The world is going green; after adopting a holistic lifestyle, eco-fashion and khaki, it’s time for natural beads. Organic jewelry has certain rawness about it, besides being perennially fresh and trendy.
Natural beads aren’t made of recycled material but naturally occurring matter such as seeds, clay, wood, coral, ivory, bones and animal shells. While they have been adopted as adornments since ancient times, only recently have they received their much revered status.
If you want to flaunt all things organic, you must possess a chic sensibility, a demure confidence or a kitschy audacity. Natural beads such as wood beads and ceramic beads can be teamed up with chiffons. Indonesian lacquer beads with their ethnic textures will look stunning with a tube top or a cocktail dress.
Jumpsuits are very stylish; classic brown wood beads maintain the elegance of the evening while adding a zing to the entire ensemble. Natural beads are offbeat but traditional, contrary to popular belief, they are also very feminine. Wood beads in bright colors such as turquoise, orange or pink, are just right for a day at the beach.
They also look great with sundresses. White is particularly serene in the summers, sport a simple white dress with ornaments made of green or brown wood beads. If you’re looking for something vibrant, select cheery hues that contrast the plainness of white.
Bone beads are best suited for casual afternoons. They are generally available in a single tone and have designs on them. These beads ought to be matched with darker shades in clothing. They also do justice to black. However, if you aren’t charmed by Gothic fashion, don’t wear them with anything black.
Lacquer beads have a Bohemian luridness, with protuberances and embellishments on them. They may be natural but they have been artificially glazed and treated. Wear them with Gypsy skirts for fun and flamboyance. The advantage of wearing natural beads is that they are inexpensive.
They can also be combined with different stones and spacers to flesh out a whole new look. Bone beads make interesting bangles and anklets. Wood beads on the other hand are suitable for necklaces, bracelets and belts. Lacquer beads look best as earrings.
If you are on the green team, encourage the organic jewelry industry. Fashion isn’t just about following what’s in vogue, it’s also about creating what will be in vogue tomorrow. Dare to wear your beads differently. Ever considered hair bands made of natural beads?
You can adorn the straps on bamboo slippers with these beads, or stitch them along the waist line or neck line of your garments as well. If you thought only women can wear organic jewelry, think again. Bone beads and wood beads suit men too. Wear them under white or pastel shirts.
Going green has a lot to do with keeping it real and being comfortable in your own skin. Avoid being dolled up when wearing an organic ensemble, you don’t want to take away from the charm of being natural. That does not mean be dull and dreary, it just means, stay simple.
Everybody wants to be fashionable, but in the chase to being hip they leave themselves behind, and that’s where the problem starts. There is no need to imitate anybody, role models are for reference; the person in the mirror, now that’s who you should be like.
Indeed it is said ‘dress to impress,’ but whether you dress up or dress down, if you aren’t impressed, nobody’s going to be. Fashion has much to do with confidence and if you want to go organic, the first thing you need to do is be yourself, bare to the bone.
Author Box: The world is going green; after adopting a holistic lifestyle, eco-fashion and khaki, it’s time for natural beads. Organic jewelry has certain rawness about it, besides being perennially fresh and trendy.
