Spring 2013: Black & White Stripes - Always & Again

Choices: Just How Many Stripes?

Nice           No Thanks           Note-Worthy

Two Spring 2013 trends are black and white, always or again, and stripes, always or again . . .

Always . . . it seems that stripes reappear every spring in  some form and if you scroll through the images of stripes online, you will find many celebrities, male and female, in stripes, from Coco Chanel through to Jackie O and Andy Warhol to present day celebs.

Again and again. . . Kelly Rypa caught on camera in the summer of 2009 . . . 

Retrieved from http://media.onsugar.com/files/ons1/192/1922564/29_2009/d23ce0001dbb0f73_Kelly-Ripa.preview.jpg on February 16, 2013

2013 . . . Dig out the stripes, any stripes: vertical, horizontal, blazers, pants, skirts, shirts, sweaters - like black and white, they've been "in" before and this spring designers decided to kick them up a notch again. 

Here's a look at the 2013 stripes. 

Retrieved from http://blogs.philadelphiaweekly.com/style/2013/01/02/the-springsummer-trends-of-2013/ on February 17, 2013

No Thanks: That many stripes - very scary - in the trousers, in the top, in the skirt - just may be too much of a good thing.

Alexander McQueen retrieved from 

http://www.kristopherdukes.com/2008/01/02/alexander-mcqueen-shoes-striped 

on Feburay 15, 2013

Note-Worthy: As always, when a new trend arrives, I suggest and continue suggesting that you introduce it through your accessories - in this case, stripes in your shoes, stripes in your purse, stripes in your jewellery . . . . 

Nice: Other than my Amor Luxe tops, and perhaps a few accessories, I know that will be the extent of stripes for me in 2013.

Spring 2013:The Necklace or Sunglasses?

Choices: Statement Necklaces or Statement Sunglasses?

My look is attainable. Women can look like Audrey Hepburn by flipping out their hair, buying large sunglasses, and the little sleeveless dresses.

- Audrey Hepburn

Simple clothing, that LBD - little black dress you bought five years ago, with funky statement jewellery was one of the hottest trends for winter 2013. But it does take more than a trend for someone to wear those statement pieces. And in actuality, the person buying the statement pieces will wear them, trend or not.

In the same way that a pearl necklace or a symbolic religious piece can be a person's signature, the statement necklace has become a signature; and signature pieces override trends with women who have the panache and personality type to match.

Turquoise with silver crosses

Coral & Turquoise with 3 Crosses

A woman in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada purchased two of my necklace:one in turquoise with black and another in turquoise and coral. There is no better customer than one who demonstrates excitement and pleasure in wearing a piece that one has created. It is exactly for her and her response that I in turn take pleasure in creating. The pieces are bold and definitely make a statement.

It seems that for the spring of 2013 there is less emphasis on the necklace; the new "statement" is apparently sunglasses. So whether you indulge in a designer line, choose an economical drugstore brand, or resurrect a "vintage" pair, find the funkiest and flaunt them. 

At the same time that I write that, go and visit this trends site to see the big and bold neckpieces for 2013. 

Although, I believe it's easier to wear a necklace, some of us will choose the sunglasses. After all it's a spring and summer thing! We all love warm weather and why wouldn't you wear your statement sunglasses when you can be eating and drinking al fresco? Take a look at Elle's illustration of Marc Jacobs' red dotted butterfly sunglasses or Parasite's "Vamp" for two very different statements for the Spring and Summer, 2013.

The necklace or the sunglasses? First thought - choose one or the other.

How about both? Sometimes you can have too much of a good thing! However, do they complement each other or clash? Follow your heart.