I always like a statement necklace, and this natural rock necklace from Kenneth Jay Lane looks lovely. I like the adjustable chain (so you can wear it as tight or as loose as you like). Love the dirty blue — perfect to pair against a white or black blouse — but do note that the website has them in green and rose quartz as well. The necklace is $88 at Thomas Laine. Kenneth Jay Lane – Blue Chalcedony Natural rock Gold Chain Necklace
(L-2)
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 |
| 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 |
  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.
  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)
We are loving this multi-strand necklace from Neiman Marcus — and for once we actually like it in all of the colors it comes in: black, silvertone, bronze, and golden. We think it would be a great way to make everything from a simple crewneck to a button-down more interesting, and would particularly look great with a boatneck (such as this morning’s TPS). The necklace is $250 at Neiman Marcus. Multi-Strand Bead Necklace
(L-2)
Reader L writes to us, wondering:
Can you do an article about how to wear brooches / pins? They always look so nice on Michelle Obama. I bought two of them and have no idea if they are work-appropriate or what to do with them…
Personally, we love brooches. (Pictured above: Nonogram Pin, available at Brooks Brothers for $29.60 (was $148).) Back around 2003 it was all the rage to wear 2-4 of them (at least, it always seemed like that’s what Stacey and Clinton were advising folks to do); now, thanks to Michelle Obama, they’ve regained popularity. We’re not sure they ever went “out of style” completely, though—in other words, if you like the way they look and Michelle Obama stops wearing them for some reason, you can still wear them.
There are lots of ways to wear brooches, obviously. On the lapel of your jacket or blazer is the most obvious place — this works best with more delicate-looking
brooches, but can be done with larger brooches as well. We’ve seen Michelle wear them as ways to keep a cardigan closed; we’d advise going with a fairly muted, large brooch (the one above is a bit fancy, but would work well for this purpose) and positioning it in the middle of your abdomen — well below your breasts. We’re a big fan of wearing a large, colorful brooch with a solid-colored turtleneck or scoopneck; wear the brooch not on your chest but in the region between your clavicle and shoulder. Finally, for work, we’d also include the brooch-as-hair accessory — if you’re doing a low ponytail or a half-up do: try pinning the brooch in your hair so it anchors to the elastic — it’ll just look like a really lovely barrette.
The more shiny/sparkly a brooch is, the less appropriate it is to work (at least, for our $.02). We’d wear these kinds of brooches to dinner parties and black-tie dinners, though; pinned to the dress at the waist (either centered or at the side), or pinned to the shoulder/clavicle region. If you have two matching brooches you like, you can try to pin them to your dress at the shoulder–we’re thinking of some old scene in a Claudette Colbert or perhaps Katharine Hepburn movie where the heroine wears a sleeveless, Grecian-type drapey dress and does this.
In general, keep in mind that the brooch — worn for work — should bring attention to your face; not your chest or your outfit.
Readers, any opinions on brooches? Shop more brooches, below…
