| Just as every woman needs a pair-or twenty-of | | | | themselves. |
| jeans, a few pairs of black shoes (at the | | | | |
| very least: ballet flats, thongs, kitten | | | | Silver or gold hoop earrings Several styles |
| heels and stilettos), a cocktail dress, a few | | | | of hoop earrings can be considered jewelry |
| basic skirts, a chic business suit, a | | | | staples, from small diamond-encrusted loops |
| cardigan sweater...I could go on but you get | | | | to gargantuan, J.Lo-style hoops. It all |
| my point. Just as every woman needs these | | | | depends on what you like, so choose hoops |
| fashion staples, she needs a few jewelry | | | | that fit your personality. Keep in mind, |
| basics-seven actually-with which to | | | | though, that oversize hoops can overpower |
| accessorize her outfits. | | | | short hair, an updo, or a face with small |
| | | | features, so take in the overall picture |
| Like a custom paint job on a sleek Harley, | | | | before you step out. Small gold, silver, |
| accessories personalize your style and tell | | | | diamond, pearl or CZ hoops go with everything |
| the world that you care enough to go the | | | | and are always in style. Look for hoop |
| extra mile for appearance's sake. And we all | | | | earrings with a back that's easy to fasten |
| know that appearance counts. Within the first | | | | and won't readily bend or fall out. And don't |
| three seconds of taking you in, people make | | | | wear gigantic hoops to a job interview or |
| judgments about you that you usually cannot | | | | other professional setting, unless you work |
| reverse. So why not make a good first | | | | at Vogue. |
| impression with a look that is polished, put | | | | |
| together, and says that you pay attention to | | | | Diamond solitaire pendant There's not enough |
| style and detail? Still with me? Good. Here | | | | room here to write about the five Cs of |
| are seven jewelry staples no well-dressed | | | | diamond quality, but, if you're interested, |
| woman should be without. Choose any one of | | | | there are a ton of sites out there where you |
| them to accessorize in a snap, and to ensure | | | | can read about how to choose a diamond. As |
| that snap judgments made about you reflect | | | | for the pendant, a single bezel set diamond |
| who you really are. | | | | on a white gold chain looks amazing, crisp |
| | | | and classic. Choose an 18-inch length with a |
| Diamond studs Anyone can pull off this | | | | secure clasp (I prefer lobster claw here) and |
| classic accessory. Diamond studs are elegant, | | | | make sure the chain is sturdy, yet thin and |
| timeless and simple enough to be worn with | | | | unobtrusive. It's the diamond that you want |
| other jewelry and any style of hair or dress. | | | | to showcase here, not the chain. As with |
| Look for clear, sparkling gems with at least | | | | studs, you can get a gorgeous solitaire |
| ½ carat total weight, set in white gold or | | | | pendant made with a CZ, or, for a twist, try |
| platinum (not yellow gold) to show off their | | | | a pearl. |
| colorlessness. As for shape, round studs will | | | | |
| always be in style, but princess cut styles | | | | Pearl strand When choosing a classic pearl |
| are popular-and classic too. Look for screw | | | | strand, look for an 18-inch princess length |
| backs to help ensure that you won't lose your | | | | in a classic creamy white. This length is |
| investment, and make sure the setting is | | | | very versatile, and the color is timeless. |
| secure (I prefer four prongs to three). | | | | Both akoya cultured pearls and freshwater |
| | | | cultured pearls fit the bill, although akoyas |
| Be warned that quality diamond studs can be | | | | will be more expensive. Other factors to keep |
| pricey. Blue has a beautiful pair of ½ carat | | | | in mind: pearl size counts. After the 7.5-8.0 |
| tw diamond studs with screw backs for $600; | | | | mm mark, prices rise dramatically, but a |
| Tiffany & Co. sells a beautiful pair of .22 | | | | 6.5mm strand is lovely and affordable. Look |
| total carat weight diamonds set it platinum | | | | at luster and surface. Pearls should have a |
| for $875. Can't afford these beauties? My | | | | high luster, or surface sheen, meaning they |
| sparkly CZ look-alikes get the job done, and | | | | reflect light well. They should also be free |
| cost under $40. And I don't have to worry | | | | from obvious blemishes. Pay attention to |
| about losing-or insuring them. | | | | uniformity. Make sure the pearls are the same |
| | | | size, the same color and have a uniform |
| Pearl studs Like diamond studs, pearl studs | | | | luster-the warm glow that appears to come |
| can be worn with every style of dress, and | | | | from within the pearl. To check that the |
| with all types of jewelry. Unlike diamond | | | | pearls are uniformly round, roll the strand |
| studs, pearl studs are surprisingly | | | | on a table. Matched pearls will roll |
| affordable, especially when you choose | | | | smoothly. |
| freshwater pearls, which today can rival the | | | | |
| beauty of their saltwater cousins. Look for | | | | So you think pearl strands are too Barbara |
| round white gems that are well-matched; these | | | | Bush? A Tin Cup necklace, where the pearls |
| are classics and won't go out of style. | | | | are evenly spaced on a chain, is a gorgeous |
| Beware of purchasing button-shaped | | | | alternative. |
| (flattened) pearls when you think you're | | | | |
| getting round. Choose a back that is | | | | A Classic Timepiece Lots of options here, but |
| comfortable, secure and comprised of a metal | | | | if you're going to choose just one watch it |
| your skin can tolerate, such as white gold, | | | | has to be classic, functional and stylish. I |
| yellow gold or platinum. | | | | like a water-resistant oversize sterling |
| | | | silver watch or a classic tank watch, both of |
| When wearing pearls, keep in mind that the | | | | which will look good with everything except |
| gems are typically associated with a demure, | | | | formalwear (then you can tuck it in your |
| ladylike reputation, so they're perfect for a | | | | clutch). A stainless steel band will wear |
| job interview, wedding or other formal | | | | better than leather, and is usually |
| setting. Of course, classic pearls are | | | | water-resistant, but try it on in case it |
| perfect for daytime and casual events as | | | | feels too heavy or overwhelms your wrist. |
| well, and give the wearer a timeless, | | | | Stick with a classic white or muted watch |
| feminine look that is very polished. | | | | face with numbers that are easy to read. |
| | | | (Bold colors are pretty, but distracting.) A |
| When buying pearl studs, choose akoya | | | | glow-in-the-dark face is a plus. As for |
| cultured pearls or their far more affordable | | | | brands, Swiss Army has some great styles that |
| freshwater counterparts, which are just as | | | | wear well and don't break the bank. If you |
| beautiful. For the best look, choose pearls | | | | have the means, a Tag Heuer or Rolex is |
| that are 6mm or greater in size. JR Dunn | | | | always nice too. |
| sells Mikimoto akoya cultured pearls in 6mm | | | | |
| round white for $340; sells round white | | | | When you have your seven basic jewelry |
| freshwater cultured pearls in 7mm for $38. | | | | staples, it's time to play. There are so many |
| | | | other classics you can add to your jewelry |
| Dangle earrings I love dangles for their | | | | box if you're so inclined. A diamond tennis |
| drama, and because their typical hook backs | | | | bracelet, a beautiful Tahitian pearl |
| make them easy to get on and off. But many | | | | bracelet, an oversize pearl cocktail ring, or |
| dangles aren't for everyday; they'll look out | | | | a signature piece in your birthstone all look |
| of place with shorts and a tank, for example. | | | | terrific. Depending on your style personality |
| If you're going a bit more formal, though, | | | | and budget, you can choose plenty of other |
| you have many options with this earring | | | | extras to keep up with fashion trends, but |
| style. Keep in mind that if you want your | | | | keep these on the inexpensive side as they |
| dangle earrings to become a jewelry staple, | | | | likely won't stand the test of time. For a |
| look for a classic, elegant design in a | | | | statement-making piece, choose an oversize |
| neutral color, such as an all metal style or | | | | cocktail ring in a bold color. Or, if you |
| one that ends in a cultured pearl, for | | | | like today's layered look, pick several chain |
| example. For your staple piece, don't choose | | | | necklaces in your favorite metal in varying |
| anything trendy or cute; steer clear of | | | | lengths, and layer them with pearl strands or |
| hearts, stars, zodiac signs and skulls. (If | | | | oversized turquoise, wood or mother-of-pearl |
| you want to go trendy that's fine, just buy | | | | beaded necklaces. Wide wood, mother-of-pearl |
| something inexpensive.) As for what to | | | | or metal cuffs always look terrific, and |
| choose, I prefer a dangle that hangs an inch | | | | stackable bangles, especially personalized |
| or two below the earlobe to really make a | | | | charm bracelets, are always fun. (Do spend |
| statement. White gold and yellow gold bars, | | | | more on charm bracelets, as you'll probably |
| chains or chandeliers are timeless favorites. | | | | hang on to these.) |
| Of course, hairstyle and wardrobe will play a | | | | |
| role here too. If your hair is very long you | | | | Still stuck on what to wear? You can always |
| can get away with more dramatic-and | | | | go with my favorite and most valued piece of |
| longer-styles. Remember, though, if you wear | | | | jewelry: a handcrafted, hand painted macaroni |
| a dramatic earring it's best to skip the | | | | necklace made for me by my four-year-old son. |
| necklace and let the earrings speak for | | | | |