Dressing to impress: glamorous pieces that will keep people guessing

Every girl needs a collection of classic jewelry pieces she can wear daily, whether in class or for a night out

Heather Holland

on the town. Tiffany’s and Cartier offer wonderfully glamorous pieces that are beautiful, yet way beyond a college student’s budget. Instead, look at department and chain stores for knock-off pieces that will keep people guessing just how much you spent.

Remember, if a stone is loosely set or the metal is poorly finished, keep shopping and move on to the next store. Just because a piece of jewelry is inexpensive doesn’t mean it should look cheap. High quality pieces can be found in all price ranges.

Diamond studs:
Nothing makes eyes twinkle more than a brilliant pair of diamond earrings. The real thing can be very expensive, especially if looking for a pair one caret or larger. Since most girls feel bigger is better when it comes to diamonds, why not shop for  a pair of large stones? Cubic zirconia’s are now more realistic than ever before, so go with an artificial stone and a real gold setting.
BUY: 14k Gold 8-mm Round Cubic Zirconia Stud Earrings, regularly $115, on sale for $45.99 at www.Kohls.com.

Pearl Necklace:
I had an aunt who recently passed away that was known for always wearing a pearl necklace. Whether she was dressed to go out to dinner or just wearing a basic pink tee shirt, she was always wearing her favorite necklace.
Her daughter now wears the piece, and we all think of Aunt Ruth whenever we see those pearls. To keep this classic look young and modern, wear a multi-strand necklace made of faux pearls.
BUY: Trio Pearl Strands, $15.50 at www.ae.com.

Cuff Watch:
Cell phones have replaced the need to wear a watch to check the time, but a beautiful watch will never go out of style. Stay away from plastic Timex versions, and instead look for a silver or gold toned cuff watch. This style is more comfortable than a full band that wraps all the way around the wrist. Gemstones add a bit of shine any time of day.
BUY: Glitz Polished Watch, was $19.80, now $9.99 at www.forever21.com.

Vintage Brooch:
The best place to look for one-of-a kind brooches is in your grandma’s jewelry box or at a thrift store. Make sure the pin clasps well and that the stones are secure. Many versions available at the mall will only last a few days before falling apart. Pin a bright brooch to a dark wool coat for a pop of color.
BUY: Ladybug Pin, $24 at www.anntaylorloft.com.

Last, but not least, the best place to look for inexpensive jewelry …

The Clearance Rack at Target:
Each and every visit to Target can uncover a wonderful piece of sale jewelry. Multi-stone necklaces, cocktail rings, and chandelier earrings can be found for as little as $2. The hardest part is deciding just how many pieces to purchase before waiting for the next sale.
BUY: Xhilaration Linear Antiqued Drop Earrings, $9.99, on sale for $4.99 at www.target.com.

Heather Holland, a Weekend Scene Opinion columnist, is a junior majoring in public relations and fashion merchandising and can be reached via e-mail at heather.l.holland@wmich.edu.

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Posted by HeraldAdmin on Jan 29 2009. Filed under Weekend Scene. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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