Vintage Necklace Calls for New Look
Dear Fashion Police: I have a squash blossom necklace made of turquoise and silver that I’ve had since the early 1970s when they were fashionable. Since it was an expensive piece, I’d like to resurrect it. I have a black knit turtleneck top that I think would show off the necklace beautifully. I’m also thinking of wearing a pair of silver hoop earrings to complete the look. What do you think?
--RECYCLING
Dear Recycling: We’re so glad you held onto that necklace. Silver and turquoise are extremely popular right now, and the bold look of the squash blossom necklace--made of turquoise nuggets and silver beads with a horseshoe-shaped pendant at the bottom--is right in style with current vintage fashions.
But the funny thing about bringing back styles decades later is that you can’t wear them exactly the same way. It’s the difference between looking dated and looking retro. Some contemporary element needs to be added.
In the case of your turtleneck with the necklace, that would scream 1970s, and not in a good way. There’s a whole prairie/Southwestern trend going on right now that will be huge come spring and summer. That look is one way to go. A feminine button-front blouse with a small ruffled collar would work, as would a peasant-style top.
These feminine pieces offer a nice counterpoint to the chunkiness of the necklace. If you want to go whole hog with a Southwestern theme, add jeans or a jeans skirt and a classic denim jacket or a suede or leather coat in butterscotch. Check thrift stores for the coats; you may come across some great vintage pieces at good prices.
For a more conservative look, start with a plain white T-shirt, add a jeans-styled linen jacket and a straight linen skirt or drawstring pants. Try a sea-foam monochromatic color palette or shades of ochre and russet, which will set off the necklace even more.
Other jewelry you wear with the necklace should be complementary but shouldn’t compete for attention. Simple silver hoop earrings or small silver posts and a few silver bangles or a tooled leather wristband will work well.
Dear Fashion Police: I have a question about the correct length of a long skirt. I am 5 feet 3, wear a size 10, and enjoy wearing long skirts, either A-line or straight. Most are not petite and hit me at my ankle. Is that length OK, or should I hem them up? I usually wear them with some type of boot.
--LONGING FOR AN ANSWER
Dear Longing: There is no “correct” length for a long skirt, which can range from narrow stretchy looks to flouncy chiffon styles. Lengths vary from mid-calf to grazing the foot, so the choice is up to you. Lucky for you lots of labels are offering long skirts and dresses for spring and summer, some in cool linens and cottons, with touches of embroidery or little flounces at the hem. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
If you’re wearing boots and you want the world to see them, your skirt hem should end at least a little above your ankle.
If you want to elongate your look, don’t have any gap between skirt hem and boot top, and try to keep them in the same color range; black boots with a white skirt create a choppy effect. With shoes, try to keep skirt, stockings and shoes in monochromatic shades. And skip the patterned or textured hose, since that will break up the line as well.
From the Fashion Police Blotter: Some of you who shop at LandsEnd.com and other sites are familiar with My Virtual Model, technology that enables customers to build a virtual model of themselves by supplying their measurements, hairstyle and skin tone. Before buying an item, a customer can try it on the model to see an approximation of how it’s going to look.
That technology will be available for plus sizes on PlusSize.com (www.plussize.com), an online shopping mall featuring large-size clothing from a number of designers and manufacturers, including Elisabeth by Liz Claiborne, Lane Bryant, Spiegel and J. Jill. Elisabeth, Ulla Popken, Size Appeal and Just My Size will be the first labels to participate; others will follow. This should be up and running by the end of the month.
Write to Fashion Police, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012, fax to (213) 237-4888, or send e-mail to jeannine.stein@latimes.com.
