August 31, 2012

Cuffs: Why Wear Just One?

Ever since I discovered how to pull off wearing cuffs on my itty-bitty wrists without looking like a T-rex, I’ve been absolutely hooked. Mark my words my DMD darlings, cuffs are going to be BIG this fall/winter. Overachiever that I am, I’m going to take it one step further, go out on a limb, and every other clichéd saying in the book (What book? Who knows!), and let you in on a little discovery that I made: THE DOUBLE CUFF! Dum-da-dum!!!

Oh yes, this one is going to be HUGE and it works for all aesthetics and ages. Some tips to pulling it off:

1. You need two matching cuffs. Mismatched cuffs are another look entirely. Symmetry is the secret ingredient here.

2. Keep them sleek. No need for overly frou-frou cuffs–all you need is a solid color or a subtle pattern (if you absolutely must). Anything with a crystal animal on it is going to be overkill.

3. Wear them over your sleeves. It just looks infinitely more elegant. Besides, wearing a double cuff on bare arms puts you in a nasty lose-lose scenario that few can maneuver out of: if you’re lacking some muscle definition on your arms, they tend to resemble pastry bags; if you’re super svelte, then you’re one sneeze away from battling at the Coliseum. You just can’t win–you need sleeves.

4. Go wide. Proportions are very important, they need to look like cuffs that are part of your clothing rather than two of the same bracelet. In general, anything above 2.5 inches will work.

Here is a smattering of what will stand up to double duty:

Kelly Wearstler, 18-karat gold-plated brass cuff.

BaubleBar, Studded Glam Cuff.

Now, I know what I said about Tiffany’s new Rubedo collection, and I still stand by my opinion. However, I will acknowledge that these cuffs would look great as a pair.

One of the top reasons I SWOON over this look is that it’s such a no brainer. I really don’t think anyone should contemplate what they are going to wear beyond the three minutes that it takes to brush one’s teeth. Running out for the evening? Put on a monochromatic outfit, red lipstick, two cuffs and you’re done.

Here is my take on a camel-colored cardi for those days when you just crave a little extra sparkle: