When I was in Soho the other weekend, sidewalk vendors abounded. In the past, I’ve bought some lovely pieces from on-site artisans—one kind gentleman even made me a pair of gray pearl dangles on the spot.This time, one item was ubiquitous: the faux enamel flower.
It turned up on statement rings (one enormous flower punctuated with a faux crystal center); it turned up on corsage cuffs (about five flowers of varying sizes on a silver- or gold-tone band.
Outside Morgenthal Frederics I tried on some cuff/ring combinations. I liked the cuff until I caught sight of it in a shop window—it ultimately looked too prom-queeny, so I passed.
I’m glad I did, because the charming and cool vendor had tried to seduce me with a sale price of $40, down from $45, and the not-so-subtle sales pitch, “These are being sold in Bergdorf Goodman for over $100!”
And wouldn’t you know it—on another block there was another table of identical corsage cuffs, this time with a starting price of $30.
I am, however, loving some colorful jewelry for fall from two unlikely sources.
J Crew has steadily been improving its overall stock over the last few years (they even have a pair of shades made by Selima, the quirky NYC optical shop), and last fall they introduced some fun cuffs and rings. I didn’t bite then, but am thinking of doing so now.
And thanks to a hot tip from a new friend (more about her on Monday), I’ve been loving Banana Republic’s jewelry line. Even though I don’t usually wear necklaces, I’m rethinking that self-imposed “rule.”
Any anticipated additions to your fall jewelry wardrobe?
Now, now. You need to skip all this cheap stuff and put that money aside for your first WendyB piece :-)
ReplyDeleteWendyB--I know, I know! I always feel slightly guilty when I do a (rare) post on jewelry because I know that you have such lovely designs! . . .
ReplyDeleteWhile nothing can compete with WendyB designs, I did see that enamel J Crew bracelet in Bazaar and thought it was terrific. And, secretly, I've been buying rings at BR for years. Everyone loves them and compliments me and I seem like a star.
ReplyDeleteK.Line--An innocent exPat here. I didn't know BR was now in Canada . . . How about its sister, the Gap?
ReplyDeleteStreet sellers are all like that..at one point in Kuala Lumpur I was looking at what looked to me exact copy of Tiffany's design. The guy asked for 200 ringgit (.30 USD = 1 ringgit) so I laughed and walked away and he then called out 10!
ReplyDeletego figure.
I'm loving the BR pieces..
Agreed, J.Crew is upgrading. I'm not much of a "costume" jewelry person, and in fact, I'm not wearing much jewelry at all lately. Just my wedding ring and the occasional necklace. I doubt I'll be adding anything to my jewelry wardrobe this fall, as most of what I have goes unworn right now.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I really only wear my wedding ring and my watch (and my engagement diamond on my other hand). I'm always tempted by jewelry, but feel that I'd probably never wear it either. Fie on that Calvin Klein minimalism that got into me sonehow!
ReplyDeleteYou read my mind! I was thinking of writing a post about JCrew too. I agree--they really have upgraded recently, and I too have been thinking of purchasing some of their costume pieces. I'm holding out for a Lanvin necklace and maybe another one from either Vera Wang or Nina Ricci.
ReplyDeleteI just tried to use the net to figure out when Banana Republic and Gap opened in Toronto - it's longer back than I can remember. I didn't find anything useful but I'm going to speculate that the Gap has been here since the late 80s and BR opened probably in the early 90s. Don't quote me on this. I'm just trying to piece it together. Now, when they first opened, it wouldn't surprise me if there were only the flagship locations downtown... Now they're on every other block.
ReplyDeleteK.Line, I remember when I left for grad school in 1990, there was still no Gap in Ottawa. I sent Gap gifts back for Christmas because my friends were excited that I had access!
ReplyDeleteGosh - I love (and would probably even wear) nearly all of that! I have been trying to NOT buy cheap jewelery any more on the grounds that I wish to save for good, life-long investment sort of stuff, but sometimes it's SO HARD.
ReplyDeleteI'm a recent convert to jewelry lust, and nearly all of my purchases come right from Etsy. The enamel stuff has never caught my interest, but BR's line certainly has. And, of course, like we all are, I have a tiny, growing fund for one of Wendy's Boleyn necklaces ... let us know what (if anything) you buy!
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