace ISABELLE MICHEL SS 2016 © Isabelle Michel
12 Cluff ARME DE L’AMOUR © Net à porter

Trend number 4: Transparent sunglasses

Of course we can’t talk about accessories without mentioning sunglasses too, especially for trips to the beach or park this summer. This season, sunglasses are transparent, with ombre lenses, and flesh-coloured, natural or honey tints. We’ll be seeing round, butterfly and geometric frames. These models illustrate the trends for the summer 2016 season perfectly. Play around with a transparent-effect frame, and with a mirror-effect or discreet, natural lenses with slight gradations of colour. Plus, this season’s round and oversized frames will keep you well protected from those summer rays.

13 CARVEN Sunglasses SS 2016 © Presse 14 MARNI PRISMA glasses SS 2016 © Marni 15 Sunglasses ASOS SS 2016 © ASOS 16 STELLA MCCARTNEY Sunglasses SS 2016 © Net à porter 17 Chloé Sunglasses SS 2016 © Chloé
13 CARVEN Sunglasses SS 2016 © Presse
14 MARNI PRISMA glasses SS 2016 © Marni
15 Sunglasses ASOS SS 2016 © ASOS
16 STELLA MCCARTNEY Sunglasses SS 2016 © Net à porter
17 Chloé Sunglasses SS 2016 © Chloé

Trend number 5: Flatforms

18 Flatform MARNI SS 2016 © Net à porter 19 Flatform STELLA MCCARTNEY SS 2016 © Net à porter 20 Flatform COS SS 206 © Cos 21 Espadrilles Christian LOUBOUTIN SS 2016 © Net à porter 22 Platform sandals COS SS 206 © Cos 23 STELLA MCCARTNEY SS 2016 © Net à porter 24 FERRAGAMO SS 2016 © Imaxtree
18 Flatform MARNI SS 2016 © Net à porter
19 Flatform STELLA MCCARTNEY SS 2016 © Net à porter
20 Flatform COS SS 206 © Cos
21 Espadrilles Christian LOUBOUTIN SS 2016 © Net à porter
22 Platform sandals COS SS 206 © Cos
23 STELLA MCCARTNEY SS 2016 © Net à porter
24 FERRAGAMO SS 2016 © Imaxtree

Trend number 6: Jewellery made from leather

Leather is one of the key elements for this summer. It featured greatly in the handbag and shoe collections, and also stood out in jewellery lines. If you are looking for THE jewellery piece to wear throughout the summer, opt for a bracelet, necklace or cuff bracelet made from leather. Once again, geometric shapes are doing their thing. This summer, look for solid contours that are circular, triangular or square. Leather is truly the queen of all natural materials, adding a touch of chic to your outfits and bestowing her majesty upon your wrists. Two-tone jewellery, often made from more than one material, is also right on trend. A bracelet in yellow leather embellished with blue Bakelite, or a black and white leather butterfly cuff bracelet will inject instant energy to any simple and understated outfit, whether it’s for work or an evening event.

25 Red Navy Cuff Leather Bracelet BUTTONS PARADISE © BUTTONS PARADISE 26 Bee Original Leather Cuff Bracelet© BUTTONS PARADISE 27 Manchette cuir Comb BUTTONS PARADISE © BUTTONS PARADISE 28 Collier Cuir MARNI SS 2016 © Marni 29 Collier Petit Loop HERMES SS 2016 © Hermes
25 Red Navy Cuff Leather Bracelet BUTTONS PARADISE © BUTTONS PARADISE
26 Bee Original Leather Cuff Bracelet© BUTTONS PARADISE
27 Manchette cuir Comb BUTTONS PARADISE © BUTTONS PARADISE
28 Collier Cuir MARNI SS 2016 © Marni
29 Collier Petit Loop HERMES SS 2016 © Hermes

Conclusions:

You might have spotted some of the on-trend colours for this summer in our selection of accessories: yellow, black and white, with a note of red here and there to add a bit of pizzazz. So now, it’s over to you: combine these on-trend accessories with a simple, clean look and you can’t go wrong!