Guest Post: Accessorize Yourself: Jewelry Trends for 2013

Jewelry plays a leading role in the creation of a look or outfit. Simply adding an embellished necklace or dramatic earrings can take something as bland as a t-shirt and jeans and transform them into a look fit for a Hollywood starlet. Unless you have the bank account of an Olsen twin or a generous benefactor, you probably aren’t in the market for a David Yurman ring or Balenciaga bracelet, but that doesn’t mean you have to forgo the latest jewelry fashions. Also, much like the jewelry trends of 2012, many of this year’s pieces are vintage-inspired and can be found in thrift shops or at a flea market.

While the boho/gypsy look continues to dominant runways with jewelry adorned with feathers and beading in brilliant colors, interesting, new jewelry fashions made anappearance at New York’s Spring 2013 Fashion Week. Elaborate pieces, such as outrageous necklaces garnished with pearls and golden seacreatures and wrist cuffs shaped like star fish, were just a few of the bold trends featured. Designers also upgrading the chunky jewelry look by adding luminous colors, odd shapes, and unique textures. Large, oversized cocktail rings are still, well, big this year; and flashy rings with huge gems or stone adornments will surely continue to grace the fingers of fashionistas this spring. With jeweled fashions becoming ostentatious centerpieces, scouting out peculiar, distinctive pieces becomes more like a treasure hunt than the average shopping experience.

Get Your Vintage On

In our younger years, we often spent hours playing dress up with our mothers’ garments, make up, and jewelry. Years later, many of us are still rummaging through grandma’s jewelry box and scouring estate and yard sales for classic pieces. Thrift and vintage stores are also great places to explore for antique finds—organization’s like the Salvation Army or Goodwill are excellent places for vintage jewelry hunting. You can also find vintage-inspired designs from online retailers and at most fashionable clothing shops. For a classic look, seek out pieces that are gold, rustic, contain intricate detailing, and gems. Even engagement ring designers are falling for the vintage style, and customized, antique-esque engagement rings from 77Diamonds are popular with modern brides, including a number of celebrities.

Go for Unconventional Styles

This season, designers are getting extra creative with their jewelry. Details such as fringes, layers, and funky prints and patterns are just a few of the new, edgy designs that are being flaunted on runways and in the streets. If you have a spunky sense of style then you’ll love the quirky pieces that are popping up this season. Designers are crafting stud earrings made to look like wedges of cheese, necklaces made from the ruminants of party
banners, and, for all you nerdy gamers, earrings featuring characters from old-school video games, and pieces based on junk foods and candy. From rings to necklaces to bracelets and watches, show off your witty, adventurous side with these fun, eccentric pieces.