Jewels and the woman: The romance, magic and art of feminine adornmentOstier, Marianne
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Jewels and the woman: The romance, magic and art of feminine adornment
Ostier, Marianne
Jewelry
If the hand is short or if for any reason the nails are worn short, the
bracelet should be set somewhat higher on the arm. This will permit
the wrist to blend with the hand in such a way as to give an effect of
length, counteracting any stubbiness at the fingertips.
_For the Heavier Wrist_
A heavy wrist should be adorned with a chunky, three-dimensional
bracelet. Similarly, if the arm is heavy, the bracelet should be of a
bulky, built-out design. In general, the bulkier and the higher built
the bracelet, the smaller will seem the unit of wrist and hand. Wearing
the bracelet higher on the arm will draw the eyes upward away from the
wrist and tend to minimize any thickness. If the wristbone is prominent,
a plain bracelet should be avoided. Grace will be added by a bracelet
studded with bright stones.
_Fitting a Bracelet_
The stiff bangle bracelet must be fitted to the contour of the arm, so
that it will be comfortable and will stay in the proper place. Arms
have many subtle differences; their contours are variously pleasing,
according to the coordination of length, bone structure, thickness and
rounding curvature. The position of such a bracelet should be decided
when it is bought, and it should then be fitted to that place upon the
arm. It should be tight enough to prevent sliding or turning, yet not
tight enough to make the arm bulge on either side. The bracelet should be
carefully tested for its place, as it is difficult and costly to alter.
If a bracelet is to be worn over the sleeve of a dress, again care must
be taken to see that it is loose enough to slide and to lie comfortably.
Neither a bracelet around the arm nor a belt around the waist should
seem too confining. Any tightness, as with the olden hour-glass corsets,
belongs below the surface. Trimness, not strain, is beauty’s accordant
sign.
_General Thoughts_
A bracelet should not be worn over a glove, unless the glove is to remain
on for the entire evening.
Although gold as well as platinum may form the setting for a diamond
bracelet, a gold bracelet and a platinum one should not be worn together.
Note that more than one bracelet (unless all are of very similar design)
is no more flattering a decoration than a single one. Several of much the
same sort may form a wide-banded unit; different designs will suggest
confusion and clash.
As with other jewels, properly chosen bracelets can accentuate one’s
attractive features, and guide the eyes swiftly and unheedingly away from
less attractive ones. An appropriate and beautiful bracelet moves the
attention from the hand along the wrist, following the graceful movements
of the arm.
_The Anklet_
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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