A Word about Accessories

Shoes by Karen Millen
T he topic of accessories has been touched on in earlier posts. The choice of dress or outfit dictates what accessories will look best. The necklace and earrings play a supporting role to bring out features of the dress and to flatter your overall complexion and reflect your personal style. Often, you will need only one great piece of jewelry plus earrings. Usually, several styles of necklaces will look well. The selection becomes a matter of personal preference. Now is the time to experiment. For example, some women wear as their trademark a strand of heirloom pearls. If this is you, consider updating your look with a contemporary pearl design multi-strand necklace.

 If you have chosen a simple style of dress with an open neckline, then the necklace becomes
the fashion statement.  The color of your dress will determine the colors in your necklace. If your dress is beaded or has sequins, you might not need anything more than earrings. 


If wearing a suit or jacket, consider one noteworthy broach accented with simple earrings. If a dramatic neckline makes a statement on its own, all you will need is a pair of stunning earrings. Rather than wearing a lot of jewelry, many women prefer to carry a small,  beaded or glittery clutch to tuck in a hanky and lipstick. A more contemporary look for the purse is to choose a fun color to match your dress rather than trying to match your shoes. 


If you are wearing a sleeveless or strapless dress or sheer fabric, do consider a coverup for later on when temperatures drop or when you depart from the reception facility. If  your dress is custom-made, a jacket can be made to match it, or bring a swatch of the fabric when shopping for a jacket. We suggest a jacket rather than a wrap as you will be moving around a lot.  


Today, many lovely shoe designs are available in comfort styles. You are likely to be wearing the shoes for a long stretch and be on your feet much of the day, perhaps walking a lot and dancing. It is really important to choose shoes with hidden comfort features such as extra padding and heels placed on the shoe in such a way that your foot is cradled. Today, there are many designers who offer comfortable sandals and pumps for dressy occasions, available with either low or high heels. Fabric or leather pumps or high-heeled sandals are more worn and can be found in a wide range of formal colors such as silver or gold. Know beforehand, if possible, what kinds of surfaces you will be walking on, whether on lawn, carpet,  ground or concrete. Some women say they will wear a two to three inch heel at the wedding then change to flats for the reception. Keep in mind that if you do that, with a floor length dress, it will be two inches too long at the reception. 

Mom and bridesmaid wear street length. Mom has Great Legs

If you want a "second opinion" on jewelry, purse, or shoes, you may stop by the shop where you purchased your dress and ask the associate who helped you. They often enjoy seeing how all the elements of the outfit come together.

Mother of the Bride at a wedding in wasilla, ak.

We invite you to visit Joanie Char Boutique for a selection of hand-made necklaces and earrings to complement special occasion dresses and ensembles. The jewelry is made by local San Francisco artists and is affordably priced. They also have lovely mother of the bride ensembles in a variety of shapes, styles, and fabrics. All the outfits are custom-made locally so you can work with the designer or stylist to put together your own unique look. If you are not local, they can assist you on the phone and send swatches and photos. Samples of Joanie Char fashions for mother of the bride and special occasion attire can be viewed on the post below,"Mother of the Bride/Groom Ensembles," dated Saturday, 11/26/2011. 


Joanie Char Boutique
537 Sutter Street
San Francisco CA 94102
Tel (415) 271-0620
Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
www.JoanieCharDesign.com                                                   (c)2011 Joanie Char Design Group