When Great Accessories go Along for the Ride with Bad Outfits

The work of a great accessory is nearly never done. Having to bring out the best of whatever it's accompanying, along with the wearer's natural features and style, accessories from costume jewellery pieces like cocktail rings and charm bracelets to purses, shoes, and scarves have a lot of style quotient to pull off in any given ensemble. Usually, with a basic getup or even a more complex set of clothes, costume jewellery is able to put in a remarkable performance. Sometimes, though, it must work overtime to combat the occasional bewildering fashion choice, especially in the case of celebrities dragging their jewellery pieces along with them into the spotlight. Such was the case on a recent X-Factor episode in which host Cheryl Cole by now famously donned a quizzical dress by designer David Koma. Plastered across the web and in fashion and gossip mags, Cole's choice even got a surprised reaction out of fellow host Simon Cowell, who told Cole that she “had better sit up in that dress.” We've done our duty and taken in the full horror of the frock along with everyone else, but we've also spotted Cole's set of perfect bangle earrings putting in extra duty to suggest to criticising onlookers that even if her taste in dresses is a bit misguided, there are plenty of accessory memories to be made on the show.
The star wore a pair of amply-sized, polished metal bangles at a perfect mid-length, resting about halfway between her jawline and shoulders, emphasizing her neck and echoing the sleek look of her well-groomed updo. The earrings were no doubt chosen as a tribute to the 60's British mod look, well-matched by Cole's pair of dark matte thigh-high black boots. With earrings like these, we could almost be persuaded to overlook the jaw-droppingly awful dress that made its way onto the camera, but the sheer oddness of the swerving neckline, protruding armpits, and scrap metal-esque silver appliques (are those pieces of rebar or perhaps fridge magnets?) make it hard to stand by without saying anything.
Nevertheless, we think Cole's bangle earrings did a great job of showing that accessories can help dampen the blow of even the worst fashion faux pas. Of course, we'd love to see them working their magic alongside an outfit that doesn't evoke a bizarre space-age Barbie, but there are plenty of episodes left in which the set might get the chance to make a second appearance. We do our best to stuff our online catalogue full of original costume jewellery pieces that know how to handle the best and the worse of fashion situations, helping every outfit find the perfect flourishes in form, color, and creativity with prices that make owning an ample wardrobe easy. Next time you're not sure of a daring fashion choice, step out with the best of costume jewellery for support –but we imagine you'll fare better than Cole in any case.

One Dress Three Ways: Accessorising the LBD

The little black dress, or LBD, is a fashion staple that has served its purpose at countless parties and social functions –not to mention simply looking great around the house. Imagined and created in myriad different forms, the LBD has enjoyed a rock star status within the fashion industry for decades, and is well-loved by fashionistas around the world. Able to flatter nearly any figure and add just the right amounts of elegance and refinement to a special occasion without causing any clashing issues or making a big deal out of line and form, the LBD is bound to remain one of the primary elements of any modern woman's wardrobe. Recently, a crop of TV starlets was spotted wearing the same little black dress to various promotions and red-carpet affairs. Luckily for the trio of television sweethearts, the events were well-spaced out between seasons, and no mishaps were had involving the dreaded same dress, same event coincidence.
Instead, the appearances of the dress can be considered for their interpretation of the best accessorising for the LBD, a challenge which has delighted jewellery lovers since the first small dark frock was donned. The dress itself is a strapless Camilla and Marc number much appreciated for its sweeping, generously shaped neckline, visually interesting wide-belt bodice, and an adorable tulle skirt that's just the right length for showing off well-toned, and well-tanned, legs. The dress has made its way into the collections of 90210 star AnnaLynne McCord, Disney princess Ashley Tisdale, and Glee star Lea Michele. All three starlets have been previously noted for their fashion prowess, even if they are relative newcomers into the demanding world of red carpet designs.
AnnaLynne McCord chose to accessorise this classic yet updated LBD with one of the most stunning accessories we've seen with such a dress lately. Fire-engine red pumps complete with peep-toes stole the show and may have taken a bit of the spotlight away from the dress itself, an upstaging act created with the co-conspirator of McCord's neon yellow purse. She chose a delicate, lariat-type necklace and a series of thick, elaborate cuff bracelets –perfect costume jewellery wear for playing off of a fun purse and pair of shoes.
Ashley Tisdale went for a glamorous look in footwear as well, choosing leopard print pumps to pull off an exotic feel. We didn't catch any necklace action going on to play with the beautiful neckline of this dress, but we did note Tisdale's delicate strand bracelet, a piece that looks perfect for the subtle nuances of .925 silver costume jewellery. Lea Michele let her dress do all of the talking in nondescript black shoes and a (gasp!) forgivable lack of jewellery pieces. How would you accessorise this immensely popular LBD, should you find yourself strutting in front of the cameras? The options with costume jewellery are endless –a nice compliment for the limitless versatility of the classic little black dress.

Celebrity Fashion Face-Off – Different Accessories, Same Designer Duds

It's an especially feared feared fashion faux pas: after tireless searching, tailoring, and pampering in preparation for a big night out on the town, two celebrities end up wearing the same piece of clothing. There are a few different reasons why this particular slip-up is so unfortunate. The ample opportunity to compare who looks better in a plunging or thigh-revealing gown is a definite downside, with older or less toned celebs taking a visual hit that otherwise wouldn't have had much cause to be published. There's also the issue of the time-honoured celebrity-designer courtship. If a certain design house offers a piece to a celebrity for a red carpet waltz or important event, the appearance of the same garment on someone else can detract from the selling and statement power created through the sponsored celeb's fashion “advertisement.” Perhaps most importantly, however, showing up to a party looking like someone else simply isn't fun. Still, this couture tragedy is bound to happen on occasion, so what's the remedy? Costume jewellery, of course! Accessorizing with unique jewelry from bracelets to bangles and brooches to gemstone jewelry necklaces, and even throwing in the occasional bag charm, mobile jewellery, or crystal belt buckle is a great way to put personality into a piece of clothing.



Recently, the identical dress discovery was made between two major music divas: Madonna and Whitney Houston. You can hardly blame the pair for their draw to the dress, a black and silver Dolce & Gabbana leopard print number with refined, squared-off straps and a generous neckline featuring flattering sweeps of fabric. Madonna and Whitney wore the dress on the very same night, but were thankfully attending different events. Whitney donned the frock to an album debut in London, while Madonna slipped it on for a dinner with the designers themselves in Milan. Both singers look fantastic in the dress, making an expose of who has a wider waist or whiter teeth an exercise in futility. But neither diva seems to have gotten the maximum value out of the gown through their choice of accessories.
Madonna chose a classic cross jewelery necklace with a silver pendant, slightly tucked beneath the gown's neckline. In contrast, Whitney wore a simple black choker, which may have been a bolder statement, but still lacked that something special delivered through the rhinestone sparkle and 14k gold sheen of quality costume jewellery. So what could these celebrities have worn to make their dresses look a little different? For Madonna, we'd recommend our unusual cord, tassle, and crystal jewelry necklace, in gunmetal gray tones that work well with the silver sheen of the dress. Our crystal charms would also be a great choice for a bag or phone, and this black, white, and clear cosmetic compact mirror bag jewellery would do the trick nicely.




For Whitney, we think our rhodium crystal belt buckle would make a nice accent, especially when paired with the sparkle power of one of our charm rings that doubles as a jewelry necklace chain, such as this black and clear rhinestone-studded heart charm.

An Often Overlooked Accessory: Nail Bling

It seems that as fashion marches its way triumphantly into the twenty-first century, there's not much that hasn't been accessorised. We have decorative belts and belt buckles, charms for everything from our purses to our cell phones, special boot anklets, temporary tattoos, and all manner of hair accessories. And these, of course, just cover the outlying areas, after we've already covered the staple accessories themselves, such as costume jewelry, hats, bags, and scarves. Yet while this list might seem fairly exhaustive, it does leave some items behind in the wide world of accessories. One such item that's been getting a lot of attention lately is the ever-versatile nail. No, we're not about to suggest that you hammer some metal into your stilettos to give them an edgier look. We're talking about that prettiest of natural accessory features, the finger nail. They've been painted and polished in myriad ways throughout the years, but modern fashion is lending its particular nuances to this under-appreciated accessories realm.
One of the basics of any good nail accessory scheme is keeping things neat and clean. While it can be tempting to start out with what you've got and begin the paint-a-thon, there are a lot of aesthetic issues to deal with for most nails that aren't used to receiving the special treatment. Most nail nuts recommend getting regular manicures, but you can easily take a few steps to prep at home. Trim your nails often and evenly; go ahead and get a nice clipper that lets you attack at all the right angles. While super-long nails have been in style in past decades, there's not much good coming out of the statement now, unless perhaps you're looking for an 80's vintage feel. Enjoy a nice soak and get to work on those cuticles, making a nice and even canvas for the accessorising art to come.
Once you've prepped your nails for their powerful new look, you can head out to a professional or have a friend get creative with your tips. Or if you're feeling adventurous, you can experiment on yourself until you find something that's just right. So what are the celebs sporting on their nails these days? A great variety of fashions are being flaunted on the world's most watched fingers. Some people, like singer and actress Beyonce, are all about getting their accessory out there with a big statement; the star was recently spotted with monochrome nails that featured husband Jay-z's name and a tiny photograph of him in a baseball cap on the thumbnail.
Other fashionistas are amping up the accessory voltage with Swarovski crystal embellishments and other accents that really get the camera's attention. Still others, like pop starlet Rihanna, let the color and execution of the paint job speak out loud, with bright, eclectic polishes that are both fun and funky. Whatever your personal accessories style, you're sure to find a great way to get your nails in on the action.

Adam Lambert Loses "Idol" Title, But Wins Over Fashion Fans

The latest finale of hit TV show American Idol was a pretty extravagant spectacle; from start to finish, all the elements of the program were as packed as possible with action and extreme suspense as the final two contenders vied for their claim to international fame. Fans of the series were especially rapt this season as they followed the progress of two extraordinary male talents, each of which quickly became hot topics in the entertainment industries for their vocal talent and electrifying presence on stage. Though the competition between Adam Lambert and Kris Allen, the two competitors who battled (and belted) it out 'till the end, was abuzz online and among coffee-shop banter for weeks, Lambert seemed to be emerging as the favorite choice of viewers as the show drew to its end.
But it was not to be; in a pretty major upset, Kris Allen emerged triumphant and will go on to reap the glory and profits of the show's title and prize. But while Lambert may not have received the specific honors so many hoped he would win, he certainly managed to attract an almost cult-like following in the episodes leading up to the finale. With a handsomeness described by many as "dark and intriguing" and a talent that's clearly visible in his stage performances, Lambert has won scores of fans through his stint with the series. And these fans aren't likely to diminish simply because he wasn't handed the ultimate prize. In fact, Lambert's defeat may prove a significant boost for his professional career, helping him to draw new fans and call on the support of old ones to help him launch his own place in the sun.
Great things may still come from this engaging singer, and avid Idol watchers who felt let down by the final decision may find that there's a different kind of winning awaiting those who have the right spirit. In Lambert's case, a great deal of that special spirit may come from his fashion sense, which was often in the entertainment news headlines during the course of the show and helped to define him as a performer. Always provocative without entering the realm of the ridiculous or overdone, Lambert seemed born for dressing like the rock star he had hoped to become. During a performance with legendary band KISS in the show's finale, Lambert donned an awesome leather jacket festooned with cage-work shoulder guards --a garment that might seen outrageous for most people, but looked perfectly in place and full of punch as the singer let loose with some of America's most popular bad boys. Throughout the season, Lambert's fashion choices showed a keen sense of taste and explored the possibilities of modern men's fashion, from costume jewellery to dangerously tight pants and drool-worthy shoe styles. Though he won't be wearing his duds for the show anymore, here's to hoping the entertainment industry adopts him and lets his excellent voice and accessories choice waltz back into the spotlight.