Think big
Big accessories just got bigger. Joyce Hooi shows you how to wear them large
and proud
Joyce Hooi
Thu, Aug 02, 2007
The Straits Times
There's one area of fashion where plus-size is actually oh-so desirable - accessories.
Yep, big earrings and chunky pendants aren't the exclusive domain of hormonal teenage girls anymore.
More working women are taking the bold route with accessories that are loud and proud, say retailers.
They're ditching discreet, classical rings for bright, big rocks with their business suits. And it's goodbye to simple, silver chains around the neck: Eye-catching pendants are a swinging alternative.
Karen Leong, brand manager for shoe and accessories retailer Aldo, says: "Big accessories started becoming really popular during the festive season late last year, and (this) will continue towards the end of the fall/winter season."
In fact, when Aldo opened its first branch in Raffles City in June last year, the ratio of large accessories to smaller ones was 40:60. Now, the ratio has been reversed, with the company doubling its purchase of large costume jewellery over the last year.
Leong notes: "Most of our customers buy large accessories to pair with simple workwear."
Joyce Chua, manager of Six, an accessory retailer from Germany, adds: "Executives from their 20s to 30s tend to prefer large pendants."
A buyer for Robinsons, Mae Mak, attributes the trend to the influence of celebrities snapped in look-at-me accessories.
"(US Vogue editor) Anna Wintour's large sunglasses are a constant statement piece, for example," she explains, adding: "I don't see it dying down for some time. Being glamorous will always be in fashion." Large hoop earrings, too, are here to stay, reckons Aldo's Leong. "Circular earrings also never go out of fashion. They're one of our most popular items," she says.
While simple in shape, they needn't be boring as they come in a dizzying array of combinations, such as multiple concentric hoops or even open-ended ones.
Chandelier earrings have become one of those instant staples too. Stylist Trey Wong says: "Chandelier earrings are quite a classic. They're sparkly and go well with typical dark satin dinner dresses. They also tend to elongate your face."
But stylist Benjamin Tay recommends caution with the chunky-monkey mania.
"Chunky earrings will not look good with officewear because people will be looking at them instead of at you during meetings," he says.
Even if you're in a line of work where it's more bland than bling, cocktail rings - with huge stones - have emerged as the modern professional woman's clever loophole.
"Cocktail rings can be worn for work with suits, even when it's not suitable to wear large earrings," says Wong.
"Coloured stones and crystals are popular, especially for rings," confirms Leong, adding that Aldo expects to see demand for them increase towards the end of the year as customers buy cocktail rings to wear to parties as well.
Even so, proportion is important when choosing large rings.
"Your hands must be big enough to carry them off because if your fingers are too thin, it'll look very distracting," says Tay.
Just as crucial is not over-gilding the lily. "One focal point is enough. If you have dangling earrings, pick a plain or a jewel-less necklace if you must wear one," advises Wong.
Above all, enjoy yourself.
"Large accessories are fun and get you noticed instantly," enthuses Robinsons' Mak.
----------------------
Rings
|
|
|
Necklaces
|
|
|
Earrings
|
|
