HOT 5 - 3/25/24
Dear HOT Friends,
I am writing this on the first day of spring. This year it also happens to be the International Day Of Happiness. The World Happiness Report was released on this day as well and according to the report, happiness is something we here in the good old US of A are in short supply of. We've dropped out of the top 20, going to number 23 from number 15! Surprisingly, or maybe unsurprisingly, the most down-in-the-dumps cohort of Americans is young people under 30, and social media seems to be the number one cause of this. Generally, those born before 1965 are happier than those born after 1980. The happiest country in the world continues to be Finland. I wonder what they get right over there?
One thing that always brings me happiness is Spring fashion. In the last HOT 5, we looked at fashion trends for spring/summer 2024 so this week, let's check out the jewelry trends, some hot new designer collaborations, and more.
This week's Happy HOT 5:
1. Spring 2024 Jewelry Trends
2. Spring '24 Collabs Worth Shopping
3. The Hot Pick - Brilliant Brooches!
4. HOT Shops Mango
5. It's About Time!
1. Spring 2024 Jewelry Trends
In the last HOT 5, I shared fashion trends for spring/summer 2024 -- now it's jewelry's turn! It's never been easier to reinvent your wardrobe staples by adding a waterfall of eye-catching necklaces or pinning on a statement-making vintage brooch. We all know that the right piece of jewelry can make an outfit so why not start there and build your entire outfit around one fabulous piece? Check out these 5 hot new jewelry trends for spring and get some inspiration for where to begin:
Boho 2.0 - Mid-aughts Boho Chic is back! Swingy layered necklaces laden with charms or beads look fresh and free-spirited for spring/summer '24.
This gorgeous gilded metal long necklace from French Jewelry company Gas is adorned with gemstones (Malachite, Tiger's eye, Turquoise, Wood), glass beads, and pearls. It ends with a very striking metallic pompom. 21” long and really special! Pre-owned and in perfect condition.
Very unique wire necklace by Cape Town jewelers Get Wired. It features large glass beads wrapped in copper wire. You won't see anyone else with this one!
18" long
Linked In - Sculptural bright metal links in necklaces, bracelets, and even earrings are modern and graphic. And striking paired with simple knits this season.
This bold gold oversized links bracelets delivers a real style statement! Lay with other bracelets for a great stacked look. Toggle closure fits most wrists. 8” long.
This oversized oval link necklace in sterling on a base of pewter is stunning! Wear it long or double it up for a chic collared look. 33” long with toggle closure.
Shell Shocked - Mermaid-core continues to rule this spring with beachy bohemian jewelry featuring seashell motifs coming on strong.
This stunning necklace from Italian super star jeweler Angela Caputi is truly exquisite! Purchased at her dream of a shop in Florence Italy, it features large multi shaped beads in shades of green, coral and beige, and holds a giant golden shell. Very special! 12” long, it has matching earrings.
Get Cuffed - Is RiRi singlehandedly responsible for bringing the dramatic ear cuff back? Maybe, and we love it!
Spice up your style without piercing your ear with this Juno ear cuff handcrafted in Paris by De La Forge. Single, 18K gold-plated earring. (Note: Juno is the top one. The other two rings are not included.)
Spare Change - jewelry featuring coins has been around since Greco-Roman times. Why not incorporate this timeless look into your spring style?
These great looking vintage coin earrings have a nice bronze patina and are made for pierced ears. 1” long.
An on-trend paperclip chain of silver links holds a detachable trio consisting of a silver chain tassel, a silver coin, and a pearl. Made of pewter plated with sterling silver, the chain is 17” long.
Talita Von Furstenberg and Diane Von Furstenberg
2. Spring '24 Collabs Worth Shopping
This season designer fashion collaborations seem a bit sparse vs. previous years but I did find 2 collaborations that I think are worth checking out.
The first is the hotly anticipated DVF for Target collection which dropped 3/23. The designer worked with her granddaughter, Talita, to develop the 200+ collection. It features wrap dresses, cargo pants, sweaters, outerwear, activewear, loungewear, and intimates. There is also beauty, home decor, and even made-to-order furniture that can be customized in one of 7 exclusive DVF fabrics. Hopefully, there are plenty of pieces left for you to choose from. If you're interested, don't dilly-dally!
Secondly, we have the cool French girl brand Sezanne x Pangea, a travel-focused mission-driven clothing company. This bohemian collection is made for all of you free-spirited fashionistas out there! Sézane's classic cuts are seamlessly combined with Pangea's artistry, making this 42-piece travel-inspired line truly covetable. It features everything from patchwork jackets to embroidered tops and sweaters and is all you need to add a splash of color to your Spring '24 wardrobe.
3. The Hot Pick - Brilliant Brooches!
Did you notice all of the extremely chic men sporting brooches on their lapels at this year's Academy Awards? It was as if they all received the same memo ordering them to pin a brooch to their tux! I'm a huge fan of the brooch and believe it has real power to add personality and style to any jacket, coat, dress, or even brim you can throw at it! If you missed these dazzling men at this year's Oscars, you can see them all here. And if you're inspired to add a brooch to your own lapel, here are some from HOT:
This pair of beautiful flower pins in shades of blue, green, peach and gold are a striking way of enlivening any lapel! 2 1/2” in diameter. They can be used as pendants as well.
Colorful and fun, this vintage parrot pin is just the thing to liven up a lapel. Pair with a couple of other bird pins for a cute and clever style story. 1 1/2” by 3”.
This pretty moon shaped resin pin is a sparkly mix of light and dark green shades. Perfect lapel pin! 2 1/2” long by 1”.
Created for the Alexander Korda production of the 1942 movie The Jungle Book this charming silver elephant head has turquoise glass beads held on a ring by the elephant’s trunk. A rare piece in great condition! 3” long.
Probably from the 60s, this little guy is quirky, colorful and would look just great swimming on your lapel with some friends. :)
2 1/2" wide, 1 1/4" long
This very sweet domed brooch featuring tiny turquoise colored beads would look lovely on a lapel clustered with a few other vintage pins. 2” across.
4. HOT Shops Mango
Have you shopped Mango? I find it to be a great resource for fun, fashion-forward clothing at a great price. Unlike another Spanish retail behemoth that we all know, the quality of Mango's merchandise seems quite a bit higher. The physical stores, which there are many in the US, are attractive, well organized, and clean, and the products are better merchandised. In addition to womenswear, you can find clothes for men, teens, children, as well as home goods. Best of all, the company seems to have a sincere long-term commitment to sustainability.
5. It's About Time!
As you know, the ready-to-wear fashion month for Fall 2024 has just ended and one encouraging story to come out of it was the appearance of many older models on so many designer's runways! I found this to be a welcome story, especially as it's International Women's Month! According to the fashion search engine Tagwalk, roughly three-quarters of the top 20 runway shows in both Paris and Milan featured at least one older model. Last month in New York, designer Batsheva cast models for her show who were all over the age of 40. What a breath of fresh air and it's been a long time coming. Let's hope it's not just a fad but truly here to stay! You can read more about it here.
Leaving you with this right here!
Terry xoxo