I recently passed a woman in the street wearing hoops that rivaled the size of a small planet.  I should note that I passed her on State Street, Boston’s equivalent of Wall Street, in the light of a Tuesday morning as passerby made their way to their offices with bagels and suits in tow.  While I’m totally for declassified workwear and accessories – shake up that cotton poplin, I say - there’s something about what I affectionately refer to as “urban chic” hoop earrings that make them viable for a Saturday night out, or a hula hoop contest, only.  As a rule of thumb, “urban chic” hoops are hoops that are large enough for a fist to fit through – if there were no backings, they’d double as bangles – and often have a name or slogan (“Love” and “Flirt” are often popular choices) plated in cursive along the base.  I dare not even call them true accessories:  I’m sure that in ancient Roman times, the above mentioned hoop earring could double as a replacement for a broken chariot wheel.  Giddy up, Caesar!

 

On the flip sides, I’m not one for necklaces.  I prefer loud, borderline obnoxious chandelier earrings – and yes, hoops – over a statement chain or pearl choker, any day.  Even in feeble daylight hours, I’ll don a pair of simple sterling silver hoops, about ½ inch in diameter, with delicate beaded accenting with my favorite blazer if the occasion is conservative.  The key, as you can see, to wearing such jewelry is to size appropriately.  It’s not the cake that’s so bad for us; it’s eating the entire thing in one sitting that makes our hips swell to disproportionate sizes.  As such, it’s not the hoop to blame – it’s the decision to rock a pair that would make Mariah Carey blush that causes unfortunate looks and stares. 

Common sense and style:  a pair to go hand-in-hand or a duo to be avoided?

-Karyn Polewaczyk

Posted by karynpol at 12:00 AM Bargain News , JEWELRY , Expert Advice | Trackback | Print This Post