Making a statement with jewellery

If you're not into scarves but you're looking for something to add interest to your basic outfit, how about wearing a statement necklace or some attractive arm candy (I'm talking bracelets here, in case you're deliberately misunderstanding me!)

Using the same basic outfits as shown in my previous post, I have added some necklaces and bangles to illustrate what I mean.  Please note though that I'm not suggesting wearing a statement necklace and a bangle at the same time, especially if you're a petite. If you prefer ear-rings to necklaces, you might like to add an interesting pair that either blends with or contrasts with your bracelet, which could be a flattering look if you need more colour near your face.

As I've pointed out before, wearing shoes that are a similar colour to your trousers is particularly helpful for petites, as it helps to draw the eye down and give the illusion that you are a bit taller. On the other hand I'm not know for sticking to fashion guidelines - and I might very well be tempted to wear a pair of red shoes with a red necklace or bracelet, just because I love a pop of red!

I'm very much aware that some of my over 60 readers may have retired and not have the disposable income that they enjoyed while working. If you click on the following link, you will be able to see the items that I have chosen from Polyvore when creating the above collage. Only two of the necklaces and one bangle cost over 100€, which I hope demonstrates that it is possible to create interesting outfits even when you're on a limited budget. The other pieces of jewellery shown are from cheaper stores like Forever 21.

April Style Challenge - Senior Moment!

There's only one problem with being an over 60 blogger: sometimes we suffer from Senior Moments! It's been challenging enough having to take photos with my mobile phone, due to my camera having been sent off for the lens to be fixed.  But then we met friends for a Spanish-British intercambio on Saturday and somehow (don't ask me!) I left my mobile phone behind.  With photos of me - complete with my accessories  - ready to upload for this post. Doh!

One accessory I have already shown before on this blog, and that is my gold bracelet:

Looking again at this outfit, there were a lot of different accessories, apart from the bracelet.  You can see a necklace, which matches the coral cardigan, plus a green ring and (though not shown here) I also had a green watch. Isn't there a saying that less is more?  In my case, more was more - I think I got slightly carried away here!

In the photo that I can't show you: I wore the bracelet with a purple top this time and a simple gold necklace that didn't distract attention from the bracelet.  I like to think it was a more elegant look, but unfortunately I can't post it for you to agree. I just hope that you have a vivid imagination!

I mentioned my green watch above.  I like watches as they can add a subtle touch of colour to any outfit. I also wore a pale lilac watch with the purple top - though I can't remember whether it can be seen in the photo (short-term memory problems!). Most of my watches are inexpensive.  I recently bought a Spanish magazine for 4.95€, which included a white watch and a perfume sample.  The lilac watch was even cheaper, as it came with a different Spanish magazine that cost me the princely sum of 2€!  I like having a selection of coloured watches to brighten up my basic outfits.

So if you are getting slightly bored with some of your outfits, it doesn't cost a lot to rejuvenate them with accessories. Whether you choose scarves, necklaces, bracelets, watches, bags or shoes is up to personal preference. What is your favourite accessory - and why?

PS If the photo looks ok when uploaded, I will add it to the end of this post and republish.

Accepting the FABruary Style Challenge!

No, that's NOT a typo in the heading - it's a deliberate mistake!  One of the many blogs that I enjoy reading is the Inside Out Style blog by Imogen Lamport and Imogen is having a FABruary Style Challenge during the month of February, with a different theme each day.  The first theme on February 1st is "Arm Candy", so here is my contribution.

What I would really have loved to do is find a handsome young man and walk down the street holding his arm, but sadly it wasn't to be.  Instead I had to settle for some pieces from my wardrobe.  As I'm petite (i.e. short, but not that slender nowadays) I have to be wary of large accessories, so I usually make up for that by wearing bright pieces of jewellery.  I have a collection of brightly coloured watches, plus several dazzling though usually slender bracelets.

For today's challenge I decided to wear something bright on both arms, as I couldn't decide on which watch or bracelet to wear.  Even then I was looking at several turquoise bracelets, a red, gold and silver bangle, a purple striped watch, a bright blue bracelet and one or two other pieces before making my mind up.  This was my final choice of outfit for the day:

Here is my bracelet:

           

My bright green watch:

What would you wear as "arm candy"?  Do you have a favourite watch or bracelet - and do you go for simplicity too or do you like to pile them all on?





                       

One pair of trousers: how many different looks?

I decided to see how many different outfits I could create using just one pair of trousers out of my 33 items of clothing and wearing them with different tops and cardigans.  The trousers are navy, which is one of my core colours.  Here are some of the possible permutations:

 

 

 

I've shown eight outfits above, but I have another four tops that could be worn with the navy cardigan and trousers.  With all of these outfits I could wear my grey casual jacket instead of the cardigan. For an even more casual look I could replace the navy trousers with navy jeans, which means I have already created 48 different outfits using just 16 out of my 33 items of clothing.

Accessories can totally change the look of your outfit. You may decide to look casual or you may prefer a more sophisticated look. I have to say that most of the time I go for a casual look - and comfort!

My everyday bags

Shoes and boots for trousers

I enjoy wearing jewellery and have many different colours to choose from!  A selection of my necklaces is shown below.  Most days I will wear a necklace, though sometimes I will choose a scarf instead and maybe put on a bracelet.  This can also create a slightly different outfit, to add to the variety of your looks.  Initially I thought only 33 items would limit me: instead, I feel it is giving me limitless possibilities.  What do you think?

My jewellery - NOT included in project 333!

I have noticed that the theme for today on several other fashion blogs is jewellery. It seems the ideal moment to confess to how many pieces of jewellery I possess that I deliberately excluded from my 33 items of clothing to wear over the next 3 months as part of Project 333.  I like to ring the changes with my jewellery so would have found it difficult to limit myself to just a couple of pieces.  I would probably have been ok if it had been 333 items for 3 months instead of only 33!

Most of my jewellery is costume jewellery and many items were presents from friends and family, who have noticed my tendency to wear several pieces of jewellery every day.  As I don't have pierced ears I don't wear earrings on a regular basis, but I have lots of different coloured necklaces, bracelets and rings to brighten up my wardrobe, with a few coloured watches as well.

If you have downsized your wardrobe as I am trying to do, having a good selection of jewellery helps you to create different looks and stops you being bored with your limited clothes.  It is also a good way to follow fashion trends and look up to date without spending too much money or risking looking like a fashion victim.

17 bracelets

8 rings and 8 watches

I make that a total of 25 necklaces

6 pairs of earrings and 6 brooches

Well there you have it - more than 33 items of jewellery, so how could I select just a couple of pieces?!  What would you choose if you were limited to one item in each category?  I haven't quite finished, as I live in Spain - so during the summer months there is one essential accessory that all señoras and señoritas need to carry...!