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Picture this: You got a little too excited and bought a whole bunch of sparkly accessories for the festive season. Now, you’re left with an alarmingly low bank account and a ton of accouterments (that are still tagged!). Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?
And sure, while you justify each purchase with rationales like ‘But these can be worn on so many occasions!’ and ‘But they are so pretty!’, we know more often than not, you’d end up wearing them once, or forgetting they exist at all, and they’d wind up tangled in your jewellery box, unused.
What, you ask, can you do with all these shiny things? Besides listing them on Carousell, gifting them as last minute gifts or even tossing them out, we teach you how you can weave four different types of #blingbling into your work wear. After all, there’s no harm being a show-stopper, even in the office. Here’s how.
What you have: A statement necklace
How you can style it: Pair it with a pant-suit to look sleek and sharp
Let your collarbone be the center of attention by donning a statement necklace like this faux jewelled piece. But don’t overdo it by wearing a dress with a plunging neckline. Go the professional route by slipping into a tailored pant-suit. Dark colours like aubergine, black or navy, are safe colour options for work. If you’ve decided to go with a pair of flare pants, put on some leather heels for extra height.
Get the look:
Statement faux stone necklace by Zara, S$39.90
Aubergine double breasted blazer by Mango, S$199
Aubergine flare pants by Mango, S$99.90
Drawstring bucket bag by Charles & Keith, S$79.90
Suede pumps by Jacquemus, £520 (S$930), via Net-a-Porter
What you have: Colourful, crazy cocktail rings
How you can style it: Go neutral or monochrome for your outfit
Whether it is for a party or for the office, bright and bold rings can bring your look to the next level and give it added sophistication. But going crazy with multiple cocktail rings is not the way to go. Keep it to just one or two rings at the most to ensure each gets a chance to shine. With attention centred on your hands, go for a neutral coloured outfit (like a sand coloured jumpsuit and a pair of white studded heels) to make sure you don’t look like a walking piñata.
Get the look:
Crystal and pearl embellished ring by Gucci, US$920 (S$1,266)
Resin pearl and crystal embellished ring by Gucci, US$550 (S$757)
Camel jumpsuit by Zara, S$119
Studded strappy heels by Charles & Keith, S$56.90
Leather tote bag by Loewe, S$3,135, via Farfetch
What you have: Diamante drop earrings
How you can style it: Wear garments of non-shiny fabric
A pair of diamante drop earrings is a glamorous addition to your party accessories. While you can still wear them to the office, refrain from pairing them with a satin midi dress or a velvet two-piece suit as you’d look more ready to party than work. Instead, go for a more serious contrast by donning garments that do not contain any shine, like cotton, tweed and linen, like a printed collar shirt, a burgundy midi dress and a pair of Mary Jane flats.
Get the look:
Crystal drop earrings by Kenneth Jay Lane, £195 (S$348), via Net-a-Porter
Checkered shirt by Zara, S$69.90
Midi dress by Zara, S$139
Mary Jane flats by Charles & Keith, S$53.90
Leather shoulder bag by Acne Studios, £750 (S$1,340), via Net-a-Porter
What you have: Adjustable lengths bracelets
How you can style it: Fashion them into anklets
Wearing a bejewelled bracelet on your wrist (Note: It should be limited to A piece) is not sartorially inappropriate; in fact, it gives off a playful and girlish vibe. However, try giving this accessory a fashionable twist. Wear it around your ankles instead, and make sure that you’re in a pair of strapless pumps, like this pair of printed court heels so you get to show them off. Look smart by pairing these with a white shirt and a midi skirt.
Get the look:
Souvenir charm bracelet by Balenciaga, S$950, via Brownsfashion
Oversized striped shirt by Zara, S$29.90
Herringbone midi skirt by Zara, S$99.90
Leather court heels by Topshop, S$136
Croc-effect leather bag by By Far, £285 (S$508), via Net-a-Porter
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