Jewels and the woman: The romance, magic and art of feminine adornmentOstier, Marianne
History
Jewels and the woman: The romance, magic and art of feminine adornment
Ostier, Marianne
Jewelry
A woman who wears eyeglasses will be pleasantly surprised if, for more
formal occasions, she tries the effects of the lorgnon or lorgnette.
Whereas eyeglasses, fixed upon the face, tend to fight with the features
or with other accessories, the lifted lorgnette becomes not only an
adornment but a weapon. As much as the once universal fan, it can play a
part in the charms of coquetry, and add to the eloquence of the various
gestures of gay conversation or romance. In itself, the lorgnette can be
a beautiful jewel, in gold or platinum and precious stones. In the hands
of a graceful woman, it can considerably embellish her beauty, and is an
adjunct to an evening’s enjoyment that should be more widely employed.
_The Corsage_
There are many festive occasions on which a corsage is a fit and
flattering decoration. It will, however, weaken the effect of a pin or a
clip nearby. Variations in position, of either the clip or the corsage,
may preserve the full values of each.
A corsage need not always adorn a dress at the shoulder. It may be
fastened at the waist, or on the evening bag, or even, if properly sized,
on the back of the wrist. If it does seem especially becoming at the
shoulder, or if the woman wishes to thank the donor by wearing it thus
prominently, then the clip may be the ornament that is transferred. It
may find a suitable place on the bag, the belt, the veil, the hair. A
band of velvet around the wrist, of the same color as the dress, may have
the clip caught into its bowknot. If the clip is of diamonds, it may be
attached to a pearl necklace or bracelet. In any of these ways, and more,
the clip and the corsage may be made not to clash but to combine for
beauty.
_Embroidery_
On an embroidered blouse it is best not to wear jewelry. Certainly no
brooch. Perhaps a skinpin, judiciously placed above the blouse, can add
to the harmony. This, and earclips, ring, or bracelet must be carefully
chosen, so that their colors and the embroidery do not clash. Plain gold
is best, especially for the bracelet.
_More About Bracelets_
Flexible link bracelets and stiff charm or bangle bracelets should not be
worn together. They battle for predominance.
Many women prize bracelets, and have a large collection of different
sorts. They can be found in innumerable designs, of beautiful antique and
challenging modern, also in many materials and various colors of metals,
and set with a wide range of color in stones. It is a delight to form
and to build such a collection. But in deciding which bracelet to use,
discrimination must be summoned. One or two that harmonize with each
other and the dress, and fit the degree of formality of the occasion,
should be chosen and will catch the admiring eye.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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