Trend: Chain Necklaces

Forget dainty charms hung from a sliver of a chain. The new trend across fashion blogs and magazines is the necklace made of hardware, a statement piece comprised of a mass of heavy chains in various sizes and metals, sometimes knotted together, sometimes cascading to great lengths. Even J.Crew, the bastion of preppy style, has not remained immune to this new punk look: the necklace shown above is one from their new jewelry line designed by Dana Lorenz of Fenton/Fallon.

While shopping this week at HaShouk HaCarmel, I raided the two jewelry stands and found quite a selection of chains in various sizes, all costing around 20NIS per necklace. These fabulously inexpensive alternatives can be layerd on top of one another or knotted by hand. Below, a detail from my favorite pick:


Top image credited to J.Crew (www.jcrew.com).

Trend: Mink Muffs

Essie's new nail polish color Mink Muffs has been decorating my fingers for weeks now. I first got introduced to it when I was back in L.A. around New Year's when, having gotten tired of my winter reds, I decided to ask the manicure place what their newest selection was. The taupey color they produced wasn't immediately seductive, yet it turned out to be surprisingly refreshing once applied. There's something to be said for the type of clean edginess that a neutral palette can evoke - just think of 60s era nuded-out lips.

Throw on something flirty and bright to go with it. The contrast will lend a new interest and sophistication to the color. Take, for example, my post-manicure experience shopping at J. Crew. Amidst that pastel backdrop, my fingernails positively popped. So much so that the sales girl helping me began calling her colleagues over to see "the new color" she loved.

Florals and grays. Seems like the perfect combo for a Spring that, so far, has been half heatwave, half rainstorm.

Trend: Knee-High Socks

The rain can often force me to compromise my sense of style. I start pinning my bangs back, tucking comfy leggings into boots, borrowing my boyfriend's oversized sweaters, skipping all makeup, and heading out the door looking fairly like I've just rolled out of bed.

A recent stop at the shouk, however, gave me a reason to put together cute outfits again: socks. Decorative, layerable socks. Knee-high navy blue socks worn over grey leggings and under black boots; knee-high grey socks worn over black tights with brown boots; and the sexiest thigh-high thin black socks worn over bare legs or layered over black tights with tall black heels.

Cheap and warm, my new purchases are the perfect mix of fashion and practicality, keeping me covered while allowing me to slip back into a few shorter skirts and dresses. It feels good to feel cute again.