Jewellery Trends 2020

Closet Fashion Analysis: 

Big, Colourful, Chain Links, Pearls, Ankle Chains & Single Earrings

Asymmetrical Pairs from days gone by.
by JoyD. Photo Source: JoyD

Three major themes in jewellery trends for 2020 are colourful, chain links and big. And this year the single earring, pearls and ankle chains are recurring. 

Good fortune for those of you who have kept any single earrings after losing the other. Or if you bought an asymmetrical pair several years ago when that was the trend. Lucky you, now you have two choices to use for a particular colour palette. The single earring trend is one of the most creative and cost effective trends for jewellery makers. We get to use up those single over-sized baubles. 

All of the above are themes that always return in some variant form - I guess that's what makes a trend — the variant forms. And summer is always a time when flamboyant fashion jewellery appears. Throw colourful and summer into the mix for a jewellery crafter and it's time to play!

Fashion during recessions tend to become more minimalist and luxury items plummet in sales. Yet we as consumers look to lift our spirits, even through something as superficial as fashion and since the money is not there, we do it through trendy accessories. Coincidentally we are in a situation of economic difficulty and uncertainty about returning to a normal lifestyle, whatever that may mean to you, and both are happening as summer approaches, at least for us here. (My apologies to those in the Southern Hemisphere, where, of course winter is approaching. But with less sunlight and greyer days, colourful just may be a therapeutic choice.) 

If you are looking for something to cheer you up, to conjure a less pessimistic view of the world owing to this COVID-19 predicament, perhaps we can try to do it through something playful and superficial such as . . . 


Big and Colourful: Imagine super-sized hot pink hoops or just one matching a pink and yellow patterned face mask.

Statement Necklace by Joy D. Photo Source: JoyD

Pearls: Marie Claire tells us "pearl everything". Take a look at the page Statement Necklaces by JoyD for past pearl creations.

Ankle Chains & Shoe Chain Jewellery: As far as the ankle chains go, I don't want to admit how long ago I wore an ankle chain and I know a woman who hasn't taken hers off since then. Marie Claire writes, "Jewelry isn't just for your wrists, ears, or neck anymore . . ." Really?

Photo Source: Harper's Bazaar -
 Brandon Maxwell Design
Getty Image

Oversize and Chunky Chain Links: We've been there — it was about 7 years ago or so.

The one below with silver chain link and turquoise stones is one I made back in 2014 or 15. It was a favourite that I kept and have worn many times over the last five or six years. I keep carrying it back and forth between France and Canada.

Statement Necklace by JoyD. Photo Source: JoyD

What Would Happen If . . .

Closet Fashion Analysis: 

A Necessary Fashion Statement

Since face masks have been recommended, I decided to do a creative thinking exercise which predicts possible consequences - "What Would Happen If . . . ?"

WWHI face masks were mandated for use in all interpersonal contact outside of one's own home for an indeterminate amount of time? 

My thoughts, from my inner fashionista are . . . 

Face masks would become more colourful, more unique reflecting personal preferences and idiosyncrasies, thus becoming more fashionable, and more outlandish. There would be face mask trends to watch every season.

We don't have to go far, it's already happening. I bought this

Photo Source: JoyD

one yesterday at Nature's Health Centre where I buy my supplements and essential oils. A local seamstress has taken the opportunity and a local business is promoting and selling her wares. Grassroots commerce - love it!

WWHI we went more high tech . . . Cyclists have been

Photo Source: respromasks

 using pollution face masks in major British, European and Chinese cities for awhile now and Respro™ masks, manufactured in the United Kingdom, are being re-invented by consumers to deal with the predicament we find ourselves in now. When Respro™ was asked,"Can a Respro™ mask protect against Corona virus?" they responded with a technical explanation only they can do and not many can understand. Visit the Respro™ FAQ page for that explanation. 

Photo Source: Airygal.com

WWHI? Well, this too is already happening - "fashionable" alternatives being influenced by safety supply manufacturers. How much safety this actually offers may be debatable.

Ah but all that is still too ordinary - let's predict outside the patterned fabric face mask, cyclist pollution mask and safety-influenced samples.



Think more outlandish consequences for fashion trends such as elaborate designs re-creating, modifying and applying elements from Venetian eye masks . . . 

Photo Source: Simply Masquerade

or Jester masks . . . 

Photo Source: Simply Masquerade

or this Bauta Musica Masquerade mask. . . . hmm? Indeed, what would happen if . . . ?

Photo Source: Simply Masquerade

In Readiness to Store: Washing by Hand

Closet Fashion Analysis:

Storing Woollens

A closet in readiness to return for work is the goal over the

Photo: JoyD

next while for my posts. As we transition from winter to spring, our closets need to be re-generated and re-invented. Today I will be sharing helpful hints regarding the chore of washing woollens and storing them over the summer.

Necessary - Washing by Hand

Handwash all your sweaters and tops, no matter the fabric content - well, maybe not t-shirts - especially wool, cashmere, and all natural fibres including silk. Those with dry-clean only labels are there because most people do not know how and so the manufacturer errs on the side of caution and recommends dry-cleaning of your merino wool sweater when in fact it is safe to wash by hand. Other than blazers, I have even washed camel hair pants by hand and ironed them myself.

Having said that, you must remember to:

• Always use cold or cool, never warm or hot water. 

• Use a lanolin based soap or baby shampoo for all woollens from cashmere to mohair to angora to camel hair.  

• Gently manipulate by pressing the suds through the fabric without any scrubbing friction. You can use stronger action on reinforced areas like collars and cuffs but hold off on a lot of friction. 

• Rinse by letting the soapy water drain and refill the sink with more water.

• Rinse at least twice with the same gentle touch you used to wash. 

• Add a tablespoon or two of vinegar to the last rinse. 

• Do not wring out between rinses. 

• When the water no longer appears to have any soapy residue, drain the sink and press as much water as possible out with your hands pushing the fabric against the side of the sink, then . . .

• Roll the item within a thick cotton towel to remove excess moisture. 

• Lay flat, reforming shoulders, sleeves and body into proper position on a clean dry towel. 

• Lay on a flat surface or on top of a clothing drying rack. I usually lay it on the floor to dry. 

• Check in a few hours or a whole day and turn the item over. Replace with a dry towel if the towel if damp.

• When dry you may want to iron out the creases and you can but with great care. Using a barely damp clean white cotton, or other natural fibre cloth such as linen, spread out on top of the article you want to iron. Making sure you have a low temperature setting, lightly pass the iron over the creases. Have patience, it will take some time and it will work, but not too much heat. 

It's a time consuming process but you have time. Space to dry for more than a day can be an issue so only do as many as you can dry properly at any one time. For me that's three maximum.

Necessary for Storage

• Make sure your articles are completely dry before you store them. 

• Roll, so you don't get any fold lines, and tuck in a dryer sheet to give a fresh scent or add a few drops of lavender or peppermint essential oil to an unscented dryer sheet and tuck into the rolled article. The lavender or peppermint will also deter any insects and save you from the anguish of finding a tiny holes in your stored woollens. (I absolutely must do this when in France.) Cedar blocks sold especially for storage purposes are also a good idea. 

• Store rolled in a drawer. Do not hang or else you will end up with "hanger bumps" on the shoulders and a stretched out body. I also shy away from storing in plastic bins.

I know what you're thinking - but really beautiful wool, cashmere and mohair sweaters cost a lot and in order to get your money's worth, you need to do this. If you don't want to, consider buying acrylic next time 😉 but you still need to wash them for storage.

Any helpful hints and your comments are always much appreciated. 

😃Spring 2021 Update: Does dis-order in your life overwhelm you? Changing Spaces by Design has recently published a guided journal with inspiring affirmations, suggested daily strategies to create clutter-free spaces, time management recommendations, and charts to record your project. Shirley B says, "I embarked on the process and am pleased to say that it really does work. I put my stuff in order, found stuff I had forgotten I owned, and got rid of stuff I no longer need (that is somebody else’s stuff now). The result – I know what I have, and where to find it. Amazing!"

You can check out their launch page at 30 Day Journal to Triumph Over Clutter.

Brian's Choice Re-invented

Closet Fashion Analysis:

Ballet Flats with a Conscience

Nice

Brian, my ballet flats expert has turned his allegiance from Tory Burch to Tieks – In an email last week he told me, “2 years ago I bought myself a pair of Tieks ballet flats. Today I now own 22 pairs. I still like my Torys but I'm more of a Tieks guy these days.” 

Considering the Tieks motto is “the ballet flat reinvented”, I think it an appropriate choice. For those of you following this blog, you know that I prefer subtlety when it comes to wearing “marks”. I like Tieks because their signature is the teal blue sole and vertical heel strip whereas Tory Burch emblazons her TB in almost a garish way. Now you know how I really feel.

Tieks has also endeared me to their product with Operation #SewTogether: Their ads tell us, “We’re giving a $50. Tieks Gift Card to anyone who stiches and donates 25 masks, or a $100. Tieks Gift Card for 50 or more masks.” They are distributing these masks in the Los Angeles area and as this promotion expands, I am curious if Tieks will expand their donations elsewhere. The Tieks web page for #SewTogether also keeps a running tally of how many masks have been produced. On my last visit (April 16, 2020) they have provided 260,167 lower-grade homemade masks to free up the medical-grade ones for doctors and nurses who deal directly with COVID19 patients.

Not only this but the Gavrieli Foundation maintained by Tieks provides financial resources for women entrepreneurs around the world “in the broader fight against global poverty”. Nice.

Like any other mark, Tieks has an enthusiastic following and Brian has become part of that as well, “I've met lots of great people thru the Tieks group I'm part of. A few have been real life meetings in Arizona and Calgary.”

“Women seem to love this brand,” Brian reiterates, and from the website, I can see why “. . .  and there's a handful of guys that also wear them . . ." 

Tieks . . . a perfect spring choice for anyone who has a social conscience (and an aversion to showy marks) ". . . and they come in a rainbow full of colors” . . . and they're foldable!

Photo Source: Tieks

Careful with those Anti-bacterial Wipes!

Closet Fashion Analysis:
Secondary Consequences on Clothing

Note-Worthy

With greater use of bleach and bleach products during this time of controlling our environment to reduce the chances of contacting COVID-19, our clothing is being affected as well. It may seem a trivial consequence, in times of greater concern with the virus, but nonetheless it is annoying when a favourite something or any item of clothing has been relegated unwearable because of a bleach accident.

A friend who was voluntarily delivering chocolates for a local chocolatier before Easter, was disinfecting the interior driver's side of the delivery vehicle with L(brand) disinfectant wipes.  After she sat behind the wheel, "the wipe was resting gently on my pants for maybe 30 seconds", she told me, and this is what happened. A disappointing result. 

Photo Source: SW-Z (April 11, 2020)

We don't know exactly how much bleach is in many of the products we are using more frequently at this time but in order to be germ-killing the concentration must be higher, thus the effects on clothing more dramatic. 

She obviously didn't think and I certainly wouldn't have thought that the wipes were so concentrated with bleach. A noteworthy lesson learned.

It's important, to read the ingredient list and no matter the amount of bleach, be careful to not have the product come into direct contact with your clothing. 

The positive, the wipes obviously work at their antibacterial claims. 

Easter Celebrations Past & Present

Closet Fashion Analysis: 

Easters Past & Present

Nice

Photo Source: SophiasStyle

When I lived with my parents, Easter was a time to dress up for blessing the Easter basket filled with foods to break the lenten fast and then go to church early Sunday morning. When I was little, I always got something new to wear for Easter. Not just one something but a whole outfit, dress, coat, matching hat, ankle socks with a lace trim and new shoes. I particularly remember a yellow and white jacquard dress with wide satin sash (much like this one), a yellow swing coat, a Juliette cap of white and yellow petals and white shoes. It was still early spring and I remember not wanting to wear the white leotards my mother insisted upon because it was still colder than a normal spring day that Sunday morning. I posed in front of the house on Main Street while my mother took a photo outside because she didn't want to waste a flashcube.

Note-Worthy

Fast forward several decades later when Easter 2020 will be remembered with voluntary confinement and restrictions to congregating in groups, which of course, affects churches (and well they should) as well as extended families which would include several different households. Everyone I know here in our prairie city has been, is and will be compliant given the pandemic requirements. 

I plan to dress up for Easter dinner, just as I have done for most of my life, albeit in nothing new this year. Although, I do wish I had something yellow. Dinner will involve 3 people all living within the same household. Perhaps I will order yellow flowers and have them delivered.

No Thanks but Necessary for some

I understand that several American states have granted exemption to churches regarding the no-congregating-in-groups initiative to help suppress the spread of COVID-19. Excuse me? What's that all about? Nicolas Little in his online article Keeping Churches Open will Damn Us All (posted April 2, 2020, retrieved April 9, 2020) appeals to those who continue to think rationally, "Let's not grant the extreme fringe, like Florida Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne license to jeopardize the health and safety of the rest of us, just so he can keep the donation basket full." I must say, I am glad I am not living in Florida or in any of the States perpetuating non-compliant attitudes among the general public.

Generally, I do not like sarcasm since it often degrades another person, incites ridicule at someone else's expense and is scornful. However, I have succumbed to that level with the news of this sanctioned non-compliance . . . I would suggest to those who have decided to congregate that they choose an appropriate Easter Sunday outfit during the present pandemic . . .  

Photo Source: China Medical 

Photo Source: China Medical

Update (April 13, 2020) Thanks Amy Jo for the photo enhancement.
The perfect colour for the non-compliant churchgoers on Easter Sunday during the pandemic.

From Shopping to Shut Down to Shock

Closet Fashion Analysis: 

Un-Necessary in this Post

Within the last 8 months we have moved from shopping, visiting and dining in Romans-sur-Isere, France, without a care in the world to voluntary quarantine in Canada because of Covid19 to shock at senseless human-wielded tragedy, back in France, which I may not be able to return to in a long while.

Romans-sur-Isere - I have written about this lovely town in South-East France where a great factory-store mall, Marques Avenue exists. Every year, I do a pilgrimage to Romans-sur-Isere for shoes, cashmere sweaters, and my favourite Yves Delorme bed linens. 

With every visit over the past 20 years, we have dined at the restaurant "La Charrette" and the original owner Christian Vinson and his son, Julien were always visible in the restaurant. Most recently, we met, Julien, who was "our age" through a friend, who lives there. Julien died Saturday and no, he was not a victim of Covid19 - he was slaughtered by a deranged murderer while protecting his son, The Guardian tells us. The murderer first killed a shopper at the butcher's, a shop we have been to. Four others were injured and taken to hospital. 

We have walked down that street, past shops and restaurants, been to the tobacconists and to the butcher shop, eaten pizza at a sidewalk café, and bought bread, wine and flowers to take back to our friend's home. As I contemplate the situation on the other side of the Atlantic, my feelings are surreal as my imagination takes me to before, during, and after.

Who was this murderer? Mentally unstable? Obviously. Deranged? I assume so. Apparently, he came to France as an immigrant, was granted his 10 year residency, received government subsidized education for a trade and was also helped by Secours Catholique (Retrieved April 6, 2020 from The Guardian). A professed Islamist, this particular immigrant from Sudan and temporary resident of France, in my mind, took advantage of the generosity of the French government and Secours Catholique, whose mission is to "serve the poor and to promote charity and justice throughout the world", and then reciprocated with murder. Even with that, those who profess Christianity and pacifism still proclaim, "you are forgiven". I ask now for forgiveness as I struggle with that.

The BBC reported that he was "found on his knees . . .  praying in Arabic" and he asked police to kill him. They did not and so he did not die a martyr as his political and religious beliefs made him desire. Nothing good can come of this and so yes, I take the position against violence and the evil it generates. I just can't wrap my head around how one human being can slaughter others and profess spirituality. Yet our history is riddled with exactly that.

Romans-sur-Isere is in shock. Residents are confined to their homes, restricted by government orders, because of Covid19, and are unable to carry out the emotional, spiritual, and physical interactions so needed.

My friend from Romans-sur-Isere writes, "We are all confined and very sad now."

What is in our closets, figuratively speaking?

Project Closet De-Cluttering

Closet Fashion Analysis: 

Minimize and De-Clutter

During this COVID19 time of limited careful contact and distancing, most charitable organizations are curtailing or at the very least limiting clothing donations. Call your charity to find out about their policy.

Our self-isolation time provides an opportunity for getting our clothing donations ready. Very often I have procrastinated with the process because there are other tasks taking up my time. I really do not have any excuses not to de-clutter my closet now when I am staying in.

This last winter I sent off two full-length camel coats and several skirted suits to Dress for Success, the organization that helps women with their wardrobe needs when returning to the work force. I still have some old favourites that I am finding difficult to let go and so this may be the time to cull, sew on a missing button and clean my future donations.

NEED

You can visit your chosen charity's website or call to see what your location requires. When I called during the winter, they needed all categories of winter outerwear, classics such as simple tops and dark trousers and although they accept all sizes, they had a particular need for larger sizes. Owing to my past career, this charitable organization, whose mandate is to collect donations of business attire and accessories to supply women, who are experiencing financial difficulty, with the professional wardrobes needed to make them look and feel their best while job hunting and beginning a new job, is a perfect fit for me. I'm ready to let go of all of those items.

Prepare 6 large bags or boxes and label them: Donate to charity, Give to a friend or family member, Garage sale/Online sales, Throw Out, Mend, Remodel or Clean, Keep. Or just go through your closet with a Donation box and never mind the rest. Sometimes having to make too many decisions will keep you from focused de-cluttering time. 

I like to concentrate on one thing at a time. Last spring before I left for France, I invited a niece who is presently working in management to raid the closet and she did. What amazed me is that I hardly noticed the difference and have already forgotten what she took. Now I am ready to donate. 

NECESSARY

1. Items have to be current and clean. 

My question is what is current? In business dress - a good quality white shirt is timeless, a blazer of medium length - not too short, not to long - can span several years. A good pair of trousers, not too wide and not a skinny fit are also timeless. Accessories? A scarf is a scarf. Colours that are basic - black, camel, navy, grey - these are not easily dated. I do understand that an 80s suit with football size shoulder pads and mid-calf skirts are dated. But I have a navy tuxedo shawl collared blazer that I still wear and still enjoy wearing. I bought it in 2011. 2011 is not current. And I'm keeping the shirt you see on the left which I also bought a good while ago.

So rather, I like to follow my definition of classic because classic, no matter how old, can be current.

If you would not wear it because of a stain on the sleeve, you should not expect anyone else to. Stained clothing ends up in my "housework" clothes drawer and if I have too many pieces, I give the 100% cotton things to a woodworker friend.

2. Items have to be in wearable condition. 

But of course. This seems rather obvious. And now is the perfect time to sew on a button or teach your children how to sew on a button, to repair a falling hem, to stitch a seam that came apart. Rips and tears pretty much should be thrown out because repairs can cost more than what the item is worth.

3. Items should be seasonally appropriate. 

Many charitable locations have limited storage space and so you should donate summer clothes and winter clothing in their relative seasons. Heavy coats, mittens, gloves, scarves and boots are all appreciated by charity volunteers because we don't own as many of these things and we wear them longer, therefore fewer are donated. Do the same for anything you want to try to sell online. You will get a better price selling a pair of Tory Burch boots in winter than in summer.

NO THANKS 

Now you're ready to take a closet inventory and ask yourself the following questions. Your answers will help you determine which box it belongs in.

When was the last time I wore this? A year or more, get rid of it.

Why am I not wearing it? It doesn't fit right; it hangs funny; I just don't like it anymore; my lifestyle has changed. If it doesn't feel right when you try it on, chances are it will not feel right the next time you try it on either. Any one of these responses is reason enough to get rid of it.

Happy Closet De-Cluttering! 

😃Spring 2021 Update: Does dis-order in your life overwhelm you? Changing Spaces by Design has recently published a guided journal with inspiring affirmations, suggested daily strategies to create clutter-free spaces, time management recommendations, and charts to record your project. Shirley B says, "I embarked on the process and am pleased to say that it really does work. I put my stuff in order, found stuff I had forgotten I owned, and got rid of stuff I no longer need (that is somebody else’s stuff now). The result – I know what I have, and where to find it. Amazing!"

You can check out their launch page at 30 Day Journal to Triumph Over Clutter.

A Clothing Strategy for COVID19 Inspired Staying at Home

Closet Content Analysis:

 Dressing for your Emotional Health

I have always been a proponent of dressing appropriately and this time of self-isolation to avoid COVID19 is no different.

Knowing you are not going out at all during the day may lead you to do the easiest and in relation to clothing, that means putting on your sweats and staying in them all day. “Why not?” you rationalize, “you have no one to impress.”

The consequence of that is lethargy and laziness. Now you don’t shower, you stay in your pyjamas until noon or don’t change at all and then crawl into bed. One day out of the week may be good for your mental health – a day of rest. Do that for a few days in a row and you may end up disgusted with yourself.

Hopefully you have not resorted to this kind of behaviour and are keeping positive and healthy throughout this inconvenient, albeit necessary time to stay at home.

NECESSARY

Purely from a mental and emotional health perspective, there may be some benefit for changing clothing relative to activity. Try it, you might feel a little boost in your disposition.

1.     Think about your day as if you were leaving the house to go to work.

2.     Follow your morning routine – shower, hair, shave or make-up.

3.     Dress for your day – let’s call them your “day clothes”. Are you working at home? Obviously you can be more casual but still, choose an outfit, one that if you do see someone during the day, you would not be embarrassed to greet them (remembering social distance). For me, a pair of cropped pants, a t-shirt and my flip-flops – this is extreme casualness for me and I would never go to work this way but it is better than sweats.

4.     Change your “day clothes” everyday. You probably don’t wear the same thing to work each day, so change up your wardrobe staying at home.

5.     Maintain some form of exercise and change into your workout clothing, then change back into your “day clothes”.

6.     Need to do some cleaning or de-cluttering (future blog post on this)? Change into your cleaning clothing. You don’t want to splash bleach on your favourite blue jeans or shirt or get all dusty unpacking forgotten boxes from your last move.

7.     Now for something completely different: (borrowed from Victorian times) – change for dinner. “What’s that?” you ask. Doing it everyday might be a bit much but occasionally, dress-up for your evening meal, even if it is just adding a favourite necklace or bracelet. Shut the TV, turn off your phone, put on your favourite music and eat your dinner – even if you are alone. Enjoy every morsel in the now and have that peace found in mindfulness.

Happy coping and know that you are doing your part for the slowdown of this virus through your self-imposed quarantine and positive attitude.

Leave a comment letting us know if this is making a little difference in your day.

😃Spring 2021 Update: Does dis-order in your life overwhelm you? Changing Spaces by Design has recently published a guided journal with inspiring affirmations, suggested daily strategies to create clutter-free spaces, time management recommendations, and charts to record your project. Shirley B says, "I embarked on the process and am pleased to say that it really does work. I put my stuff in order, found stuff I had forgotten I owned, and got rid of stuff I no longer need (that is somebody else’s stuff now). The result – I know what I have, and where to find it. Amazing!"

You can check out their launch page at 30 Day Journal to Triumph Over Clutter.