AMC’s “Mad Men” has virtually brought back women’s fashion in a way that mainstream America hasn’t seen on TV since HBO’s “Sex in the City” made Manolo Blahnik a household name. Fashion from that period was marked by soft tailoring, body hugging silhouettes, extravagant fabric and layers such as tunics, coats, capes and more.

These design elements are an essential character in the show in addition to the physical characters that showcase the best of the decade. The accessories speak to that era as well. Outside of their gorgeous vintage accessories, the female characters rock strands of pearl necklaces that beg for attention.

Here are some of the ways that I suggest getting mad about pearls wearing Style Folio pearl necklaces and earrings in today’s modern “Mad Men” world:

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Do you remember when you were a kid and wearing stripes and plaids together was an absolute no-no? Well, fashion today is rewriting the rules. However, these new rules can create confusion how to combine the two in a way that reflects your style and makes you feel comfortable. A part of that decisive journey is to figure out how on earth you add jewelry to your stripe and plaid mix. Well, here are some ideas to fit a few different styles on effectively mixing all of the pieces together without looking like a Glamour don’t.

Buy that coral and jet necklace here.

Buy that crystal jewelry as a set or separately here.

Buy that exotic seashell and mother-of-pearl necklace here. And no, you won’t poke your eyes or skin out.

Buy this red coral cuff here.

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Style. What is it? It’s like an enigma. Some people seem to be naturally stylish. And yet, it seems to elude others.

Personal style tends to refer to one’s external presentation of fashion choices, hair styles and personal grooming details like nails, facial hair, makeup, etc. Fashion choices tend to reflect one’s culture, status, individual taste, career and lifestyle. Personal style is the way in which individuals choose to combine external indicators along with fashion choices colors, textures, prints, patterns, silhouettes, accessories and other particulars.

So, how do you find yours? Try this fun DIY project to aid you in your journey:
• Find an unlined journal or a three ring binder with blank sheets of paper to serve as your personal style book.
• Section off your book with these categories; i.e. suits, pants, skirts, blouses, shoes, jewelry, handbags, swimwear, accessories, evening/cocktail attire, hair styles, makeup and a wish list. Include brands that you love and the local resources to help you implement your style choices.
• Find and paste images of items that fit in all sections. Choose images that you believe define you now or illustrate how you want to be defined.

Ideally, these images represent your personality, profession and the various roles you play in your life. The beauty about your personal style book is that you can dare to try new and different things. Plus, you can (and should over time) add and subtract from it as often as you feel. As you contribute to your book, you will see a pattern emerge. By identifying your pattern, you will gain confidence in creating and reinventing your definitive personal style. The real bonus will be the wise fashion and beauty investments that you will make in yourself, saving you time and money and assisting you in always looking your absolute best.

Examples of women with style:

image courtesy of daily.chiconline.com

image courtesy of biographyonline.com

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Pack your bags and head for the beach. This is the time of year for second homes, yacht adventures and tropical excursions accompanied by a chic resort wear wardrobe, including some incredible jewelry. Get started with your resort wear jewelry collection at 30% off.Remember, there is only one of each.

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The reemergence of the ’80’s seems to be permeating the fashion, art and music worlds by experimenting with its range of punk edginess to refined splendor with a new millennium twist.

DKNY is celebrating 20 years of great design with a short film that pays homage to the ’80’s cult classic “Liquid Sky.” Check out the fashion house film’s neon imagery set to hypnotic music.

And then there is the queen of androgyny herself - Grace Jones. She silences her 20 year absence from music to strike a polarizing pose for the cover of V Magazine’s Spring issue. Her signature amplified attitude and provocative look is as intoxicating today as it was when she took center stage during the asymmetric silhouette decade.

Recently, artists have been paying tribute to Stephen Sprouse with the launch of a book that celebrates his short-lived but creatively fierce life. He set a tone for the ’80’s fusion of graffiti punk and fashion pop that designers are emulating today.

There is an element of the decade that symbolized glistening elegance, unabashed taste and cultivated style that is coming full circle as well. Women are rediscovering that period of refined and unapologetic feminism packaged in power-claiming frocks. Should pads, hourglass silhouettes and regalia resembling Dynasty days, seem to be making a triumpant catwalk comeback.

So, it’s official. The ’80’s are back! Choose your range of artistic expression with a modern interpretation from a decade that danced with danger and decadence.

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Silver, gold, pewter, bronze, copper and black are all metal colors that prominant shimmer this season. Sequin and lame metallics are reinvented to play with a mix of hues, textures and silhouettes to make this trend bang and not bonk.

Try basic black with metallic accents like this example.

Black + Metallic - by StyleFolio on Polyvore.com

Or get a bolt of blue.

Bolt of Blue - by StyleFolio on Polyvore.com

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What’s hot now? Check out Pantone’s Spring Color and Fashion report for details.

Learn More

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