Jewelry Archives - Page 2 of 6

A Discriminating Woman’s Guide To Buying Jewelry, Part One

11/17/2011 By GuestPoster 102 Comments

How do you know when to splurge on a piece of jewelry? A big step in the right direction involves understanding the jewelry terminology (it’s also helpful if you suspect you’re allergic to some jewelry!) Today’s guest post explores just that. Author “Kanye East” is an attorney at law, New York City ex-pat, sarcastic Corporette commenter, and amateur metalsmith. On the rare occasions she leaves the office, Ms. East slays dragons and makes jewelry with their treasures. (Pictured: Mallarino Alejandra 24-karat gold-vermeil cuff, available at Net-a-Porter for $1,600.)

I’ll be honest: the first time I saw the phrase “gold vermeil,” I thought something like Oooh, that sounds French. It must be fancy! And only $80? For a fancy gold necklace? Steal! I’d better buy two! My friends, I am ashamed. It turns out “vermeil” is fancy—a fancy way of saying “plated.”

Jewelry is my weakness. For lawyers, jewelry is the one part of a professional wardrobe that’s allowed to be expressive or artistic. (My fellow liberal arts undergrads who reluctantly went to law school for the promise of health insurance and a steady paycheck will understand how important this can be to one’s psyche.) Jewelry can elevate an otherwise ordinary outfit to a commanding ensemble. And my own field research confirms that if you wear the same black dress to a law firm job two days in a row but swap one eye-catching statement necklace for another, nobody will notice the fact that you wore the same clothes two days in a row. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Jewelry

Transitioning from a Conservative Office to a More Casual One

07/07/2011 By Kat 101 Comments

Since she’s started at a more casual office, Reader L wonders how she should transition her wardrobe of blazers and pencil skirts to an office filled with jeans and sneakers.

I’m 24 and recently left a paralegal job at a small litigation firm for a research and editing job at a large publishing company. The new job is great and a much better fit for me but I’m still struggling with the transition to the more casual attire I’m seeing in my young, tech-centered office. I see jeans and gross sneakers every day of the week, which clashes with my wardrobe of pencil skirts and blazers. Even when I try to tone it down, the basics in my closet just aren’t in the same spectrum. I’ve tried to pay attention to what the seniormost woman in my office wears, but there are a LOT of pay grades between a manager and someone in my entry-level position.

I really want to stand out, make an impression and start advancing. At the same time, I don’t want to look like I’m trying too hard or oblivious to office culture. My question is: is it more important to dress in a way that feels professional and appropriate (and, to be selfish, much more comfortable for me) or to mimic the people around me? If it’s the latter, any tips on looking sharp and competent when dressed down?

Great, great question, because it can be really tricky to transition your wardrobe. Here are some of my tips, but readers, I hope you’ll weigh in! (Pictured: New Office-2, originally uploaded to Flickr by akeg.)

The Tomboy in the Suit

05/17/2011 By Kat 95 Comments

Reader A thinks her look is too “tomboy” for the office…

I am writing to you in hopes for some advice on how to change from a “tom boy look” to a mid-level executive in a financial institution.

I know that your blog is mostly geared toward New York lawyers, but while I am neither of those (Dallas, Tx – Financial Analyst), I am confident that you can help. A little bit of background…I grew up in a very small town climbing trees and playing with boys. In college, my dress attire was jeans and over-sized T-shirts. It wasn’t until my senior year that I started wearing T-shirts that fit.

Making the transition from college life to financial institution was a little easy back home, (South Texas/Rio Grande Valley), but now that I reside in Dallas, I feel that my current wardrobe isn’t cutting it. My current attire is grey slacks and a button down or simple one-tone blouse. While I mentioned my basic attire, please note that I own about 2 pairs of slacks/dress pants (black and grey) and 2 button downs (purple and maroon).

I have a pair of black shoes and I wear those with black dress socks.

I have never been a “girly-girl” (not that I am opposed to it), but I have always lacked the ability to match colors and styles without looking hideous.

This is a great question, A. What you’re wearing doesn’t sound so bad to me (albeit a bit boring, but there’s nothing unprofessional about that), but the vibe I’m getting from your email is that you don’t feel elegant, feminine, or sophisticated. I think it’s important to distinguish unprofessional attire from attire that isn’t elegant/feminine/sophisticated — there have been a lot of very, very successful women who wore nothing but boxy suits, had masculine haircuts, and wore clunky heels (or flats). In fact, to a lot of older people (both men and women) that is the best way to convey that you’re serious about your job. (I was just reading a comment on an older post about whether long hair is appropriate — the reader noted that when she ran for office, no one took her seriously until she cut her mid-back-length hair into a Hilary Clinton cut.) (Pictured: Tomboy Shorts, originally uploaded to Flickr by FredoAlvarez.) [Read more...]

Filed Under: Beauty, Being Girly, Business Casual, Comfort, Fashion, Fashion Gaffes, Jewelry, Success

Diamond Rings and the Working Girl

03/17/2011 By Kat 316 Comments

should-i-take-my-engagement-ring-off-for-interview This should be a fun conversation. Reader S wonders what size diamond ring is appropriate for a professional woman…

What size wedding ring/engagement ring is appropriate for a professional office? Personally, I think giant rings are gaudy and tacky. But I overheard a couple of attorneys saying the other day “”Do you ever see a friend posting pictures on facebook about her recent engagement and when you see her ring, you think to yourself ‘oh, honey, I’m so sorry!’”" so I guess rings can be too small as well. What size will keep you safe from the gossip?

I’m glad she asked this question, because I remember some of the comments turned to engagement rings in our conversation on the intern with the Hermes handbag, and there were some fascinating differences of opinion in there. For my $.02, I think that any size ring is appropriate for a professional office, provided that the ring is actually an engagement ring, and not a cocktail ring worn as an engagement ring. (Engagement rings are fairly simple, in part because they’re intended to be worn on a daily basis. Diamond cocktail rings (full disclosure: I own one, love it, and wear it a ton) can be gorgeous, but they’re often bigger (either in length, width, or height), sparklier, and to a certain extent, gaudier, than what an engagement ring is; they should be worn only when the occasion calls for it. I’m right handed, so I like to wear mine on the middle finger of my right hand, particularly if I’m attending a cocktail event where I’ll be holding a glass with my right hand.) I will say, though, to those of you looking to get engaged, pass this tip on to your soon-to-be fiance: don’t go into debt to buy an engagement ring. You can always add to the ring later, either by adding diamonds to it as baguettes, by “upgrading” your diamonds (from a less-clear one to a clearer one), or so forth. (Pictured above: Acadia Ring Emerald-Cut Diamond Platinum Ring , available at Gemvara for $61,297, also available in combinations of white gold, yellow gold, and almost any other gemstone (for a huge range of prices) — just click “customize”.)

Surprise Basics for Women’s Workwear

03/08/2011 By Kat 148 Comments

Reader S has a question about which wardrobe items become surprise basics for the working woman…

Would love to hear you and readers share which pieces have unexpectedly come into your regular wardrobe rotation. For example, I know that you’ve found purple pumps to be quite versatile. Now that many of us have found the classic basics, what are some pieces that you have found to be surprise basics?

Great question! Personally, I find that there is little way to predict what will be a favorite — it depends on how an item wears, what surprises it holds (how low does that neckline go if you lean forward?), and how it fits after you’ve laundered it at least once. Still — there have been a few unexpected basics in my working wardrobe, including purple pumps, as reader S correctly points out. (Pictured: Surprise, South Lambeth, SW8, originally uploaded to Flickr by Ewan-M.) Other things that might not be on every woman’s must-have list of items, but are items I’ve never regretted purchasing:

Sponsored Post: Thomas Laine’s Statement-Making Jewelry

02/09/2011 By Kat 17 Comments

This post is sponsored by Thomas Laine, but written by your usual friendly blogger, Kat Griffin.

I met the entrepreneur behind Thomas Laine — a woman named Eimear Thomas — a few months ago at a networking event, shortly before the jewelry site launched. I was interested, but it wasn’t until I attended a December trunk show that my interest really piqued. Looking through Eimear’s well-curated jewelry, I was struck by how interesting the pieces were, and how each one made a bit of a different statement. I’m excited to work with her on this post! (Oh, and do note that they offer free shipping (in really lux packaging) for the moment if you sign up for the newsletter.)

The first thing about the Thomas Laine collection that stood out were the bold, fun pieces, to be honest. Particularly for working women, where you may have about 5 minutes to “change” as you run from desk to dinner, jewelry can be a lifesaver.

A simple black sheath dress can go from ho-hum to za-zing when you have a bold necklace to change into for the evening. The multiple metals in this necklace (black, gunmetal, gold) make it a versatile piece, but the sparkly crystals add a lot to even the most simple of outfits. It’s $855 at Thomas Laine. Erickson Beamon – Chain Gang Necklace

Kenneth Jay Lane - Silver and Black Coral Crystal Deco Earring

I’m generally against dangly earrings for the office, but after work — these are fabulous. I love the art deco look to these (and the flattering coral color). I’d “refresh” an office outfit of a black sweater, trousers, and simple earrings by switching into jeans and heels (and, fine, perhaps by removing a camisole or adding a push-up bra) and then pulling up my hair to make these earrings pop. Perfect for a night out on the town. These earrings are $119 at Thomas Laine. Kenneth Jay Lane – Silver and Black Coral Crystal Deco Earring

Kara by Kara Ross - Wave Gemstone Bangle

I attended a conference for fashion bloggers yesterday, and one of the things I noticed was that the “arm full of bracelets” trend is alive and well. (Joan Rivers spoke around lunchtime, and, after being asked by an audience member how many bangles she had on, claimed “I just put on all of the ones that I could find this morning.”) The look is fashionable and fun, particularly for after-work hours — I like the look of these 5 gemstone bangles from Kara by Kara Ross. I particularly like that the gemstones are all different. Was $295, now $206.50 at Thomas Laine. Kara by Kara Ross – Wave Gemstone Bangle

The other thing that struck me about the Thomas Laine collection was how many pieces were great for adding a bit of personality to your regular office wardrobe. We all own the basic pieces — the blouses, the blazers, the sheath dresses — but jewelry is one of the primary ways to personalize your look.

Janis Savitt - Rose Triple Strand Knot Necklace

For example, this necklace isn’t quite as blingy as the Erickson Beamon necklace above — but it leaves a fashionable impression. Worn with a simple crewneck sweater or even a white button-down, it’s a rich look that translates well to the office. This necklace is $588 at Thomas Laine. Janis Savitt – Rose Triple Strand Knot Necklace

I have one friend who always wears pearl button earrings (no matter what!) and I like the slightly different take that Gerald Yosca takes on them here. They’re still ladylike and delicate, but the oxidized brass gives them a vintage look, while the crystal gives them just a hint of bling. They’re $73.50 (were $105) at Thomas Laine. Gerard Yosca – Pearl and Crystal Button earring

Like I said, I’m not a big fan of dangle earrings for the office — but hoops are the only possible exception to that because they’re fairly static, so they don’t distract when they move. These gunmetal and crystal earrings strike me as a great way to add a bit of “edge” to your office look — I particularly love the way the crystals point in different directions, as well as the vintage look to them. They’re $119 at Thomas Laine. Kenneth Jay Lane – Medium Gunmetal and Crystal Earring

Readers, what kind of statement pieces do you like to wear to the office? How do you determine whether a statement piece is “acceptable for the office” or “only for evenings”?

(L-13)

Tagged With: Eimear Thomas, Erickson Beamon, Gerard Yosca, Janis Savitt, Jewelry, Kara by Kara Ross, Kenneth Jay Lane, statement jewelry, Thomas Laine Filed Under: Accessories, Advertising, After-Work Activities, Fashion, Jewelry, Sponsored Post

A Discriminating Woman’s Guide To Buying Jewelry, Part One

Transitioning from a Conservative Office to a More Casual One

The Tomboy in the Suit

Diamond Rings and the Working Girl

Surprise Basics for Women’s Workwear

Sponsored Post: Thomas Laine’s Statement-Making Jewelry

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