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