Shop
Ear ye! Ear ye!
I have always likened being well turned out to preparing a perfect dessert. While your outfit could be the main cake or pudding, your accessories, especially your earrings, are the…no, not icing. Rather, they are the splashes of liqueurs or the dashes of alcohol that you use in your dessert. These touches are the ones that take your dessert from being an also-ran in the meal, to a sweet, shining finish.
Earrings are such a versatile component. You can use it to play up your attire, the way a nice cognac is used in a flambé. Or you can nod to subtle charm, the way good rum seeps into a Tiramisu pastry.
Whatever the occasion and whatever your intention, there is always a perfect pair.
Leading by the ear
Usually, very rarely does any type of earring really go out of style. You can always work any pair beautifully, if you wore it with the right clothes and panache. However, this season we are seeing a resurgence of vintage glamour. This gives us some exciting options to explore.
- Chandelier earrings: This is not for the shy or the intrepid. We are talking about huge ornate pieces with shoulder-grazing length. These could possibly substitute the chandelier in the musical ‘Phantom of the Opera’. Big, bold and beautiful. You can pick one with white stones or colors from a subdued palette such as ice-blue, frost-pink or mint-green. Also, remember that there is a fine line between drama and melodrama. So, if you go with these strong earrings, keep the neck bare.
- Hoops: You can’t go wrong with these classics. This season they are bigger than ever before, in a variety of interesting materials like bamboo and wood. However, you can pick the old winners in silver or gold. In fact, they needn’t even be the regular circular hoops. Get a little crazy with shapes – squares, intertwined ellipticals, rectangles…After all, geometry was meant to be fun.
- Studs: Now, studs are usually the discreet, understated alternatives for those who don’t want to go all out with the earrings trend. However, you can be classic and contemporary with colored studs. Since they are smaller in size than regular chandeliers or hoops, you can choose vibrant colors. A bright garnet or a deep violet pair will give the necessary pop to an all-white or black ensemble.
- Kitsch:The moulds is breaking and look what’s emerging! We now have a plethora of designs and materials for those simple things that decorate the ear lobe. Try peacock feathers with your regular white shirt and denims for a funky vibe. Or long spirals made out of stiff paper for adding an artsy dimension to your look. Then you have some tribal designs in wood and bamboo that will go well with almost any casual or semi-formal outfit.
When it comes to kitschy earrings, it truly is a wild, wild world out there.
So, there you have it. Here are some clever trends that will get your ear to catch their eyes.
What Maketh a Man
It's happened. The last vestige of women's indulgence, jewelry, is now being taken over by men. Well, not really by all men. However, there is a growing brotherhood of the sartorially savvy. They clip their nails, they condition their hair, they wear pink, and are not afraid to put on something glint-y.
In today's times, if you see anything shining on a man, it is not likely to be his armor. His armory, though, may include a host of pieces of other kinds of jewelry. Here we lay down a few rules on how men could work the bling factor right.
- Earrings/ Piercings: First of all, unlike women who can truly carry off larger pieces, men cannot. That is just the way it is. If you must wear earrings, a small stud or a wee design (be it an arrow or a dolphin on your eyebrow or your ear) is enough. Yes, you are stylish. We get that. Keep it subtle.
Another thing to keep in mind is the cultural context of your ear piercings. In some societies, having one or the other ear pierced indicates homosexuality. You may want to consider this while wearing your stud or ring. However, irrespective of general opinion, wear your piece and walk tall. After all, historically, men wore earrings to denote their rank and authority in a group.
- Neck pieces: You can get a little ambitious here. Now, we are not suggesting you make a large statement piece of the skull pendant you have stored from your college days. However, if a neck piece is the only thing you are wearing, you could get one the size of a large coin. (We are talking of a coin in contemporary currency, mind you. Large stones from the Flintstone era don't count).
Neck pieces are also a great way to show some creativity. For example, the other day I saw a young man sporting an albatorss pendant round his neck. (Of course, not everyone will always get your nifty idea. That's okay, though. What's style without a little suffering?)
- Time pieces: Sophistication is the key here. There are some beautiful expensive watches that you can invest in. However, you don't always have to go in for items with caviar pricing. Some simple watches with tan or black leather straps, with interesting details on the dials are a must for any guy.
- Bracelets: One rule. Anything that looks like handcuffs must not be worn voluntarily. This is not to say that we do not approve of chunky pieces, but it takes certain panache to carry them off. Wear these pieces carefully.
All in all, when it comes to jewelry for men, they must be what the age-old archetype of the perfect man is…strong and silent.
