15 February 2010

Cuff Love*

Poet and Wild Child Nancy Cunard captured here by Cecil Beaton

If, as Accessorator Judi Roaman says, it's not the first $1000 that make a room, it's the last $100, perhaps the same follows for what one wears. The sartorial style of the ladies pictured here have all made my heart beat faster....

Iris having a Western moment - perhaps it's all those layers which keep her so lithe?

...but it wasn't until my trip to see the Iris Apfel exhibition at PEM that it struck me what they all had in common - one and all had embraced a More is More philosophy - to life AND to their bangles.

Learning to stack: my bejeweled Iris bangle on top with a studded Alexis Bittar one below

On a trip to Santa Fe a few years ago, I became smitten with Standard Oil heiress Millicent Rogers ...

who became so enamored with silver and turquoise old pawn, she learned how to make her own.

Old Pawn - not old paw, Gus!

I won't be taking metalsmithing classes any time soon - but I did pick up this cuff in homage.


Chanel and her Verdura cuffs photographed by Man Ray

Verdura may be out of reach for awhile, but Kenneth Jay Lane works in a pinch....


But the more I think about it, my penchant for a well-shielded wrist perhaps stretches as far back to this fearless lady....

I'll take cuffs over an invisible plane any day!

* Yes, "Cuff Love" is indeed in tribute to Real OC Housewife Lynne Curtin's line - click here to get matching his and hers

19 comments:

Agoura Antique Mart said...

I am in love with vintage cuffs, but those were amazing. Thank you for sharing. ~lulu

vicki archer said...

I am a big cuff and bracelet fan...the more the better, xv.

The Down East Dilettante said...

Grrreat post! It's being forwarded to a friend, poste haste.

And so true about that last $100. So many people are so afraid to have fun for fear that it won't be 'in good taste'...

P.Gaye Tapp at Little Augury said...

Always at least I buy in pairs-this seems quite daring! I love the look but find those that work rather than pose find them becoming tiresome around noon. I too feel for Millicent Rogers when I went through her Taos home.

Mrs. Blandings said...

There are never enough. I'm still thinking about one I passed up at the Rock Shop in Colorado. With bracelets, more is more.

home before dark said...

I think your off the cuff comments are quite delicious. Your new "arm"ory a brilliant choice. It appears cuffs are to you what china is to me: holders of memories. What fun.

Karena said...

Cuffs are cool, and yes you cannot have enough . I love the way you stacked yours!
Karena

Laura said...

I do love cuffs...perhaps because my bones are not so dainty, and cuffs always feel like they are in the correct proportion to my wrists! I just saw a Cartier exhibit at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco...there was a pair of cuffs there you would absolutely die for. I nearly did. Right there on the floor.

Marija said...

I love a bold cuff. Love loads of jewelry. Never quite subscribed to the "take one accessory off before leaving home" philosophy. Though I'm sure there are days it would have made it much easier to get through airport security. And I love the ladies of OC - nothing makes you more appreciative for the people in your life than these reality tv shows! Marija

Dandy said...

I love that Nancy Cunard picture. It was in one of the early Vogue compilation books, and I just adored it. She looks like the fairy godmother of a young David Bowie. It started me buying bangles, which I have never ceased to wear. And, oh yes, I am SO a more is more person. Minimalism and lack of color just don't work for me, personally.

Emily Evans Eerdmans said...

little augury - it certainly isn't easy to type when one's wrists are fully-loaded!

Home - I can't keep up with you! "Arm"ory - nice.

Marija - I knew someone out there would understand my RH - OC, NYC, Atlanta and no doubt DC addiction - Mr. EEE is completely exasperated by it - although he does linger when I'm watching the Millionaire Matchmaker...

Dandy - for me too the photo of Nancy sizzled and then seared itself onto my brain....

The Blushing Hostess said...

Emily - you are so right in your remark to LA. I had to rip a cuff from my sleeve yesterday in order to blog!

Alright then, I adore them and have posted on them previously. Although, I must admit I prefer them on an otherwise bare arm and in clean color and stone combinations. For the turq piece and some of the more colorful, I would not be a suitable mannequin.

Janet said...

I went through a cuff stage several years ago. The only problem is that I was always leaving them on my desk at work...

soodie :: said...

i was crazy for cuffs as a kid because i wanted to be like wonder woman and fashioned some out of cardboard paper towl holders -- magic markered them in my cherry-flavored smelly red one then, cut out a blue star on each one out of paper and glued it on. i just thought i was the cat's meow then. i cannot believe my wrists were that small once.

great post!

Emily Evans Eerdmans said...

Soodie, those scented (or smelly! as you say) magic markers - oh, the memories are just rushing back!

Laura Casey Interiors said...

Love cuffs and all these great ones you have shown. fun post!

pve design said...

Oh, I must dig deep and bring back my "well armed" phase again. I have one that I must post on...(before laptops)
One my mother in law gave to me, it has perfume inside, a vintage Dior!
Wonderful images.
pve

Shandell's said...

My cuff addiction started with vintage Bakelite in the 90's. It has grown since then. I was at the NY Gift show 9 years ago and found an artist who made fabulous cuffs, she called them her Wonder Women cuff. Studded with stones and hand engraved designs. I own one and love to wear it. She said they are a great symbol of strength.
Love this post.

Anonymous said...

Love Love this post.
Paulette P.