If any of you have yet to make it to the Cleveland Museum of Art’s wonderful “Artistic Luxury”exhibit featuring glam gems by the master jewelers at Tiffany, Faberge, and Lalique get your keister there fast… The exhibit ends at the end of this weekend!
I was fortunate enough to pay a visit last week and thoroughly enjoyed seeing every trinket, gem, and home accessory on display. I was amazed to learn about the opulent lifestyle of those who lived during the time period when these famous designers were at their prime. I was also intrigued by the accessory styles that women and men deemed fashionable at that time and couldn’t help but compare them to today’s standards of style-conscious jewelry and when it is, or is not appropriate to wear certain things.
Back in the day, women were expected to be buttoned up. Cinched waists were de rigour – women became accustomed to essentially being strapped into their clothes and their accessories. For instance, the “necklace of the moment” was called the “dog collar”. These days we would probably call it a choker… A necklace worn tightly around the neck typically made of mini-pearls and small diamonds. Quite frankly after seeing the small circumference of these babies, one could either assume these poor women were literally being choked to death (maybe to help them lose their appetites?) or they simply all had super skinny necks! This is one trend that I hope doesn’t get resurrected anytime soon, for two reasons. 1. Bottom line? They look uncomfortable. 2. Most women don’t have Giselle-like long necks – a tight necklace will only accentuate stumpy and short necks. Skip it.
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HOWEVER, these Victorian era gals sure had the right idea layering their jewels. I learned through the exhibit that women found it fashionable to don their favorite “dog collar” done in pearls and whatever else with opera length
drape-y necklaces with multi-color gems. I am personally partial to layering up my neck-wear as well… I may not don strangle-styles but pairing elegant pearls with rockin’ metal chains is an uber-cool way to change up an old stand-by. So, channel your inner Victorian and throw on more than one next time… And don’t be afraid to mix colors and texture, it adds more interest. Another modern trend that was featured was throwing flower/gem adorned combs in the hair. Of course the intricately molded fleurs of the “olden” days were a bit different than the over sized headbands that are in-style right now, but both the retro and 
the new are both whimsical and definitely add spunk to any ensemble. WORD OF WARNING: just because flowers in the hair are “in” please avoid the ’80’s style combs with synthetic flowers – not a good look. Instead try a current headband with either a flower or decorative brooch.
Clearly, fashion and all that goes along with it always come full circle. Don’t be afraid to visit fashion/apparel exhibits to gain inspiration on how to style your current digs. Your melded look will turn heads and add put you at the head of the style class.
