June 2011 Archives

I love the look of bold jewels but not the weight. Enter the ever-mercurial Aurélie Bidermann. While her whimsical spring collection revolved around all things found by the seashore, the new fall pieces take romance to a deeper level. As delicate as lace and feathers, because that's exactly what these jewels are, with an urban edge - Bidermann has the heart of a romantic and the eye of a fashion editor.

The 18-karat gold-dipped swan feather necklaces (with dark versions for black swans), airy and sweetly moody, lie flat on the skin for an effect that is sexy without overwhelming anything else you are wearing. The same goes for the spectacular lace cuffs in 18-karat gold, rose-gold, and silver. They are made with actual cotton lace details, so the extreme delicacy is not just an illusion. Daring yet gentle: Bidermann offers the perfect way to wear big jewels.

18-karat gold-dipped feather necklace on Net-a-Porter for $555.

Large vintage lace cuff on Kirna Zabete for $1,830.

This mesh necklace by Lulu Frost is utterly unique yet oddly familiar. A quirky design evolved from vintage inspiration will do that. The only way I'd ever wear a brooch is when an edgy necklace is supporting it! Otherwise, let's be honest, it's a pretty serious and specific look. (Think ancestors...) Since I'm not a Chanel tweed jacket kind of girl, this offbeat twist on a classic look is one I can totally rock.

The gold-tone "corkboard" necklace, with its funky wide mesh, allows enough skin to peek through so you don't feel like you're in some sort of armor. Add to it a real vintage crystal brooch, in all its blazing glory, and the result is a standout piece that will attract the right kind of attention. Off the lapel and one step ahead! On Kirna Zabete for $460.

Pair with: A strapless boatneck dress, ingeniously ruched by Giambattista Valli, is just the right frame for this showpiece. At Barneys New York for $1,640.

Erickson Beamon's oxidized snake chain and crystal drop earrings prove that ultra-pretty earrings don't have to be docile. The intriguing snake chain that looks like delicately razored lace is more insect-like than reptilian. The effect is stunningly unique. The material-mix makes the traditionally cut crystals (which look like a great discovery out of Grandma's jewel box) stand out even more. By gracefully combining demure cut stones with ones that have some real heft to them, you get a great juxtaposition of dainty and chunky. These earrings are a true standout piece that will get lots of wear and even more attention. The only problem (or maybe not) is the 3" drop, which means they might be a bit weighty. But probably worth their weight in fabulousness! At Barneys New York for $480.

Pair with: Take the direction towards over-the-top femininity, by wearing these with Givenchy's silk flowered-covered bolero jacket. With gold-tone chain trim, you a deliberately clashing your metals, so keep all else simple. On Ssense for $980.

Lauren Wolf's line of dreamy and unusual jewels designed to exude the air of the spirited nomad. Perhaps they do because they are coming from the heart (Lauren herself studied design in Mexico, works in California, and is inspired by her travels). This mystical pendant necklace is a shining example of her unique sensibility.

Sparkling crystals have been cut into a leaf shape, unevenly so for a hand-touched look that is precious but not dainty. Happily, this leaf looks more like a tender heart to me. Set in 14-karat green gold claw, the pendant hangs from charmingly mismatched two-tone gold chain. At a rather lengthy 18", it grants the look a more supernatural vibe than it would on a more typical shorter chain. One-of-a-kind, it exudes a kind of natural power for the modern-day wannabe sorceress, aiming to conjure up feelings of pure love. At Lauren Wolf for $2,880.

Pair with: Every stone-wielding traveler needs good armor. Yves Saint Laurent's fierce leather T-shirt ought to fit the bill! On Net-a-Porter for $3,390.

So, recently on a lunch date with the ladies, I noticed every waitress at this trendy restaurant was wearing feather earrings. I first thought it was just this place because it was a Caribbean-island vibe scene so I wrote it off as a cute coincidence. Since then I have noticed them everywhere: magazines, runways, even my annoying neighbor (who I'm confident peeks in my window at night because she seems to always know what I watch at night...). Anyway, this trend is not one I was quick to jump on, but it's growing on me... slowly. The Jeeyun Ha Designs 14-Karat Gold-Vermeil Feather Earrings are a good stepping stone into the feather fad. They aren't too loud or big and can be pulled off easily with the right outfit. Keeping in this very boho look, I would wear these with a summer lace Dolce Vita dress and some Chloe tall summer boots with beachy waves and this fantastic Alkemie peacock cuff (I didn't even mean to stay with the bird theme, but it works).

Pick these up at Net-a-Porter for $130 and try the care-free feather look out for yourself.

Any jewel shot by Irving Penn for Vogue is sure to be snob-worthy. Lorraine Schwartz's pair of bangles is of such rare heirloom quality it's no wonder Penn turned his attention to them. They look as though they've already been passed down for generations - I know I'd be awaiting them eagerly. Layers of diamonds, powerful details, and graduated tones, these bangles (there should be a more elegant word for them!) are totally stunning.

They also encompass a definite signature look that can be worn on a regular basis. Set in 18-karat yellow gold and blackened silver the hinged bangles are set with rose-cut diamonds in a floral motif. Against the blackened silver the sheer beauty of the gems is further emphasized. The detailing is intricately exquisite; even the underside has filigree worthy of topside attention. You'll be happy to note that the bangles have a plunge clasp with dual safety latches - you sure wouldn't want to lose one of these jewels. And since the price is not for the faint of heart, you'll have to decide if you want a small island or a couple of big dazzling bracelets (oh, you can just buy one since they are sold individually!). At Churchill for $80,000.

Wearing skimpier amounts of clothing inspires me to get more abundant in my measures of jewels. How about a ring-bracelet crossbreed that drapes across your entire hand?! Model-turned-designer Erin Wasson's Low Luv line is a well-priced line of costume jewelry, and that's exactly what these hammered oxidized silver and antiqued 14-karat gold-plated hand bracelets are. The frugal snob price warrants such a fantastical purchase - part Indian princess, part Egyptian queen, they almost demand a vintage maxi dress and bare feet. Brimming with youthful exoticism, I would take the brave when plunge wearing one of these and load up on several other rings and bracelets.

Hammered Hand Bracelet on Shopbop for $125.

Hammered Triangle Hand Bracelet on Shopbop for $125.

Evil Eye Hand Bracelet on Shopbop for $125.

Pair with: Infuse high to your low-priced piece and wear Deborah Pagani "Zeena" ring on an alternating finger, for hands with the true feel of ornate bohemia. At Barneys New York for $11,460.

Designer of exquisite and breathtaking adornments, Cathy Waterman has said she sees "jewels in puddles...full-blown jewels...and in the reflection of a cloud." It is no surprise her inspiration comes from both the natural world and dreamy visions. These diamond-trimmed sapphire earrings with rose-cut sapphire settings are as ethereal as they are bewitching, equally glamorous and rustic, and as suited for Cleopatra as they are for a modern woman who yearns to feel like a queen. Wearing these knockout gems on your ears would elevate any look from ordinary to fantastical. At Barneys New York for $29,950.

Pair with: While nothing can outshine these earrings, Jimmy Choo's embellished sky-high sandals share the same palette, as well as the jewel's natural-luxe quality. On Net-a-Porter for $1,695.

Maybe it's just my motherly instincts coming out, but this necklace brings to mind a precious egg nestled in an abstract nest. Coils of textured silver swirl around and around, loosely encircling and protecting this pristine baby pearl, just the way a momma bird would guard her young. At the same time, the metal creates a rustic spotlight from which it brightly shines. Knotted black and silver leather cords make this treasure even more organic and highlight just how special this off-centered gemstone really is. So personal and intimate by nature - even more so than something typical like a locket or cameo, it's also a bold statement piece that will coordinate easily. On Luisa Via Roma for $627.

Pair with: This is the kind of piece that is best complimented by casual luxury, like something as low-key as a T-shirt. Kain's washed silk T-shirt acts as a clean, neutral palette. On Net-a-Porter for $160.

The most captivating jewels are the ones that look like they have stories to tell, as if they've had many lives. Erickson Beamon has a way of blending handmade tenderness and powerful "oomph" that look equally like family heirlooms and of-the-season must-haves. This is the kind of ring you might discover in a fantastically warped jewel box. From every angle it is beautifully and oddly alluring. By cramming the back of the bent band with crystals, the ring has dimension and one-of-a-kind idiosyncrasy. Add to it a startlingly bright green faceted gem and the result is spellbinding. The curvature is very Victorian, the look vintage (but at a fraction of the price), and the appeal captivating. Wear it and you'll have many of your own stories to tell. At Barneys New York for $355.

Pair with: Wear your "she's got it" ring with the "gotta have it" bag. The Yves Saint Laurent Chyc Cabas is an instant classic. Mesmerizing jade would look extra-invigorating with bright magenta. Yves Saint Laurent Chyc Cabas, $1,995.

Now I can't get that song out of my head, and I seriously want to watch the Little Mermaid again. This unique piece has me wishing I was seaside right this minute. The Marc By Marc Jacobs Coral Seas Fringe Necklace is oxidized silver tone with glass and mixed metal pretty little coral charms. I could see myself wearing this with something with a dramatic plunging neckline or go to the other extreme with a high-necked t-shirt and some jeans. Pieces like this are all about how you play them. If you make them the vocal point, they can be dramatic, if you play them down, they can be a quiet compliment to your outfit.

This necklace is sweet, sexy and sea-inspired summery. Pick it up at ssense for $130.

It was Diana Vreeland who said, "The real elegance is in the mind; if you've got that, the rest really comes from it." Truer words were never spoken, and I think the same goes for the blithe spirit that comes with embarking on a far-off getaway. So if the jewel snob can't take a vacation, her beads and baubles can at least look like they came from one!

Erickson Beamon's layered 22-karat gold-plated necklace is a draping piece of mixed-media with the length of a lei and adorned in sunset shades of Swarovski crystals with touches of twisted gold chain mail, shell beads, and charms reminiscent of starbursts. With so many elements the outcome could have gone gaudy, but strips of plentiful, chunkier charmed bits juxtaposed against clean sand-toned beads and cast-ashore shells make for a piece that's meant to be worn with a tropical vacationer's spirit - carefree and capricious. On Net-a-Porter for $1,095.

Pair with: A real island girl doesn't wear spiked heels, but favors flat leather sandals with straps that wrap round and round her ankles. Manolo Blanik's "Primat" toe ring sandal is perfectly earthy. At Barneys New York for $359 (from $595).

Now these are some powerful words to decorate yourself with. The Bing Bang "Victory" & "Bravery" Cuff Bracelets are inspiring silver-plated accessories that will not only style you, but inspire you while you wear them. The embossed wording is a nice change from the designer names or symbols that are usually etched into jewelry. These give the bracelet a bit more edge and meaning when you cuff them on your pipes. This type of accessory could be worn daily with anything from your go-to work dress to a jeans and t-shirt lazy night in. Simple, but insightful, these bracelets carry more meaning than their weight.

Pick up "Victory" ($105) and "Bravery" ($95) at Barneys New York.

ONE OF A KIND FREEFORM COLORLESS DIAMOND RING for $5,240.

ONE-OF-A-KIND FREEFORM BLACK DIAMOND RING-18 KARAT GOLD for $3,565.

Breakfast at Tiffany's has been many a young lady's dream, and as of this Thursday that fantasy can be a reality. You can wear your Tiffany, and live in it, too! The St. Regis New York has created a one-of-a-kind "Tiffany Suite." If you have ever daydreamed about walking into, or waking up in, a jewelry box of the highest design, here you have it.
Upon entering, you'll see that Tiffany-blue glass beads and silver-leafing cover the walls, while the foyer's console is fashioned in the shape of a sleek engagement ring. Lounge in McGuire jewel-shaped armchairs while you sip a cocktail from a class of Tiffany crystal. Porcelain flowers adorn the bedroom, and chandeliers, clusters of ornate, almost explosive, lit-up crystals, are abundant. But your favorite room in this sweet suite might surprise you: the dining room is the real gem. Painted the perfect Tiffany box blue complete with a cascading chandelier so lovely you'll have to fight the urge to try to drape yourself in it.
Indeed, this suite is for ultimate jewel snob - at $8,500 a night you might be wiser walking into the real Tiffany's and investing in a gem that will last long past sunrise!

A free-spirited, asymmetrical mix make this bangle set resemble driftwood. Plundered from the forest and uniquely carved - what could be more relaxed and romantic? I love wooden accessories: the anti-bling of jewels, their organic feel will soften any look. Especially in the summer, shining, glittering, count-your-karats jewelry can get a bit harsh. Jen's Pirate Booty set, with twisted ridges, silver-tone metal inlays, and odd edges, is as laid-back as it gets. Even more relaxed is the incredible price. All five bangles go for only $50, for $10 each! And I just bought some for $14 each at the farmer's market and thought I got a great deal! On Shopbop for $50.

Pair with: For a total bohemian look, blend in a few silver bangles and indulge in an armful of all-natural texture. Dannijo's set of two silver-plated "Sloane & Edina" cuffs shake things up with urban edge. On for $465.

Net-a-Porter

Jewelry is getting more and more dangerous-looking - and I like it! Sticks and stones may break our bones, but spikes on jewels add style! While I'm going to say Sophie Blake's bib necklace is more possible self-defense tool than menacing weapon, in turquoise crystals, freshwater pearls, and your choice of 18-karat gold or sterling silver plating on the chain, it's too eye-catching to make anyone steer clear. It's also a great way to toughen up a floral dress or cutesy jumpsuit and spice up a LBD.

A limited edition piece, handmade in NYC (where else?) and sold at Henri Bendel's, where they keep the focus on little-known and well-deserving accessories designers, this is perfect if you missed the boat seasons back on Givenchy's spiked headband - or if it was just too "crown of thorns" for you - but still want your spear fix. I just feel sorry the for the guy who makes a misguided move and tries to plant one on this girl's neck and gets a mouthful of spikes. At Sophie Blake for $265.

Pair with: Get playful with your points and add Giuseppe Zanotti's bright purple asymmetric sharp-toed pumps in elegant eel. On Net-a-Porter for $595.

Um...what is this? Did I make a wrong turn on Fifth Avenue and accidentally stumble into the Guggenheim Museum? Only Jean-Paul Gaultier would have the guts to produce a cuff so prominently protruding! While the cuff itself is super-sleek, the towering piece of crystal that's affixed to it is bizarre, to say the least. It looks heavy and cumbersome - and is probably considered a weapon in some states. Yet I'm strangely attracted to it, if only for it's modern sculpture-like appeal. This eclectic, conceptual cuff is definitely a conversation piece, so wear it to a party that you expect to be dull! That is, if you don't mind taking the risk that you might end up being known as the "Star Trek chick." On Luisa Via Roma for $1,087.

Pair with: Play up your gallery-rambler persona with ankle boots by who else besides Maison Martin Margiela, smooth black leather with a small stacked heel to announce, "I'm quirky, but not too quirky." On Net-a-Porter for $810.

Golden-brownish Tiger's eye has always had such old look to it, even on spanking new pieces, and not necessarily in a good vintage-treasure sort of way. Leave it to Roberto Cavalli, who has entwined the gemstone in the menacing coil of a snake, and the fight between wildcat and reptile is on! The snake setting makes the large Tiger's eye edgy and striking - the result is a true statement ring. Antiqued gold-plated brass snake scales, a detail that composes the actual ring and goes almost all the way around your finger, look anything but antiquated. Some ensembles demand a ring with some cocktail-inspired chunk to it and this dynamic whopper is just the thing. On Net-a-Porter for $290.

Pair with: Contrast the amber color to deep blood-red and achieve textural impact by clutching L'Wren Scott's floral pattern-stamped leather pouchette in the same hand. L'Wren Scott Stamped Leather Pouchette, $1,730.

It's only appropriate that I begin by confessing that I'm no Catholic. I've never taken Communion or counted a string of rosary beads. However, much of the captivation and charisma of jewelry is in tradition - and that applies to the Christian faith, too! Long, loose beads and cross-trimmed chains are great for layering and filling in visual gaps when you're wearing a simple tank or tee. Style delicately and add some drama with these Hail Mary-inspired pieces.

Leave it to Dolce & Gabbana, always inspired by the classic Italian beauty, to give us a straightforward rosary ($269), while Pamela Love puts a darker spin ($205) on the concept and substitutes the cross for a long, graceful dagger. Rosantica's string ($525) of jade beads of varying sizes has not a cross but a tassel pendant for a subtler take, while Two Starboard's ($4,500) and Ileana Makri's ($2,165) 18-karat white-gold and diamond versions are elegant renditions of the conventional cross. Wear in good faith!

I'm such a sucker for flowers this time of year. Back in the cold, dark days of March I wrote of the Alex Monroe Daisy Necklace and how it reminded me of spring. Now, while we are in the heart of the season, there is no better time to sport some floral jewels while the weather heats up. The Alex Monroe Daisy Earrings are cute as buttons and would be perfect to sport at a bridal or baby shower you have coming up. There is something fabulously shabby-chic about the sterling silver combined with the yellow of the gold-plated accents that gives off an almost vintage vibe. I would wear these with a sweet peach dress to a bridal shower and some dainty wedges. These would also go perfect with a little yellow numberand some flats for a Saturday afternoon baby shower and will make you look perfectly chic as you lug that giant stuffed giraffe you thought was a great idea to the party. Can you tell that all of my friends are getting married or giving birth this summer? I have been planning outfits for all 6 weddings and 3 baby showers for a while now. New title: Emma Abbott: Party Snob and expert cake eater.

Pick these up at Net-a-Porter for $195

The more the merrier! It's not just about the unique or quirky pendant anymore. It's about a bunch of pendants with dangling charms. Get used to some excess on your chest; it's a plentiful look that seems to be favored by stylists lately, so you'll being seeing a lot of, well, a lot of charms.

No complaints here! Eclectic assemblages tend to bring out the joie de vivre in getting ready. And in shopping: have fun with the lighthearted attitude and find similar looks in small boutiques and Forever 21-type stores. Remember collecting charms for your bracelet when you were in middle school? (A pony for the horseback-rider...) Find ones that incorporate a few of your favorite things.

Venessa Arizaga's "Locust Dancing" necklace ($395), with a horseshoe and skeleton, is wearable entertainment, and Isabel Marant's ($265) is just as colorful, but with stones and tassels, on the more abstract side. Or check out Chan Luu's earth tones ($155): a feather, skull, horn, and clover are all in the mix. Yves Saint Laurent ($895) proves not all charms have to be dangly little babies; two massive tin-plated agate pendants bring both humor and sophistication.

All of the above set a great summer tone, especially with a simple dress or tank. Loose is always best for the heat - that applies to jewelry, too; I can't imagine putting on a choker these days! No, right now I want something that's positively charming.

The appreciation for beautiful adornments is universal. I was informed of Kate Spade's new Royal Bazaar collection not by anyone in the jewelry biz, but by a Bag Snob fan who also loves her jewels, and works for the U.S. Embassy in Kabul.

Kate Spade and Turquoise Mountain, a great organization reestablishing the arts and bringing work to men and women in Afghanistan, have teamed up to create a line of gemstone stud earrings. Each precious and semi-precious stone is cut and set by hand by artisans in Kabul, Afghanistan. Tourmaline, kunzite, aquamarine, amethyst emerald, ruby, peridot - all stones in bright colors just in time for summer, beautifully set by the people who know them best (Afghanistan has an abundance of stones and a long history with jewelry). Each pair of earring is completely unique and all are rough-cut and raw-looking, a fresh take on the classic gemstone stud. My favorite? The lapis is an unreal pop of techno-color. Helping these gifted artisans is a plus, and there's nothing better than feeling good and looking good.

The Royal Bazaar Ruby Studs at Kate Spade for $495.

The Royal Bazaar Lapis Studs at Kate Spade for $195.

The Royal Bazaar Emerald Studs at Kate Spade for $495.

Understated, even unsparkly jewels can sometimes be chicest of all. Many days, especially during the upcoming casual season, call for a rejection of overt bling. Chan Luu has a knack for laid-back jewels, and this wraparound leather bracelet is one of her classics. Uncoiled, this leather, cotton, and sterling silver nugget piece snakes to what looks like a yard long. All wrapped up, it can sit cozily and take up a good portion of your wrist.

Layer it with other bracelets (perhaps an overflowing charmer by Venessa Arizaga or Hawaiian holiday-inspired beads by Isabel Marant) for maximum impact. Or sport it alone and you'll still wear the vibe of several bracelets at once. Dress up a loose-fitting T-shirt and cutoffs, harden a sundress, or liven up your swimsuit. On Net-a-Porter for $195.

Pair with: A little extra wrist action never hurt anyone! Adding Nikki B.'s friendship bracelet, braided brown and gold glass beads on silk thread for a fabric-like effect, will be a subtle addition to your informal cord. At Barneys New York for $75.

Okay, so technically this is a bag, as it carries your belongings, but to me, it's a piece of jewelry. It's more sparkling embellishment than functional carryall, by leaps and bounds.

A jewel-encrusted suede bag (don't forget, lined in satin) sounds over-the-top, but Lanvin's "Nyota" is actually not bad. As long as you keep the rest of your ensemble simple, or else you'll go from twinkly right into tacky. So simple, in fact, that it should come with a tag reading, "Warning: do not wear with too many other accessories."

Let this ruby sparkler shine on its own! Set against a clean backdrop, it's an object of desire - suede and geometric stones give some strength to the crammed sea of crimson jewels.

Frivolous, yes, but isn't that the point? I'd even go so far to say that sometimes frivolity is a bare necessity. At Barneys New York for $1,729 ($2,890).

Pair with: Choose Narciso Rodriguez, longtime expert of minimalist glam. His black stretch-crepe cutout dress is as simple and classy as cocktail can be - no risk of gaudiness. At Barneys New York for $899 (from $1,495).

Cindy Chao, a Taiwanese artist currently featured in the Smithsonian, works wonders with the cold, hard elements of metal and stone, breathing life into them by way of organic inspiration. While Chao claims an interest in architecture (the profession runs in the family), she could clearly call flora her muse as well: her finely-wrought vines and blossoms seem to pulse with the lyricism and vibrancy of living things.

Ornamentation, here, is endlessly fascinating but never gratuitous. The splendor of the design serves the spectacle of the stones and vice versa, the two elements working in symbiosis to form an elegant whole much greater than the sum of their many parts. The pieces are nearly as difficult to capture in photographs as a ballet, for although the forms are fixed, they are not static. Like all great works of sculpture, they have depth; they have movement; they seem to have been imbued with life.

As in Chao's beloved architecture, beauty, here, lies not just in material or design but in technical achievement. Her larger pieces are articulated to embrace the neck or wrist. A gilded flower stem, when pressed, releases the hidden clasp on a bracelet. Diamond bars dangle from the rafters of pagoda-shaped chandeliers (PHOTO?). 45-carat emeralds emerge from barnacle-like clusters of raw diamonds and pearls. Paradoxes collapse: rigidity drapes; weights float.

With the current trend toward sartorial minimalism, the time could not be more right for jewels that revel in an intricacy of design. Clothe your body simply, like a stem, and let these spectacular accessories blossom at the edges. Or, forego clothing altogether and give these masterpieces the most minimal, most organically beautiful backdrop of all.

Cindy Chao Master Pieces available by commission only; email her studio.

Gracie Beal may be a mere 13 years old, but the young Texan's jewels are captivating women of all ages. As a kid, she loved creating things out of knickknacks and tidbits. As a 'tween she is creating jewelry that is sophisticated beyond her years. Her sensibility is innovative and ultimately high-end.

I ordered the one-of-a-kind Curlicue gold-heart earrings, twisted like little, dangling sculptures from plain gold wire. The French Glamour earrings are dainty droplets that will glimmer when they peek out from any shade of loose tendrils. Wear skeleton keys on your ears for punk rock-meets-antique romance or the butterfly stud earrings for girlish whimsy.

Mark my words: Gracie Beal is the real deal. Expect to see her in the glossy mags soon and her jewels on ears of the elite.

Curlicue Romantic Wire Heart Earrings. On Etsy for $18.

French Glamour Dangle Earrings. On Etsy for $15.

Skeleton Key Earrings. On Etsy for $16.

Butterfly Studs in Eggplant Purple. On Etsy for $10.

Who needs the sun and sand when with a good faux glow and a festive heaping of coral jewels, you can bring the beach to you? It is all about the coral and for good reason: its unique shade (the best part, it varies from pale to siren) infuses a color that pops that's as neutral as can be. Case in point, these gorgeous statement pieces.

Kenneth Jay Lane's frugal-approved cuff ($129) is as much an abstract piece of arm art as it is a sexy web of reef. Too lacquered for your taste? Opt for Sandra Dini's earthy take. On her necklace ($1,160), textured and natural coral pendants are set with discreet diamonds and distressed gold for asymmetrical whimsy. Add her coral cocktail ring ($830) with a diamond touch, and you've got the coolest matching jewels for miles.

Big earrings look best in summer when your shoulders are bare and your clothing's more minimal. Red coral chips, Austrian crystals, and hammered 24-karat gold are done to exotic, vacation-ready perfection ($390) by Jose & Maria Barrera.

All these pieces will make even a wife-beater look chic and beachy, but the crown jewel is Oscar de la Renta's coral and wood creation ($696). What's more glamorous for the start of June than a bib of coral branches and exotic beads?

Go all out: summer is the time when a wink to the kitsch is not only acceptable but preferred. And don't forget to coordinate with a coral wardrobe - this is the color of the season, so live it up!