Now is the time to rock those 20th-century fashion accessories if you are a vintage fashion enthusiast who loves statement pieces typical of the 1900s styles. The pieces were bold, daring, and attractively brazen. From anklets and brooches to fancy bra straps and earcuffs, these statement pieces deserve a comeback (with standing ovations) to the 21st-century fashion scene.
Some of the pieces we vintage fashion fans will love to see are:
- Anklets
- Fashion rings
- Fancy bra straps
- Ear Cuffs
- Toe rings
Anklets
Anklets or ankle chains have existed for centuries, with the first known types about 8,000 years old. From the beginning of its existence, it was not a fashion item, but an ornament that represented nobility and wealth. They were made from wood, bone, leather and woven twigs. Today, ankle chains have become fashionable pieces of ankle adornment made from various materials like gemstones, beads, and leather, precious metals like gold and silver, and base metals like copper, nickel, and brass.
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| Beautiful ankle bracelet. Image used under license from iStockPhoto |
Although women of the early 20th century who wore ankle bracelets were called brash and brazen, by the middle of the century, women embraced its use as fashion jewelry. Two decades later, anklets became extremely popular as fashion jewelry and became an integral part of fashion and style.
Stylish vintage anklets are usually adorned with charms like hearts, keys, crosses, leaves, and gemstones like jade, emerald, and rhinestones.
Elaborate Rings
Art Deco rings are by far one of the most dramatically-styled fashion rings of the 20th century. Rings of the era (1920s to 1930s) were dazzling, stylish, and elaborate. For women who love flashy and bold fashion accessories, nothing beats the beauty of Art Deco rings with their loud and sassy designs.
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| Vintage-inspired fashion rings. Image used under license from iStockPhotoo |
Fashion rings of the period, and up until the 1950s often featured brightly coloured stones like ruby, sapphire, and emerald with heavily eclectic and daring forms. They were large, dramatic, and symmetrical designs with rectangular/hexagonal/square centre-set gemstones, many with uniquely set side stones surrounding each gemstone. The symmetrical patterns and motifs were influenced by Egyptian, African, and Indian cultures.
Popular gemstones used for the Art Deco fashion rings are ruby, emerald, sapphire, onyx, ivory, and jade. Others are mother of pearls, corals, and colourful faux gems set on precious metals - silver, white gold, platinum, chrome, and marcasite. Many high-end Art Deco-style fashion rings have filigree and diamond accents.
Ornate Bra Straps
Fancy bra straps are beautiful fashion accessories that add a touch of glitz and glamour to strapless clothing. They are worn to be exposed and really beautify formal dresses, gowns, and bustier tops, and less formal clothing like strapless blouses, tank/tube tops, and halter necks.
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| Fancy bra straps. |
The most appealing and sought-after kinds are adorned with faux or genuine rhinestones and sparkler diamante gems. The beautiful embellishments make them elegant and attractive without going over the top.
They are wonderful pieces of fashion accessories that can also give a fashion upgrade, like turning a simple day wear into an attractive evening outfit or replacing camisole straps with diamante studded fancy bra straps. It will also enhance old favourites and give your ‘dumped’ clothes a new lease on life.
Ear Cuffs
Ear cuffs may have been around for centuries (dating back to 200 BC) but in the 20th century, they became great earring alternatives for women with unpierced ears. Ear cuffs can be quite fascinating and attention-grabbing, and their charm continues to grow season-upon-season as fashion icons, celebrities, and jewelry design shows continue to adopt its use and rediscover it as a trending accessory.
The earliest ear cuffs discovered in burial sites in the British Isles were known as Kaffas. They were made from non-fanciful brass without embellishments and were crafted with a large mount to wrap around the outer ear lobe. By the 1700s, they began to appear in Europe. But unlike the ancient ones, these modernised ear jewelry became more reserved in its crafting, resembling classic earrings instead.
Made from expensive metals, they were set with precious stones like rubies, diamonds, and sapphires. They were only affordable to wealthy upper-class women. Ear cuffs were worn to exhibit a woman’s wealth and social status.
Toe Rings
Toe rings have been around for hundreds of years and have been worn by both men and women, in Africa and Asia. Way back then, they were worn for various cultural and traditional reasons, but certainly not as jewelry or fashion accessories.
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| Foot showing toe ring and ankle bracelet. (Image used under license from iStockPhoto) |
In the Western world, there is no symbolic interpretation for wearing toe rings. They are generally regarded as fashion accessories to prettily adorn the feet. Meaning they are worn simply to portray stylish statements.
Exquisite toe-ring designs are stylishly crafted after 20th-century motifs and themes of swirls and figurines, fauna and flora, inscribed bands, and love themes. The best types are those made from lasting materials like gold, enamel, brass, and silver that will make your feet look pretty and delicate.
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