Trend Watch: More Bad Advice as to What’s Out
Last week, I did my part to shoot down the suggestion from Harper’s Bazaar that stud earrings are “Out.” Today, I take aim at another pronouncement on which presumed “trend” is ready to be retired.
“Over and Out” proclaims a contributing editor in the December 2008 issue of Allure magazine, calling oversize pearls one of “this year’s worst offenders.” He scoffs at the gumball-sized pearls worn by Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton and Cindy McCain. “Message from campaign headquarters,” he writes, “Wilma Flintstone called. She wants her necklace back.”
While his comment is trite (the verbal styling that so-and-so called and wants something back is definitely “over and out”), at least the editor is an equal-opportunity detractor. Could he have located less flattering photos of any of the three women? Neither Senator Clinton’s lace collar nor Mrs. McCain’s rhinestone brooch are stylish, and arguably Mrs. Obama’s earrings are too small in scale to be worn with the large pearls.
But as for the pearls, there’s a significant difference between a trend and a classic. I can’t agree more that gladiator sandals, shorts worn over tights and floor-grazing pants (all of which are condemned in the article) were fads destined to run their course quickly, but pearls aren’t in the same category. Coco Chanel, Jacqueline Kennedy, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” – need I go on?
Well now, why do you suppose all three women on the campaign stage this past year wore short necklaces of oversize pearls? Might it be because the style of necklace is extremely becoming in drawing attention to the face, and works well with politically requisite conservative necklines, and also because there is nothing more beautiful than a luminous strand of natural gems? A strand of small millimeter pearls wouldn’t have made the same powerful visual impact. Indeed, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has made significant pearls her signature.
I don’t see any chokers of Wilma Flintstone cartoon-sized rocks here. I see each of the women wearing a beautiful, classic strand of pearls, perfectly appropriate, classic and chic. I hope and expect that none of these women will be retiring those necklaces anytime soon.
Cynthia Sliwa commented:
I couldn't agree with you more, Hedda. The November comment that
colored diamonds are "Out" strikes me as silly. Perhaps the
pronouncement reflects the fact there is much less press these days
for celebrities choosing colored diamonds for their engagement
rings, but why those rings would be contrasted with chunky
necklaces, I can't imagine. For the fashion-forward customer,
magazines are a good source of creative ideas for how to wear
jewelry, which can benefit retail jewelers. At the same time, only
a fashion victim will take everything she reads in a fashion
magazine as the final word. I like this quote from Coco Chanel:
"Fashion passes; only style remains."
Hedda Schupak commented:
I'm a bit behind in my reading but November Harper's also
proclaimed colored diamonds "out" while big chunky semiprecious
necklaces are "in." I daresay the big chunky pieces will be "in"
for a much shorter time than colored diamonds might be considered
"out," which I highly doubt they ever will be. I dare the editors
of HB to show me one woman who will take a chunky semiprecious
necklace over a colored diamond. Cheap 'n chic is fun, don't get me
wrong, but it should never be taken for anything more than it is: a
short-term purchase that comes and goes at whim. Don't forget,
fashion is about the ultimate in planned obsolescence. So buy the
chunky piece, wear it this season, then store it for a few years
(or decades) till it's proclaimed "in" again. But that colored
diamond? Trust me, it's never going to be "out," no matter what the
fashion mags say.
Hedda Schupak commented:
I'm a bit behind in my reading but November Harper's also
proclaimed colored diamonds "out" while big chunky semiprecious
necklaces are "in." I daresay the big chunky pieces will be "in"
for a much shorter time than colored diamonds might be considered
"out," which I highly doubt they ever will be. I dare the editors
of HB to show me one woman who will take a chunky semiprecious
necklace over a colored diamond. Cheap 'n chic is fun, don't get me
wrong, but it should never be taken for anything more than it is: a
short-term purchase that comes and goes at whim. Don't forget,
fashion is about the ultimate in planned obsolescence. So buy the
chunky piece, wear it this season, then store it for a few years
(or decades) till it's proclaimed "in" again. But that colored
diamond? Trust me, it's never going to be "out," no matter what the
fashion mags say.
