2008 Trends - By Bonnie Stepp

Well friends, this is it, your personal guide to accessorizing in 2008! Now this will be a basic foretaste for the spring, but stay tuned for a peak at jewelry trends for fall 2008 to come later! And as I always say, keep in mind that trends in the fashion world are very subjective. Consider what is in vogue, and always make it your own.

It may seem a bit premature to think about springtime, but with Mardi Gras and Valentine’s Day just around the corner and Easter following closely behind that, it is indeed time to develop your fresh new look for the New Year. There are a couple of obvious tendencies and some that may surprise you. For example, we will of course see the return of pastels as the weather warms up, but will also notice some insanely unique and organically inspired pieces to take us back to Mother Nature.

As is the norm for this time of year pastels are all abound!! Luckily for all of us, the gem kingdom has plenty of that to offer and a little something for every budget! Imagine the possibilities. With the versatility of Aquamarine everyone can indulge in the fresh color of March’s birthstone, and can do it with their personal taste in mind. It is a gem considered to be a designer’s favorite because it is so easy to work with. Also keep in mind the affordability of stones like Lemon Quartz and Peridot. These are gems that we can all meet the expense of. Even in pastels, there is a wide variety of color choices too. Look out for lilac Kunzite, green Amethyst, sky-blue Topaz and many others. All of these stones and several others are readily available in fairly large sizes and that leads us to another look that will be all the craze in 2008, immense, chunky jewelry.

Whether it is a charm for a bracelet, pendant on the neckline, or a hefty cocktail ring, big is in! Elegance will not be understated. It is no secret that layering is one way to achieve an ornate and decorative look, but an easier means to that end result is to wear a single vast piece. I like to call these pieces my inspiration pieces too! I often choose one substantial piece of jewelry and build an outfit around it. I have a huge Brazilian Amethyst cocktail ring with loads of intricate gold-work on it, it is a story all its own, but it is the sort of piece that creates direction for an entire outfit. I choose my handbag and shoes according to the jewelry I’ve got on. It is a good thing that the pastel gems of the springtime are also quite affordable so that I can get bigger pieces to pursue this look.

Now I tend to talk a great deal on the show about the organic appeal in jewelry, but I must bring it up again for it is especially prominent this time of year. Designs are very inventive with constant nods to Mother Nature. Bracelets that look like vines, dangling earrings that mimic raindrops, and of course the floral cluster ring are going to take center stage this year. With the ease of shopping at TJC and the colossal variety we offer, incredible style is NOT out of your reach.

All of these are a bit of resort style for you, a peak at what is to come in the impending months. But keep in mind that style and fashion are constantly changing. I like to study the new ideas and trends, and just to ensure that I don’t get lost in the crowd, I always put my own taste into any development. I feel that in this way, we all decide what the vintage of the future is going to be…. on a daily basis. I would like to end this blog with a wonderful quote that I found from movie director Nicolas Roeg, “fashion reflects, just as much as a great painting, things that are happening in the world.”