Category Archives: Rings
Vintage & Antique Shopping with Parisian Style
Wherever you might be vintage/antique shopping, why not add a little Parisian flair to your look?
Here are Signet’s best tips for getting the most out of your trip:
1. Dress comfortably and bring a wrap or light sweater that you can slip on or off depending on the weather.
2. Bring a hat or sunglasses if you’ll be outdoors (and sunscreen).
3. Limit your jewelry and accessories so you won’t have to remove as much when trying on items.
4. Carry a cross-body or shoulder bag and keep a collapsable shopping tote inside.
5. Wear comfortable shoes
6. Invite your best friend along, two sets of eyes is always better than one.
7. Bring cash in small bills. Sellers are more likely to give you a better deal if you offer to pay in cash.
8. Make a wish list of what you hope to find; this will prevent impulsive purchases.
9. Be polite and respectful of all merchandise. The value of something could surprise you.
10. Celebrate your great finds over lunch or afternoon tea at a lovely nearby café
Inspired by NYC and Jane by Design
Jane By Design Images, ABC Family
Having just returned home from an incredible visit to New York City and feeling a little nostalgic, I sat down to watch one of my favorite shows, Jane By Design, and decided to create a new outfit inspired by its very stylish main character, Jane Quimby. In a case of mistaken identity, Jane is a high school student that lands her dream job in the fashion industry and decides to pursue a whirlwind double life trying to balance school, her social life and pursuing the career she has always fantasized about. Jane creates her own signature look by combining her favorite pieces with some she customizes (using her handy sewing machine). The result is a very original, youthful look that always seem to look exciting, yet impeccably put-together.
Want to channel Jane’s style? Here are some ideas:
1. Update a skirt by pairing it with opaque tights and sleek platform heels.
2. Choose a funky cocktail ring and wear it during the day (Jane loves her jeweled Octopus ring).
3. Add a wide colorful belt or statement necklace to your neutral cardigan or do both!
4. Wear a cocktail dress during the day with a cardigan over it and a fun belt.
Hope you are already getting great ideas on how evolve your own style with a little help from Jane. Do you have a TV character that you’re inspired by? Tell us about them at: mysignetstyle@gmail.com; we’d love to hear about how they have influenced your signature look. =)
Wearing Spring’s floral trend with signature style
Designers this spring have been struck by the flower bug as we are starting to see lovely blooms on tops, skirts, pants, accessories, etc. Unless you normally wear this sort of print, you might find yourself shying away from the trend saying things like: “I’m too mature for this,” or “I need to look confident at work,” or even “I don’t wear a lot of color.” If this is you, I’d like to give you something to think about… Wearing a floral pattern can make you look feminine, youthful, mysterious, confident, alluring, sexy, or all the above. It all has to do with color, pattern, scale and how you are wearing it.
Ready to be challenged? Read on and you might be surprised how this trend can enhance your signature style and send more compliments your way.
Color
We just talked about wearing colors that flatter your skin tone, eye color, hair color and blush tone; use the same guidelines when selecting the colors for your patterned piece. Ex: If you have fantastic green eyes, choose a floral pattern that features plenty of leaves and foliage such as ivy to bring out the green.
Pattern
There are a wide range of floral patterns from modern to vintage and everything in between. If you have more of a contemporary style, select an abstract floral print, but if you are a romantic at heart choose a print with soft lines and lush flowers that remind you of a bygone era.
Scale
If you are petite, choose a smaller print and opt for a larger one if you are tall. Smaller prints will de-emphasize an area, while a larger print will bring eyes straight to it; so keep that in mind when you are deciding on where to place that bright floral scarf. If you have pretty shoulders, wear the scarf draped loosely around your neck and if you have a narrow physique, place your scarf around your hips as a belt.
How do I wear it?
Depending on your profession, certain pieces will look more appropriate than others. A floral scarf under a conservative navy suit will look feminine while very professional while a floral top with tailored pants or skirt will also look professional but has a more relaxed feel. If you are in the creative industry, you might wear an A-line floral skirt with a pretty knit top in a neutral color, while a stay-at-home mom might like to wear a flowy, floral cardigan or wrap with jeans and knit tee.
Above all, have fun; and please post any comments or questions you might have. We’d also love to see what you come up with, so feel free to share your greatest outfits with us at mysignetstyle@gmail.com. Thank you!
Indulge in the blues…
Check out JLAcosta on Polyvore.com for Outfit Details
Follow these steps to achieve a fabulous monochromatic look:
- Choose a color that is flattering to your skin tone. This is very important. Blue is flattering to most skin tones, but if you know of another color that looks fantastic on you, play with it as well.
- Select several accessories with different textures to add to your clothing pieces. Items that are both a few shades lighter and darker will also add some dimension to your look.
- Choose a metallic or a neutral shade to ground your outfit. Gold or silver hardware will dress up your look for evening, while camel or tan will make it work for daytime.
- Keep hair and make up simple, accentuate your eyes and use a neutral lipstick. If your eyes are your best feature, use a couple coats of mascara and if you love your lips, line them with a shade just a bit darker than your natural lip color and fill them in with a matching lipstick or gloss.
Enjoy! We love your feedback, so feel free to comment or share your creative monochromatic looks with us at: mysignetstyle@gmail.com
How will you wear red on Valentine’s Day?
Red looks good on all skin tones, it’s just a matter of determining what shade.
-If you have a lower contrast between your hair and skin choose a red that is less saturated. If your skin tone is blue/pink in undertone choose a raspberry red, if it’s golden/bronze in undertone choose a persimmon red.
-If you have a higher contrast between your hair and skin choose a red that is more saturated. If your skin tone is blue/pink in undertone choose a cranberry or ruby red, if it’s golden/bronze in undertone choose a tomato red.
Pick a room, any room
Today, I decided to create an outfit inspired by the simple decor of a well-designed home office. Similar to what I did a few posts ago with some artwork, I took the design elements in this room and applied them to building a great wardrobe ensemble. Before heading to the closet, here are some of the notes I made about the space:
1. The color palette (Warm neutrals, from light beige to dark browns)
2. The shapes/lines (Soft but modern; straight classic lines for neutrals, feminine lines for the modern pieces)
3. The materials/textures (Wood, fabric, resin, metal)
4. The accents/pops of color (Bright lettering, white lamp, white chair, jagged clock)
You can do the same thing by choosing a photo of a beautiful space, asking yourself the questions above, and then selecting some pieces that share the same elements. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a head to toe match; perhaps you can start by adding some inspired accessories (like a scarf, belt, jewelry, shoes, or hat) to a classic sheath dress and build from there. Studying different spaces and decor is a great way to develop your signature style! I’d really love to see what you come up with, so please share your comments below or send an email to: mysignetstyle@gmail.com.
Choosing a “signature” ring
There’s something lovely about wearing a classic signet ring with your initial or monogram, especially if it’s an heirloom or has your family crest on it.
But why not try something different? It doesn’t have to be an expensive buy, and you can always check to see what you already have in your jewelry drawer before you go shopping. Look for a ring that has a particular symbol or stone that you personally identify with, or perhaps an inscription that reminds you of something that makes you smile. Most importantly, it should say something about you. Whether a simple or a statement piece, the trick is to wear it every day or as often as you can.
If you don’t know where to start, here are a few tips to help you select the perfect ring for you:
1. Look at the shape of your fingernails. Are they more rounded, or more square? When selecting a ring with a stone setting, look for a cut that closely matches the shape of your fingernails.
2. What is the overall shape of your body? Are you tall, petite, or voluptuous? Select a ring that is in proportion and balance with your physique.
3. Have a friend take a close-up photo of you wearing it or stand in front of a mirror. This way, you can see the ring from a different angle and notice things you may not have seen before.
Signet Style 