June 1999

Professional Insider:Trend Spotting

Shape Shifting

New necklines and sleeve lengths create challenges and opportunities for jewelers

While it's not a death-knell for the necklace, a few fresh silhouettes on the fashion front beg for adornment at the ears and wrists.

Boatnecks, funnel necks and 3/4-length sleeves are hot this summer in casual and more formal looks and will continue to be found this fall and winter. Sweater sets, which came back from the '50s with new attitude last year, also show no sign of fading. With each of these silhouettes, there's good news and bad news.

A Little Necking
First, the bad news. Boatnecks and funnel necks create so much interest at the throat that accessorizing well with a necklace becomes very difficult. Sweater sets, especially crewnecked, add layers of fabric that can make a necklace drape awkwardly. The good news, though, is that these looks fairly beg for some interest at the ear. A hoop, small drop or bezel-set earring will accentuate the wearer's face. Pins are natural on sweater sets, and tiny scatter pins worn in multiples add a funky flavor.

Wrists To Watch
More good news – the 3/4-length sleeve often accompanies these new necklines. Yves Saint-Laurent designed suits with this ladylike sleeve so his couture customers could wear their bracelets with ease, reports Patricia McLaughlin in the Philadelphia Inquirer Magazine,so this fashion is a natural selling opportunity. Though the ladies who lunched probably didn't need to keep track of time, most of your customers do – and this sleeve length showcases a watch just as well.

The 18k gold and diamond pavé scatter pins are by J.R. Designs, New York City; (800) 999-0583 or (212) 922-9292, fax (212) 922-2992.

Stainless steel and stainless steel/14k goldplate watches are by Michele Watches, Miami, FL; (305) 650-9771, www.michelewatches.com.

The perfect accessories for the new necklines and sleeve lengths. 18k white gold bangles with diamonds are by Rina Limor for J.R. Gold Designs.

– by Liz Smutko

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