K/R: Two statement necklaces and two purses (ETA: Styled pics added!)

The holidays are a dangerous shopping time, as whenever I'm buying gifts for others I'm tempted to pick something up for myself as well! And the sales also wreak havoc with my willpower. I ordered two necklaces from J Crew during their sale (when I bought the peacoat) and bought two handbags from DSW (got sucked in by a free $10 credit). The necklaces are a bit bigger and more "statementy" than I thought...are they too overwhelming on me? And are the bags worth it?

Anyhow, what do you think of these? I don't "need" any of these really, so if you don't like them they are easily returned. Oh, and these pics are not styled in any way. I know the outfit doesn't match the accessories but I was too lazy to change. It's mainly so you can get a sense of scale on me. I included sale prices paid, in case that alters your opinion.

1-4. J Crew Pearl twisted hammock necklace $73.50 (normally $98)
http://www.jcrew.com/womens_ca...../22599.jsp
I don't have any real pearls and I thought a single strand would be too conservative. I liked having the multiple sizes of beads and the layered effect, but is it too much?

5-8. J Crew bubble necklace in black $90 (normally $150)
http://www.jcrew.com/womens_ca...../92687.jsp
I bought this after seeing it on Jessica Quirk when I copied her. Wow, it is a lot bigger and hangs lower than I thought. I think I might be able to hook the chain shorter though. This necklace looks so good on the bloggers, but I am not sure if I can pull it off.

9-12. DSW Melie Bianco Colorblock wing tote $53
http://www.dsw.com/handbag/mel.....BagFormTab
Initially I thought the colors would be really versatile with the red, black, brown and taupe matching a lot of my outfits. Now I'm not sure how easily it can be carried--it's not very slouchy so it might be hard to carry on my shoulder. And I'm much more into burgundy than red this fall so its use might be limited.

13-14. Another option would be this Betsey Johnson burgundy quilted heart satchel (http://www.dsw.com/handbag/bet.....1cat120022) which is the same price ($59), and would match all my burgundy outfits and my Aquatalia boots and would hold more than my impractical clutch so it would be a better day bag. But not sure if it is too cutesy with the hearts or too redundant since I already have the burgundy clutch. Right now I'm leaning toward exchanging the colorblock tote for the burgundy satchel though.

15-18. DSW Urban Expressions quilted studded black clutch $26
(couldn't find a link on the website)
I like this one better than the colorblock tote, and it is a little more UWP which is the direction I want to explore. I don't have a plain black dressy clutch, but don't know if this is dressy enough for evenings? It is a little wider than my burgundy clutch so at least it will hold more.

19-20. But I do also have a similar black quilted studded satchel on the way that I ordered at ASOS based on Inge's recommendation, so I'm wondering if this clutch will be too redundant.
http://us.asos.com/Pauls-Bouti.....p=L1Byb2Qv

Thanks for your help and advice!

ETA: Styled pics added--does this change your opinion?

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11 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

I love the pearl necklace! But I think the black bib sits too low on your chest. If there isn't a way to shorten it, I'd return. I don't have any strong feelings about the bags - do you love any of them?

goldenpig

Rae, I agree the bubble necklace is sitting too low. I think I can hook it on a shorter part of the chain so it sits higher but it's not quite as secure--there's only one big hole at the end of the chain, and the clasp is thick so it's harder to hook into the smaller chain links in the middle. I'll go experiment with it again.

As for the bags, I think I'm actually leaning toward the burgundy hearts satchel over the colorblock tote--I think the color and the whimsical heart print is more "me". The black clutch I'm not sure about--I like it, but if I keep the black ASOS satchel it may be too redundant. On the other hand, I'm worried the black satchel will be too big, based on how it looks on the model.

Atlantia

First off, I am a shoe lady, not a bag lady. Having said that, none of these bags seem spectacular, and I liked the other two we chose from yesterday better than any of these new ones.
As for the necklaces, the pearls are nice, but I think even a bit shorter the bubble necklace might still overwhelm you. Worth looking at though.

Karie

I also think the necklace is sitting too low. It looks slightly overwhelming on you, but that could be the angle of the photo, too.
The burgundy hearts satchel is very pretty, and if it's more "you" then I would go with that.
The black clutch and bag are similar but very different in size - would you use them the same or in different ways? Like, using the bag for daytime and clutch for evenings? That would determine whether or not I would keep both. I do think the clutch is dressy enough for evening wear.

I am biased towards pearl necklaces, and I love yours!
Hope this helps!

Asingh

I love the pearl necklace and it looks nice on you. The black bubble necklace, although huge on the blogging circuit, doesn't quite do you justice (it sits a little low). And that colour-blocked bag is great (the shape reminds me of Celine handbags). The clutch is great too. And a big thumbs-up for the big quilted bag.

Ingunn

I like the pearls on you, but the bubble bib is too overwhelming, I think. I've been admiring them on the bloggers as well, but I think they would overwhelm me, too, if I tried them. I have no strong opinions on the bags, they are all very nice. Let your heart decide if you love any of them enough to keep it. (I think the black quilted options are very good, in fact, when I take a closer look.)

Jules

When I've seen the bubble necklace IRL it does seem to wear the owner rather than the other way around. I agree the colour block bag is nice but not you enough.

Suz

The bubble necklace is nice, Natalie. But the other one seems to be overwhelming you. I would pass. I don't think the bags are anything special (though i would like the black clutch bag, myself!) considering, I mean, that you already have bags that fit the purpose.

If you don't NEED it, and don't even really WANT it....well....save your pennies?

Anonymous

I don't care for either necklace on you - the pearl one looks like it would be better lower, and the bubble one I think just overwhelms you.

Of all the bags, if none of them make your heart leap, I would let them go. I think the burgundy patent is cute, but you already have the patent clutch. I would like to see the ASOS one in person.

The colourblock satchel looks too stiff and bulky carried on your shoulder under your arm. I would let that one go too.

Transcona Shannon

The pearl necklace is nice Natalie and I can see that inside a collared shirt or with some of your fab tops. The black bubble necklace is too much necklace for you I think. And to be honest, the only handbag I like is the patent quilted heart satchel and I think that's too much like the patent burgundy one you already have - so I would send back the handbags.

Jewell

I like, no I love the pearl necklace on you. I'm not a fan of that bib necklace, though. I don't know what it is about those necklaces, but like Jules said they often seem to wear the person instead of the other way around. I tried one on last spring during my quest to find the perfect statement necklace but the one I tried was making more of a statement on me than I wanted. I'm also not crazy about the color blocked tote, but I really like the other three bags.

Diana

I like the pearls but I'm not sure I like them layered over the sweater. I think they need to go over bare skin, either inside a collared shirt or with something more low cut. I would return the bubble necklace. It hangs at a funny height and I think it's just a little too big. Also, I am kind of sick of them to be honest. It's so popular, and I think most people (including many bloggers) don't wear it very well (although I do think that Jessica looks good in the photo you posted - but then again maybe it's because half of the necklace is covered up).

For purses, I would return the first one. It looks kind of blocky and nothing special. I like the burgundy patent one though! I remember you saying that you had to carry a second bag w/ your burgundy clutch anyway, so you could go all matchy-matchy and carry them together! I am not crazy about the black clutch. Something about the dimensions/proportions looks off to me, and it somehow looks too big for you even with the baby belly. I think it's because it's kind of too thick and stiff. To my eye, the big oversized clutches work best when they are envelope style and very thin and a bit slouchy. Quilted bag looks promising... hope it works out!

Amy

If you don't already have a pearl necklace, then keep that pretty one. I' m not crazy about any of the other items. I'm sure you already have much nicer comparable pieces in your wardrobe

Thanks so much! I agree, the colorblock tote seems like it should work for me but I'm just not feeling it. I will go back and take another look at the burgundy satchel because the more I think about it, I think it will work really well and will be a better size for me than the clutch, so I don't have to carry two bags around. I agree the pearl necklace looks funny with the sweater but I think it will work well when styled. And as for the bubble necklace and clutch, I wonder if I hosed myself by posting those horrible unstyled photos! I found a way to shorten the necklace, so have a look at these styled pics and see what you think--I left the tags on in case you still hate it! Diana, I agree thin clutches are more stylish, but they're not very practical for me so I actually liked that the clutch was a little thicker and could hold more.

I'll be going to J Crew this afternoon to return a sweater, so let me know yay or nay on the bubble necklace!

The black bib looks way better sitting up higher. If you don't have one like it and love it, keep!

I like the idea of the burgundy satchel since you said your burgundy clutch can't carry all your stuff. Did a miss a pic of it?

Rae, pics of the burgundy satchel are in 13/14. I'm going to try to go back and have another look at it after work when I return the colorblock tote.

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