This Eastern Snake-necked Turtle wants to wear necklaces so badly he's ...well, you see. His neck...it's crazy-long! Turtles are creepier than I realized...Let's back away slowly... (Picture from wollombi on Flickr)

I am not usually a big advocate of trends. I mean, if you’re not rich then you can’t reasonably afford to shop the trends except in cheap ways you won’t really be satisfied with – at least most of the time. But jewelry trends do tend to move a lot slower than other trends. And what, is someone going to laugh at you for wearing a certain necklace past when other people were? I don’t really think so. Because if a piece is pretty – truly pretty? Then that’s all people care about. And that’s all YOU, my friend, should care about. Shop smart and shop pretty. Don’t shop with other people’s expectations in mind.

So, trends. There are two necklace trends that I want to mention because you’re bound to see them in lots of stores right now. And I think you should get at least one type of them, or resurrect a similar sort from your jewelry box. Because there will be lots of these types of necklaces there will be lots of variety and people will be putting time into making these necklaces look great. That’s one good reason to shop trends.

What are these necklace trends I’m yammering on about? Chain-link necklaces and multi strand necklaces.

Chain link necklaces: Chain link necklace by Fossil @ Zappos ON SALE $38.40 from $48

Multi Strand Necklaces: multi strand necklaces @ Forever 21 $5.80 also in gold.

Multi Strand Necklaces: Three-Strand Czech Link Chains @ Amazon $115.00. It’s pricy but oh-boy do I love this necklace! I’d wear it a lot so in terms of cost per wear this is actually a major winner for me.

Multi Strand Necklaces: Garnet Necklace I have also fallen in love with this Garnet Necklace. Garnet is actually my birth stone, even! This isn’t exactly what I meant by multistrand necklaces, but it DOES have many strands, and it is also a necklace. The judges approve! (Hint: I am the freaking judge here!) @ Amazon $76.00

Multistrand necklaces: Leslie Danzis – Multi-Strand Two-Tone Chain w/ Crystal Accents Necklace, 36” @ Amazon $69.99

How do you wear a tassel necklace? Good question! (Don’t you love when your curiosity is rewarded like that? I do.) Because these are so bold, such statement necklaces in their own way you can pair them with knits (knit dresses, knit sweaters) and heavy sweaters (sweaterdresses, bulky sweaters that you always think about throwing out). The long length of a tassle necklace will draw the eye down vertically, so pretty much the worst thing you could do is try to wear some sort of striped top. Vertical stripes will compete with it and horizonal stripes will confuse people. Necklaces can be a little tricky here, scoop necks, boat necks, v-necks…pretty much any of these can work depending on the material of your top. V-necks are the easiest sort of top to pair tassel necklaces with though, in my opinion. This is because the necklace makes sort of a ‘V’ shape.

You’re on your own in deciding between a gold tassel necklace or silver tassel necklace. I have too many decisions to make in life as it is!

Tassel Necklaces: Tassel necklace by EmmyRay @ Etsy.com $57.00.  “Long Live the Queen” necklace. All of the layering is done for you, so you just have to slip it on and look hip. Pretty snazzy. I might be in love.

Tassel necklaces: Tassel Necklace from Banana Republic

Tassel necklaces: Tassel Necklace @ Banana Republic $60.00. Simple, easy to wear with anything. Get Banana Republic Coupons.

Tassel Necklaces: White House Black Market Necklace

Tassel Necklaces: White House Black Market Necklace

Tassel Necklaces: Tassle necklace @ White House Black Market. This is a long tassel necklace – it’s important to always check the length of a necklace like this so you don’t get a bad surprise. This necklace has a 23″ drop. It looks like this necklace may sell out soon so check out the other White House Black Market Tassel Necklaces. I think this particular necklace on sale is the cutest.

Tassel Necklaces: Locked Tassel Necklace

Tassel Necklaces: Locked Tassel Necklace @ Forever 21 $7.80. Cheap but still cute! Get Forever 21 Coupons.

Tassel Necklaces: Chain Tassel Long Necklace - Goldtone

Tassel Necklaces: Chain Tassel Long Necklace in Gold @ Target $29.99. I love the blue and gold colors together. Get Target Coupons.

If you don’t have access to an H&M (which has stylish items at low prices) then this is your next best bet! And in fact, since so many people do have access to an H&M store, and we want unique items – this is actually your er, first best bet.

All items from this online boutique are shipped out within two days of receiving the order, and the shipping time is usually 2-5 days. The packaging is supposedly awesome because it comes in a wine-colored mesh bag with a thank you gift of ring pops or a candy necklace/bracelet. You won’t need to worry about cute Christmas gift wrapping if you order from here.

Because Anique knows that she’s smart readers like good deals, she has generously provided a discount code for you all to use, valid through the end of November so you can do early Christmas shopping. To receive 15% off of your entire order, enter “shessmart” at the checkout. Who doesn’t love discount codes?

What do I suggest you look at on the online shop? Well, there’s a lot to choose from between the affordable jewelry, cute clothing, purses (both big bags and cute clutches), wallets…

Looking for cheap vests online? Try: The In-Crowd bedazzled vest, ON SALE $20.00. Wear it over anything for a little bit of sparkle. Vest

Searching for affordable necklaces? Try: The Amelia, $19.00. Chain necklaces are very trendy right now, and this is a unique style that no one else will have. Chain Necklace

Have a need for clutches on sale? Try: A+D Clutch ON SALE $20.00. I am in LOVE with this berry-colored clutch. Anique Michelle has a great collection of super cute clutches. Clutch on sale

Looking for cheap wallets on sale? Voila: La Fleur Wallet,  $16.00. I only like wallets that open from the top, so this is perfect. And it has the most sophisticated-but-fun Fleur-de-lis pattern on it. Wallet

Make sure to check out Anique Michelle online and then use your special discount code (“shessmart”) for 15% off! And stay tuned for a CONTEST sponsored by Anique Michelle boutique!

Adam Brody and Rachel Bilson on The O.C. - Oh, how I miss that show.

Style Question: I currently find myself dressing like my style inspiration is Adam Brody on The OC, with Chuck Taylors, jeans, and crazy t-shirts as my staples. I’m still constantly mistaken for a college student, even though I graduated 5 years ago! How can I make my look a little more grown up and feminine but keep it casual? – Kerstin

Style Advice: Finding a new style approach without losing your personality is the KEY when trying to adapt a new style. Anyone could easily tell you a million different things to wear (“Oh, just plop on a cashmere sweater and some channel earrings!), but I doubt you’d be happy in them. That’s why this is an interesting question. The world may make you feel like you have to automatically start wearing certain kinds of clothing to define yourself, but that isn’t true. And at the same time it’s natural to feel like if you’re wearing fun cotton t-shirts every day, that you’re a bit stalled style-wise. We’re just not going to give you a lobotomy, is all. You need to retain what it is you like.

One of the things I’d suggest is an easy fix to updating the outfit you already described. That’s right – chucks, jeans and a silly cartoon t-shirt can stay. But add to that two elements: a statement necklace (not one that overpowers the look, but one that you can see from a few feet away) and a fitted blazer. The necklaces I like would be one of those multi-layered chain kinds, which are a bit funky and also in a lot of shops right now. A nice fitted blazer instantly makes you look sophisticated. You can always pair that later with black pants and a different solid blouse later on if you really need to dress up, so it’s a piece that will work a lot.

Less expensive combination:

Chain Necklace ASOS Long Multi Row Mixed Chain Necklace @ ASOS $30
Blazer Ruched 3/4 Sleeve Blazer @ Forever 21 $30

More expensive combination:

Chain Necklace Argento Vivo Long Strand Lace Station Necklace @ nordstrom.com $100 (Something super nice like this can become your everyday statement necklace – wear it for a year until you pick a new one.)
Blazer Black Ponte Boyfriend Jacket @ Miss Selfridge $73 (45 GBP)

If you’re willing to get a bit more invested, I spotted two looks at Ann Taylor Online. And yes, sometimes it helps by just shopping in the ‘right’ store – as this is a store catered for professional women. Of course, we’re not just going to steal the style from their page because it’s boring and not ‘you’.

Consider: A nice, long cardigan (in a punchy color) with a funky belt. You can find those elements at Ann Taylor, but at many other stores as well.

Consider: Flannel pants that have polished appeal. Or maybe modern pinstripe pants? You can always, ALWAYS pair these pants with a 100% cotton, striped, fitted blouse. But you can also take that fitted blouse and pair it with your jeans and chucks, and it’ll still look a bit more adult.

You might even pair a long cardigan with the pants and end up with a stylish look. If you’re worried that clothing gets boring as you get older – don’t. Prints, patterns, and color will always be your saving grace. I hope this has provided you with some fashion ideas to incorporate and/or shop for!

If you have a style question, e-mail me at Jessica@shessmart (dot com)

Spotty Cream Necklace by BoutiqueKokosh on Etsy.com

Statement necklace – Spotty Cream Necklace by BoutiqueKokosh on Etsy.com

Riddle me this, if you’re going to fork out money for a gorgeous and bold statement necklace – why would you pay so much for one that other people will almost definitely have? I have seen lots of options for statement necklaces of 2009. So, let me ask you this – when it comes to a statement necklace shop, does J-Crew think they are the only shop that stocks them? Moreover, do you think you can only find them at J-Crew? Psh! HARDLY. J-Crew makes great jewelry, but I don’t want to buy their stuff because I don’t want to have the same thing as someone else.  No one likes to wear the same thing as someone else, so why would you buy a statement necklace that has good odds of being on someone else? What statement does that make? Be original! That’s the statement you should make. Becuase you know how to shop smart.

Etsy shops are great at statement necklace diy. Those makers do amazing things with beads and chains and lace… things that I do NOT know how to do. But that’s okay becuase they do it for me. Yay. And they offer them at all sorts of price ranges, which is very nice since I like to decide how much I’m willing to pay for something. If you only want to spend X amount, you can do it when you shop etsy. And just so you know, it’s really okay to be selfish and have a couple statement necklaces. I promise! I’ve picked five big statement piece necklaces from etsy.com shops that you might like. They’re all handmade, and they’re all statement-stunna’s!

Flower Necklace by 2ndrecollection on Etsy.com

Statement Necklace – Ruffled Flower Necklace by 2ndrecollection on Etsy.com

Flower Necklace by LieblingDesigns on Etsy.com

Statement Necklace – Flower Necklace by LieblingDesigns on Etsy.com

Statement Chain Necklace by TeTelestai on Etsy.com

Statement Chain Necklace – Statement Chain Necklace by TeTelestai on Etsy.com

Statement Chain Necklace by HaroldandJane on Etsy.com

Statement Chain Necklace – Statement Chain Necklace by HaroldandJane on Etsy.com

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We encourage Etsy makers to contact us if you’d like to be reviewed or host a giveaway on ShesSmart.com! Just shoot off an e-mail to Jessica@ShesSmart (dot com).