Fashion Life
What Are Cufflinks and How to Wear Them?
If there’s one perfect accessory for gents that’s both practical and stylishly personal, it has to be cufflinks. And if you’ve never tried them before, what are you waiting for? Cufflinks can effectively spruce up your outfit, and depending on what style of cufflinks you choose, you can switch between formal and casual shirts with ease. After all, all you need is a long-sleeved shirt with cuff holes to rock the cufflinks however you see fit.
What Are Cufflinks?
If you’re not completely sure about the purpose of cufflinks, think fancy buttons. Essentially, cufflinks let you close the cuff of your shirt. But these accessories can be so much more than that. As rather personal and unique bling, cufflinks instantly elevate your look and style. And unlike buttons, cufflinks can easily be removed and switched out whenever you want to wear a different pair.
Cufflinks are very ornamental, and as such, they come in a variety of shapes and styles. The contrast they provide in the cuff area is both subtle yet striking enough to be considered ideal for formal occasions. However, there’s no limit to wearing cufflinks for your semi-formal or business casual outfits.
How Do Cufflinks Work?
Basically, cufflinks are used to close the shirt’s cuff by going through the cuff holes and then clicking into place in their fixed position. You have probably seen or maybe even owned the traditional cufflink design that involves a larger decorative front head, an extending post, and a hinged toggle at the end used to fix the link. You’d slide the post through the holes and then close the toggle to prevent the post from sliding out and opening the cuff. That way, the cuffs are neatly closed and the decorative front head lies on top of the buttonholes for added bling.
When and How to Wear Cufflinks?
The most common way to wear them is for formal and semiformal occasions. These are a very common button alternative for these types of shirts, especially when paired with the traditional black or white tie look.
However, it’s not only the dressier shirts that come with cufflink holes. From plain white shirts to more colorful and unique ones, it’s possible to find a shirt design that features cuffs with cufflink holes. What’s more, it’s incredibly simple to convert any regular shirt into a cufflink-ready one at the tailor. All they have to do is remove the button and create a small buttonhole. If you’re good with your hands, it’s even possible to DIY this particular project.
In the end, this means that you can wear cufflinks for every occasion you want with any outfit of your choosing, as long as you like the look it gives you. Mixing high and low fashion has become increasingly popular, and there’s a burst of look books involving cufflinks on simple flannel shirts.
If you’re not fond of other accessories, cufflinks are an amazing way for every gentleman to add a touch of personality to their looks, be it for formal and semiformal attire, or casual day/night out. After all, when you opt for a less extravagant pair of cufflinks, you’ll be able to pair them rather nicely even with a sports jacket.
Different Types of Cufflinks
So, what are cufflinks for? There’s no right or wrong answer to this question. In this day and age, a stylish accessory like this has become a staple for anyone who simply wants to add some flair and elegance to their outfits, or is interested in a playful mix of different styles. They’re for whatever purpose you want them to be; an elegant décor, a personalized piece, a fun alternative to buttons, or all three. And with its rising popularity, there are plenty of different types available on the market.
Whale Back Cufflinks
This is one of the most common cufflinks types these days. The mechanism is simple and easy to use. Essentially, the decorative front head is flat, the post stretches from it in a straight line, and the toggle at the end is in the shape of the “whale tail” that flips flat against the post.
Bullet Back Cufflinks
Bullet back cufflinks are rather similar to the previously mentioned whale back ones. However, the post is hollow and the toggle at the end is a cylinder that fits into the post’s hollow space perfectly. The cuff can be closed by flipping the toggle away from the hollow, thus creating a stronghold.
Stud or Button Style Cufflinks
When stud/button style cufflinks are concerned, there’s no actual hinging mechanism to deal with. A lot of people prefer this particular style as it’s quick, simple, and secure. The head and post have a traditional design, but instead of the hinge at the end of the post, there’s another smaller head that locks when straightened.
Chain Link Cufflinks
These particular cufflinks may be fancied by someone with an acquired taste, as they have two heads at each side that are connected by a chain. The cuffs might be a bit looser, but the overall impression is rather unique and extravagant.
Ball Return Cufflinks
These cufflinks have a regular decorative front head and a post, but at the end of the post is a small ball. This is a rather luxurious option as the ball is often made of precious materials and expensive metals to add weight. The fastening of the cuff is a tad looser to show off both the decorative head and the ball.
Locking Dual-Action Cufflinks
Dual-action cufflinks utilize a similar locking mechanism to a wristwatch. The post is also the hinge, and the whole mechanism has to be slipped through the cuff holes and then closed to clip to the front head. The mechanism is rather modern but equally stylish, and many younger gents prefer it due to its efficiency and secure hold.
Knot Cufflinks
Knot cufflinks are perfect for more casual outfits as they utilize a similar closing mechanism to chain link, but instead of a metal chain, the link is a soft cord, often silk. The cord connects two decorative knot heads.
Fabric Cufflinks
When fabric cufflinks are concerned, they come in a variety of different fastening mechanisms. What makes them unique is the actual material their decorative head is made of, which is fabric. This particular cufflink look is ideal for casual occasions.
If you’re looking for a way to elevate your style, be it for professional, personal, or formal reasons, adding cufflinks to your shirts is a great way to achieve exactly that. Those of you interested in unique pieces of the finest quality, feel free to check out our Miami jewelry store or visit our shop online. Our 40+ years of jewelry-making experience lets us provide our customers with top-quality and timeless pieces. Become a part of a family by purchasing an accessory that’s been specially manufactured for our store and our customers only. Aside from cufflinks, we have a range of different accessories and jewelry that will help you add a personal touch and create a customized look every single day.
Fashion Life
5 Jewelry Basics Every Chic Lady Should Know
With all these new trends, sometimes it can be difficult to know what pieces are classics and actually worth investing in. Jewelry basics are, in fact, those pieces you’re sure you’ll love forever and that they’ll never go out of style. Here are some suggestions on which jewelry can serve you throughout your life, no matter your personal style
1. A Pendant Necklace
If you want to have something that’ll truly survive all the ups and downs of changing times, choose a pendant necklace that represents something dear to your heart. Our eyes are drawn to interesting styles and patterns, and jewelry is no exception – a pendant will be among the first things others will notice about you.
The pendant itself can be anything – a birthstone, an initial, a religious symbol, or a pendant of your own design. Don’t worry about it being outdated – that won’t happen, as long as it’s special to you.
2. A Pair of Stud Earrings
You don’t want to make a statement all the time, and those brilliant, glam chandelier earrings don’t exactly match a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. The solution is easy – add a pair of stud earrings to your jewelry collection.
These can be worn for any occasion, and you don’t even have to take them off if they don’t match your outfit – if you have long hair, just leave it down and the earrings can be your little secret.
A well-made pair of studs, from real metal and with a fine stone, can be a good addition to any outfit. A suit, a shirt, a sailor-knot sweater – studs will never let you down. When choosing these earrings, make sure to avoid trendy metals (that’s rose gold at the moment), and you won’t have to worry about them going out of style.
3. Not Just Any Ring
At some point, many of us will wear a ring on our left hand – an engagement ring, a wedding ring, or even a friendship ring. So, does that mean we have to keep our right hands bare? Of course not!
Choose a signature ring that you can wear on any occasion. If you go for something personal, not only it will be unique, but it will also never go out of style. Stacking rings, midi rings, colorful or oversized – the choice is yours.
4. A Quality Watch
You may think wrist watches are a thing of the past now that we have smartphones, but that’s far from the truth. A good watch can last for years and never go out of fashion – and you won’t have to go rummaging through your bag just to check the time!
Invest in a signature piece, the one that’ll give you an even more polished and elegant look. You can make it your own by choosing a style and fit that matches your usual style, or go for a contrasting look – if you usually wear more feminine jewelry, a men’s style inspired watch can work as a statement piece.
5. A Scattering of Bracelets
Another versatile piece of jewelry is a bracelet. Or a pair of them. Or a whole stack of them. Really, when can you ever go wrong with a bracelet?
You can invest in a high-quality piece that will give your outfit a touch of color and elevate a monochrome look, or wear that same bracelet with a more everyday outfit and instantly become more stylish.
Which one of these do you think suits you best? Whether you want to get everything from our little list, or just one piece, we at Santayana have got you covered for any amazing jewelry pieces you might desire!
Just drop by, and pick your new favorite jewelry, today!
Fashion Life
4 Ways to Rock Statement Jewelry
Wearing statement jewelry can be a bit tricky. You may have heard some people even call it garish or kitsch, but the truth is that, if worn well, it can make you look like you just stepped off the runway.
How To Wear Statement Jewelry
If you’re more adventurous, you can flaunt the old rule saying that any jewelry bigger and less delicate with a gossamer string is kitsch. Fashion statement jewelry can really elevate your style, but it can just as easily turn your fashion outfit into a costume – and not a good one. To help you rock statement jewelry, we prepared some guidelines you can experiment with.
1. Draw Attention with Your Jewelry
Choose a statement piece you want to turn heads with. Is it a necklace, a cocktail ring, a pair of earrings, or maybe a stack of bracelets? This will be the focal point of your outfit that will grab everyone’s attention.
Whatever your statement piece is, the eye will be drawn to it. This means you can style your whole outfit to compliment it. For example, if you want to wear that stack of gorgeous bracelets, wearing a shirt with long sleeves just won’t do it.
2. Keep Everything Else Simple
If you choose an outfit with busy patterns or sequins while wearing a statement piece, you’ll end up being oomph-less. When wearing bold jewelry, it’s best to opt for a simple outfit that will really make the statement piece stand out, like it’s supposed to.
A little black dress is always a good choice. When paired with one or two bold pieces of jewelry, you’ll surely turn a few heads. If you’re up for a more casual outfit, you can try combining jeans and a white top with your jewelry pieces.
The key here is to stick to neutral or monochrome color clothing items in your outfit and to coordinate it (other accessories included!) so that your statement jewelry always stays in the spotlight.
3. Match Your Statement Piece With Your Outfit’s Style
This time, it’s not about colors and patterns, but about cuts. Like we mentioned before, long sleeves won’t work if you want to show off your stylish bracelets.
If you want to show off a cocktail ring, you might want to keep your arms bare. If a necklace is more your thing, try pairing it with an appropriate neckline. A necklace with layer and volume will look great combined with a scoop neckline, while a bib or collar necklaces work with crew neck tops.
4. Can You Still Wear Statement Jewelry If Your Look is Minimal?
Of course, you can, and you should! In case your style is usually minimalistic, the statement you can make with your jewelry will be about its size. However, the jewelry should have refined details like delicate stones or fine gold and silver wires.
You can accentuate your jewelry even more by choosing the outfit that best suits its particular style and shape. For example, if you want a delicate, long necklace to pop, you can choose a monochrome outfit (again, a little back dress would be perfect!) with a deeper neckline, that will keep the necklace on your bare skin. This way, the delicate shape of the necklace will be accentuated, along with your neck and collarbones.
All you need to do now is pick a statement piece! We at Santayana take pride in every piece of jewelry we make, so drop by our Coral Gables Jewelry store, and get that perfect piece that will bring your style to a whole new level.
Fashion Life, Necklaces
What Necklace to Wear with What Neckline?
A good necklace can make or break an outfit – but which one should you choose?
Knowing how necklaces for different necklines work can be your perfect shortcut to an outfit that wows!
You can match the necklace with your outfit by colors, motifs, design, length, or put it on just because you feel like it, and then… And then, something seems off. The necklace might not suit the outfit after all, despite the gorgeous pendant and the shimmer it makes in the sun.
The problem might be that the necklace doesn’t compliment the neckline of your outfit. Fortunately, that’s easy to solve!
Here are our recommendations on what types of necklaces to wear with what necklines:
V-neck
With V-necks, the necklaces that work best are the ones that compliment it. While a V-neck can be shallow, deep, narrow, or wide, the necklace that suits it best will be the one to compliment the V shape. For a more casual look, try a shorter necklace. If you want to go out and dazzle, pair your V-neck with a longer Y-shaped necklace.
What’s good to avoid are statement pieces or chokers – they’ll only shorten the neckline.
Button down
If you want to spice up your office button down (or button up) shirt, there’s no better way to do it than with a necklace. If you prefer to button up your shirt, almost any necklace can work – though a short statement necklace that spreads right under the collar can look fantastic. If you want something more discrete, opt for a delicate necklace – for example, a sleek strand necklace.
Strapless
With strapless dresses and necklines, the best choice is a shorter necklace. A chocker, collar, or other short necklaces will pair perfectly – any necklace that leaves some space between it and the neckline is a good choice.
Try to avoid very long and thick necklaces – these distract more than accentuate your neckline.
Scoop
A scoop neckline is accentuated best with some layer and volume to your necklace. This can be one broad necklace, or you can wear multiple necklaces – a multitude of strands, beads, and pendants can make your outfit pop. For a more subdued look, you can pick simple chains, with hanging pendants or lockets.
Crew neck
The necklaces best for crew necks are short – bibs or collars. The round, close-fitting neckline can also be matched with longer necklaces, chockers that follow the neckline itself, or even statement pieces that fall over the top of the neckline.
Since the crew neck is very common, feel free to experiment! If you find that you don’t like how the bib sits, you can always pick one of the other options.
Boat neck
A boat neck neckline (a wide neckline that runs across the collarbones) is not commonly found in daytime outfits. These necklines are typically more elegant, so the necklace you choose should lean to the elegant side. Long, simple necklaces are the way to go if you want to keep your boat neck elegant.
Statement necklaces can clash with this type of dress, so try to avoid them.
There you have it – one list for a quick and easy way to choose the best necklace for your neckline! Whether you’re going out, or putting any old thing on, a necklace that complements your neckline can add that little extra to your outfit.
Do you already have a necklace in mind? Check out our jewelry stores in Miami, FL and we’ll make sure you find the right fit!
Fashion Life
5 Outfit Combos Successful Women Swear By
Whether you’re looking to freshen up your office or night-out attire, a little style guidance never hurt anyone. Especially when you’re taking the lead of very successful women like Nina Garcia and Anna Wintour. To update your rotation of outfits, we’re sharing five winning combinations that always work. From a simple blue button-down to a printed midi skirt, keep reading to find out how some fashion, most powerful ladies style wardrobe classics.
1. All-Black Ensemble + Printed Clutch
Jenna Lyons
2. Printed Skirt + Oversize Outerwear
Natalie Massenet
3. Floral Dress + Statement Jewels
Anna Wintour
4. Black Top + Skinny Jeans + Pointed-Toe Heels
Lauren Santo Domingo
5. Blue Oxford + Skirt + Strappy Heels
Nina Garcia
Fashion Life, Industry News
Must-Wear Necklace Trends for Fall
Necklaces add instant pop to an outfit, finish a look and add some flair to a basic ensemble. For fall, there are some great necklace trends to consider, many of which have been around for some time. The good news is if you may already have some necklaces in your wardrobe from last season that will probably work just as well this year. Here are five necklace trends to check out for the new season.
1. Pendants
The long pendant necklace has been around for a few seasons now and will continue into fall. Pendants are great for casual wear, when you just want to add a little touch of something to a sweater and jeans outfit, and they also look great when worn with a basic dress. There are endless varieties in pendant necklaces in stores right now, from eye catching unique styles to simple, delicate ones.
2. Statement Necklaces
They’re called statement necklaces for a reason. These eye catching, bold and often chunky necklaces add striking style to any outfit and really call attention the the face. Not sure how to wear one? Try keeping the rest of your outfit minimal and making it all about the necklace.
3. Layered Necklaces
Layered necklaces give a an outfit an artistic and creative look, while being elegant at the same time. There are two ways to do necklace layering. The first is to take some of your own necklaces and layer them together to create a layered and eclectic look with different sized and shaped necklaces. Alternatively, you can also look for layered necklaces sold by many designers. The chains that make up layered necklaces tend to be in different lengths. The beauty of this is the layers can fill in more open necklines and add plenty of dimension to an outfit. A button down shirt with layers of necklaces filling in the neckline is beautiful.
4. Chokers
Chokers were big in the 90’s, and, with the resurgence of this decade in fashion, they are back. Choker looks best when the space around the neck is open and clean. A deep plunging neckline or a sharp v-neck will be a great backdrop for a choker. If you have a shorter neck either avoid chokers or, if you really want to embrace this trend, choose finer ones that don’t take up too much space. Chokers typically look great on people with long, graceful necks.
5. Chunky Chain Necklaces
Chunky chain necklaces continue to be popular for fall. Normally they are on the shorter side and, similarly to layered necklaces, have different metals, colors, thickness and materials included. Being on the shorter side, these necklaces look great with open necklines but can also be added to a turtleneck sweater or over a button down shirt for a trendy finish.
Pick the right necklaces for your body and style
With all the different necklaces out there it can be hard to choose the right styles for you. Just because something is trendy doesn’t mean you should own it. The first thing to look at is whether the necklace style is right for your body. For example, if you have a short neck, short, chunky necklaces may make your neck look shorter, and women with large chests sometimes look bustier in long, bulky pendant necklaces. Necklaces are a great way to refresh the existing clothes in your wardrobe and to make them feel new. To get the most out of the hot necklaces for fall, try a few from the trends listed and see how having these items will change up what you already own.
Diamonds, Fashion Life, Industry News
Tips for Choosing the Right Jewelry
Do you find it difficult to choose the right jewelry for you? Something that will make you feel glamorous? Probably you’ll be answering a big YES. Well, don’t worry because with so many classes and varieties of jewelry styles and designs it’s a natural thing. With the various trips to different jewelry stores hunting for that perfect piece can be burdening. But it doesn’t have to be, if you know what you are looking for.
Choosing which fine jewelry to wear is no different than choosing an outfit. The key is to trust your taste and stick to your personal fashion and lifestyle. First of all you should decide what style and design you prefer. For example if you’re an animal lover you can choose from numerous animal jewelry available in the market, from bird jewelry, cat jewelry, to dog jewelry, dolphin jewelry and even horse jewelry.
Buy pieces that will fit your actual size. Make sure you buy finger ring or earring according to your size and choice. Another important thing you should remember is your lifestyle. The rings or necklace that you are buying should fit in with the lifestyle you have.
The prize of the piece should also be considered. Contrary to what most people believe, jewelries do not have to be diamond jewelry, gold jewelry or precious stuffs like antique jewelry, estate jewelry, Hawaiian jewelry or Italian jewelry in order to be considered fine pieces. Costume Jewelry, both signed and unsigned, is an example of a fine jewelry and yet it is affordable. A lot of jewelry store sells costume jewelry at a low price and some of them go way back to 1920s. What’s great about them is that you can use it, get tired of it, put it away and still get your money’s worth.
The last thing would be is to read different reviews about the jewelry before buying. They characterize and even write articles that will help your buying.
Fashion Life, Industry News
6 Ways to Wear a Statement Necklace Without Looking Like You’ve Raided the Dress-up Box
True friends stick with you through thick and thin, but the same can’t be said for clothes. An awesome necklace, on the other hand, will be with you whether your figure is looking ‘for better or for worse.’
A statement necklace – preferably with a touch of sparkle or eye-blinding gleam – will perk you up when you’re feeling down. Plus, it’s bang on-trend, so will make you look better by association. That’s what you want in a true friend, right?
Here’s 6 ways to wear a statement necklace without looking like you’ve raided the kid’s dress-up box:
1. Light, bright colours close to your face will make your complexion look brighter, and you’ll look more awake.
2. Team with a soft, collared blouse, buttoned all the way up to the top. Wear your necklace under the collar for extra style points.
3. You can embrace this trend if you’ve got a tiny baby. Just choose a necklace made of soft leather, or that has gently-curved edges so it won’t press on little heads.
4. A show-stopping necklace draws attention to your gorgeous face, so it’s is especially great if you want to distract from a curvy belly – like when you’re newly pregnant but not quite ready to announce it, or if you’ve just had extra helpings for dinner.
5. Follow the lines of your top to place further emphasis on your statement necklace.
Got a round-necked t-shirt? Try this:
Or try teaming a flat-based statement necklace with a square necked top like this:
6. As celebrity stylist Mary Alice Stephenson said: “Wear sequins in the sun, your heart on your sleeve, and remember everything looks better with a smile, Spanx, and a statement necklace!”
Fashion Life
Brickell Fashion Market 2017
DESCRIPTION
BRICKELL FASHION MARKET
WHEN:
SATURDAY, AUGUST 19, 2017.
WHERE:
CORAL GABLES COUNTRY CLUB
990 Alhambra Circle, Coral Gables Miami, FL 33134
HOUR:
10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
WHO:
70+ Designers and Brands, Celebrities, Models, Fashion, Beauty & Lifestyle Bloggers all under one roof!
FREE PARKING ALL DAY / FREE ADMISSION
We invite you to join us at BRICKELL FASHION MARKET, the Miami Fashion Market, on Saturday, August 19 at CORAL GABLES COUNTRY CLUB, 990 Alhambra Circle, Coral Gables Miami, FL 33134 from 10:00 am-7:00
MORE INFO: www.Brickellfashionmarket.com
+1 (786) 546-8500
EMAIL: events@brickellfashionmarket.com
Fashion Life, Industry News
Tips on Wearing Your Silver Necklace
Silver and Outfits
No matter the setting, silver necklaces always mark elegance on your person.
All of your outfits will reap the benefits silver brings, such as creating a distinguished look and brightening the overall classic appearance.
For the most part, it is perfectly safe to wear a silver necklace with just about any outfit without worrying about appearing vulgar or overly exaggerated.
As good advice, it is best to avoid a situation where the necklace threads silver within gold or wear both types of metal together.
While this might work fairly well with certain bracelets or rings, it will make a necklace appear overdone and, as already mentioned, somewhat vulgar.
All kinds of people can wear a silver necklace elegantly.
Whether you have fair or dark skin, blond or black hair, blue or green eyes or any combination thereof, you have the means to pull off wearing a silver necklace successfully.
Wearing a Silver Necklace in Various Settings
If you need to wear a fancy necklace during the daytime while remaining discreet, mix the silver necklace with cold colors and black.
For the former, any of the shades of white, such as eggshell and off-white, make for a great combination. For more fashionable wear, put in value by donning brighter colors like prune, turquoise or orange.
Of course, you can always match your silver necklace by putting on silver clothes. With a matching handbag and high heels, you will be more than ready to dominate the daytime with your chic wear.
If you need to wear a fancy necklace during the nighttime, then you can resort to wearing your silver necklace while also donning a few other pieces of jewelry that feature precious stones such as rubies or diamonds.
Feel free to go with a discreet bracelet or some earrings to accompany that silver necklace.
Taking Care of Silver Necklaces
Much like other precious metals, a silver necklace can tarnish quickly over time if you are not careful with maintaining it. This is due simply to the humidity within the air.
Of course, those who prefer to go for a more bohemian look may prefer to allow some tarnish, permitting a vintage look with run-down marks versus pure shine.
On the other hand, keeping a shine in a silver necklace means making sure that it is always well-kept.
For instance, never clean your silver necklace with the rest of your silverware or in the same way; instead, take some very slightly soapy water and use a soft brush to dab and scrub gently at the surface to remove any dirt or grime.
Only by taking these extra measures can you make sure that your silver necklace always provides a real shine to your outfit, no matter what the occasion is.
Style Checklist
As a quick reference guide:
- In a professional setting: Wear simple silver pieces.
- Ladies night out: Wear an exaggerated chunky silver necklace.
- At a party: Don a silver necklace encrusted with precious gems such as diamonds.
- With a completely black outfit: Don a silver necklace encrusted with multicolored stones.
Santayana Jewelry Store Coral Gables
