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Fashion Friday: Wraps and Accessories

I had two people email me fashion questions this week.  I had to giggle.  I really am so NOT a fashion expert.  But I’ve learned a lot in the last few years from reading fashion blogs and by making a concerted effort to pay attention, so I’ll do my best.  As always, I want to hear what YOU think about these fashion conundrums.

First, Christie has an urgent request:

It’s the husband’s work party this weekend. Got me the dress, which looks much cuter than this picture shows.   What shoes and jewelery would you recommend?  I turn to you because you are the master accessorizer.  🙂

photo2

CUTE dress!  Having met you, I think that will look BEAUTIFUL on you.

For shoes, you could go with red patent leather pumps for a real pop.

madison

Or Metallic is a nice option.

juliana-pump

Of course black patent leather is always classy.

black-patent

For jewelry, you definitely want something in the neck.  And a chunky bracelet.  Oooh.  If they still have it, I got a bracelet at Banana.  I wore it last night and got a ton of compliments.  Such a nice statement.  Of COURSE it’s not online.  But it was like this, but more strands, and chunkier.

bracelet

In looking around for jewelry, I’m seeing way more gold than silver. I don’t know what you prefer, but I just think silver is nicer with that dress.  I’m thinking of something like this in the neck, although again, I’d do silver if I could find it.  You want something that dips, I think, since the neckline is such a deep V.  Ooooh, what about this?

wreath charm necklace

Or for a more delicate look, something along these lines.

Y-necklace

Of course you’ll want to coordinate the necklace and bracelet somewhat.  I think I’d go with metallic shoes and some of the chunkier jewelry.  I love the bracelet pictured above but I didn’t find a necklace that I’m in love with.  Of course if your party is THIS WEEKEND you won’t be ordering online anyway.

And yes, I realize that everything I posted is really spendy.  These are just ideas.  You should be able to find any of these items at various price points, depending on where you like to shop.

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Then a few days ago Andrea sent me this:

I have a semi-formal party next weekend and need a shawl type thing to go around my shoulders (dress is sleeveless).  I have no idea how to wear or tie a shawl around me. I don’t really want to drap it over shoulders, as I would get annoyed by that quickly!  Any ideas?

I’ve seen it done several ways.  You can, of course, drape it, as you say.  But it is cumbersome that way.

Another idea is to drape it over your shoulders and around in front and then back under your arms and tie it in the back.  My mom did this with a stiffer wrap over her gown to my brother’s wedding.  It looked elegant and stayed out of her way.

Or you can wrap it around in front of you and throw the one end over your shoulder.  Depending on the material, it may stay put.  OR you can secure it with a really pretty, festive pin.  I did this last year b/c I was so ding-dang cold at the party I went to!  I put it around my shoulders from behind, with the ends in the front, and then I put one piece across my body and threw the other over the opposite shoulder.  It stayed in place that way and kept me warm, and it has a sort of fun, dramatic look worn that way.  Of course, it obscures the front of your outfit, so you have to be willing to sacrifice that.

I hope that helps.  Maybe we’ll get some more innovative suggestions in the comments.

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For more fashion tawk, be sure to visit Big Mama.  You’re in for a real treat this week.  Her husband has put together HIS list of fashion must-haves.  It’s the Outdoorsman’s Edition.  Yeah.  You read that right.  Be prepared to snort coffee out your nose.

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13 Responses

  1. Oh my word, I want those metallic pumps! Divine! I agree with you on going metallic in the shoes, although it is hard to see the colors of the dress. Great advice as usual!

  2. I love the metallic pumps and the third necklace. So cute!

    I would love some pictures of great ways to wear wraps over formal or semi-formal wear. I can picture what you are saying in my head but photos are always helpful.

    Thanks Jo-Lynne! You are our resident fashion expert simply because you have great ideas and respond to questions quickly 🙂

  3. Thanks! Squee! LOVE all the ideas. I do have some red peep-toe pumps that I was thinking about. The picture looks like there is a lot of funky color going on (cell phone photo, of course), but the dress is really silver/black. There is a pretty sheer fabric that ties in the front at the waist (hence the bulk of black fabric in the photo). I am going to head out and see what jewelery I can find to go with it. Thanks so much for your help!

    P.S. I actually bought the dress two summers ago at Macy’s and ended up not wearing it to the function I was going to. It’s sat there in my closet, sadly, waiting for a party. 🙂

  4. Whaddya mean your not a fashion expert? Before I go shopping with my friends, I LITERALLY come here and peruse all that you have written, then during our whole shopping trip I find something you recommend and say — Jo-Lynne LOVES these…or Jo-Lynne says NO to these. Or, I’ll email Jo-Lynne when we get home and ASK.

    NOW you say you aren’t an expert. {shakes head}

  5. I’m a fashion clutz most of the time. But if I had the privilege of wearing that dress? Silver pumps and silver jewelry. I personally wouldn’t do the clunky jewelry b/c the dress is filmy and feminine. Just me.

    I wear a few shawls and enjoy them. I often wear them outside (cold) and remove them inside, since most indoors are comfortable. But if you want to wear it indoors, and don’t want it across your shoulders, consider wearing it draped on your elbows instead. If the shawl is long enough, it will stay, and you won’t have it near your neck. If it is slim and of filmy fabric, it might also work to tie it round your waist (?)

  6. Jo-Lynne, I love that dress! It will look beautiful on you!

    Honestly, I would do the red pumps and either no jewelry or something small (like a single strand of pearls).

    Post photos of whatever you decide, gorgeous!

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