Mother Of Pearl

Femininity and vintage styles have both been very dominant in 2010 fashion trends. While I wrote about most of these a while ago, ruffles, lace, bows, polka dots, floppy hats, and cloche hats are still popping up everywhere. The latest feminine, vintage-inspired trend that I'm going to focus on right now is pearls. Pearls also happen to fit with the trend of statement jewelry such as bib necklaces, bangle bracelets, cuff bracelets, flower jewelry, braided jewelry, and cocktail rings. But pearls aren't just limited to jewelry. They are now also adorning headbands (perfect for a Blair Waldorf inspired style), shoes, and trimings of dresses and tops. They are also available in other colors besides white. However, since real pearls are expensive; many of the trendier versions are faux. Take a look at some of my little pearl finds below.

Theodora Bracelet, $9.99, alloy.com

Rhinestone Bow Bobby Pins, $4.50, charlotterusse.com

Enamel Pearl Daisy Ring, $4.00, shown in ivory; also available in black, charlotterusse.com

Multi-Strand Necklace With Flower Pendant, $10.50, charlotterusse.com

Pearl Bracelets, $4.00, charlotterusse.com

Rhinestone & Pearl Headband, $4.50, shown in light pink; also available in black, charlotterusse.com

Rhinestone Flower Snap Clips, $3.50, charlotterusse.com

r2 Addison Flat, $44.50, available in sizes 6-10, delias.com

Rampage Dress, Chain & Pearl, $39.99, available in sizes XS-L, macys.com

Belted Pearl Trim Dress, $36.00, shown in taupe; also available in grey, sizes Small-Large (grey not available in large), forever21.com

Decorative Pearl Strands, $14.80, forever21.com

Faux Pearl Headband Set, $3.80, forever21.com

Floral Pearl Trim Cardigan, $28.00, available in sizes X-Small-Large, forever21.com

Gina Pearlescent Bracelet, $5.80, shown in black; also available in cream, forever21.com

Glisten Trim Sweater Cardigan, $32.80, available in sizes Small-Large, forever21.com

Mother of Faux Pearls Twist Ring, $3.80, forever21.com

Pearl Adorned Sweater, $26.00, shown in aqua; also available in black and cream, sizes X-Small-Large, forever21.com

Pearl Stripe Tunic, $32.00, shown in black/red; also available in navy/grey, sizes X-Small-Large, forever21.com

Pearl Trim Military Dress, $32.00, available in sizes X-Small-Large, forever21.com

Tangled Web Necklace, $14.80, forever21.com

1928 Silver-Tone Simulated Crystal & Pearl Chandelier Earrings, $14.74, kohls.com

Candie's Pearl and Rhinestone Chain Belt, $12.00, kohls.com

Candie's Silver-Tone Pearl & Crystal Flex Bracelet Set, $11.20, kohls.com

Candie's Silver-Tone Pearl Cluster Earrings, $8.40, kohls.com

Croft and Barrow Gold-Tone Chocolate Simulated Pearl & Simulated Crytal Drop Earrings, $8.40, kohls.com

Croft and Barrow Gold-Tone Simulated Pearl Long Necklace, $16.80, kohls.com

Croft and Barrow Simulated Pearl Twisted Necklace, $13.99, kohls.com

Croft and Barrow Silver-tone Simulated Pearl & Simulatd Crystal Drop Earrings, $7.00, kohls.com

Trifari Gold-Tone Simulated Pearl Hoop Earrings, $9.10, kohls.com

Byline Ruffle Racer Tank with Necklace, $21.99, shown in fuchsia; also available in white, sizes Small-Extra large, sears.com

Zana-Di Skinny Jean, $29.99, available in sizes 3-9, sears.com

Denim Shirt, $10.00, available in sizes S-L, wetseal.com

Ivory Flower Clip, $6.00, wetseal.com

Lace Bow Bangle Set, $8.00, wetseal.com

Pearl Mix Metal Bangles, $9.00, wetseal.com

Pearl Rhinestone Stretch Bracelet, $12.50, wetseal,com

Pearl Side Legging, $16.50, shown in heather grey; also available in black, sizes S/M and M/L, wetseal.com

Pink Lace Bow Bangle Set, $7.00, wetseal.com

Rose Cardigan Sweater, $14.99, shown in grey; also available in blue, sizes XS-XL, wetseal.com

Rosette Pearl Flex Top, $14.99, shown in pink; also available in black, sizes M and L, wetseal.com

To emulate Blair from Gossip Girl, wear a pearl headband with a white button-down blouse, a black pencil skirt, tights, a pair of pumps, and a bright colored purse. To get the look of a flapper girl, pair a pearl necklace with a fringe dress, a sequin handbag, some pumps, and a cloche hat or feather headband. For a vintage vibe, wear a pearl bracelet with an off-the-shoulder dress, some lace tights, a bib necklace, ballet flats, and a bow headband. You can also try the vintage look with a sweater dress and cloche hat for the winter or a sundress and floppy hat during the summer. For a nice casual look, grab a top with pearls and pair it with some skinny jeans and over the knee boots. For a date, wear a dress with pearls with stillettos, chandelier earrings, a flower hair clip, and a metallic handbag. For the prom, a pearl ring would go perfect with your prom dress. Just wear it on the opposite hand of your corsage. For hitting up clubs wear a pair of pearl earrings with a one shoulder top, a pair of bleached jeans, and some peep-toe booties. Contact me if you have any of your own tips on how to wear pearls.

Leather Up

Leather has been spotted all over the runways, in fashion magazines, and in clothing stores everywhere this season. It's no surprise given the fact that shine and glossy leggings are still very much in style. It also makes sense with all the rock star and grunge styles such as studs, rhinestones, exposed zippers, motorcycle jackets, rock & roll graphics, and ripped denim being in. I love the way leather looks. There's nothing I like more than seeing a great leather jacket or skirt paired with some feminine lace or floral prints. This is the perfect way to look tough yet still sweet. Leather is also a common material used in shoes and handbags. However, I realize that many of us (myself included) do not want to wear real leather for both political and financial reasons. Therefore, I recommend giving faux leather (also known as pleather) a try. Synthetic leather looks just as good as real leather does, is much easier on your wallet, and is animal-friendly. So take a look at my faux leather finds below.

Tiered Leatherette Mini Skirt, $20.00, shown in pewter; also available in black, sizes 0-8, ardenb.com

Military Cap, $$12.00, bakersshoes.com

Studs Belt, $14.00, available in sizes M and L, bakersshoes.com

Pleather Skinny Jean, $59.00, available in sizes 1-11, babyphat.com

Distressed Leather Vest, $28.99, available in sizes S-L, charlotterusse.com

Leather Skinny Pants, $26.99, available in sizes 1-11, charlotterusse.com

Python Zipper Wallet, $4.99, charlotterusse.com

Ruched Leather Mini Skirt, $22.99, available in sizes S-L, charlotterusse.com

Belted Warrior Skirt, $29.00, available in sizes X-Small-Large, forever21.com

Belted Faux Leather Moto Jacket, $39.50, shown in ivory; also available in black, sizes Small-Large, forever21.com

Biker Style Vest, $32.80, available in sizes Small-Large, forever21.com

Pleather Bow Headband, $3.80, forever21.com

Beaded Pleather Vest, $27.80, available in sizes Small-Large, forever21.com

Pleather Strip Bib Necklace, $14.80, forever21.com

Envelope Shoulder Bag, $32.80, shown in blue; also available in black, forever21.com

Tiger Stripe Flats, $9.50, shown in purple; also available in red. grey, and white, sizes 6-10, forever21.com

Pleated Clutch, $17.80, forever21.com

Trooper Lace Up Boots, $29.80, available in sizes 6-8, forever21.com

Stylish Faux Leather Blazer, $39.80, available in sizes Small-Large, forever21.com

Accent Pleather Belt, $6.80, shown in grey; also available in black and purple, sizes S/M and M/L, forever21.com

Marianna Platform Pump, $24.80, shown in black; also available in silver, sizes 6-10, forever21.com

Leatherette Zip Front Dress, $34.80, available in sizes Small-Large, forever21.com

Tripp Black Pleather Jacket, $39.00, available in sizes XS-XXL, hottopic.com

Black Bow Driving Gloves, $12.99, hottopic.com

Pink Faux Leather Heart Fingerless Gloves, $12.99, hottopic.com

Abbey Dawn Faux-Leather Crop Jacket, $40.80, available in sizes small-x large, kohls.com

apt. 9 Stretch Faux-Patent-Leather Belt, $12.00, shown in red; also available in black, sizes S-M and M-L , kohls.com

Hello Kitty Pink Faux Leather Watch, $16.49, kohls.com

SO Black Faux-Leather Watch, $8.49, kohls.com

Apple Bottoms Jacket Thrilla faux Leather Bomber, $49.99, available in size M and L, macys.com

Baby Phat Leggings Faux Leather, $39.99, available in sizes 1-11, macys.com

Grass Jacket Faux Leather Bomber, $44.25, available in sizes S-L, macys.com

Jolt Jacket Ruffled Pleather, $39.99, available in sizes M-XL, macys.com

Jou Jou Jacket Faux Leather Bomber, $44.99, available in sizes S-L, macys.com

Rampage Skirt Faux Leather Mini, $27.30, available in sizes S-L, macys.com

First Place for Fashion Pin, $14.99, modcloth.com

Winter Solstice Headband, $11.99, modcloth.com

Buck Cherry Wallet, $19.99, modcloth.com

Strap Knee High Boots, $34.99, available in sizes 6-10, pinkice.com

Snake Skin Bolero, $24.99, shown in brown; also available in charcoal grey, sizes S-L, pinkice.com

Studly Cuff, $14.99, pinkice.com

Toasty Floral Ring, $9.99, shown in teal; also available in brown, pinkice.com

Silence & Noise Acid Wash Faux Leather Skirt, $68.00, available in sizes 0-12, urbanoutfitters.com

Faux Leather Lace Up, $24.00, shown in white; also available in navy and metallic silver, sizes 6-10, urbanoutfitters.com

Crinkled Foldover Boot, $15.00, available in sizes 6-10, wetseal.com

Distressed Braided Hobo, $34.50, wetseal.com

Faux Leather Tube Dress, $15.00, available in sizes M and L, wetseal.com

Sparkle Bow Bootie, $29.50, available in sizes 6-10, wetseal.com

Pleather Skinny Pant, $19.99, shown in taupe; also available in black, sizes 0-15, wetseal.com

Pleather Stud Mini Skirt, $22.50, available in sizes S-L, wetseal.com

To look like a rock star, pair a faux leather skirt or some pleather pants with a rock & roll grapic t-shirt, a faux denim vest, a pair of hoop earrings, a studded bracelet, and over-the-knee boots. You can also try this look with a synthetic leather vest and a destroyed denim skirt. For a grunge-inspired look, wear a fake leather jacket with some ripped jeans, sneakers, and a plaid top underneath. Another grunge inspired look to try out is pairing some faux leather leggings with a plaid shirt dress and sneakers. If you're already planning your Halloween costume for next year, you can wear fingerless synthetic leather gloves with a military jacket, parachute pants, a fedora hat, and exposed zipper boots to go as the late Michael Jackson. For a holiday party, pair a pleather dress with some glitter tights, rhinestone stilletto shoes, chandelier earrings, a bib necklace, a faux pearl bracelet, and a bow headband (article on bow headbands coming soon!). For a boho-chic look, pair an oversized fake leather handbag with a peasant top , a maxi skirt, wedge espadrilles, bangle bracelets, and feather earrings. For a cute fall look, wear a synthetic leather belt with a shirt dress of your choice, some jeggings, a pair of slouch boots, and a cuff bracelet. If you ever want to add a sweet, feminine touch to this tough look, try pairing your pleather with bow necklaces, bows, polka dots, flower accessories, floral prints, butterfly prints, lace, ruffles, and feather prints. Let me know if you have any more suggestions!