Bold necklaces across a range of metals are making quite the comeback. This makes sense as the ’80s and particularly the ‘90s continue to trend heavily at the moment. The neck candy is eye-catching and makes a statement. It is not a subtle look. Some options are chunky, and others more refined. Here are some examples.

1. Bib Necklace

This necklace takes up a lot of surface area, but is fairly refined with a lot of see-through volume. It hangs lower on the chest instead of right up against the base of the neck. I like the way the necklace is partially on the model’s skin and partially on the top. That said, it could have graced bare skin or a top with a higher neckline too. The layered tops add a maximal touch to the necklace. A dark top creates an effective contrasting backdrop for the necklace. The necklace can work over a collared shirt too. Subtle stud earrings make the statement necklace shine.

2. Chunky Chain Necklace

Short and very short chunky chain necklaces scream the early ‘90s to me, and with a bracelet to match. The accessory showcases its versatility in Banana Republic’s February edit. It varies in lengths and can be worn with round necklines, V-necks, tie-necks, inside shirt collars, and layered with other necklaces. The collection shows some examples.

Here is a short chunky chain necklace that finishes at the base of the neck. It’s worn with a tee, jeans and leather jacket. Statement gold hoop earrings add a maximal touch. Simple stud earrings or no earrings would have been great too.

2. Asymmetrical Necklace

This is my favourite of the four because I like necklaces made of balls, gold is my metal, and white pearls are my thing. I also like the lopsided effect. Beautiful on bare skin, yet I can see the necklace work over a turtleneck, a scoop neck, a V-neck, to inside a shirt collar too. A simple solid top or dress will make the necklace take centre stage.

4. Chain Pendant Toggle Necklace

Long pendant necklaces are aplenty, but those on chunky chains like this one are less common. The long chunky chain can have a toggle instead of a pendant, and looks good over most necklines. It also works worn inside a shirt collar with the pendant portion worn on the outside of the shirt or blouse like they did in the ’70s. It’s a fun necklace season!

These three articles gave me food for thought this week:

• Alyson over at That’s Not My Age asks why we are still not seeing more women in their 50s realistically represented in the media.
• Allure looks into the murky world of ‘functional fragrance’, pointing out that the science behind the claims about mood-boosting perfumes remains shaky.
• This op-ed piece makes the case that true gender-neutral clothing must go beyond fancy sweatpants.

Fab Links from Our Members

Catherine’s blog post reveals that there is a whole lot of image manipulation happening on social media, and Runcarla thinks it’s kind of scary.

She thought this video on the other hand has some good tips on how to set things up so you can take a nice basic selfie.

Kkards has been enjoying these two recent articles about dopamine dressing.

Bijou liked this article on platform shoes, and how they are trending again. It made a good point that when times are tough women can update their shoes for a quick fashion fix.

Suntiger is fascinated by this woman who can see 100 million colours.

She also loves these photos from the Harlem Renaissance.

Angie got a stunning Hugo Boss suit in the last NAS sale. Suz directs us to an article about where the company is headed.

This is an excerpt from a new book called Worn: A People’s History of Clothing by Sofi Thanhauser. LaPed can’t wait to read it.

Vildy recommends Shoegazing, which contains a treasure trove of info on all things footwear, like this history of the Chelsea boot.

In my many years of frequent closet editing, I can’t remember a single item from my wardrobe that I truly regret passing on. Maybe it would have been fun to still have the odd item from my teenage and university days in the ‘80s. Instead, I have wonderful memories of the fashion era, which is special too. 

I do regret passing on items from my late Mum and Grandmother’s wardrobes that they wore in the ’60s and ‘70s. I LOVE the fashion from those decades. I remember their gorgeous trapeze jackets, jacquard coats, capes, bell-bottoms, platform boots, full skirts, chain belts, lace dresses, maxi dresses, and fringed knitwear. Although my Mum’s colour palette was very different to mine — she favoured earth tones, black, light blue, and muted pinks — I would have enjoyed having some of those items here with me today. Sentimental and vintage in the very best way. My Mum’s Mum, my Oma, adored red and yellow like I do, so it would have been extra fun to have her stash seamlessly work with my own colour palettes. But alas, it’s gone.

Over to you. Do you regret passing on items too quickly, and wish you had some of those items today?

This week’s roundup has a bit of everything, so take your pick. Transitional items are coming through as we head into Spring, but there’s lots of Winter merchandise too. The fab part about transitional and Spring knitwear is that it’s cotton and cotton-rich. That usually means less pilling, no itching, and machine washable options.

• LOUBEN Cable-Knit Cotton Hoodie: This cotton cabled hoodie looks sporty, tidy and polished. It's dressier than fleece, and versatile if you dress it up and down. If you like magenta, this is an option. I wish it came in white, but have my eye on the gorgeous French blue.
• Polo Ralph Lauren Argyle Wool Sweater Vest: A cropped vest in a fun argyle to layer over tees, shirts and blouses for Team Neutrals. It does not need to be tucked into bottoms.
• DvF Kate Charlottenburg Floral Button-Up Shirt: A botanical floral in gorgeous luxe fabric for Team Classic Blouse.
• Brooks Brothers Pearl Tassel Necklace: A tasseled pearl necklace is a rare find, and this one looks as good doubled up to a shorter length.
• MOTHER The Curveball Puff Shoulder Sweatshirt: Trendy and great to wear with skirts and high rises. It's short, and super comfy. Works on petites.
• Brooks Brothers Silk-Cashmere Shawl-Collar Sweater: A lovely classic that looks fab on a fuller bust and curvier body type. Layers well under jackets, coats, and vests. Yummy quality. Comes in other colours.
• Brooks Brothers Year of the Tiger Sparkling Intarsia Tennis Sweater: If you like animal prints, try a tiger pattern. The shallow V-neck of this collegiate style is flattering. Great quality.
• MOTHER The Double Insider High Waist Bootcut Jeans: Bootcuts are back with a vengeance as a serious nod to '90s trends, and this one is good on a curvier body type.
• Vince Camuto Metallic V-Neck Sweater: If you like to wear black fitted knitted tops, try this one. Fab texture.
• Karen Kane Plus Color Blocked Dress: This interesting colour-blocked dress is made of substantial fabric and drapes like a dream. The graphic colour-blocked design creates vertical integrity. Good length and comes in a wide range of sizes.
• Brooks Brothers Double Knit Pinstripe Jacket: This is a knitted blazer that has knitted jogger pants to match. VERY comfy and well-made. The stretch of the knit allows it to mould to the shape of a range of body types. The pinstripe is unique.
• Brooks Brothers Double Knit Pinstripe Drawstring Pants: A knitted pair of joggers in a dressy pinstripe is unique and super cute. Comfy. It has a knitted blazer to match.
• B.O.G. COLLECTIVE June Mule: I love the look of these refined mule-esque clogs and ordered them for Summer. They were too wide on my low-volume feet. But gorgeous and fab nonetheless, and I had hoped they would fit. The extra side coverage is a more secure fit on the foot. Comes in other patterns and neutrals.
• Brooks Brothers Year of the Tiger Knit Beanie Hat: A tiger beanie with ears for Team Earth Tones. Charming! It has a scarf and pullover to match.
• COS Relaxed-fit Midi Shirt Dress: If you like voluminous shirt dresses with an architectural flavour, this is an option. Comes in navy and emerald green. It's a LOT of dress so consider yourself warned. I have my eye on the navy.
• Brooks Brothers Supima Cotton Tennis Sweater: Am I the only one feeling the tennis or cricket sweater in a crisp white cabled cotton? It's fab quality and is an iconic classic. Comes in navy. I don't wear V-necks well, but thought the shallow shape could work if I filled the gap with a pile of pearls. I'll let you know.
• Theory Demitria 2 Stretch Good Wool Suit Pants: I got these and they are STUNNING quality, luxe, and a gorgeous colour. Apart from being too long for sneakers and flat boots, they are a perfect fit. I will have them hemmed since I don't wear heels. I wear them more fluidly than the model. Very comfy. The rise is not too high, and the fit is best on a straighter body type. It's GREAT to wear tailored bootcuts again, plus I got them for a song.
• Vince Camuto Floral Sequin Sleeve Cotton Sweater: A fab cotton-rich party sweater to have in your dressy capsule.
• Reiss Taylor Cotton Blend Sweater: Very pretty luxe yet sporty sweater that works well with black and cream shoes. Fab on those who wear V-necks well. Good with skirts and pearls.
• CeCe Mock Neck Cotton Sweater: A bright and pretty statement pullover for Team Red. Comfy, and drapes well. Works well with skirts too.
• FLY London Fly Long Bagu Wedge Chelsea Boot: These come in navy, black, forest green, taupe and this subtle metallic. They can work for slight bunions and higher volume feet. Supportive, comfy and fab if you can manage the heel height.
• FRAME Mini boot-cut Velvet Trousers - Farfetch: Bootcuts are having their fashion moment and these velvet darlings are absolutely GORGEOUS. Beautifully '70s, dressy, dramatic and luxurious. High longevity factor. The rise is a good length, and not too high. Red pants are signature to my style, and these earned a place in my wardrobe. They will probably work well on both slightly straighter and slightly curvier bodies.
• Persaman New York Kathleen Satchel Bag: For those looking for a light blue bag with silver hardware - this is an option.

You can see the pictures alongside the items on the collection page.