I’ve said it many times before, but I never tire of speaking this truth. I love all things that sparkle, shimmer, razzle dazzle, and bedazzle! In fashion, I adore both looking at and wearing garments and accessories that are made from rhinestones, beads and glitter. From clear rhinestones to colorful rhinestones, the shiny, appealing stones are able to set the overall tone of your outfit.
A great way to offset casual attire is with rhinestone, glittered and beaded clutch purses or handbags. Once again, if your clothes say sporty and laid back, but you prefer to add an easy batch of oomph to up the look, carrying a fashionable, shining, adorable bag always works.
Shimmer and glimmer with sparkly, bedazzled handbags!
It is a fashion fallacy to think that in order to carry a bag this fancy, you need to be dressed up or going to an expensive, high society event. In my fashion opinion, these bags would work for everyday usage if that is your preference. The number one rule of style and glamour: Be true to you.
A rhinestone is a diamond simulant made from rock, crystal, glass or acrylic.
Rhinestone Fun Fact: Originally, rhinestones were rock crystals gathered from the river Rhine, hence the name, although some rhinestones were found in areas like the Alps. Rhinestones can be used as imitations of diamonds, and some manufacturers manage to reproduce the glistening effect in rhinestones that real diamonds have in the sun.
A downfall of wearing rhinestone clothing, purses or jewelry is that sometimes, the rhinestones fall out. Once a rhinestone is missing, the empty space is noticeable.
How to Keep Rhinestones from Falling Out:
- Try to keep the rhinestones item away from extreme heat, or water. Both heat and wet will loosen the glue and allow easy access for stones to fall out.
- Coat your rhinestone items with clear nail polish. This helps add a thin, protective sealer that isn’t visible to the eye.
- If you really want to ensure that your stones stay put, paint one layer of gorilla glue (clear) over the entire item, and let the glue dry before wearing the piece. Those stones won’t be going anywhere, and neither will your fingers, if they come in contact with the gorilla glue.
In addition to clothing, accessories and handbags, rhinestones and beads work splendidly on costumes and crowns!
Don’t you agree that these sparkly purses are absolutely lovely to look at?
Rhinestone Fun Fact: Rhinestones are sized by using the term “SS”, or stone size, followed by the number to indicate the size (i.e. SS8 is equivalent to 2.3 mm, SS10 is 2.8 mm). SS is more commonly used for apparel, while PP (pearl plate) is used for jewelry. Razzle, dazzle, sparkle and bedazzle when your hands hold tightly to a purse that shines brightly.
Rhinestone Purse Fashion Tip: If your outfit is subdued and tends to border on only one or two solid colors, then a colored rainbow rhinestone purse highlights the subtlety of the outfit. However, if your outfit is extremely colorful on its own, then carrying a clear or one solid color rhinestone bag tops off the polished look. Polar opposites attract, even in fashion.
Crystal Rhinestone Fun Fact: Crystal rhinestones are produced mainly in Austria by Swarovski and in the Czech Republic by Preciosa and a few other glassworks in northern Bohemia. In the United States, these are sometimes called Austrian Crystal. In the Spanish-speaking world, they are called Cristal de Bohemia.
World wide, rhinestones sparkle up and spice up all forms of fashion. From the grunge look to haute couture, dolling yourself up with a rhinestone item adds a unique, signature feel to your clothes, for sure.
Hot Fix Rhinestones: Hot fix rhinestones are mainly used for apparel. The flat bottom of the stone has a glue backing, and when heated, melts onto the surface of the clothing. These can be attached using a regular iron or a heat press.
Rhinestone Fashion Tip: Placing rhinestones on fingernails is great fun and can be used to create beautiful artwork. I particularly like when one medium sized clear rhinestone is placed on a long, little fingernail (either one or both hands). This looks elegant and says, “I’m sweet yet sassy! Rhinestones make great substitutes for sequins. Sequins is also gorgeous, but if you are going for a classier look, rather than use sequins, use rhinestones.
Either way, you will glimmer and shimmer with remarkable sparkle.
Shine on you fashion star! Be bold and express the lit up, stand out, effervescent beauty that you are!
Nancy Mangano is an American fashion journalist, screenwriter and author of the Natalie North murder mystery book series. Visit Nancy on her global online fashion/style/beauty magazine Nancy Marie Mangano Style at https://nancymariemangano.com, her Facebook page Nancy Mangano at https://www.facebook.com/nancymmangano/ Twitter @https://twitter.com/nancymangano and her author website http://nancymangano.com
