Bling Goes Bold
Wedding Jewelry with Attitude
Wedding magazines are bigger than ever and filled with page after page of fresh ideas, most of them rendered in white—a virtual snowstorm of options. From the dress to the silk slingbacks to the jewelry, you could mix and match entire schools of design and philosophies of fashion, and as long as white is your co-pilot, you can’t possibly go wrong.
White is a stunning color to be sure, and if it loves you, by all means wear it—your skin will benefit from its illuminating qualities. But if your inner bride is thirsting for something beyond white—perhaps a splash of aqua or fuchsia?—go ahead and indulge your fantasy. You’ll pump up the glam factor in your ensemble by adding color, and you’ll avoid looking like a production-line cupcake. After all, a wedding is an exuberant, passionate affair, not to mention the ultimate opportunity to strut your signature style and rule your runway.
Sure, you say. I’d love to inject a little color into the mix. And yet, like so many brides, you end up nixing the idea and defaulting to the predictable refuge of a classic all-white look. Why? If color in wedding jewelry and accessories is so hip and happening, then what’s keeping you from taking the plunge? Here’s our “dime store psychologist” explanation: The left side of your brain pleads “safety,” while the right side screams “sexy.” You want to exude glamour, but you don’t want to appear too trendy. You want to evoke Grace Kelly’s timeless elegance in your wedding photos, but you don’t want to look cookie-cutter. Making the decision to accessorize outside the box is just too scary, so you follow the path of least resistance and say, “Yes, I’ll take the simple strand of pearls and the diamond studs, please. They won’t compete with the dress, and they’re neutral enough for every day.”
Neutral? Everyday? For your wedding?
We don’t think so!
Tiny Risks = Big Benefits
Ladies, being innovative doesn’t mean taking huge risks. We’re not asking you to wear a shocking pink peek-a-boo petticoat under your gown, à la Gwen Stefani, but we are asking you to consider pairing colored accessories with a white or colored dress to jazz up your look. You’ll get kudos from your fashionista friends for having the guts to do it, and of course you’ll get the glory for looking runway fabulous.
But, you ask, what about tradition, family honor, and Mom’s pearls (especially if the pearls in question are non-negotiable?) If you must wear them, by all means do, but popping on a pair of ruby and pearl chandeliers turns up the wattage and it’s fresh. Mom’s happy and you’re looking hot, so everybody wins. If you embrace color as your friend, color will reward you in spades.
Getting to Glam
Size, color, shape and scale are all about point of view: those chartreuse shoulder duster earrings that look great on one woman might completely overpower another. To get with the program you’ll need to whip out your Elles and Vogues and educate your jewelry eye by creating a Style File that’s all about you. Chandelier earrings are still the rage, and look great with a messy updo. Candy-colored cocktail rings that recapture old Hollywood are back with a vengeance. Pearls are the thing for spring, but this time around, they’re the size of jawbreakers. So don’t think dainty and demure: supersize your gems, and get with the glam. The easiest way to add a little more zing, is a dash of color in your bling.
Filed under Accessories, Bridal Beauty Advice, Fashion, Stuff We Love, Trend Watch, Wedding Jewelry and Rings