Mine Jewelry Box for Silver and Gold, but Don’t Mix Busy With Treasures

Couture Clash: It’s very possible that you have a pair of brilliant gold knot earrings in your jewelry box, as well as a stunning silver necklace or bracelet. And you wouldn’t dream of wearing them together.

But now may be the time to consider mixing your gold and silver jewelry.

“We’re seeing lots of women wear combinations of metals nowadays,” says Marge LeValley of LeValley’s Designer Discounts in Fountain Valley. “It’s not the taboo it once was, as long as the jewelry is of the same basic style.”

The Madonna craze of the 1980s brought about the short-lived trend of mixing dress and casual jewelry--a look that can still be seen on women nationwide.

While mixing colors or stones is fine, try to separate your jewelry into at least two categories, dress-up and casual. Wearing large rhinestone earrings with a subtle necklace sends the message that you didn’t know whether the event you were going to was formal, casual or a Madonna look-alike party.

Putting on the Dog: They were once a staple of the smart country club set, and today they’re making a comeback. If you’ve inherited Gramp’s houndstooth sport coat and put it in the giveaway box, you may want to consider pulling it out.

“That houndstooth pattern is very versatile. It can be worn over a T-shirt just as easily (as) with a collared shirt and tie,” says clothing buyer Steven Cross of Newport Beach. “It’s not just for senior citizens anymore.”

With an older houndstooth, inspect the buttons and the lining, which get a great deal of wear, as well as the elbows to see if the fabric is ready to take on a new life.

Any stains should be brought to the attention of a good dry cleaner. Stains that have been allowed to set for years can be nearly impossible to remove and may require you to look for a new hound.

The Streak: If you’re a brunette and in the past you’ve had your hair done with white or silver streaks or had patches dyed into it, you may want to consider a hair overhaul.

“Women are asking for a more natural, down-to-earth look,” says hair stylist Judy Miller of Huntington Beach. “It got to the point a few years ago where women were leaving their stylist’s chairs looking like badgers.”

If you’re not entirely ready to give up the streaked look, have your stylist make the streaks smaller or shorter, and perhaps lighten up on your color so that the contrast isn’t so great.