Reconfiguring Your Stash into the Industrial and Bold Jewellery Trends for 2016

Harpers Bazaar illustrates the jewellery trends for 2016 in an 84 pic inspiring slide show. Industrial, bold, and asymmetrical demonstrating a slight variation on a five year theme is my assessment of what you will see for the spring of 2016.

Scarlett Johansson at the Oscars. Photo Credit: JCKonline

Here are four ways to take what you already own in your stash and reconfigure it into the 2016 spring trend.

1. Choose the biggest earrings you own and find another pair in a complementary colour. Take one from each pair to produce an asymmetrical pairing and you are on the edge of the 2016 wedge. Take a second look at the earrings Scarlett Johansson wore at the the Oscars. Do the same with the biggest crystal sparkly ones you own and wear a smaller sparkly version or stud on one ear.

2. Statement necklaces are never out of style because they are a "statement of your style". If you bought one in the past five years, whether it sits at the collar or is long, wear it with confidence in 2016. If you want, do the same as suggested with the wrist - add a heavy rectangular chain link.

Christian Dior.
Photo Credit: Harpers Bazaar Slideshow No. 22

3. Re-configure a brooch into a choker. Wrap a scarf around your neck and pin it in place with a large gemstone brooch. If you saved a broken chain from another piece of jewellery, attach it to the brooch pin, on both sides, and let it hang as it will atop the scarf. Or take a gemstone necklace and adjust it to the choker length sitting on top of the scarf.

4. Add a heavy link chain bracelet to a bright colour bangle and you have 2016 on your wrist.

Attitude: A Choice

In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.

— Coco Chanel

That quote from Chanel and the next one are dedicated to all the males who wear ballet flats and who have visited this website.

Attitude is everything.

— Diane von Furstenberg

When my ballet flats expert, Brian Davis, sends me a photo of his latest purchase, my response is always the same, "there's a post there". However, even in an El Nino winter, he won't be going far in those flats.

Gold Ballet Flats. Photo Credit: Brain Davis

The boots will serve him better in the snow. 

Tory Burch boots. Photo Credit: Brian Davis

Attitude is everything and no matter what one wears, it is inspiring to see choices that exude one's individuality. For me, appropriateness is the main factor in decision making, then comes that which I feel good in. As a result I usually feel comfortable in whatever situation I am in, even if I am a little over- or under-dressed. 

Accessories, shoes particularly, are the best way to express individuality. And so I salute Brian for his individuality and his footwear choices!

ITSO . . . In the Style of . . . Inès de la Frassange

Having few but good things. Mixing old and new, luxurious and cheap, day and evening. Remembering clothes are there to help you look and feel good, not to show off. We are not hangers.

- Inès de la Frassange in an Elle interview

The NICEST: comfortable casual

Inès de la Frassange is one of the authors of Parisian Chic, a guide to Paris style and she represents that style, that chic-ness. Yes, Inès de la Fressange does it well. Hers is the ultimate in the most elegant "comfortable casual" style.

When you search for photos of de la Fressange online, the majority of images feature her in pants, cropped or full length and a blazer, jacket or cardigan. She has almost a "tomboy" quality when she is wearing a formal gown or even a shirt dress. Her "look", in pants, top and "jacket" is definitely one that appeals to me at this time in my life. Yes, I think she looks even more elegant in this casual style than she does when wearing a dress.

Photo Source: Elle

Cropped Pants: Those cropped pants show up on de la Fressange all the time; which simply proves that one can adopt an article of clothing or accessory and make it his or her own. Black, white, beige; she's in them all the time.

Jacket, Blazer or Cardigan: If the pants are cropped or not, she is often in a blazer. She also chooses blazers to wear over a skirt or dress.

Flats: De la Fressange's model height doesn't need enhancement. In fact, there are red carpet photos of her in an evening gown and flats. She does wear heels but on the street, it is more often flats.